CHURCHES: Thank you for visiting my profile. Please enjoy the UPDATED video at the bottom of this bio.
I am a believer in the one true God. I am also a singer/songwriter. While not everything I write mentions God by name, my world view and my faith informs all of my songs. Writing, arranging and singing music is one way that I worship.
I believe the very best place for artists like me is the local church. I sing, write and lead worship for a large multi-campus church in the DC suburbs. I am blessed in that my art, my relationship with the Lord, and my vocation are allowed to intertwine so completely. As a performer and professional entertainer, I know what life is like in the exhausting, immoral entertainment industry. I know how it feels to feel yourself slipping, and to long for the company and support of other believers. But I have also experienced what it is like to be a part of a tight personal community of believers who love and support each other with authenticity and genuine Godly affection. This love is uncommon, it is life-giving, and it is the thing that Jesus said will make us stand out before the world as people who belong to Him. Wherever I go, I want to be a part of building that kind of church.
As a writer, I specialize in writing-to-assignment. For more than ten years I've written songs for people and organizations who need material that meets specific criteria. My work has included songs written specifically for artists, summer camp theme songs, songs commissioned by charity organizations, and songs intended for use as video soundtracks. One of the songs in the jukebox above, "Everything to Me" was commissioned by Jill's House, an organization near Washington DC that works with special-needs children. I am currently collaborating with orchestral arranger and good friend Ben Roundtree on a Christmas album featuring about 80% brand new songs and a couple new arrangements of carols.
I went to music school in Nashville. I've lived and worked as a studio vocalist in Nashville, Austin, Houston and Miami. I've written and led worship for several churches and summer camps.
I now live in Northern Virginia, just outside the DC beltway. I love working with my church, and I continue to write songs, sing sessions, and produce projects for local artists.
Please enjoy the video. It features clips of every style and location I could dig up, from McLean Bible Church's main auditorium (Coat & Tie stuff) to more casual Community Campus worship, to Student Worship. Don't forget to pause the jukebox at the top of the page before you press play.
Hey Hey Cuz!!! How's life? Im super busy with work and working out. BTW Im living in San Antonio, TEXAS now...and lovin' it too. Hope you are well... Miss and Love you bunches
Hey man, just wanted to say hi. Hadn't heard from you in many-a-moon. I had a craving the other day for some of that apple cider you made that one time. Blessings.
Hey Rich...gees, I start writing a comment to you and Greg is all, "tell him I said hey"...can't I just write you a comment without him!!!! :) Just kidding, you know you miss us!! I have to say that I do miss you! I got your message a while back and it was so encouraging and I miss those Rich encouragements (get it, they are rich and they are from you-Rich...I know, pretty lame, but oh well). Things are good, you need to visit, it's been like forever since you were here, we totally have a 15 month old who walks and talks and makes us laugh-it crazy! I am going to leave the longest comment EVER in case you are wondering...so what did you order for dinner tonight? And what DVD's have you recently purchased? Okay, for real, come visit or call or write a letter, we miss you, I miss you. Love you mucho mucho!
Ok...so maybe I don't want to "end up" like John Denver. I want to live! (John Denver album title joke)
But...there is something oddly compelling about becoming a legend by singing songs about Sunshine, making bad Christmas television specials, mowing the lawn naked, making multiple television and music recordings with the Muppets, and all while possessing the acting abilities of a 70's porn star.
Half-read books: this has been a challenge since early childhood. You can't purchase half-read books, but you can aquire them.
Non-fiction: First half read.
Fiction: First 4 chapters and final Chapter read.
Textbooks: Everything in Bold Print read.
Childrens Books: Pictures only.
Technical Manuals: Trouble-shooting section read only after blowing something up.
Graduate Student required reading: Abstracts and biboliographys only.
I have tagged you. Aren't you lucky! Now you must do two things. 1. Read my blog (fascinating I'm sure) 2. Write your own - your six wierd things (fascinating I'm sure)
Hey Rich -
Welcome to Northern VA! I'm sure you know by now living in Springfield that one takes their life in their hands when using the "mixing bowl", as the entrances and exits change daily. Also, Nashvillians who complain about heavy traffic have no idea what heavy traffic is until they drive around here in rush hour! :-)
it's about time you wrote something back to me!!!!!
Rich Rich Rich Rich Rich, when will you ever learn?????? It's so comforting to know that there are some people who will always push your buttons, and you know what?...I am thankful for that!!!! You made me laugh, so thanks!
Hope DC is going ok; you could come back onto the face of this earth and remember your miami friends a little more though, okay. :) Love you!
