Local Musician Brings Together People of All Ages

By Jonathan Romero

ORLANDO, Fla. — Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Clap... The enthusiasm around the room was palpable as the entire audience rallied together in unison.  Stomp, Clap, Stomp, Clap...  The tension intensified and the walls rattled as they became resoundingly emphatic.  STOMP, CLAP, STOMP, CLAP... The inevitable war cry anticipated by the audience, from whom they focused their attention and energy toward, was all that was seemingly needed before the entire foundation of the building would begin to crumble.  STOMP, CLAP, STOMP, CLAP... Here it was, the moment at last: STOMP, CLAP... CHOO-CHOO?

There were smiles abound as the audience, as wide an age group as one could find, listened excitedly to Richard Peoples sing about the 'Railroad Blues'.   To his avid fans, parents and children alike, he was simply known as 'Mr. Richard', but here in a small children's book section in Barnes and Noble, he was a rock star.  A crowd of 70-80, some wearing 'Mr. Richard' t-shirts, were packed into the small nook which normally only accommodated maybe a fourth of its current capacity.

He was living his dream and enjoying the moment.  "I tell kids, 'Musicians and football players don't work, we play.'  I always tell them it's a good career choice because you never have to go to work," said Peoples, who has been playing music since the age of 14.  “I don't like anything that seems like work." In between songs, he sympathized with an audience member trying to calm her distraught infant by quoting English playwright and poet, William Congreve, advising her, "Music soothes the savage beast."

From his early beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana to his service as a 'Story-Teller' for the Orange County Library System in Orlando 11 years ago, Peoples realized that he didn't really fit into the corporate world.   Consequently, he has spent the last six years working on his solo sing-a-long music career that sees him perform in front of children of all ages, almost 400 times a year, all around the city.  

As a result, he's garnered support from a wide variety of unlikely followers.  "It was a lot of fun! I think the adults got into it a little bit more than the kids did," said Tonya Brewer, an Orlando native and first-time audience member.  It's the versatility of his music that’s a testament to his writing and composing abilities.  "[In] any of my tunes, I could change the lyrics to a grown-up theme or topic and it could still work," said Peoples.

Peoples, who doesn't have any kids of his own, wanted to tap into a market that is almost entirely dominated by Disney and acclaimed groups such as "The Wiggles", and become part of this under-the-radar network of people who want to entertain children.  He has successfully achieved this, particularly on the local level, with the release of his three CDs: "Might As Well Sing", "Tummy Talk", and "Polka Dot Puzzle". 

"My family has all of his CDs and even my mom has all three," said Becca Braddock, a long-time follower of Peoples, who regularly travels around Orlando following him to his events with her two-year-old and seven-month-old in tow.  Even her youngest has an appreciation for his music.  "She loves it and jumps and kicks her feet,” said Braddock.  "That's all I ever hear in my house, is 'Mr. Richard'."

He's featured in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.  His albums have also received some acclaim, earning recognition in Parenting Magazine and winning a Children's Music Web Award for Best Recording for Children ages 5-8.

Peoples also appears regularly with his trio group, The Pound Hounds, and has another adult band, Tribulation People, with friends.  However, his real passion remains with the children he entertains and educates every day.  He introduces kids to instruments they might not have previously known of, such as the mandolin or the ukulele, to compliment his mainstay of guitar, bass and harmonica.

As for the reception he received for his show, Peoples is just grateful for the turnout and thankful to his loyal fan base.  "A lot of times, Saturdays can be sketchy because older siblings have ball games and school functions.  Normally, dads don't want to do anything on Saturday ‘cause of ball games. So, I think it went really well, especially considering the circumstances." For more information on Richard Peoples and his upcoming events, visit his website at www.mrrichard.net and become a part of his burgeoning accumulation of followers.