New Jersey Stage October 2014 | Page 12

and then it’s NYC’s Fashion Week. Recording her voice and then singing with her onstage is an honor for me. Talking about that certain something, this girl has it in spades. You’ve always kept yourself in the background it seems, content to write music and play guitar. Was there ever a part of you that wanted to be the frontman? Never. Even when my ego goes to my head, the voice I hear in my songs is always a higher quality than the one that comes out of my throat. One of the greatest tricks I’ve learned over the years in a great team is to exploit your strengths and hide your weak- nesses. I’ve learned how to be the best support system for any great singer. I’ll produce, write, record, sing and perform along with others that stand in front and command an audience. I can help make that singer as strong as they’re capable of. That has always been my job. I’ve learned from all the best. Bruce and Little Steven, Jon and Ritchie, Southside and Bobby, Tyler and Perry …and those guys seemed to learn from the very best: Mick and Keith. I felt very lucky to share that for many years with the lead singer of Highway 9, Peter Scherer and to this day we still treasure that chemistry and relationship. I still TOM RICHARDS BASSIST/SINGER/SONGWRITER Artist with over 30 years in the music business on multiple fronts Available now for touring, recording, and fill ins click here for contact info New Jersey Stage October 2014 pg 12