Rich Hardesty loves culture. His reason for making music his full time career is so he can travel and see the world. He has left the USA 40 times in order to keep his mind creative so he can continue to write, what he calls, "melting pot music for the world." When he is not making plans to travel abroad he is passionately performing and visiting parts of the United States like Miami, New York and Southern California where he can come in contact with people from different cultures. Rich performs often at a European resort in Negril, Jamaica called the "Mariner's Negril Beach and Cliff Club". The guests who stay at this resort come from Italy, France, London, Germany, Australia and Japan. He has sold thousands of cds to these tourists and is persistent in staying in touch with them on a regular basis via e-mail. This helps him stay in touch with fans keeping them up to date with new cd releases that Rich may have. The Risky Business Bar and Grill is also a well-known hot spot in Jamaica for Europeans to enjoy the nightlife. Rich wrote a song about this seaside bar called "Risky Business". The song is actually about different cultures coming together on an island to enjoy music in the sand. Rich videotaped his sold out show at this bar during spring break and used the footage to convince Jagermeister that there could be a win win relationship between the two of them. Since then, Rich has become one of Jagermeisters number one acts. Rich Hardesty lives his life composing and performing music for a world that is noticing him more and more each day. His catchy melodies and hooks keep people dancing and singing together. While his melting pot of music begins to boil the world begins to feel less and less pain. Rich Hardesty makes a difference in the global music world. RICH HARDESTYis an Enigma and a$ Money Man $Rich Hardesty is the "Real Deal" according to Daylle Deanna Schwartz, author of The Real Deal: How to Get Signed to a Record Label (Billboard Books). Rich is too busy to chase record deals, because he's earning a 6-figure income by gigging and selling CDs on his own! Schwartz will be featuring him in the new edition of her book, Start & Run Your Own Record Label (Billboard Books). Rich's aggressive marketing tactics and grassroots approach to his music have landed him feature interviews in "Gig" Magazine and "Fast Forward." He has recorded over 600 live shows, allowing fans to experience the intense energy that goes into his performances! He has creatively used his marketing degree from Indiana University to market himself and his music. Here is the "REAL DEAL" on RICH HARDESTY... ? OPENED UP FOR KID ROCK AND CYPRESS HILL? HAS THE #1 PLAYED JUKE BOX SONG ON I.U. CAMPUS (#1 PARTY SCHOOL IN US)? TOURED 36 CITIES IN SIX WEEKS ON "THE JAGERMEISTER TOUR" AND HAS BEEN VOTED THE #1 "JAGER" BAND 10 YEARS RUNNING, AND CURRENTLY HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MOST JAGERMEISTER SOLD IN A NIGHT W/ 100 BOTTLES.(THIS BROKE HIS OWN RECORD OF 82)? HEADLINED JOHN MELLENCAMP'S 5OTH B-DAY PARTY W/ MOE Z OF THE WALLFLOWERS (WHOM HE PERFORMS W/ ON A REGULAR BASIS)? TO SUPPORT ONE OF HIS CHARITABLE CAUSES, RICH CONCEPTUALIZED AND ORGANIZED A BENEFIT CONCERT, FEATURING THE RICH HARDESTY BAND, FOR THE NEGRIL CORAL REEF SOCIETY & FISHERMAN OF NEGRIL.? PROUD MEMBER OF "THE PARROT HEAD WEBRING".? IN HIS 10 YEAR CAREER RICH HAS- Performed in over 2000 live shows, recorded 7 indie records, sold over 50,000 CDs (#1 selling artist in IN), performed at 6 consecutive spring breaks in Jamaica, played in over 100 frat houses, made 3 music DVDs (one featuring Playboy Playmate Tiffany Taylor), has songs featured in films including: 69 the highway, The Surfer, and The Letter, and he has only just begun... Rich Hardesty is not only a singer/songwriter, but an entertainer who knows how to work a crowd! His reputation for "feel good" music has landed him shows on yachts, at corporate events, and at festivals!! Using his grassroots approach, Rich has developed street teams of dedicated fans in many major cities! Rich maintains a personal connection with his fans by answering all emails himself and communicating with them regularly via his website message board. The unmistakable feel good vibe of Rich Hardesty is felt internationally through his extensive travel and longing for the inspiration that he has gathered from his 40 international trips! That, my friends, is the "Real Deal" on the living legend - Rich Hardesty!! RICH HARDESTY AT: WWW.RICHHARDESTY.COM HAS HAD OVER 2 MILLION VISITORS! Rich is no stranger to the stage Here are the hard core facts of Rich's musical experience: Kilroy's Sports Bar, Indiana University Where Else Bar, Purdue University Morehead University, Kentucky Tri State University Depauw University Butler University Wabash University Iowa State University of Miami Sand Bar Coconut Grove Indiana State University Northland College Ashland WI Kelley's Pub, San Diego CA Joe's, Chicago IL Gamekeeper's, Chicago IL Colombia St., Fort Wayne IN Smokin