BIO:
Richards
interest in music came at an early age of 8 years old.
His mother would play 78
RPM records from the Big Band era.
At about age 13 Richard fell
in love with the sound of the Pipe Organ, and went to several Pipe Organ Concerts throughout his years up to present
day.
Also at age 13, Richard built his own AM Radio Station With a limited five mile range. With long time friend, Richard Ragsdale, The duo would play requests from classmates and also "Free Form"
Recordings. The AM Radio station had two RCA 45 RPM record players, one Gerard 33 1/3 RPM record changer, and one reel
to reel tape player.
In 1966, at age 18, Richard started singing. He joined a Rock Band named The 8th Day and performed lead vocals.
At age 42, in 1990, Richard formed The Motherboard Blues Band. But the band also
played "Oldies" and "Classic Rock" The group disbanded five years later.
In 2005, at age 57, Richard formed The Route 66 Band and has continued his
singing in Route 66 to present day.
Practice was often in the car, with the sound system as loud as the stereo would go without distorting. Richard would also
sing at clubs that held Jam Sessions, where he could "Sit In" with other musicians during off
nights. This was like Karaoke with a Live Band.
At
age 40, with the urging of best friend and musical mentor; David Petrie, Richard took
a “Beginning Piano” class at Citrus College in Glendora California, Richard had a small Spinet piano at
home for practice. At age 41 Richard bought a used Yamaha DX-7 Keyboard for $600. He had to drive to San Diego to buy the
DX-7. The Yamaha DX-7 had many piano patches and several different Hammond Organ patches. But something was missing.
Even though the DX-7 Had several Hammond Organ patches, it just wasn’t quite right. With David's help, again, saying “You
need a Leslie Speaker.” In the search for his first Leslie Speaker Richard landed and 31H Leslie, and his
“sound” was complete. Richard’s current “Gig Rig” is a Hammond B-3 organ played through
a 147 Leslie speaker system and the trusty Yamaha DX-7 Played through a Silvertone 1484 Guitar / Keyboard Amp driving
four 12" speaakers.
