About Richard

Richard was born on 21st March 1966 and started playing the electronic organ ten years later, performing his first local concert in 1979. The following year saw him perform his first session backing a cabaret artist and his first concert for an organ society.

In 1982 Richard appeared on BBC1 Television and local radio after winning the Home Organist of the Year Award. Leaving school the same year to pursue a career in music, he played at his first keyboard festival. Two years later he turned professional and toured the UK with a major Japanese manufacturer. The following year he played at the first Festival organised by Keyboard Cavalcade and has had the pleasure of appearing at all their festivals since then.

1986 saw his first appearance with another young organist, Ian Griffin, and they joined forces to form the very popular duo called Keyklix. A couple of years later they were recorded live by BBC Radio2 on stage at the Morecambe Festival. This same year (1989) Richard produced his first solo cassette entitled "Two Sides of Richard Bower", following this with his first solo broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio WM, and then commenced a series of shows backing local and national celebrities. He also performed at an open air concert backing national TV stars. In 1993 Richard moved to Cumbria and started another phase of his musical career by establishing a Yamaha Music School. However, he still found time to be recorded live on stage for BBC Radio Bristol in 1994. In 1995 he released his second cassette, this time entitled "On the Road", tracks from which were broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

He also recorded a talking book with Penny Weedon, called "Make Friends with MIDI". The following year Richard founded Harmony Cottage Audio, a fully digital recording service dedicated to helping young organists produce professional quality CDs at affordable prices. At the same time he purchased a Yamaha Electone EL90, which he used for some years as his concert instrument. The next year saw Harmony Cottage Software formed, releasing new software disks for Yamaha EL and HS series Electones. A new album was recorded - "In a Mellow Mood" - from which tracks were featured on BBC Radio 2.

Since his appointment in 1998 as a Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) freelance demonstrator, his reputation has continued to spread to a nationwide audience, and he can now be seen working around the country on the latest Clavinova digital pianos, Tyros and PSR digital keyboards. He has also become actively involved with the development of new Yamaha instruments, including Tyros, Clavinova CVP200 & 300 series, PSR3000 and Tyros 2. Using this experience as a programmer and music consultant, Richard has produced new registration software for Tyros and PSR1500/3000, which is available through Yamaha Club. A new CD featuring Richard in relaxed mood with the Clavinova CVP309 is now available.

Richard's Photo Gallery

Richard's Concert Diary