{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Rich Berry Music","home_page_url":"https://richberrymusic.com","description":"Rich Berry Music","author":{"name":"Rich Berry Music"},"items":[{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/the-first-time-ever-i-heardseals-crofts","html_content":"

There are moments in my life that I can remember very clearly. Yet, most times I can't remember anything about anything!! But I do remember the first time I ever heard Seals & Crofts.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/the-first-time-ever-i-heardseals-crofts","title":"The First Time Ever I Heard...Seals & Crofts","summary":"There are moments in my life that I can remember very clearly. Yet, most times I can't remember anything about anything!! But I do remember the first time I ever heard Seals & Crofts.","date_modified":"2026-06-16T20:53:56Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-first-guitar","html_content":"

This picture is of great importance to me for several reasons. First, this was taken in 1959. It shows my brother, Ed, in the middle playing an acoustic guitar. So, it's cool to see the picture of my brother!

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-first-guitar","title":"My First Guitar","summary":"This picture is of great importance to me for several reasons. First, this was taken in 1959. It shows my brother, Ed, in the middle playing an acoustic guitar. So, it's cool to see the picture of my brother!","date_modified":"2026-06-16T20:31:31Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-picture","html_content":"

While performing at a local rest home, the staff took a picture of me playing and singing on a very hot day!!

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-picture","title":"New Picture","summary":"While performing at a local rest home, the staff took a picture of me playing and singing on a very hot day!!","date_modified":"2026-05-21T19:22:28Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/year-number-3-for-the-county","html_content":"

I recently found out The Warren County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs has asked me to perform at the twelve assisted Living facilities for the third year in a row in 2026. I am honored to have been asked again. ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/year-number-3-for-the-county","title":"Year Number 3 for the County","summary":"I recently found out The Warren County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs has asked me to perform at the twelve assisted Living facilities for the third year in a row in 2026. I am honored to have been asked again. ...","date_modified":"2026-01-16T21:12:10Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/some-new-music-since-christmas","html_content":"

I received many CDs for Christmas as well as stopping by some discount stores for a few used CDs. Here is my list in no particular order:

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/some-new-music-since-christmas","title":"Some New Music since Christmas","summary":"I received many CDs for Christmas as well as stopping by some discount stores for a few used CDs. Here is my list in no particular order:","date_modified":"2026-01-09T22:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/not-just-another-drummers-throne","html_content":"

The day after Christmas I decided to purchase a new drummer's throne for when I perform. The seat pictured above used to belong to an old friend of mine, Jeff Parsons. After Jeff passed away, I thought I could keep his m...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/not-just-another-drummers-throne","title":"Not Just another drummer's throne...","summary":"The day after Christmas I decided to purchase a new drummer's throne for when I perform. The seat pictured above used to belong to an old friend of mine, Jeff Parsons. After Jeff passed away, I thought I could keep his m...","date_modified":"2026-01-02T03:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2025-year-in-review","html_content":"

As 2025 comes to a close, we start to look back on the kind of year it was. For me it was a relatively calm year. In January I had a second operation on my bladder to correct a situation that started over 6 months before...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2025-year-in-review","title":"2025 Year in Review","summary":"As 2025 comes to a close, we start to look back on the kind of year it was. For me it was a relatively calm year. In January I had a second operation on my bladder to correct a situation that started over 6 months before...","date_modified":"2025-12-21T20:45:53Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/listen-to-the-crowd","html_content":"

It's a little embarrassing when someone who spends an afternoon listening to your music asks you if you have Venmo so they can tip you and you have to say no. I was not forward thinking enough to bother to learn how Venm...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/listen-to-the-crowd","title":"Listen to the Crowd","summary":"It's a little embarrassing when someone who spends an afternoon listening to your music asks you if you have Venmo so they can tip you and you have to say no. I was not forward thinking enough to bother to learn how Venm...","date_modified":"2025-09-22T15:38:39Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-new-sandwich-board-sign","html_content":"

