Richie
grew up listening to all styles of music, thanks to his parents and their
diverse musical tastes. They would play the radio often, and Richie would
hear everything from classical to rock and roll. That gave him a love for
music but didn’t spark his ambition to become a musician. Then one day at a friend’s house, Richie was introduced to “Eruption” by
Van Halen. He was so impressed, that he soon bought all their albums and
played them repeatedly. Around that same time, he had also discovered Kiss
and bought all their albums as well. These two bands became the foundation
for his desire to create his own original hard rock/heavy metal music and
become a rock star. Richie was so intrigued by metal that he began to buy
recordings of almost every metal band he heard.
When it
comes to the guitar, Richie takes his playing very seriously. He blends fast
“shredding” with slow, emotional and bluesy wailing, making his style truly
unique. Many say Richie is a cross between Clapton, Page, Rhodes and Van Halen. “It’s great if you can play fast but remember a note has to breathe
if it’s going to live” says Richie. Just about every Blackwood song features
a guitar solo in it. Richie feels that soloing is an important element that
is missing in today’s music. “I treat a solo as a song within a song. The
main focus is the song, but a great solo is the icing on the cake.” Richie
is definitely on his way to becoming the world’s next guitar hero.
Some additional Info about Richie Blackwood
In addition to writing, recording, performing and
touring with his band Blackwood, Richie also does session work, live
performance and acting for recording projects, concerts, tv shows and films
etc.
Richie has written, recorded, performed, acted for and
worked with several artists, producers and directors. Some of these artists,
producers and directors include: Rap Great C.
Reid, RnB Sensation Quinton
Storm, Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Bruno Ravel (Danger Danger),
Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge), Rock Legends The Brats, Chris Collins (Dream
Theater/Winter Spell), Guitar Great Larry Mitchell, Master Illusionist David Martin,
Rapper/Singer/Producer
Garscon, Rapper Brasco, Reggae Singer Di Ultimate, RnB Vocalist Jay Mor,
Vocalist/Producer James "J Dot" Scott, Vocalist Tammy Infusino, Rapper
Blackway, Vocalist Andre Grier, Rapper Sabba Jenga, Vocalist 2.0, Vocalist
Stevie Soul, Vocalist Big Tone, Vocalist Unique, Vocalist Joni Dega,
East Indian Vocalist Nishi, Greek rock band Iskandar, Pop rock band Politikal Agenda, Producer/Musician Pete Rock, Rappers Smif & Wessun, Rapper
Tyler Woods, Demetra, Music Producer William Hamilton (Rob
Base & DJ E-Z Rock), Rock Band J.S.N., RnB Group
Kasche, RnB Vocalist Devante Myles, Rapper G4orce, The Keith Faison
Orchestra, George Tsalikis (Zandelle), Vocalist/Songwriter/Pastor Mike
Murdock, Drum Legend TC Tolliver (Plasmatics), Metal Icons Killen, PWR
(Wrestling), VPW (Wrestling), FTW (Wrestling), Film
Writer/Director Jason Katz, Director Paul Schrader (Dominion Prequel to the
Exorcist), Director Kevin Connors, Film Writer and Producer Chris Ciancimino,
Film Producer Jason Orans, Producer/Director Matt "Sig" Hall, Director Ned
Myerberg, Cinematographer Frederic Fasano, Director David Greer, Director
Walu Mwallino, Producer Christine Fitzgerald, Director Seth Fischer,
Photographer Robert Taylor, Photographer Vincent Pagan, Photographer Sandro DeCarvalho, Photographer Scott Gabriel
Morris, Director Brad Bitton, Director Derek Pike, Director Christine Masso,
Cinematographer Corey Snyder, Director Doug Gerber, Director Tyrik
Keyz Washington, Director Greg Deliso, Director Peter Litvin, Director
Candice Jones, Director Violet Hamilton, Director/Fitness Celebrity Susie Q,
Producer Anthony Petito, Director Joseph Petito, Director Jacqueline
Delibes, Director Wanly Florexile, Director Troy Dane, TV Show Host/Author Dan Pink, Howard
Stern, and Director Martin Scorsese.
