If you have been around either Christian music or mainstream music long enough , you would have heard the name Rich Renken . If you have been in the NAMM industry ( musical instruments and pro audio gear ) long enough , you very well may of meet Rich somewhere along the way . If you have lived in the Southern California area for long enough and been involved in music , you may be like me – a person that gets to call Rich a friend . I have had this honor for many years now , and it is about time I introduce you ( our readers ) to Rich to hear his remarkable story as well .
[ WM ] A significant thing happened to you when you were 18 years old . Tell us about that ?
[ Rich Renken ] In 1983 while at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion , I was introduced to a guitar player at a local church . His name was Bryan Carlstrom . I played French horn in high school and bought a bass because of Gary Lunn of White Heart and Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson . Bryan and I connected because of our love of music . After a few months of friendship , we sat on my dorm room floor and prayed a pretty bold prayer . Among other things we prayed to be an influence in the music industry . As you read this interview , know that my favorite verse that pertains to living life is “ The steps of the righteous man are ordered by the Lord .” Psalms 37:23
Rich and Bryan Carlstrom ( Alice in Chains , Social Distortion , Project 86 , Stavesacre , Jeremy Riddle ) 5 months after praying to be an influence in the music industry . Their band , Vaniah .
[ WM ] So what was the first step you took to pursue this ?
[ Rich ] First step was starting a band . I grew up with a drummer named Kyle Kircher who was in the McDonald ’ s All-American band when he was a senior . When I was 8 , the song “ We ’ re an American Band ” made me want to be a drummer . I tried taking drums in 5th grade but too many signed up for drums , so I played clarinet until high school when I switched to French horn . But , because of my friendship with Kyle , I learned a bit of drums that lead to my love for bass . Bryan Carlstrom and I wanted to start a band . Kyle was attending my college as well . I asked him if he wanted to be in a Rich on stage with producer Bobby Hartry at The Troubadour with their band , Yellow House