Oyster Bar, Fort Meyers Beach FL Clevelander, South Beach Miami Irish Kevin's, Key West FL Margaritaville, Negril Jamaica Sandy San, Negril Jamaica Tamboo Tavern, Negril Jamaica Risky Business, Negril Jamaica Mariners Inn, Negril Jamaica The Patio, Broadripple IN The Vogue, Broadripple IN Birdy's Live, Indianapolis IN CT Pepper's, Broadripple IN BW3, Indianapolis IN Heartland, Southbend IN Coach's, South Bend IN Siebkins, Elkhart Lake WI West Wood Brewery, Los Angeles CA Harpoles, Evansville IN Marina Point, Evansville IN Bucks Working Man's Pub, La Porte IN Matey's, Michigan City IN Baby Jupiter Time out Lounge, Manchester IN Comfort Inn, Naples FL Barley Island, Noblesville IN Pete's, Purdue University Red Mask Foundation Benefit Concert World Mardi Grau Verizon Wireless Benefit Concert, Noblesville IN The Bally Hoo, Terre Haute In Simmrells, Terre Haute IN The 4th Quarter, Terre Haute IN Hard Rock Live, Orlando FL Orbit Room, Boyton Beach FL Masquerade, Tampa FL Roxy Theatre, Atlanta GA Nation, Washington DC WWF, New York NY Electric Factory, Philadelphia PA State Theater, Portland ME Webster Theater, Hartford CT Metropol, Pittsburgh PA Orbit Room, Grand Rapids MI Newport , Columbus, OH Clutch Cargo's, Detroit MI Bogart's , Cincinnati OH Egyptian Ball Room, Indianapolis IN House of Blues, Chicago IL The Quest, Minneapolis MN The Beaumont, Kansas City Pageant, St. Louis, MO Big Easy, Boise ID Roseland Ballroom, Portland OR Show box, Seattle WA Senator Theatre, Chico CA Fillmore , Sanfrancisco CA Rainbow Ballroom, Fresno CA House of Blues, New Olrleans LA Cajun House, Phoenix AZ The Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque NM House of Blues, Las Vegas NV Fillmore, Denver CO The Sand Bar, Coconut Grove Fisherman's Benefit Concert, Negril Jamaica The Blue Bird, Indiana University Susy's, Hermosa Beach CA The Lake Wawasee Music Festival Dreams Rich Speaks: If I could be anywhere right now I would be sitting on a chair in the sun next to the ocean. There's nothing better than listening to the waves and the sounds of the foreign tongue; preferably Jamaican "Patois" Broken English . Truth and Depth A lot of people say "Rich, You're crazy", but it's true. I enjoy it when they say that. I don't like to follow the norm and do what everyone else says I should be doing. A college professor once told me to take the road less traveled after I graduated. So I did. Along the way I have found that it is nice to document my life and what I see through music. My guitar has been a great companion helping me to tell stories about this long strange trip that we call-life. I like to write songs about the wild n' crazy people, places and things I see along the way. I learn the most when I travel and talk with other people. I love to record my shows live. I like to share these with my friends and fans. I enjoyed massive satisfaction one time when a fan e-mailed me from Germany telling me how much he enjoyed a live show I recorded from Morehead, Kentucky. He mentioned that all of the people in the village were singing one of my songs. I have also been good at documenting with video. I have hundreds of videos from the shows, hotels, beaches, college campuses and recording studios. It's becoming very useful as we put together little movies and music videos for our friends and fans. I have also kept journals over the years so I can still remember life in the fast lane. I plan to piece it all together. Musical Beginning I learned to play the piano when I was a young kid. My mom sat next to me and made me practice every night. I love her for that now because I play by ear and the piano brings me a lot of pleasure. When I was 8 I tried a cigarette across the field before one of our piano sessions. When I got home I couldn't get the smell off my breath so I held my breath until I was blue in the face. Finally I had to breathe and let it out. My mom cried. Music and Man's Best Friend I love to sit around and play old Beatles, Elton John and Billy Joel songs on the piano to this day. It puts my Siberian Huskie (Kapo) and Japanese Akita (Tasha) to sleep. These dogs are my life. I use to take Kapo with me to my shows when he was a pup. He jumped out the window one time when I was going down a winding road about 50 mph. Before that happened, on another occasion, he was barred from a college pub named TA Toms for dumping on the floor during my set. Water, Water, Water I love water. I drink tons of it daily but I also love hydrotherapy. I swam competitively as a young kid and the pool has always been "my room" to get away from it all. I try to swim about 4 nights a week and sometimes twice a day. I also enjoy jogging in the water. I have destroyed many Cd walkman while getting radical on my old Kawasaki 750 Jet Ski. It caught on fire once and I had to swim to shore. This was only a week after I returned from the Gulf Of Mexico where I had been jet skiing with the sharks. I'm so thankful for my mom driving me around the state on the weekends so I could compete in the swimming