CR- Diva, Joel Hoekstra- Guitar, Anne Harris- Fiddle, Fran Kondorf- Bass, Rich Stitzel- Drums Chris Siebold- Guitar, Jude Gold- Guitar.
Extended Family: Jon Herrera, David Rokeach, Eric Massimino, Gary Yerkins, Ed Breckenfeld, Grant Tye, Mark Walker, Greg Marsh, Randy Riley, Klem, Christian Cullen, Ellen Miller, Kristen Hall, Jim Peterik, John Barry, Hank Guaglianone, Gino Fontana, Erik Swanson, Mark Feldman, John Ovnik, Chris Altenhoff, John Rice, Jay O'Rourke, Jim Tullio, Ernie Denov, Jim Workman, Cheryl Wilson, Ingrid Graudins, Emily Saliers, Nick Tremulis, Evonne Gage, Robin Robinson, Nanette Jenkins, Buzz Kilman, Alison Chesley, Brad Nye, Ledi Garcia, Pat Brennan, Joe Sonnefeld
(Hi. The only thing I hate worse than reading a bio about me is writing one. But I'm in between publicists right now. So here goes. I'll try not to make it too flowery.)
The word on everyone's lips right now is, "Cathy Richardson, why are you so fricking awesome?" The answer is this, Delusions of Grandeur, possibly the most important and brilliant recording ever laid to tape. Even though, there was, technically, no tape ever used. Could Ms. Richardson be that genius? Yes, my friends, she could be.
Using highly scientific techniques, she and others played instruments and either plugged them into something or used microphones to capture the sound and bring them into computers to convert the musical notes into complex digital codes. She then transfered these digital codes onto round plastic discs which can be played through a device which when routed through speakers, will vibrate the exact duplicate image of the sound back into your ears.
But there's more to the story. The sounds which were recorded were actual songs, composed by the prodigious Catherine Elizabeth, who was named after two queens. Followers of Ms. Richardson's work know of her love for the visual arts, as well, especially when it comes to her plastic collections of songs. She has once again teamed up with her GRAMMY Nominated collaborator, Master Painter, William J. Dolan. The artwork, disguised as packaging, is part of the experience for the incredibly lucky procurer of a copy of Cathy Richardson's Delusions of Grandeur.
Inside the packaging, along with the plastic disc of songs, is a small book. To reveal the contents of the book would be to spoil the delicious surprise which awaits the sexy genius who acquires it. No, you must savor and languish in every moment of discovery. It's like getting your virginity back and losing it all over again. A little awkward, kind of scary but in a good way, a bit uncomfortable at times, then you think you hear you parents coming home and you freak out but then you realize you're just freaking out and then it's over and you're really just relieved. Or something. Whatever, it's different for everyone... but here's the thing. If you want to be smart, you hang around with smart people, you live in a smart house, you listen to smart music, you eat smart sandwiches. And Cathy Richardson's Delusions of Grandeur will make you a genius.
More Fun Facts: While Richardson earned her stripes on the Midwest college rock scene in the 90s and early turn of the century, today's super hip preschoolers know her as the awesomely cool neighbor who stops by the clubhouse to jam on Noggin's Jack's Big Music Show. The Divine Ms. CR made the leap from bar-star to rock diva cum laude when she transformed into Janis Joplin in the original Off Broadway cast of the smash hit theatrical production Love, Janis. She opened other productions of the show in Chicago, Sag Harbor, NY, San Francisco, Phoenix and Tucson. In 2007, Richardson crisscrossed the U.S. singing with Joplin's original band, Big Brother and the Holding Co. on the Summer of Love 40th Anniversary Tour. In 2008, Richardson joined another legendary San Francisco band, Jefferson Starship (with original members Paul Kantner, David Freiberg and sometimes Marty Balin) as their new female lead vocalist. The band will release a new CD, JEFFERSON'S TREE OF LIBERTY on the Lab/UMG this September.
Cathy Richardson may be an underground cult heroine, worshipped by a select few uber-intelligencias who recognize her undiscovered genius and raw unbridled sexiness but even a mule could tell you that voice is money. And that's why Richardson's voice has been unwittingly heard by every single person in America who has listened to the radio or watched tv at anytime in the last 10 years, on dozens on national ad campaigns for various products like beer, air fresheners, fast food and insurance. An anonymous female rocker belts out a song about steak and shrimp to the tune of Bad Case of Lovin' You. It's got to be.... CATHY-Y! If you didn't hear it on your tv, quite possibly you were one of the millions of people who saw Talledega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Farrell. Hey, sickeningly awesome GRAMMY nominated CDs don't grow on trees, honey. Girl, you better work and you better be fierce because this business will eat you ALIVE! Are you enjoying these fun facts? Ok, one last one but only one because it's getting late and you're sleepy and you need to go night night. HERE COME THE IRISH OF NOTRE DAME- yes. It's Her Highness the Grande Dame of Random, or Grandamdom, if you will, not to be mistaken with any others of the same name, Cathy Richardson, the lover of all humans and plantlife and cats. You are on her myspace page. Behold and witness the glory, the pain, the glamour, the guts and the spectacle.
Thank you so much for fulfilling the request, And for being so amazing. I have been aware of your exceptional talents for some time now, but it took a request from the Starship page to cross paths here on myspace. You are fortunate and blessed. Stop by anytime and listen/comment. I would be honored to help spread your vibe via my page. I wish you much continued success. Peace, Love, Hugs, and all that good stuff!
Check out the Shawn Farnsworth Photography album in my pics if you want to see some new ROCKIN' SHINING SHAKTI photos!! Let me know if ya want any big ones for the website or any future LARGER THAN LIFE posters..hehe...
