Memphis on Broadway

Hey All,

Just wanted to take a moment and tell you all about a fantastic new show on Broadway that I was lucky enough to see yesterday. It is called "Memphis" and this is the show to see.

Set in the 1950's, Memphis tells the story of Huey Calhoun, an eccentric white DJ with a passion for soul music. He vows to integrate the radio with this style of music, and thus begins the birth of rock and roll, rebellion, etc. Along the way there is love, danger, hope and amazing music and exceptional dancing. Every time someone performed a rousing rock, gospel or ballad number, I instantly had goose bumps, followed by tears. So moving. So beautiful.

Memphis stars Chad Kimball in the role of Huey Calhoun, and Montego Glover as Felicia, his love interest and of course, my good friend, Bryan Fenkart in his Broadway debut! I couldn't be prouder of him or more impressed with this magnificent cast.

The music of Memphis was written by David Bryan of Bon Jovi, which blew me away, seeing as it was so gospel-like and soul-filled. Who knew he had it in him?

Memphis plays at the Shubert Theater on 44th Street in Manhattan. Do yourself a favor and please, please, please go see this show. You will be so glad that you did.

Ok,that's it for now.

See you on the B-Side,

Richmond Chandler

Winter is Here, Happy Holidays

Hello All,

So again, it's been a while since I last updated here. What can I say - with Twitter and Facebook and Text Messaging and the plain old fashion phone, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. Not to mention the fact that after I update everywhere, I feel like there isn't anything left to tell that people don't already know. So, I'm going to do my best to change that, and update here more frequently.

Since the Fall, I have been working like a maniac on my voice and vocal exercises, not to mention keeping my piano playing as sharp as possible. After that nightmare of surgery (ies) and the even longer nightmare of recuperation, it was finally time to get back to it.

This is easier said than done, as I have been shuttling back and forth between NYC and Boston, not to mention a trip or so to Sunny Los Angeles, and some other places along the way. However, I have managed to motivate myself to get back to it. Not only that, but I have a lot of really pushy friends who will not let me simply wallow and take it easy. Ha ha ha.

Anyway, I've been lucky enough to play here in NYC recently at a couple of my favorite venues, not to mention some time in a recording studio, and even an impromptu performance in Los Angeles with some Hollywood Heavyweights in tow. Too awesome. As a result, I have been offered various long term opportunities, including two different (competing) venues who are interested in having me as their in-house entertainer - an honor to be sure.

So that's where I'm at. Rehearsing and rehearsing. And that's all good. I'm not sure my neighbors would agree, but I guess they do since no one has banged on my door to complain yet - yikes, knock on wood!

I've recorded some piano covers of Chopin, Mozart, Linkin Park and Evanescence, among others, to show my piano versatility. I am also putting together my favorite vocal performances as well. I intend to upload these to this site as soon as possible for everyone to be able to listen for themselves, and for potential clients to have a sample at their disposal anytime. This should be happening real soon.

Meanwhile, I hope that everyone will be having a wonderful time this Holiday Season. Sadly, I'm spending it with myself. All of my relatives are far away and have plans, as do my friends - even my significant other will be thousands of miles away. Oh well, I'll spend it like any other time, playing rock star in my apartment, singing loudly and playing that piano! Not too shabby.

Ok, so that's it for now. Take care and have a wonderful holiday season. May the days be filled with love, joy, laughter and MUSIC.

See you on the B-side,

Richmond Chandler