I'm not one to constantly tell people who I am when I perform in public. I'm sure there are people who listen to me, like me, and have no idea who I am. So, I decided to buy a sandwich board to setup whenever I perform s...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-new-sandwich-board-sign","title":"A New Sandwich Board Sign","summary":"I'm not one to constantly tell people who I am when I perform in public. I'm sure there are people who listen to me, like me, and have no idea who I am. So, I decided to buy a sandwich board to setup whenever I perform s...","date_modified":"2025-06-25T00:41:39Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-do-i-still-perform-after-57-years","html_content":"

The first time I performed in public was in 1968. My band played at a 7th & 8th grade dance in Belvidere at the Third Street school. That was 57 years ago. This past weekend, I performed at two different wineries. Why am...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-do-i-still-perform-after-57-years","title":"Why Do I Still Perform after 57 years?","summary":"The first time I performed in public was in 1968. My band played at a 7th & 8th grade dance in Belvidere at the Third Street school. That was 57 years ago. This past weekend, I performed at two different wineries. Why am...","date_modified":"2025-06-22T17:59:37Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/the-passing-of-brian-wilson","html_content":"

Those of you who know me well are aware that I have been a huge fan of The Beach Boys for well over 50 years. So, the passing of Brian came as quite a shock to me. I knew he didn't look well, and he had dementia issues b...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/the-passing-of-brian-wilson","title":"The Passing of Brian Wilson","summary":"Those of you who know me well are aware that I have been a huge fan of The Beach Boys for well over 50 years. So, the passing of Brian came as quite a shock to me. I knew he didn't look well, and he had dementia issues b...","date_modified":"2025-06-17T02:04:44Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-songs-ive-added-to-the-list","html_content":"

Here are just some of the songs I've added to my set list in the past few months....

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-songs-ive-added-to-the-list","title":"New Songs I've Added to the List","summary":"Here are just some of the songs I've added to my set list in the past few months....","date_modified":"2025-04-23T00:28:45Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/re-hired-for-2025","html_content":"

I am happy to announce the Warren County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs has hired me again for the 2025 calendar year to perform at the 12 county assisted living centers. I had a great time last year performing ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/re-hired-for-2025","title":"Re-Hired for 2025","summary":"I am happy to announce the Warren County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs has hired me again for the 2025 calendar year to perform at the 12 county assisted living centers. I had a great time last year performing ...","date_modified":"2025-02-22T01:17:33Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2024-in-reviewa-mixed-bag","html_content":"

2024 was a disappointing year for me musically. I basically only played two different wineries all year because medical issues kept me from seeking new places to play. Four Sisters Winery and Brook Hollow Winery were the...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2024-in-reviewa-mixed-bag","title":"2024 in Review...A Mixed Bag","summary":"2024 was a disappointing year for me musically. I basically only played two different wineries all year because medical issues kept me from seeking new places to play. Four Sisters Winery and Brook Hollow Winery were the...","date_modified":"2024-12-31T20:23:55Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-new-pa-system","html_content":"

My wonderful wife decided to purchase a new PA system for my birthday!!!

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-new-pa-system","title":"A New PA System!!","summary":"My wonderful wife decided to purchase a new PA system for my birthday!!!","date_modified":"2024-08-01T15:18:04Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-do-you-arrange-your-sets","html_content":"

Most jobs are three hours long. That means three sets.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-do-you-arrange-your-sets","title":"How do you arrange your sets?","summary":"Most jobs are three hours long. That means three sets.","date_modified":"2024-04-21T01:39:07Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/two-sides-of-the-coin","html_content":"

When a musician goes looking for work, you hope to find a place that will appreciate your hard work in putting together a great list of songs to entertain their patrons. You expect the establishment to pay you the going ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/two-sides-of-the-coin","title":"Two Sides of the Coin...","summary":"When a musician goes looking for work, you hope to find a place that will appreciate your hard work in putting together a great list of songs to entertain their patrons. You expect the establishment to pay you the going ...","date_modified":"2024-04-21T01:25:32Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-smaller-setup-for-smaller-venues","html_content":"

