Richard Feridun began his music career when, at the age of 12, he picked up his sisters guitar and never gave it back. Two years later he was a working musician — in a band with paying gigs and the following year (at the ripe old age of 15) he was teaching guitar in his hometown of Reading, PA. Richard went on to college where he studied jazz with Steve Brown, Harry Leahey, Vic Juris, and Bob DeVoe.
As lead guitarist and sideman with a wide range of talented artists, Richard’s style is uncommonly versatile. His range as an artist includes Rock, Country, Americana, Cabaret and Jazz. Richard attributes this versatility to the wide range of musical styles he listened to when he was young.
“I didn’t just listen to the musicians who were popular at the time I was just starting out, I listened to the musicians who influenced them. I listened to older music, from a wide range of artists, it opened me up to styles I might not have been exposed to early on.”
Richard currently performs with Rebecca Turner, Sad About Girls and Tammy Faye Starlite in her critically acclaimed shows “Chelsea Mädchen” and “Cabaret Marianne” He recorded “I Am The Troubadour” with Grand Old Opry member Hal Ketchum.
Richard has toured extensively across North America and Europe. Some of the artists he has worked with include: Ana Gasteyer, Jude Johnstone, Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Amelia White, Sally Spring, The Burns Sisters, Rogue’s March, Bubble and Amy Speace. Rich has also played with Steve Earle, Carlene Carter, Debbie Harry, Will Sexton, Ryan Adams, Lloyd Maines, Mary Gauthier, David Bromberg, and Bill Kirchin.
Keep a look out, Richard has been seen playing bass, mandolin, banjo, lap steel, keyboard, saxophone and The Pentatonic Kazoo (patent applied for).