Rick Hill already plays guitar, hammered dulcimer, bass and banjo. Now he is working on learning the intricacies of the harp and the Swedish nyckelharpa.

"I have an attention span that's not terribly long," he said of his interest in so many different instruments, and "I love so many different styles of music."

Hill, 57, has been playing music since he was in fifth grade. Originally from just outside Philadelphia, he lived in Virginia and then New York before moving to Thurmont this past winter.

He spent much of his time in those locations combining his two interests — religion and music. He went to seminary in Virginia and eventually became the leader of a campus ministry at James Madison University, where he wrote musical sermons.

Upon moving to Schoharie, N.Y., he became the pastor of a Presbyterian church. When the organist left the congregation, he started leading the hymns with his guitar. By the time he left the church, at least five songs (more than the average amount) were played per service, he said.

He recalled including some unconventional music in his sermons, including "Blowin' in the Wind" and "Truckin'" by Grateful Dead, which he changed the lyrics of to tell the story of Jesus and the disciples making their way to Jerusalem, he said.

Although the songs are considered secular by most, there is a "spiritual side to us which demands art," Hill said. He enjoyed mixing that spirituality and religion through his song choices, he added.

"I love being in front of an audience," he said. "It's really fulfilling." So when his wife got a job in Mount Airy late last year, he decided that he would concentrate on a full-blown musical career upon moving to Maryland. He has played some paying local gigs but has also volunteered his talents within the community.

"I can't say enough about his community-building talents," said the Rev. Elza Hurst, pastor of the Lewistown United Methodist Church in Thurmont. Hill helped the congregation raise money to repair the church's roof, which was damaged in the winter snow storms, by headlining a fundraising concert.

"Rick takes music to a different level," she said. It may be because he looks at it from a "perspective of bringing the community together," she added.

"Wherever he goes with his music he lifts people's spirits" and garners enthusiasm, she said. That was exemplified by the $2,700 the church raised on the night of Hill's concert, she added. "It was just amazing."

Hill said he does see music as a community-building tool. That's one reason why he has played for free at the City of Frederick's newest farmers market on North Market Street, he said. The market only allows vendors from within a 120-mile radius of the city and features some form of entertainment every week.

"When you buy locally you're supporting a local economy," Hill said. "I think that's a great idea."

"I'm basically a local producer as well, except I produce music," he added.

"It was kind of a difficult task to recruit musicians to play pro bono," said market organizer, Emmitsburg farmer William Morrow. "It was clear that [Hill] felt that it was a form of giving to the community. I find him to be inspirational in that regard."

Although they are paying jobs, Hill has busied himself by performing at area nursing homes, as well.

He likes to think he is giving residents who have "lost some of those connections with the past," such as their homes and keepsakes, a very important connection to the past in the form of music. At those types of gigs he usually plays old favorites that are likely familiar to everyone in the audience, he said.

While he will continue to play at the farmers market, at nursing homes and at local venues such as Frederick Coffee Company and Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, he will also be working on a special project, he said.

He hopes to establish a nonprofit to support and encourage local acoustic musicians. He and other area artists, Todd Walker, Rod Deacey and Tomy Wright, have already started the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise (FAME), he said.

As for settling into the area, "folks have been very kind and generous to us," Hill said. He is excited to build a career and a life in Frederick County. "This is a nice part of the country," he said.

E-mail Courtney Pomeroy at cpomeroy@gazette.net.