Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Banker
Hi Richard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born and raised in the small city of Aberdeen, South Dakota I dreamed of being a musician from a very young age. I won 1st place in a talent show at age 5 singing She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain with my sister Crissy on piano. It was seeing the Ritchie Valens film La Bamba that solidified young Richie Banker’s dreams of guitar playing, singing, and song writing.
After College I spent 10 years in Hollywood playing small roles on tv and film. While pursuing acting I began writing country songs and playing to rock crowds on the Sunset Strip.
No longer having a place to live in LA on September 1st, 2020 I set out for Texas with $300, a cheap guitar and my songs. I landed on a lifelong friend’s couch/floor in Weatherford, Texas. I started playing shows in town then moved on to Granbury, Hico, Stephenville, and Ft. Worth. After a second small tour of North Texas I decided to check out Austin before heading back to California. My first stop was the Broken Spoke. Miss Terri White was kind enough to let me sing a few songs and I never left. I continued to cut my teeth at Austin staples the Broken Spoke, Poodies, and Donn’s Depot with Chris Gage. I am currently working with Chris on my debut album. With new Texas inspired songs to go along with a cosmic country repertoire I am working to expand throughout Texas and beyond…
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After college I moved to LA to pursue an acting career. There were many obstacles out there. There was a time I was without a car for 18 months. I was biking and riding the bus from LAX to Malibu and everywhere in between. Sometimes 5 auditions per day then making it to work and/or class all on time (for the most part). While pursuing acting I started writing country songs. While stuck in the struggle of the big city country music was an outlet for me. Once the pandemic hit I no longer had a place to live in LA. My good friend invited me to come out and try to get gigs in the North Texas area. Soon after I was playing all over the west side of the DFW area. Also, I spent the first 5 months in the Austin area sleeping in a tent at Lake Travis. Fortunately, I got out before summer hit!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Since the move to Texas I have written a Texas inspired album which I am currently in the process of recording. I am working with renowned Texas musician/producer Chris Gage (Academy of Texas Music’s musician of the year 2011 and Jerry Jeff Walker’s guitar player/producer). Two of the songs, Dancing With the Texas Moon and Beatles in the Morning Stones at Night are available on all platforms now. Dancing With the Texas Moon is currently getting radio play across the country.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Aberdeen, South Dakota running the hills around my grandparent’s farm. Hunting, fishing, and getting into trouble. Nothing too serious of course. I Played most sports and took guitar, piano, and fiddle lessons. Unfortunately, I didn’t stick with any of the instruments until later in life. I had dreams of guitar playing/songwriting and acting at a very early age. My favorite song since I could walk and talk has always been the Ray Charles and Willie Nelson classic Seven Spanish Angels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://richardbanker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardbankermusic/profilecard/?igsh=Y3Bwd2ZwdjFrcjRx
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@richardbanker?si=fssZ7_QbP_mSrKY6
Image Credits
Marshall Moon
