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27 Madison Ave. Reading, PA 19605 Ph: 610.929.2074 Web site by Little Guy - Updated 4-7-06 This web site is owned and maintained by Ron Richards. |
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Ron Richards, Musician & Music Teacher |
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Ron Richards started his musical career in the third grade at the age of 8 years old. He took trumpet lessons from Bill Troxel at Zeswitz Music Store in Reading, PA. He played in the Muhlenberg Twp. High School marching band, orchestra and show band, usually playing first or second chair under the direction of Henry (Hank) Hoffman. He was also in Muhlenberg’s Mixed Chorus, County Chorus and Muhlteers (vocal group). He also played in the Sunday School Orchestra and sang in the Junior, Chapel and Senior choirs at Alsace Lutheran Church in Reading, PA.
In 1960, he started guitar lessons with Les Price at Wittich’s Music Store in Reading, PA. In 1963, he began a full-time career of teaching guitar and electric bass. First at Fred Wittich’s Music Store in the Muhlenberg Shopping Center in Laureldale, PA. Then in 1964, he taught with Les Price at Eckert Bros. Music Store in Reading, PA which moved to Temple, PA in 1969. In 1965, he started teaching at Bobby Stoudt’s Music Store in Kutztown, PA. He also had some guitar and electric bass students at home. He later studied guitar with Chuck Wayne of Staten Island, N.Y. who was the guitarist with the George Shearing Quartet, the Merv Griffin Show Band and many Broadway shows.
Five of his students (that he knows of) went into musical careers of their own. They are Fred Bernardo of Fred’s Music Store in Shillington, PA and Lancaster, PA, Tim Price of Reading, PA, Andy Burasz of Reading, PA, Jimmy George of Reading, PA, Brad Schaeffer of Reading and Tony Cruz of Reading, PA.
During the 60’s and 70’s, he sang and played guitar and bass with various local groups some of which were the Merry Makers, Rhythm Kings, Men of Note, Hal Kremser’s Dance Band, Billy LeVan’s Band, Rod Orth band, Les Lester’s Band, Jack Walter’s Polka Band, Reading Big Band, the Wildcatters (Wildcat Club band), Bill Dougherty Duo, and Ron Alan Duo and single.
In the Wildcatter's band, he backed such stars as George Meharis, Pat Suzuki, Bob Eberly, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Tommy Leonetti, Dick Roman, Anna Kashi, the Peter Gordino Revue, the Joe Cavalier Revue, Cab Calloway, Tony Santora, Guy Marx, Tony Vallo, Lynn Fader and Al Martino.
After a 20 year layoff, he put together the Ron Richards Duo. Having Chuck Mowery, (of the After Hours Band) on guitar and vocals also Ron on guitar and vocals later teaming up with Barry Brown (guitar & vocals) and Ron on bass and vocals. He is also doing a single on guitar and vocals using a computer type of accompaniment (sequencer) on these engagements as well as a synthesizer.
In addition to his own performances, Ron is doing vocals and playing electric bass with the Rajah Shrine Nobel Aires (dance band), the Rajah Shrine Concert Band and the Rajah Shrine String Band.
In 2002, he and a banjo player, Bill Sassaman of Temple, PA put together a 3 piece group to play string band tunes of the 20’s thru the 50’s at various meetings and functions. It consists of banjo, bass and guitar. The group is called “STRING CREW”. CREW is the initials of the players: C is for Charlie Engle (guitar), R is for Ron (bass), E is for an Extra Musician when needed and W is for Will Sassaman (banjo).
Ron is currently teaching guitar and electric bass from beginner to advanced. He teaches at his place or yours. |
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