| Bill Richardson Acoustic Bass |
| Bill began his musical journey by taking up the saxaphone in the 5th grade. He played in the concert and marching bands until he graduated high school. As a freshman during the Beatles craze, he started playing electric bass in garage bands and continued playing in clubs in the Washington D.C. area during his senior high school year and college years. He married his high school sweetheart, Gertie after she graduated a year behind him. Bill's career began in Northern Virginia, working for a school board repairing and installing P.A. systems throughout the schools. He ended up becoming the sound man for all the bands he played in, as he developed a knack for running sound. Bill was left with sound equipment from different bands and eventually built his own sound system from them. Through the years, his system has grown to 8000 watts and he has acquired speakers able to run outdoor bluegrass festivals. Bill is called on occasionally to run sound for events. For a time, he was the sound engineer for "Lynda Smith and Live Wire" country band of Donk's Theater. Bill developed an interest in bluegrass when he moved to Gloucester, VA. He played bluegrass music with Doug and Eugene Crabtree in their group "East River Boys". This is when Bill met Jeff Collins. Bill later went on to play with the group "Curly Maple". Bill played in this band with Ritchie Dotson, a long time friend of David Joyner and Jeff Collins. He also plays with a group "Asphalt Gypsies" as a part-time venture with musicians from other bands. Bill has been involved with bluegrass music for better than 26 years now. Approximately 8 years ago, Bill set up a 24 track recording studio in his home and began recording local bands. He has recorded Christian rock, folk music and several bluegrass bands. His Christmas cd by the "Asphalt Gypsies" called Old Toys, has received airplay on Public Radio station WHRV in Norfolk, VA. Bill and Gertie have celebrated 40 years of marriage, have two children and three grandchildren. Bill is retired from Verizon Telephone Company with 32 years of service. Since retirement, Bill and Gertie travel to numerous bluegrass events in several states. He plays acoustic bass, as fill in when needed, for several bands. Bill's ending quote is: "My favorite group I stand in with is Thunder Creek and I love their vocal harmony". |
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