PRESS KIT | Kern Richards

BIO

KERN RICHARDS PRESS KIT

BIO

Kern Richards speaks to traditional Folk, Country, and Blues audiences as well as to the rocker in us all. His songs of heartbreak, loneliness and dissolution are written and sung by a master storyteller with a unique sense of humor, irony and warmth.

Kern has shared stages with, and/or provided support for some of the world's most influential musical artists including American Folk legend Ramblin' Jack Elliott, songwriter Dave Alvin, singer/songwriter/producer Stevie Tombstone, Chris Gaffney, The Hacienda Brothers, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers,) Tony Gilkyson (Bob Dylan, X), Jeffrey P. Ross (Rank & File, Desert Rose Band), and many more.

Currently based in Southern California, Kern was signed to Stevie Tombstone's Austin, Texas - based ALTCO RECORDINGS label, and tours throughout the U.S.

Kern has a new full-length album tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2024, with John Bazz (The Blasters) on bass, and Mark Shark (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne) on guitars.

Kern Richards performs solo, as well as with a superb backing band featuring veteran music luminaries John Bazz on bass (The Blasters, Mike Eldred Trio) and Mark Shark on guitars (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne.)

VIDEO

Official video for the single 10 More Miles, released on ALTCO Recordings

Live 2023 w/ John Bazz, at Mamba, Huntington Beach CA

Live at the Claremont Folk Center, opening for I See Hawks In L.A.

MUSIC

from the album Anywhere But Home:

ALBUM CREW:

Kern Richards - Vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica

Tony Gilkyson - Electric guitar

Jeffrey Paul Ross - Electric guitar

Stephen Silver - Pedal steel

Jim Shirey - Keyboards, electric guitar, fiddle, dobro, mandolin

Mike Barry - Bass

John Senne - Drums

Produced by Jim Shirey

Mastered at Griffith Park Recorders, Los Angeles CA

Art direction/design: Ewa Wojciak

Photography: Bruce Kalberg

PRESS

PRESS / REVIEWS

"Where Tom Waits' drawl and Leonard Cohen's lullaby echoes overlap ... heartfelt, under-belly Americana."

—Jason Mater Robinson, NO DEPRESSION Magazine Full review here:

"...an impressive solo debut album by an artist who deserves a wider audience."

—Steve Terrell, Santa Fe New Mexican Full review here:

"And truth makes the music that lasts, that echoes through the ages, and finding that vein of brutal reality is the lynchpin of real art in whatever form it may take. It rings especially true in America where the ethos of the road forms so much of our cultural fabric. That’s why Richards’ music hits especially hard for those who call the road home, be they truckers, bikers, musicians and those of us who don’t seem able to just settle in one space and call it home." —Moonrunners Music Full article here:

"His music does the talking..." —Theo Douglas, Long Beach Press-Telegram Full feature article here:

"Kern Richards writes and sings with a heart full of soul. He shoots for the stars... and for all the singer-songwriters swimming in the Americana waters now, Richards is clearly going the distance."

—Bill Bentley, A & R Director, Vanguard Records

"Kern Richards makes some of the best road-trip music ever! Wherever you land, with his music to guide you, the landing is that much sweeter." —Mark Ebner, New York Times bestselling author - Hollywood, Interrupted