Joe Richard making way up the music charts with 'outlaw country gospel'
Joe Richard is making a slow rise to the top of the charts.
The "outlaw country gospel" singer was featured in a News Journal story last year, when he was soliciting help from locals to shoot a video for his song called "Roots," the title track to his album.
More than 253,000 people have seen the video on YouTube. Over a year later, "Roots" sits at No. 9 on the folk and traditional songwriters chart in Cashbox magazine.
Richard is looking to go even higher.
"We're going to ride it out. It took a year to catch on," the Mansfield resident said. "We're getting close to a No. 1 song. If we hit No. 1, things will change."
Richard said he will be able to work with bigger producers if "Roots" goes to the top of the chart. He shot much of the video at the old Reformatory.
"Roots" was picked up by some radio stations that are 25,000 watts and above.
"From there, it just started climbing," Richard said. "It's going to open a lot of doors (if it goes to No. 1). I have to get to the next level before they'll take me serious."
Richard is already doing more than OK for himself. He is on the roster of 65/40 Records, a Nashville label. Richard, whose real name is Joe Smith, was born in Loudonville and graduated from Ashland High School in 1987.
He moved to Mansfield about 30 years ago.
Richard looking for younger listeners
"We're trying to reach a younger generation, from 21 to 30, that are currently listening to modern country music, that won't listen to contemporary Christian music," Richard said.
In high school, Richard played in the Ramblin' Band, opening for such national acts as the Charlie Daniels Band and David Allan Coe.
As he moved to adulthood, Richard played mainly bars and small clubs. He played drums in the Jimi Vincent Band for 25 years.
Richard said he spent many years drinking, smoking marijuana and chasing women.
His life changed in 2001 when he was invited to a baptism. He and Julie, his wife of 27 years, ended up getting baptized in the same river.
"We have been blessed ever since," Richard said.
The 54-year-old has three children and five grandchildren.
While "Roots" is doing well, Richard has written a number of other songs he is anxious for people to hear. One is called "A Born Again Country Boy," which will be the next single and title track to his next album.
"There's been so much going on with my music. It's just insane," he said.
Richard started playing drums at age of 4
Richard got an early start in music through his father, who had a band. He began teaching himself drum beats at the age of 4 and received his first drum set at 5.
He also plays guitar, bass and piano.
Richard recorded his previous album in Nashville with notable producer Rick Schweinsberg. Anthony "Ziggy" Johnson, a producer at the Grand Ole Opry, engineered and mixed the songs.
"I go to Nashville two or three times a month," Richard said. "There's really no reason to move.
"I'm doing it to reach people who don't have an opportunity to hear about the Lord. I'm not doing it for the money."
Inspired by what he called a "vision," Richard wrote and recorded five songs in about a month in May.
Richard had an "all-star band" backing him, including players from the Grand Ole Opry and Barbara Mandrell's steel guitar player.
He has been featured or will be soon in Cashbox, Record World International and Singing News Magazine, which covers gospel music. He and his band performed at Ark Encounter in Kentucky in June.
Richard might play there again next year, along with festivals and fairs.
He repeated his intentions to stay right here, even if he does attain more success.
"You'll never meet a more thankful person," Richard said.
People who would like to buy his music or see a show should visit JoeRichardgospel.com. To contact him, call 419-522-5707, ext. 4 or email him at joerichardgospel@gmail.com.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield resident making waves with outlaw country gospel music
