Project Description

Interview with

RANDALL LEE RICHARDS

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Randall Lee Richards

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American born and bred country artist ‘Randall Richards’ has been involved in the music bizz for many years. Starting the age of 12, it wasn’t long before Randall signed his first deal which not long after catapulted himself right under the nose of major labels such as EMI and Sony Music.

Assigned as a songwriter for the majors, Randall soon moved on independently and managed to perform at some of the most iconic venues in the US such as The Roxy and The Troubadour.

After listening to some of Randall’s original material online, I soon asked myself the question, where has this bloke been all my life? His music has more hooks than a pirate convention, seriously, and after digging a little deeper, I find he has more surprises; this guy was mentored by legends Neil Diamond, Charlie Daniels and even Elton John.

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So here we are in the hot seat with the bloke himself, the masters apprentice ‘Randall Richards’ to discuss his latest single ‘A Paradise Life’ and get to know a little more. Firstly, let’s start with how you came to be mentored by ‘The Legends’, Neil, Charlie & Elton?

First of all, it’s about 4 AM my time in America so I’ll try and be a coherent as possible. As you know as an artist, sleep is a rare commodity! I find at this quiet time it’s great for songwriting and I’m finishing several new songs which I think everyone will like right now.

In answer to your question, I have mutual friends with many people in the industry and that is how I came to be mentored the greats you mentioned among others. I was so very young when I started, I think most people were wowed by the God given talents which only needed some fine tuning. Neil Diamond told me “good songs are written, but great songs are re- written!” that had an enormous and lasting impact on me. In fact, just now I’m on my 5th revision of a new song I think just might become a classic. You never know. But, once I started putting his profound suggestion to work, my career immediately began to rise.

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How did you get Involved with the majors as a songwriter?

I was first signed as a singer/songwriter to Atlantic, Then MCA/Universal; Warner Brothers, and finally A&M I was having moderate success as a singer, but my songs began to be covered by major artists and selling . millions of copies. It’s funny how the music business works. Of course everyone wants the path of least resistance, so I became known as a songwriter, and little more push was given to my singing career at that point.

I know writing a song is like giving birth to a baby, you can become attached and find it hard to let go – How did you find writing songs for major labels only to have someone else re-record and perform your song as if it was their own? Did you feel a sense of loss? You know they say about money that it’s better to have it than to not have it. Of course that’s true, but I don’t think any true artist does what they do for the money. So, even though I appreciate the success of my songs, my heart has always been to sing them. That is what inspires me the most.

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When did your affiliation as a songwriter for the majors finish and was leaving the label a hard thing to do or was it a contractual thing?

I had a single on A&M which was getting amazing traction across America and around the world. But, the label was not giving it the attention it needed to cross the finish line. I hear that from so many artists signed by majors. I was so frustrated I would up sitting out my contract and eventually leaving the business for a lot of years. It took the changes in the business and the Internet to make me want to do this again on an Independent label, which I think finally, gives me the opportunity to go directly to my fans and fulfill the goal of singing and performing my new songs for them! And, by the way, I am writing and singing with a totally renewed spirit now, and I’m already seeing a really amazing response all over the world.

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Your latest single ‘A Paradise Life’ is a brilliant country track, what’s it about?

It’s very interesting how I wrote it. As, I said, I’m up usually the for half the night. About 3 AM one night this past January, I woke up from a dead sleep and had this idea in my head. I went into the living room, and began to write down my thoughts on the back of an envelope. (Songwriters know you find anything you can when the inspiration hits) Many times I’ll be in my car or whatever and use the notes function on my phone too.

The song “A Paradise Life” was an inspiration of what just about every couple face in marriage, raising a family, and life in general. That’s why I think it’s gathering such a wide audience. Virtually everyone can relate to at least some of it. Of course the theme in the end is that the “Paradise Life” is about love and the experience of life with those you love instead of some goals we set.

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Randall Lee Richards

RANDALL LEE RICHARDS – “A Paradise Life”

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Is this from an EP or album?

I’m in Nashville finishing what will be an EP released in Sept. We have 6 songs done and two more to go, but those are written already. I know it might sound braggadocios, but I think there are at least 5 super hits on it. That’s up to the listeners. In any case I love the songs and can’t wait to sing them in person on stages.

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Are you planning on touring Oz anytime soon?

Some of my closest friends are Aussies. When I was 21 I almost moved there and married a girl from Sydney. It’s a dream of mine to come there and spend a lot of time touring and loving me some wonderful Australian peeps! Fingers crossed that will happen very soon.

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I hear the single is doing very well overseas, what has been your biggest highlight so far in this release?

It’s been out for only a few weeks, but already in the top 30, and even top 10 on most charts here. That’s crazy! It’s also impacting radio in at least 40 countries now and especially gaining ground in Australia and New Zealand. I couldn’t be more excited about that.

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What are your thoughts on the Australian country music scene?

I know it sounds silly but ever since I was 12 starting out in music I always thought I would be successful In Australia. Thank you so much for helping get the word out, and let’s see if that happens.

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AMNPLIFY – DB