pool and bring home medals, ribbons and trophies. I used to get a funny feeling in my stomach when I got up on the starting block. I get that same feeling when I hop onto the stage. What a joy and a blessing it is to do what you love and also be rewarded. Ocean Tranquility I love the ocean's water, salty air and sand. There's something that an ocean brings to you that makes you feel at peace. I have been to Negril, Jamaica 25 times. It is a great place to enjoy the sun and write songs. There is a great feeling you get jumping from a cliff and swimming into a cave. I also love the people there in "Bob Marley land". I have learned much about life just sitting under a tree and talking to a "rasta" man. I also love the state of Florida. I have a nice seashell collection that reminds me of being a kid and running up and down the shores of St. Augustine Beach. The sea amazes me and that's why I have listened to a lot of Gordon Lightfoote and Buffett growing up. Add some Sinatra, Marley and Dead and I am pretty content. I always think of Jerry Garcia , Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra floating with a cloud taking things lightly and looking down over the big ball. It reminds me to take things lightly here on earth. My favorite seafood is lobster. Sushi is also a favorite. I enjoy putting lots of wasabi (green stuff that looks like playdoh) in my soysauce. It gives me a nice refreshing jolt to my sinuses. The Sushi Chef always give me a crazy look. The Buzz I started off playing solo acoustic shows for about 7 years. During that time I gained a lot of experience and recognition doing three to four shows a week on college campuses and clubs. In college, I was the guy with the acoustic guitar sitting in the kitchen around the keg or campfire singing beer drinking songs. I have a list of 400 songs that have accumulated over the years. Then I started writing my own songs and now I can't stop. Every cd that I have put out documents a period of my life and what I have seen. Although I still enjoy performing solo I love traveling with my band-they're my closest friends. Everyone in my band has the ability to go off and have a solo career and that makes us strong. We love living life on the edge and taking the road less traveled. I realy get a buzz performing duos with my bass player Kelley Isenhower. Family and Reality I have two brothers Doug and Scott who love watching me live this "alternative" lifestyle. They love to hear my stories of the road and are in dismay sometimes when they hear about a controversial song that will go on my next CD. They say "Rich, what will mom think?" and I say, "she knows I write about what I see". Reality is reality. I enjoy writing about things that other people won't talk about. Living life in the fast lane gives you lots of opportunity to experience things out of the norm. For instance, the other day a guy in the front row blew chunks all over my guitar! I don't know if I am going to write a song about it but there have been some good ones written this year. From the Mid West to Key West; L.A., Lake Superior, New Orleans and Jamaica I have kept my eyes open. My observation of the world is a little bit different than most I'm sure, but I like to share my view. It may have a rose colored tint at times or even a touch of gray but it's the way I see it. I try to be "real" in this world where you can sometimes get further by being someone else. If you pretend you are sugarcane you may end up in the sweet field. But you will walk around feeling sour. Maybe that is why the divorse rate is so high as well as job turnover. Be yourself going into it and there are no surprises. You have to feel it and that is what passion is. Mom and Dad My dad has worked in the Steel Mill near Gary, In all of his life to support our family and now he enjoys giving me advice and helping me keep things in perspective. I took him to Jamaica recently to thank him. I wanted him to experience something new and see things differently. I know he respects my thirst for cultural diversity and I think it rubbed off on him. He always jokes about driving the tour bus. When we were little kids we were on our way to Fla in the station wagon. One of my brothers broke wind and blamed it on my grandma Birdsong. My dad made us bend over on the tailgate as he gave us a few belt marks. It never hurt, in fact we laughed so hard we cried. My mom has M.S. and she probably got it from from raising her three sons. I think the M.S. has taught her to live in the present moment and watch every sunset. The most important thing in her life has been keeping the family together. She has been a great success because we are tight. That Song My parents enjoyed talking to the fans on the old 800 line who said, "which CD has that one song about that bad girl?". I wrote that song while living in the dorms at I.U. I remember seeing the smiles on my friend's faces when they came back from dinner and I sang it to them. That is the best part about this job--watching people smile.