I've come up with a downsized version of the system I use to perform outside and at larger venues.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/a-smaller-setup-for-smaller-venues","title":"A Smaller Setup for Smaller Venues","summary":"I've come up with a downsized version of the system I use to perform outside and at larger venues. ","date_modified":"2024-04-19T19:35:32Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/check-out-some-new-dates-in-calendar","html_content":"

I've added some new dates in my calendar section....check it out!! Brook Hollow Winery gave me 6 additional dates that take us through the end of 2024.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/check-out-some-new-dates-in-calendar","title":"Check out some new Dates in Calendar","summary":"I've added some new dates in my calendar section....check it out!! Brook Hollow Winery gave me 6 additional dates that take us through the end of 2024.","date_modified":"2024-04-11T19:27:36Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-songs-as-of-april-1-2024","html_content":"

I've added 14 new songs with backing tracks a two more that I just sing and play guitar.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-songs-as-of-april-1-2024","title":"New Songs as of April 1, 2024","summary":"I've added 14 new songs with backing tracks a two more that I just sing and play guitar.","date_modified":"2024-04-03T20:30:31Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-do-you-choose-songs","html_content":"

It's actually a pretty simple process for me. I have to ask myself a few questions such as:

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-do-you-choose-songs","title":"How Do You Choose Songs?","summary":"It's actually a pretty simple process for me. I have to ask myself a few questions such as:","date_modified":"2024-03-24T20:58:48Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-harmony-foot-pedal","html_content":"

There are two way you will hear harmonies from me, I either pre-record them or I perform them live. When I use live harmonies, it's with this pedal. The technology is pretty cool. My microphone is plugged into this as we...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-harmony-foot-pedal","title":"My Harmony Foot Pedal","summary":"There are two way you will hear harmonies from me, I either pre-record them or I perform them live. When I use live harmonies, it's with this pedal. The technology is pretty cool. My microphone is plugged into this as we...","date_modified":"2024-03-24T20:41:40Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-viewliterally","html_content":"

When I perform, I have a tablet setup in front of me that I refer to constantly because it contains the lyrics to the song I'm playing. I can remember music but, words are much more difficult for me. So, what is on my ta...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/my-viewliterally","title":"My View....literally","summary":"When I perform, I have a tablet setup in front of me that I refer to constantly because it contains the lyrics to the song I'm playing. I can remember music but, words are much more difficult for me. So, what is on my ta...","date_modified":"2024-02-29T21:48:36Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-do-you-haul-around-so-much-equipment","html_content":"

Most solo musicians show up to a gig with very little equipment. Sometimes it's not much more than their guitar and an amplifier. If I performed with just guitar and vocal, I could do the same thing. However, that's not ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-do-you-haul-around-so-much-equipment","title":"Why do you haul around so much equipment??","summary":"Most solo musicians show up to a gig with very little equipment. Sometimes it's not much more than their guitar and an amplifier. If I performed with just guitar and vocal, I could do the same thing. However, that's not ...","date_modified":"2024-02-26T02:55:37Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/some-new-songs-as-of-22324","html_content":"

I'm always adding new songs to my playlist. Here's some new ones I'll be trying out at Brook Hollow Winery on Saturday:

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/some-new-songs-as-of-22324","title":"Some New Songs as of 2/23/24","summary":"I'm always adding new songs to my playlist. Here's some new ones I'll be trying out at Brook Hollow Winery on Saturday:","date_modified":"2024-02-23T17:05:42Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/remembering-tommy-smothers","html_content":"

Guitar players are often asked who their musical influences were. When Tommy Smothers passed away on December 26, 2023, it got me thinking about that very question. There were many guitarists that I just loved to listen ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/remembering-tommy-smothers","title":"Remembering Tommy Smothers","summary":"Guitar players are often asked who their musical influences were. When Tommy Smothers passed away on December 26, 2023, it got me thinking about that very question. There were many guitarists that I just loved to listen ...","date_modified":"2024-02-11T18:31:18Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/requests-anyone","html_content":"

