News

May/June/July 2011

In this global world of music, it is never surprising that a chance encounter of an Australia guitarist in Ireland would lead to a first time tour of Australia and on to Tasmania. Tacking on extra dates to an already packed New Zealand tour could not have been possible without the invitations of Steve Seaton for his Loose Acoustic GillaCamp and concert

and Tim O'Brien, who arranged the Australian dates,

and Steve Gadd, who was a huge part of the Tasmania visit as promoter and support.

At the helm of this tour was Roger Joseph of Arelmedia Management who sliced through the complicated requirements for playing in Australia and who also agreed to represent Richard for his future tours.

The New Zealand tour was particularly moving as a number of the dates were in Christchurch, an amazing community who weathered the earthquakes and aftershocks that rocked the entire area, plus an ash cloud that almost detoured the entire Australian trip. Sponsored by MusicWorks and Rockshop, Richard's tour included several concerts and demonstrations for his sponsors, including D'Addario, LR Baggs, and Shubb, as well as his favorite stops at the Mussel Inn, The Bunker, and Le Café. New Zealand has long been a much loved destination with its stunning landscapes and welcoming people.

Of particular significance for the extended tour to Australia and Tasmania was the opportunity for Richard to follow the footsteps of John Fahey, who recorded a live album some thirty years prior to this trip. Richard's own recording, "Tasmania Live", fulfills his dream of visiting the land down under the Down Under. Plans are in motion to return in 2012.

March/April 2011

March was a great time to be in the South as the weather is generally more forgiving than in other parts of the USA. Richard joined Hitesh Mehta (architect and landscape architect) for a book signing event and provided the music to accompany the stunning photographs of ecolodges around the world. Hitesh Mehta's book, "Authentic Ecolodges" is a collection at some of the most forward-thinking ecolodges in amazing exotic destinations. Hitesh is one of the world's leading authorities, practitioners, and researchers of ecolodges and ecotourism.

The annual MusikMesse in Frankfurt, Germany, was filled with concerts on the Acoustic Stage, as well as informal events throughout the conference.

A regular at the Shubb booth, Richard settled in to play a few tunes.

As one of the largest trade fairs in Europe, MusikMesse draws players and exhibitors from around the world for four days of demonstrations, workshops, and concerts.

Following MusikMesse, Richard traveled to the UK for a number of concerts and demonstrations sponsored by Strings & Things, LRbaggs_page1.html, the UK and Ireland's exclusive distributor for pickup and preamp specialist LR Baggs.

The Irish Guitar and Blues Festival in Drogheda, Ireland brought together some of the world's leading guitarists to share the stage at the TLT Concert Hall and Theatre. A favorite stopping place for Richard during his Ireland tour each year, the festival gave Richard twice the reason to catch up with old friends.

January/February 2011

It's NAMM time so it must be January. Every year Richard travels to Anaheim, California for the National Association of Music Merchant's convention to catch up with his sponsors, meet old friends, and participate in planned and impromptu musical events. Generally on the artist side of NAMM, this year offered the opportunity for Richard to experience the other side of the spectrum as he assisted Gary Mobley at the Shubb Capos booth. Share Richard's take in his article "The Other Side of the Aisle".

While touring California, Richard was invited to be a guest artist of the String Letter Music School in San Anselmo.  Presented in association with Acoustic Guitar magazine and AcousticGuitar.com, the Guest Artist Workshop program was an opportunity for players to study with Richard while he was in the Bay Area.  Richard shared his fingerstyle techniques with students and also took time to film an instructional video.

A brief tour to North Carolina gave Richard a chance to catch up with friends, particularly during the Fiddle& Bow Society concert in Winston-Salem where Sonny Thomas has been hosting this series for 30 years.

GillaCamp Florida offered a warm welcome to players escaping the northern winter weather in January and February with sessions in south and central Florida. Players from as far as New Mexico and Illinois joined fellow pickers from Florida and Arkansas for the two-day session plus a special evening concert with an impromptu appearance by Ted Stauffer on drums. A private back yard picnic on Sunday closed out this fun and inspirational weekend with players picking into the late hours.