Rick (Richard Jason) Barrickman, founder and president of the SafeHoop Company, died suddenly at the age of 40 in his home in Louisville, Kentucky, this past weekend. Barrickman designed the patented S-Hoop(TM) in 2004, and shortly after that he was awarded the patent for the hoop The Safehoop Company was formed. S-hoops have been receiving raving reviews in all major drum industry magazines over the past years. 
\"Rick was one of my best friends in the music industry. He was one of the few people you meet who is truly genuine and straightforward. He was simply a real sweet guy with a big heart.
For the past two years I helped him a little at his booth at the NAMM show in California and he gave me a snare drum for building and running his web site. It has been my favourite snare since, and now it carries a completely different load of emotional value.\"
Dennis was one of the first artists to sign an endorsement agreement with S-hoop, followed by other well known artists such as Deen Castronovo, Walfredo Reyes Jr. & Sr., Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice, Pat Petrillo, Paul Wertico, Gavin Harrison and Dutch drummer Martijn Peters.
More information about S-hoops can be found at www.safehoop.com.
Condolances for Rick\'s family can be left at www.legacy.com.
