Ron Richerson
Author: admin
Art or Music– Ron was born to do one or the other. He excelled at art and music from an early age; but with an epiphany at only age 14, and having just survived an accident where he nearly died, he knew music was his destiny. All his artwork came down from the walls and hit the dumpster–and he’s never looked back. Music is his ultimate high: “I don’t need to skydive to get an adrenaline rush, just let me solo over an awesome chord progression–that’s flying for me! Besides…I never have to worry about ripcord failure.”
Although he started on the accordion, hearing progressive rock music with all the synths and the Hammond organ drove him to acquire all the latest gear and conquer the most difficult sounds and songs. Ron played in a rock band for a few years while majoring in music at UNLV. Of that time he reminisces: “I wanted to have the fastest fingers, the longest hair and the loudest band…I know, so cliche! Well, at least I still have most of my hair.”
It wasn’t long before he got the itch to move on, auditioning for, and joining up for the Air Force band. After only a year in the service, he was promoted to musical director of the 10-piece rock band called “New Approach,” traveling all over the country, doing concerts at high school and other venues. While in the service, he continued his studies, and broadening his knowledge of many other instruments, styles and arranging. He also taught music theory to other band members and auditioned musicians and vocalists. “Some people wonder if you can actually play rock music while being in the military, “Ron says, “But hey, I did my part to alleviate the communist threat; we played loud rock music, drowned out those lame Russian polkas and helped end the Cold War as far as I’m concerned.”
After his enlistment was up, Ron worked in music stores, taught and played freelance gigs; anything from cocktail parties to TV jingles. While attending church, he was asked to become music director, which he took as a new challenge. Recognizing the great amount of talent he had to work with, he formed and wrote the songs for a Christian rock band called “First Light” which performed all over northern California for nearly 5 years and eventually recorded a CD. “I thought ‘church music’ might be boring, but I found out the word inspiration literally means ‘God-breathed,’ and I grew more as a songwriter in this period than ever. What a great experience! It changed my life.”
New horizons awaited in Colorado where Ron’s desire to compose expanded, culminating in the release of 2 solo instrumental CD’s: “Songs from the Sky” and “A Touch of Heaven.” He has been courted to write music for audio books, TV and is actively pursuing composition for film. Ron rarely listens to the car radio these days: “I have so much music going on inside of my head…I can write, arrange, orchestrate and never get bored. It’s too bad my keyboard won’t fit on my dashboard. Now THAT would be cool!”
For Ron, playing in BluFlame6 is a breath of fresh musical air filled with finesse, style and taste: “I’ve played in so many bands that sound like they are trying to be a cross between jackhammers and anvils. I began to wonder if actual tone quality and technique even mattered any more. It does in BluFlame6! I’ve trained my fingers to dance and be expressive and they get to enjoy all of that in this band without compromise–and no Russian polkas either!”
