Welcome to the website of Jim Richter, blues mandolinist and roots musician!
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Note: 8/4/08: Been a busy summer. Lots of cool gigs--including the Yank Rachell benefit/CD release concert. In addition to my set with Gordon, yours truly also played a set on electric guitar with blues diva Andra Faye and her husband Chris (in addition to Alan Stratyner on harp and Tim Duffy on drums). Rockin' set.
Gordon and I have submitted two songs for inclusion on the Brown County (Indiana) Musicians United to End Poverty CD project. Two tunes of Gordon's that I'm sure you will enjoy.
Central Indiana's true blue blues lover and advocate, Prentiss Eastham, has launched the Indy Crossroad Blues website to promote central Indiana blues. Prentiss sponsors the popular Blues Cruise In in August, as well as the Indiana Blues Challenge.
Lastly, new tab for The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix located on the Learnin' page.
Note: 5/7/08: Sorry for the lateness -- it's been a busy couple months. 1) Bonham/Richter have a cut on the forthcoming Yank Rachell Tribute CD, which includes Tim O'Brien, David Grier, John Sebastian, David Grisman, Mike Seeger, Peter Rowan, Andra Faye, Rich DelGrosso and many others. All proceeds go to benefit Yank's ailing granddaughter Sheena. The mandolin musical event of the year. 2) Bonham/Richter will be at the 4th Annual Midwest Mandolin Festival. For the second year, I'll be giving a blues mandolin workshop. 3) I'm now endorsing the Bailey Strap, made by Bill Bailey of Michigan. An excellent strap that is fully adjustable, comfortable (braided), and no metal parts.
Also, I have begun playing in a new Bloomington-based band, Deke Hager and His Indonesian Fighting Cocks. The band is acoustic-based and is the marriage of my old late 90's blues band The Forecasters and the kick-ass roots rock band The Ventilators. J.J. Perry and I were in the Forecasters when Deke Hager and Aaron Spelbring were in the Ventilators. Later J.J. joined the Ventilators. Now, under Deke's leadership, the four of us are now Indonesian Fighting Cocks. Instrumentation is drums, dobro, mandolin, guitar/vocals and material has no boundaries. From Rolling Stones to Neil Diamond to Deke's originals, we're kicking ass.
Note: 2/13/08: Blues shuffle instructional tab for mandolin posted in the Learnin' section to accompany my recent YouTube video on the same subject.
Note: 1/22/08: Mandolin tab posted for "East Tennessee Blues" in the Learnin' section.
Note: 1/21/08: I have posted tab for Hendrix's "Spanish Castle Magic" and the great Bill Monroe tune "Tanyards" in the Learnin' section.
Note: 1/14/08: I have put up tab for part one of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" and Led Zeppelin's "Ten Years Gone" in the Learnin' (instruction) section of
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Although I am proficient in both 3 finger banjo and electric blues guitar, my current passion is blues and old time mandolin. I am best known for being 1/2 of the Gordon Bonham and Jim Richter acoustic duo, specializing in blues and old time country. Our DVD Hootenanny! is available in my online store.
I consider myself unique in my approach to blues mandolin, as I consider myself a modernist. Though I have a deep love and respect for vintage acoustic blues, I draw inspiration from electric guitarists such as Freddie King and Earl Hooker and harpists such as Little Walter and James Harman. The tightwire I walk is the constant challenge of arranging guitar inspired material while respecting the uniqueness of the mandolin. I think this tightwire is the crux of my style. I hope you think so too.
Please wander through the site and enjoy!