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Find Your Way Back Home
Background:
American singer/songwriter and actor J. R. Richard is known as the
vocalist and songwriter for the alternative rock band Dishwalla,
which has spawned five definitive records over 13 years since 1995.
Some of his songs has been included in soundtrack of films, most
notably “Find Your Way Back Home” for the blockbuster hit
American Pie (1999). As an actor, Richard has dotted his resume with
performances in the movies Morning (2000), Almost Anything (2001) and
the upcoming Two: Thirteen (2008). He also starred in a concert
production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” with the Golden
State Pops Orchestra.
Richard has one child with his wife, Shannon.
Santa Barbara Boy
Childhood and Family:
In Santa Barbara, California, John Robert Richards, who would
later popular as J.R Richards, was born on April 30, 1972. He is
married to Shannon, and they have one child together.
Two: Thirteen
Career:
J.R Richards got his start in the music industry as a member of
the Santa Barbara-based alt-rock group Dishwalla, along with Rodney
Browning Cravens (guitars), Jim Wood (keyboards), Scot Alexander
(bass) and Pete Maloney (drums). He serves as lead singer, songwriter
as well as plays guitar and keyboards.
Along with his band, Richard released a debut in 1995 called Pet
Your Friends. This was followed by And You Think You Know What Life's
All About in 1998, Opaline in 2002 and Live From the Flow State in
2003. Their self-titled album, Dishwalla, hit the music store in
2005. During that period, Dishwalla met success with album sales,
enjoyed a chart-topping single that nabbed a Billboard award for Rock
Song of the Year, and collected fan base through extensive tour all
over the world.
Richards also has done several movie soundtracks. He wrote the
song “Pretty Babies” for Brendan Fraser-Alicia
Silverstone comedy vehicle Blast from the Past (1999) and the single
“Stay Awake” for director David Koepp's thriller Stir of
Echoes (also 1999), starring Kevin Bacon and Zachary David Cope. He,
however, is most popular as the songwriter of “Find Your Way
Back Home” from the hit comedy American Pie (1999) soundtrack.
In Bob Dolman's The Banger Sisters (2002), starring Goldie Hawn and
Susan Sarandon, he wrote the song “Home.”
Multi-talented Richard also branched out in acting by appearing as
himself in an episode of the well-liked TV series “Charmed.”
He continued to have roles in the independent drama Morning (2000),
directed by Michael Mann's daughter, Ami Canaan Mann, and Raymond T.
Asante's romantic comedy Almost Anything (2001).
More recently, Richard starred as Jesus of Nazareth in Andrew
Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Commenting
about his work on the show, he said, “Its been a first for me
playing shows without a band. But I’m having a good time
playing the songs stripped down and will be doing more - with more
new songs - in the near future.”
Richard is scheduled to appear in the upcoming horror/thriller
Two: Thirteen (2008). He is reportedly working on his solo album.
“I do love my brothers in Dishwalla, but I've been enjoying
writing a record entirely for myself.” J.R Richard
Awards:
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