Contemporary Christian music with a message.

10 MP3 Songs
GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
Richâs story begins in New York City. Placed in the foster care system at an early age, he was constantly moving from home to home. âThe only way I can describe the worthlessness I felt being moved around like that is it was like that penny that gets walked on, passed over, and kicked on the street; no one wants to pick it up and put in their pocket.I felt lost.I was confused and didnât understand what was happening to me.â Many of the homes were abusive and dysfunctional, not even meeting Richâs most basic needs.In fact, at one of his foster homes, he recalls being locked out of the house, forced to sleep on the streets alone at night. Needless to say, childhood for Rich was far from ideal.

However, two bright spots appeared: Rich was adopted when he was 14, beating the odds of most foster kids his age, and shortly after, Rich made lasting friendships with guys who would later inspire in him a passion for music. âI was struggling to find some sort of direction for myself; something I was good at and could spend time investing in...it wasnât an easy task for me, because I hadn't really ever heard someone say something like, âHey kid, you're good at that..or..that's your thing!â. So when I turned 18, I discovered I had an interest in playing music, and I became aware that it just might be what I was called to do.â Although music became a stabilizing force in Richâs life, it only served to reveal in him his even deeper longing for spiritual meaning.

As he began playing regularly at a local music store, Rich started making a name for himself in his then home of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. It was there that Godâs guiding Hand became evident to Rich. âThis guy came into the store and overheard the guitar teacher talking to me about some of the songs Iâd written, so he asked me if Iâd play a few for him. We traded phone numbers. and after getting to know each each other, he asked if I wanted to play with him at a local Bible study where he led worship. Pretty soon, I noticed a difference between him and me.I guess you could say I was a hoodlum; every other word out of my mouth was a curse word, while every other word out of his mouth was something about God. We began having long talks after the Bible studies, and because of him wanting to spend time with me, despite the mess I was, I accepted Christ.â

After becoming a Christian, Rich quickly realized that his love for music was more than just a hobby, but a means for God to speak to others about the simplicity of the Gospel and relationship with Him. At long last, he started to see how God had used his circumstances through his whole life to bring him to this point.

Richâs music, like Rich, has a story to tell and a unique way to tell it. âSongs are my extension into peopleâs hearts from wherever Iâm at. Because I do have others on my mind when I put songs together, it is a great feeling to get the e-mails and hear the stories of how they have affected the listeners. My desire is that I could give a fresh perspective or words you might not have, to help express what you might be feeling inside. Thatâs why I am compelled to keep doing what I do.â Richâs music reflects his passion for God as well as people. âSo many times, Iâve heard people say, âall I need is God.â Jesus tells us differently. All the Law and the Prophets hang on the two greatest commandments: love God and love others. We need that love from one another. Without it, we canât fully experience love from God.â Richâs life radiates this love. Listening to his songs is a reminder that the harshness of life can never exceed the love and redemption of God.