Rich Hardesty: Press

Are you ready for some feel good music? Do you want to feel like you're part of the concert, part of the band? Well you really need to check out Rich Hardesty. With the #1 played jukebox song on the I.U. campus(yes , the #1 party school in the USA) and the song, 'All My Friends are Stoners' featured in the movie 'Totally Baked'. Not to mention headlining for John Mellencamp's 50th birthday bash. You'll want to get a chance to catch him local before he explodes, because the rate he's going, soon enough he may only be tangible through Ticket Master.

Brought up in his hometown of LaPorte Indiana, his first experience with a musical instrument was a piano. At 7 years old, his mom began teaching him to play. He said, "I've always had the support of my parents. My dad is my biggest fan. When he worked at Bethlehem Steel, he kept my CD's in his car for the ride to and from work."

Rich began playing with his band 6 years ago. With band members Michael Smith, who used to be with "The Why Store" band before they split. MoeZ, on the bass and keyboard, who used to tour with "John Mellencamp" and "The Wallflowers". John Gray on the drums. Andy Salge, whom is a big help and sits in for MoeZ when needed. And let's not forget Muckluck, Rich's Siberian Husky who has been traveling with the band since he was just a pup. Recently finished is the self titled album which was done completely on their own and very original. The sounds of Rich Hardesty can be compared to music like Jack Johnson ignited, Sublime, and Dave Matthews Band meets John Mayer with a reggae rosta man. All of their music has an acoustic, feel good vibe with rock, reggae, and hip-hop influences.

Before the release of the latest record, Rich Hardesty has sold more than 50,000 CD's and has gained a worldwide fan base by playing over 2000 live shows across the U.S., including a 36 city Jagermeister-sponsored tour in 2001, opening for bands, wich include Cypress Hill, Kid Rock, and Eddie Money. Not only has he played 6 consecutive spring breaks at beach bars and resorts in Jamaica, but he has also played in Florida and Southern California, and the list goes on building up to his crdibility of being Indiana's #1 selling artist. So if you haven't seen them in action yet, then you know by now that you're missing out big time.

One of the bands proudest moments was a show they promoted on their own for the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard, which ended up being a full house. I asked Rich what the hardest part of being in a band is? He said, "the challenge of traveling and being away so much from your friends and family is tough, but with all the support from them, you learn to get through it." In the next two years, Rich plans on doing another Jager tour, and releasing two more albums. He said, "This time we will have 2 records with the same songs. One record will be an acoustic version and another with all of the band members featured." I asked Rich his favorite part about being a musician and he said, "Connecting with the crowd is real rewarding. We as musicians everywhere are nothing without our fans. In our case it's been great, because our fans have been so receptive to change, always appreciating our new sounds and letting us grow." Being so busy with schedules and tour dates, I asked Rich, "What would you love to do if you could do anything in the world right now?" he said, "I would definitely take the band to Jamaica for about three months to strictly create and record new music. My biggest inspiration has come from Jamaica."

Recently, I ventured to a nice bar called "Ringers" in LaPorte to catch one of Rich Hardesty's live shows. I've never seen a crowd participate so early on in a show before. Right away people were in front of the stage dancing to the first song and the next. Everyone was singing along and having such a good time. The sounds were very "feel good" as it's been described. The "take me away and make me believe I am someplace else" feeling. Complete Satisfaction.

So you see, with the brief info I've given you on Rich Hardesty, it's enough to venture into his world and let his music possible be the soundtrack of your life.