Singer/Songwriter with roots in the west coast…
Richard Torrance is a gifted singer / guitarist with more than forty years of performing experience in the music business. Born in the Midwest, he relocated to Southern California soon after graduating from high school, to pursue his dream of becoming a recording artist. He signed his first recording contract with Shelter Records, Leon Russell’s label, in 1972. He recorded three albums for them before moving on to his second contract with Capitol Records in 1975. His first of four albums for Capitol, “Bareback”, produced his song, “Rio de Janeiro Blue”. “Rio” has achieved international acclaim and has been recorded by several other artists, as well. Through the 1970s, he put together a band of Los Angles based musicians and did three national tours. Richard and his band opened for some of the most famous rock groups in the world, such as Little Feat, Kansas, Taj Mahal, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, Chicago, The Beach Boys, REO Speedwagon, Loggins and Messina, The Kinks, Average White Band, Pablo Cruise, and Aerosmith, to name a few. After leaving Capitol records in 1979, Richard moved north to Ojai, California and focused on building a home recording studio, producing local talent and continuing to write music. He stayed there for over ten years, raising a family and touring the west coast.
In 1990, he traveled to Las Vegas to do a corporate event and met several musicians who encouraged him to relocate. After giving this serious consideration, he moved his family to Las Vegas and began a fourteen year stay. Richard performed in two major production shows, as well as playing in nearly every casino lounge. During his time in Las Vegas, he released two more CDs. First, a compilation of his previously released music titled “The Record Years” and second, a tribute to the victims of September 11, titled “The Red, White and Blues”. He also got an opportunity to travel to the American Virgin Island of St. Croix for a one month stay at a club called Big Beards. He absolutely fell in love with the people and music of the islands. This led to his next adventure in 1998, working for Royal Caribbean International and touring the Caribbean Islands. Over the next two years he visited sixteen islands and was able to meet and jam with local bands, deepening his love for reggae, calypso, and high energy island music. After returning to Las Vegas, he was compelled to leave the desert and relocate back to his roots.
In 2004, he moved back to his home town of Bismarck, North Dakota. Within the first year, he released his most recent CD “The Stories They Tell”. He is currently performing as a single entertainer, singing songs from his ten CDs as well as playing with bands for private parties and corporate events. Still having that gypsy blood in him, he travels the tri-state area performing on a full time basis.
His goal now is to play fun loving places for people who enjoy singing along, letting their cares go, and just having a good time. When you hear Richard, this will be your experience, too.
Words from the official website.
Discography
Conch Yo Head!
RT Records 2007
Tracks: Volcano, Son of a Sailor, Jamaica Farewell, Brown Eyed Girl, All Night Long, Banana Boat Song, Late in the Evening, On and On, Margaritaville & Conch Yo Head .
Musicians on the Conch Yo Head! album: Richard Torrance and others.
The Stories They Tell
RT Records 2005
Tracks: Homeland, Lady Doctor, Use Me Up, I Wanna Die With My Fingers Wrapped Around Your Neck, Return To Rio, Salem Sue, Take Me To The River, Turned On And Close, Stone Free & Wasn't That Nice.
Musicians on the The Stories They Tell album: Richard Torrance and others.
The Red, White And Blues
RT Records 2001
Tracks: Pride & Joy, Rock Me Baby, Toredown, I'll Try, Shakey Ground, The Thrill is Gone, Sweet Home Chicago, Cold Shot, Patriotic Medley (a. America, b. I'm Proud to be an American & c. Livin in the USA).
Musicians on the The Red, White And Blues album: Richard Torrance and others.
The Record Years
RT Records 2000
Tracks: Rio de Janeiro Blue, Canyonside, Circle of Confusion, Hard Heavy Road, I Just Don't Know, Lovin' Good, Southern Belles, Walkin' in the Rain, Looks Like Up to Me, Long Lonely Nights & Anything is Possible.
Musicians on the The Record Years album: Richard Torrance and others.
Anything´s Possible
Capitol Records 1979
Tracks: Take A Look Around, Fat Love, Be Bop 'n' Holla, Johnny, Savannah, Tell Me, Anything's Possible, Too Long In The City, Wow ! & Let's Call It A Night.
Musicians on the Anything´s Possible album: Richard Torrance, Adam Yurman, Michael Wooten, Miquel Rivera, Mark Andes, Adam Yurman, Chas Baker & Rosemary Butler.
Live At The Boarding House
Capitol Records 1978
Tracks: Leave My Love Behind, Moonlight Trippin', Stay Young, Rio de Janeiro Blue, That's What I Like in My Woman, Lovin' Good, Cut Back Rosie, Try Too Hard, Circle of Confusion & Don't Let Me Down Again.
Musicians on the Live At The Boarding House album: Richard Torrance and others.
Double Take
Capitol Records 1978
Tracks: Runaround Girl, I Can't Ask For Anymore Than You, Desert Lady, Long Lonely Nights, Get Into The Music, Real Love, Secrets Of Your Soul, Got No Shadow & Your Warm Love.
Musicians on the Double Take album: Richard Torrance, Terry Lee Lick, Dennis Mansfield, Vander Lockett, Melody Kean Horney, Bill Payne & David White.
Bareback
Capital Records 1977
Tracks: Moonlight Trippin', Stay Young, Lovin' Good, Tender Memory, Circle Of Confusion, Rio De Janeiro Blue, So Sad, Leave My Love Behind, Under Your Spell & Alley Cat Jack.
Musicians on the Bareback album: Richard Torrance, Fred Tackett, Jeff Porcaro, Harvey Mason, Sam Clayton, David Hungate, Wilton Felder, Bill Payne, Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb, George Bohannon, Buddy Collette, Bob Findley, Terry Lee Lick, David White, Dennis Mansfield & Melody Jean Horney.
Living Today
Philips Records 1976
Tracks: Brujo Man, That's the Way, Life is What You Make It, Cut Back Rosie, Some Crazy Woman, Try Too Hard, What's On Your Mind, Chela Bay, The Time is Right for Love & Looks Like Up to Me.
Musicians on the Living Today album: Richard Torrance and others.
Belle Of The Ball
Shelter Records 1975
Tracks: The Jam, Southern Belles, That's What I Like In My Woman, North Dakota Lady, Side By Each, Hard Heavy Road, Don't Let Me Down Again, Singing Springs, Lady, Lazy Town & Sweet Sweet Rock and Roll.
Musicians on the Belle Of The Ball album: Richard Torrance and others.
Eureka
Shelter Records 1974
Tracks: Qjai Road, I Just Don´t Know, Walking In The Rain, Fire Child, Traveling Minstrel, Because Of You, Ceremony, Him & Canyon Side.
Musicians on the Euruka album: Richard Torrance and others.