J. R. Richards
| J. R. Richards | |
|---|---|
_for_the_crewmembers_aboard_USS_Nimitz_(CVN_68).jpg) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Robert Richards[1][2] |
| Born |
April 30, 1967 Santa Barbara, CA, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter, Producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, keyboards, programming |
| Associated acts | Dishwalla |
John Robert "J. R." Richards (born April 30, 1967)[2] is an American musician best known as the original lead singer/songwriter for alternative rock band Dishwalla. J.R. is now working as a Music Producer - Singer - Songwriter and is a featured Producer for the Music & Film Production Company Reid Richards Productions which was founded by his wife Min Reid in 2010. He has appeared in the films Almost Anything, 2:13 and Morning (which he also scored) and he guest starred on Charmed as himself. Dishwalla had a No. 1 hit in 1996 & 1997 with the Richards-penned Counting Blue Cars, famous for its "Tell me all your thoughts on God, 'cause I'd really like to meet Her" lyrics. J.R won a Billboard Music Award for Top Mainstream Rock Track of the Year. In addition to this he won two ASCAP Awards for both having the Most Performed Song of The Year. In 2013 The City of Los Angeles awarded J.R. a Proclamation for Dedication to Enhancing Lives of Families Living in Extreme Poverty for his work in El Salvador with 20k Watts (details below).
Dishwalla produced four other albums with J.R. Richards as lead singer and main songwriter, including the 2002 hit, "Opaline". After Dishwalla finished making its last album in 2005, bassist Scot Alexander left the band prior to touring. Dan Lavery from the band Tonic filled in for Scot during Dishwalla'a fourth album tour in 2005. Drummer Pete Maloney left the band end of 2005 leaving the band without a drummer, bass player or label. The band was unofficially broken up in 2006 with only one original member remaining. J.R left the band officially in 2008 even though at this point Dishwalla's last performance was in 2005. Dishwalla has since reformed in 2009 with a modified member list though Dishwalla has yet to release a record under the Dishwalla moniker since J.R. Richards left. JR has four children and is married to British Director / Producer Min Reid-Richards.
His debut solo album A Beautiful End was released in 2009, and debuted in the Top 50 on iTunes worldwide. In 2016 J.R. released his 2nd solo album Honore et Amore as well as an all acoustic album of songs JR wrote while in Dishwalla called Stripped.
In January 2011, J.R. created the 20k Watts project along with Leo and Ryan Rossi. 20k Watts is an Artist Eco Alliance which aims to bring sustainable clean energy to developing communities in need. To empower communities in impoverished areas using the sun, wind, and battery for storing and supplying electricity and enhancing the current and future quality of life.
J.R. has been producing since the 90's and along with Dishwalla has gone on to produce other artists: Dom AD / Amy Grant/ BritRoyal and Vanaka amongst others, as well as produce his own Solo Album in 2009 as well as songs for the hit TV show HIMYM in 2012, Criminal Minds in 2013 and both his 2nd and 3rd solo albums in 2015 and 2016. J.R. produced British group 'Britroyal's Debut EP (along with producer Mikal Blue) and recently attended the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, England. He is also writing, producing and performing songs (including the theme song "White Light"), for a newly released TV series SAF3 airing in United States in September 2013. J.R. co-wrote 'Precious Stone' with Jason Koiter for Criminal Minds in December 2013. J.R. has just finished producing "Britroyal's" 2nd album "London" in 2016.
J.R is a featured Producer for Reid Richards Production (a Music & Film Production company) founded by his wife, Min Reid-Richards in California, USA. Reid Richards Productions also specializes in high end Music Video production.
AWARDS: R&R No. 1 Record of the Year 1996. R&R No. 1 Top 50 Active Rock Chart 5 Weeks in a row. R&R No. 1 Top 50 Alternative Rock Chart 2 Weeks in a row. R&R No. 1 Top 50 Rock Chart 2 Weeks in a row. R&R Top 5 Hot AC Chart. Billboard Award for ROCK TRACK OF THE YEAR 1997. Billboard No. 1 Heatseeker Album Track. Billboard No. 1 Modern Rock Track. Billboard No. 4 Top 40 Mainstream Track. Billboard No. 5 Hot AC Track. Billboard No. 15 Hot 100 Track. RIAA Certified Gold Records - Pet Your Friends. ASCAP Pop Music Award 1997. ASCAP Pop Music Award 1998. City of Los Angeles Proclamation for Dedication to Enhancing Lives of Families living in Extreme Poverty 2013.
MUSIC PLACEMENT: Criminal Minds, how i met your mother, SAF3, One Tree Hill (TV Series), Smallville, Charmed, American Pie, The Avengers, Back to the Future, Stir of Echos, The Banger Sisters, NCIS.
References
- ↑ SongLyrics.com, Dishwalla - "Give", Songwriters: ...John Robert Richards
- 1 2 California Births, 1905 - 1995, John R. Richards (Birth Date: 04/30/1967, County of Birth: Santa Barbara)