Barry Richman

Interview - November 19, 2006

Barry thanks for meeting with us. Tell us about how you came to be involved with Jetter Gear and the Gain Stage pedal?

I met the inventor, Brad Jetter, a few years ago and became instant friends. He's a great guitarist. We had a lot in common ... the same taste in music, vintage guitars and amps. Brad became my guitar, amp and pedal repairman. When he decided to build the Gain Stage pedal, I immediately knew it would be something I would love.

What is it about the Gain Stage that sets it apart from so many other overdrive pedals?

Tone is everything to a guitar player. Each player has a sound that comes through heart to their hands to their instrument. When pedals are added in-between the guitar and amp ... they need to maintain the purity of tone that the player hears in his head. The Gain Stage keeps the sound pure.

You've played so many gigs and have a great selection of gear...what do you look for in an OD pedal?

I like an OD pedal to have a singing violin quality with lots of sustain and rich harmonics. It's also important for a pedal to be easy to use.

Let's talk about your music. What's the latest release and where can people see you perform?

My latest CD is called Blues From Mars/Volume 1, but it's more of a jazz fusion album. We keep busy playing around Atlanta, GA. All shows are posted on my site's web calendar.

You have your own voice on the instrument, which very few guitarists have been able to accomplish. What elements of your playing do you focus on to achieve "your" sound?

Thanks !!! Well, early on I think I was trying to sound like all my guitar heroes. After a while I discovered that all musicians have their own voice. It's just a matter of figuring out what you do best and realizing that you can't be someone else, so just be yourself and your sound will come. Technically speaking, for me, it has a lot to do with how you pick the strings. I think that's where a lot of tones come from.

Who are your influences?

There have been so many influences!!! Let me just list some of the ones that helped shape my style: Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Stones, Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, Mike Bloomfield, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Johnny & Edgar Winter, Carlos Santana, Leslie West, Buzzy Feiten, John McLaughlin, Phil Keaggy, Joe Walsh, Tommy Bolin, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Billy Gibbons, Johnny Smith, Steve Howe, B. B., Albert, and Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Eric Johnson, Django Reinhardt, Les Paul, Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino, Lenny Breau, Jimmy Bryant, Willie Nelson, Pat Metheny, Howard Roberts, John Coltrane, Alan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson, Miles Davis, Weather Report, Jaco Pastorious, Stevie Wonder and my father, Boomie Richman. If I had to pick the one strongest influence, it would be Jimi.

Currently, what music inspires you?

Lately, I've been listening to Prince, Chet Atkins, Toots Theilmans, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny and Aquarium Rescue Unit.

What do think of the state of music today? And more specifically, how it relates to guitarists?

Today's "popular music" is seriously lacking in creative guitar playing, but there's a lot of amazing music out there from all over the world that deserves wider recognition. It's just a shame that most great music doesn't get played on radio or TV.

What's next for Barry?

Going back into the studio later this month to work on Blues From Mars/Volume 2. I just hope to continue to grow as a musician and make the best music I can.

I want to sincerely thank all the people out there that support real music played from the heart !!! Please visit my site, barryrichman.com ... listen to some tunes and feel free to write ... I love hearing from you !!!

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