What's New...

Hi everybody,

It has been a very long time since I have updated this page, and I am very sorry about that. I have been spending so much time creating news that I haven't had too much time to report it. Well, over the next couple of weeks look for that to change. With the help of my incredible daughter, Ashley Richardson the news will stay as current as humanly possible.

Also in the coming weeks look for there to be some changes in my web site in whole. As time progresses I will give you the latest.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please refer to the Request Form. If you'd like to receive update emails please sign up for my Newsletter.

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November 17, 2008

Backstage Magazine Interview

Recently, I was blessed to be interviewed by John Henny for Backstage Magazine. He asked some very probing questions about being a studio vocalist that I think I answered well (LOL). Please check the article out when you can.

I have also have the honor of working with John at the Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Voice Camps for the last couple Summers. John is an accomplished vocalist and vocal coach. Check out his website at www.johnhenny.com.

Songwriters Music Industry Panel

The West Coast Songwriters, in association with Creative Music Services presented the third and forth in a series of Songwriters Music Industry Panel. One was held at Borders Books in Pleasant Hill, California and the other at Borders Books in San Ramon, California. The former's illustrious panels consisted of Eric Chun (owner Creative Music Services, composer, producer, musician, clinician, educator), Larry Batiste (producer, songwriter, publisher, vocalist, educator), Kevin Cain (owner GMPR productions, songwriter, musician, producer), Roberta Donnay (vocalist, songwriter, artist), Destiny Muhammed (harpist, vocalist, songwriter, artist), Heather Johnson (journalist, author) and me. While the later included 11 time Grammy winner, Tony Lindsay. The Moderator for both panels was Michael Aczon (music attorney, manager, author, educator). The panels cover many of the legal and technical aspects of songwriting including: collaborations, song placement, song production, etc.

The next panel takes place January 11th at the Emerville Borders and Books. This panel is entitled, "Women In The Music World" and will feature producers, vocalists, musicians, managers, and authors such as Bonnie Hayes, Suzanne Koga, Heather Johnson, Roberta Donnay, Jasmien Hudson, Destiny Muhammed, Larry Batiste, Kevin Cain, Eric Chun, Michael Aczon, and me. For more...

Be on the lookout for the next set of panels which could be happening in Stockton, Marin, and/or Fremont, California. Also look for a possible similar panel in Houston, Texas.

Inspiring The Youth

A big part of my career has been to help young, aspiring artists find there way through the quagmire that is often times present in the music industry. It is through those efforts that I ran across a great organization that is based in Oakland, California. Youth Movement Records (YMR), founded by its director, Chris Wiltsee, was the first organization to use the model of a recording company to engage youth in leadership, artistic development and community involvement. YMR engages more than 400 young people annually with project-based workshops and hands-on opportunities to produce original music, events and media. (for more on YMR...)

I am proud to say that with the help of Larry Batiste (my business partner in the company Pure Delite Music) and in partnership with Youth Movement Records, we are forging ahead with a program called, The Musical Mentoring Project. Larry and I take one YMR participant that has excelled in the program and we produce a song on that individual. The finished song will be a part of the YMR Compilation CD they do every year. We have recently started on the second of five students we plan on producing during the next 4-6 months.

Our first production project was with the talented Andrea President. Andrea is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, originally born in Houston, Texas. However, through a series a moves she has become an Oaklander. YMR recognized her talent and introduced her to Larry and me. It was truly an honor to work with such a talented young musician/singer. Here is a sneak preview of the song we produced, which was written by Andrea.

RAab Stevenson

This past summer while teaching at the Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Summer Vocal Camp, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting the talented singer, RAab Stevenson. After having a chance to sing with him at the camp it is easy to hear why he has been one of Justin Timberlake's main touring background vocalists.

RAab (pronounced, "rob") was recently interviewed by journalist, John Henny for the Backstage Magazine, where he honored me with mentioning my book. Please checkout the interview of this incredibly talented vocalist.

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