Mansfield resident working with big-time collaborators in Nashville music scene

Joe Richard is on the verge of a breakthrough.

The Mansfield resident and Nashville recording artist appears on the cover of the July edition of Cashb o x magazine . Next week, Richard will collaborate with Nashville producer Ken Royster, who has worked with multi-platinum artist Luke Combs, among others, on two songs.

Richard , who has billed himself as an "outlaw country gospel" singer, is tweaking his work to focus a bit more on country music in hopes of reaching a larger audience.

He will work with Royster on two songs, "Forgiven" and "Don't Drink, Don't Drive." Richard is especially excited about "Forgiven."

"It's a country song with God's roots," he said. "Every time I sing it, people cry. It's sort of about my life. Everybody can relate to it."

Richard sent the song to his producer, who he said was blown away.

"He said, 'Joe, this is a smash hit. This is out of my pay grade and needs to go to a professional,''' Richard recalled.

Enter Royster.

"You've kind of got to be invited to meet with him," Richard said.

Richard said Royster told him to plan to record the two songs in five days.

That's not the pace at which Richard, 56, is accustomed to working.

"Before, I would do 10 songs in two days, vocals, background vocals, everything," he said.

Nashville heavy hitter to work with Richard

Richard said Royster, who is also a vocal coach, has told him that on the second day he will teach him how to sing a hit song.

The Mansfield resident is hopeful the session will lead to a recording contract with a major label. He will meet with a couple labels while he is in Nashville. Richard puts out music on his own label.

"I want to reach people," he said.

Richard said that is his goal even if he doesn't sing "Forgiven." He said the song is being presented to Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen, two of the biggest names in country music.

"It's not about me," Richard said. "We'll see what happens."

Richard noted he has compiled seven No. 1 hits on Radio Music DJ , adding that is a limited market because not many artists perform Christian country music.

In that format, Richard already has released several singles from his forthcoming album, "A Born Again Country Boy." He recorded with some heavy hitters in Nashville, including Dolly Parton's bass player, Randy Travis' slide guitar player and the drummer from Diamond Rio.

"I've been writing like crazy," Richard said.

The Loudonville native graduated from Ashland High School in 1987. He moved to Mansfield about 30 years ago.

In high school, Richard played in the Ramblin' Band, opening for such national acts as the Charlie Daniels Band and David Allan Coe.

He got an early start in music through his father, who had a band. Richard began teaching himself drum beats at the age of 4 and received his first drum set at 5.

As he moved to adulthood, Richard played mainly bars and small clubs.

He admits his life was heading in the wrong direction. 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 his wife Julie ended up getting baptized in the same river.

Richard appears on cover of national magazine

Richard's story captured the attention of Cashbox magazine, which called its cover story "The Remarkable Journey of Joe Richard."

"I don't know how in the world I ended up with the cover of Cashbox magazine," he said, adding such luminaries as Parton, Mariah Carey and Adele have graced the cover. Jon Bon Jovi was on the cover last month.

"It's pretty cool that I'm able to follow him. Man, what an honor," Richard said.

He hopes the cover story helps strengthen his brand.

While Richard focuses on music, he is also an entrepreneur. He owns Second Hand Music on Olivesburg Road on Mansfield's north side.

During an interview, he sat in the middle of a room that featured an array of acoustic guitars hanging on the walls.

Richard also has a sign business and a painting company and dabbles in software.

If music doesn't work out, he has plenty to fall back on. If he does become a country artist, he vows not to change his approach.

"I've still got the same goal," Richard said. "I want to spread the gospel throughout the world."

For more on the artist, visit joerichardmusic.net.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield resident working with big-time collaborators in Nashville music scene