He loved sports and music, decided he had more talent for the latter, and developed a simple goal: “I wanted to be in the best vocal group in the world.” Before joining the Oaks in 1972, Richard sang in various groups, most notably backing Elvis Presley as a member of The Stamps Quartet.
Baseball has also been a longtime passion for Richard. For many years, as a part owner of the Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers AAA club), he attended spring training and took bus trips with the team. He now serves as the team’s “official ambassador,” and attends games anytime he is in town during the season.
Richard’s well-tailored clothing reveals one of his other loves. “When I was singing part-time and working in a clothing store,” he recalls, “I developed a real interest in fashion, and it’s something that has carried through.”
He also enjoys fine restaurants, collecting wine, and traveling — particularly to the seashore, where he likes sailing and snorkeling. A fitness buff, he has a bicycle at home and keeps another stowed in a bay under the tour bus. He even has a case so he can check a bicycle aboard airplanes.
Because of his longstanding interest in weather (he enjoys watching the Weather Channel!), Richard recently recorded public service announcements for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio network, the “voice” of the National Weather Service. Richard is also the “voice” for the Classic Country channel on Sirius Satellite Radio.
He and his wife Donna have two daughters living at home, Lauren and Tori. He also has three older sons, Rich, Doug and Chris, as well as six grandchildren.
**PRE-ORDER NEW ALBUM BOYS NIGHT OUT & RECEIVE THE FIRST SONG TODAY**
The Oak Ridge Boys’ first-ever live Country hits album, Boys Night Out, releases on April 15. But Cleopatra Records has arranged a special pre-order offer for fans who can’t wait to sample the new project! Pre-order the album from iTunes today and you’ll receive the first song download, You’re the One, immediately!
www.oakridgeboys.com
LARRY HOSTS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON CRN AND ALSO IS AN EXPERT ON WINE WHO IS SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVENTS, TASTES AND MAJOR SOMMELIER EVENTS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA. HE COMMENTS ON THE INDUSTRY AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT WINE.