Dedicated to the Katrina Survivors, this CD is not only smooth, but it takes you on a journey that have you playing it over and over again.

19 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Contemporary Jazz, SPIRITUAL: Instrumental Gospel

Show all album songs: Riding The Storm Songs


Details:
Mr. Ben D. Richardson II

In The Past:

BEN was born in St. Louis, Mo. At the age of 8 his mother enrolled him in CASA, a Conservatory School of Fine Arts in St. Louis. He attended Casa for eleven years where he studied different styles of music, theory and drumming such as classical, ragtime, folk, medieval, Latin jazz, big band and concert under the direction of Mr. Glenn (PAPA) Wright. While attending CASA he was exposed to several professional areas of gospel music and played with some of the best artists in gospel such as John P. Kee, Marvin Winans, BeBe & CeCe, Keith Staton, The Clark Sisters, Beau Williams, Helen Baylor, Yolanda Adams, the late James Moore, and the late Brenda Waters, among many others. Before moving to Houston in 1991, he worked at Shalamar Studios as a studio drummer and teacher for two years. He has played for many black gospel stage plays as well as for crusades, conventions and conferences which are host to such individuals such as T.D. Jakes, Rick Joiner, Dr. Handby, Creflo Dollar and Don Meares. While living in Houston, he has made guest appearances on several television stations such as BET, TBN, Daystar as well as Bobby Jones Gospel and Houstonâs own Debra Duncan Show. He was a judge for the National Drum Off competitions for five years for Guitar Center and Mars Music Stores under James Douglas. Among other things, in 2003 Benâs sports clothing line design was approved and had participated in the World Olympics, which was endorsed by Mary Onyali held the Gold & Bronze for the 100 & 200 meters in the World Olympics.

Present:

Currently BEN is a member of ASCAP, and has written over 500 songs in past three years. To date he has released a total of (13) Gospel CDâs in the form of Gospel Jazz, Rap and Praise & Worship. In 2003 and 2004 he released âJazz According To Gospelâ Chapterâs 2, 3, and 4 as well as âWhere My Soldiers At Christiansâ a gospel rap CD. In 2005 BEN released âJazz According To Gospel New Birthâ & another gospel jazz CD which he dedicates to our troops at war entitled âOff The Chainâ featuring St. Louis own James Matthews, a great jazz pianist. He just released a soundtrack CD titled âRegretful Decisionâ for the film âRegretful Decisionâ written by Elson Williams III. The film premiers in Chicago, IL on April 20th 2005. In addition BEN has released his praise and worship CD titled âLetâs Worshipâ dedicated to the Stellar Award winner the late Brenda Waters which features some great gospel singers. In Texas, he co produced a gospel TV show called âInspire The Desireâ which he plans to film in St. Louis featuring local gospel talents. In 2006 BEN started Heavy Bass Records which has released (5) CDâs, two gospel jazz CDâs entitled âThe Best Of BENâ & âNight Praiseâ. One gospel rap CD entitled âStop The Madnessâ, a gospel CD entitled âNo Broken Promisesâ featuring Penny Diamond, and one compilation CD entitled âUnity Gospel Compilation Volume #1â featuring some of the artist signed with Heavy Bass Records. Five of Benâs songs have made the American Idol Underground charts in three different categories: Jazz, Faith Based & Rap. Three songs titled: âHe Caresâ & âMake Me Overâ both jazz, & âJust Say Thank Youâ faith based made Top 10. âInternal Praiseâ faith based & âRaptureâ gospel rap made Top 20. Heavy Bass Records also launched their clothing line called âHeavy Bass Clothing Gearâ. CDâs are being sold successfully online via www.cdbaby.com/all/brichardson & at www.myspace.com/heavybassrecords. They are also available with 50 different digital download companies.

Benâs ultimate goal this year is to release his book âLife Before Adamâ which is about Lucifer before he became Satan. It is expected to be both controversial and informative. You can find it at www.authorhouse.com. He is presently working on his second book and his Audio Movie entitled âThe Machinationsâ scheduled for release in 2007.