I'm not aware of any other musician who hands out their entire song list to people who show up at their performances. But, I've decided that's what I want to do for my listeners. I've just added a new menu item to the we...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/requests-anyone","title":"Requests Anyone???","summary":"I'm not aware of any other musician who hands out their entire song list to people who show up at their performances. But, I've decided that's what I want to do for my listeners. I've just added a new menu item to the we...","date_modified":"2024-02-07T23:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/making-changes-to-my-song-list","html_content":"

Before I started using backing tracks at my performances, I used to just show up with my guitar and sing. So, many of the songs I used to perform, which I don't have backing tracks for, have gotten dropped from my song l...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/making-changes-to-my-song-list","title":"Making Changes to my Song List","summary":"Before I started using backing tracks at my performances, I used to just show up with my guitar and sing. So, many of the songs I used to perform, which I don't have backing tracks for, have gotten dropped from my song l...","date_modified":"2024-02-07T15:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-weekday-gig","html_content":"

I have been selected by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission as one of musicians that will be performing at the assisted living facilities throughout the county. I'm honored to have been chosen and look for...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/new-weekday-gig","title":"New Weekday Gig","summary":"I have been selected by the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission as one of musicians that will be performing at the assisted living facilities throughout the county. I'm honored to have been chosen and look for...","date_modified":"2024-02-07T02:59:51Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2023-wrap-up","html_content":"

2023 was a strange year. I had major surgery in March which took many months to recover from. Once I got going again, I continued to play at various wineries in the area. I'm always adding songs to my performances which ...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/2023-wrap-up","title":"2023 Wrap-up ","summary":"2023 was a strange year. I had major surgery in March which took many months to recover from. Once I got going again, I continued to play at various wineries in the area. I'm always adding songs to my performances which ...","date_modified":"2024-02-06T17:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-many-songs-do-you-have","html_content":"

As of this writing, I have 271 songs in my repertoire. There are 246 songs that I perform with full backing tracks. These styles include classic rock, British Invasion, Doo Wop, Folk, Classic country, Bluegrass and more....

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/how-many-songs-do-you-have","title":"How Many Songs Do You Have?","summary":"As of this writing, I have 271 songs in my repertoire. There are 246 songs that I perform with full backing tracks. These styles include classic rock, British Invasion, Doo Wop, Folk, Classic country, Bluegrass and more....","date_modified":"2023-11-27T20:59:37Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/do-you-play-christmas-songs","html_content":"

Absolutely!! As of this writing I have 20 classic Christmas songs in my repertoire. Each song has a full backing track. The songs are the ones I grew up with and include favorites such as: Here Comes Santa Claus, Rudolph...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/do-you-play-christmas-songs","title":"Do you play Christmas songs?","summary":"Absolutely!! As of this writing I have 20 classic Christmas songs in my repertoire. Each song has a full backing track. The songs are the ones I grew up with and include favorites such as: Here Comes Santa Claus, Rudolph...","date_modified":"2023-11-15T20:16:42Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-sit-when-you-perform","html_content":"

There's a couple very good reasons why I always sit.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-sit-when-you-perform","title":"Why sit when you perform?","summary":"There's a couple very good reasons why I always sit. ","date_modified":"2023-11-15T19:15:18Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/where-do-your-harmonies-come-from","html_content":"

My harmony vocals come from two sources.

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/where-do-your-harmonies-come-from","title":"Where do your harmonies come from?","summary":"My harmony vocals come from two sources.","date_modified":"2023-11-15T01:13:11Z"},{"id":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-pay-for-a-full-band","html_content":"

I consider my solo act to be something like a hybrid musical performance. On one hand, I make it simple for you to hire me. I'm only one person so I don't have to check with other members to see if they're able to make t...

","url":"https://richberrymusic.com/blog/f/why-pay-for-a-full-band","title":"Benefits of Hiring Me, a Solo Musician, as Opposed to a Full Band","summary":"I consider my solo act to be something like a hybrid musical performance. On one hand, I make it simple for you to hire me. I'm only one person so I don't have to check with other members to see if they're able to make t...","date_modified":"2023-11-15T01:00:00Z"}]}