I was going through some archival KCSB items and ran across a "KC and the Sunshine Band" concert program from 'I think' 1978 --- what a treat to read through the history and the bio's of all of the band members!

RICHARD FINCH, MULTI-GRAMMY AWARD WINNER, RE-ENTERS MUSIC INDUSTRY AFTER 25 YEAR HIATUS; RELEASES "FOR ALL REASONS" CHARITY CD

Multi-Grammy Award winning artist, producer, engineer, song arranger, composer and co-founder of the legendary 70's disco group, "KC and the Sunshine Band" returns to the music industry with his first release in 25 years, titled "For All Reasons." This 11-song compilation CD features new music/artists recorded by Finch, with a portion of the proceeds from every CD sale/download benefiting six organizations.

December 16, 2008 (Las Vegas, NV) - Ending a 25-year hiatus, legendary Producer/Arranger Richard Finch proves that he still has the magic touch for creating hit records. As one half of the multi-Grammy Award winning songwriting team from "KC and the Sunshine Band," which gave the world a nonstop stream of danceable hits in the 70's, including, "Boogie Shoes," "Get Down Tonight" and "Shake Shake Shake (Shake Your Booty)," Finch is making his professional comeback to the music industry and seizing the moment to bring fun and 'grooveablity' back to the masses while helping some very worthy causes in the process. "For All Reasons" – an 11-song compilation CD features some of Finch's new artist discoveries, two of his own compositions (which he performs) and includes solo efforts from the members of The Memphis Rascals, Top 35 contestants from the 2007 summer installment of NBC Television's hit reality series, "America's Got Talent."

Touched by the devastation of Hurricane Ike and seeing the remnants of its effect in his own community of Newark, Ohio, Finch made a decision to incorporate charitable giving and fundraising projects into the framework of his new company, Richard Finch Productions, Inc., which will be headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. "For All Reasons" is the first release from the company's recording studio, "The Production Kitchen."

"Sadly, our country and the rest of the world is going through some hard times right now," Finch comments, "but we've been in this situation before. There's an entire generation that knows nothing about the economic frustrations OR the gas rationing we had in the 70's. I'd like to think that the music we created during that decade put a smile on people's faces and helped them through those difficult times. Hopefully, the amazing music we've created for the "For All Reasons" disk will have that same effect on people, while helping these wonderful organizations at the same time."

A portion of the proceeds from every "For All Reasons" CD and download will benefit one of six different organizations as decided by the buyer: American Red Cross (Licking County, OH), Ohio, Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation (Walnut Creek, CA), Campaign for Care (Los Angeles, CA), Kid One Transport (Birmingham, AL), The Denver Foundation (Princeton, WV) and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (Cleveland, OH). Those who purchase the physical CD will designate their contribution to one of these six charities via a voting postcard included with their purchase. The money raised from the album download will be divided equally among the six organizations.

Dreama Denver, CEO of The Denver Foundation, which she co-founded with her late husband, actor Bob Denver ("Gilligan" from "Gilligan's Island") states, "I'm sure I speak for all of the organizations when I say it's an honor to be included in this unique fundraising effort. The music, culture and excitement that Rick played a huge part in creating 30 years ago remains timeless and I know we'd all like to see the same longevity and success for the 'For All Reasons' CD."

About Richard Finch:

Richard Finch, legendary co-founder/bassist/song arranger/composer/producer and engineer of the 1970's mega-group "KC & the Sunshine Band" is renowned for developing a unique fusion of R&B, Funky Soul and Country, meshed with a Latin/Caribbean groove, which catapulted the band to worldwide fame. Through his creative vision, consumer insight and engineering expertise, Finch has given the world a timeless catalog of hits and a musical legacy seldom matched by few. The music co-created, produced and arranged by Finch is a staple in Music Americana, reflected in sales of over 100 million recordings worldwide, nine Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards, 14 BMI Songwriter/Arranger Awards, an American Music Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. KC & The Sunshine Band, as a result of Finch's catchy music compositions and precise hard-hitting production quality, is considered one of the most successful music groups of all time and is credited with changing the sound of 20^th Century pop music. Finch's bass lines and drum grooves are known worldwide as an industry standard and staple in the Hip Hop genre, sampled by numerous artists including 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Ultra Nate and Beyoncé.

"For All Reasons" is available through CD Baby or by phone (1-503-595-3000)

For more information, go to the Richard Finch web site.

© 2008 Richard Finch Productions, Inc. – All Rights Reserved

I was going through some archival KCSB items today and ran across a "KC and the Sunshine Band" concert program from 'I think' 1978 --- what a treat to read through the history and the bio's of all of the band members!

But Rick Finch's stood out particularly for me (naturally!), but not just because I work with him, manage his career or because we are great friends - but because of how he virtually is no different from the young man described in this 30 year old program. I think that's important for people to know.

Even Harry Wayne Casey ("KC") had great things to say about Rick in this program - a description of Rick which holds true to this day:

When asked about his co-writer/co-producer, Rick Finch, KC is quick to attribute a large part of the KC and the Sunshine Band success to his partner: "Rick is an electronics genius. To be his age and to know what he knows and to do what he's done is amazing and unique."

Yes, like for everyone, time gives us tunnel vision into our past, and Rick is no different --- he is wiser for the lessons learned, sad for the losses, nostalgic for the good times --- but what sets Rick apart from perhaps most others in this business who possess a track record as impressive as his - he is a man who is not content to sit back and assume the role of 'observer' or to rely on his past accomplishments to define him --- Rick sees infinite possibilities and an abundance of talent in an industry barely surviving, and is not deterred by the insurmountable obstacles in trying to bring this amazing artistry to the world's consciousness - and until he draws his last breath, will continue to dedicate himself solely to that mission.

Does he have the answers? I believe he does!!! (I KNOW he does!!!)

So as you read through the copy below, you may ask, "What hasn't changed???"

Well.... he's still driven by that same passion for music which grabbed his heart and soul at age seven...

He's a focused engineer with skills, intuition and an expertise beyond what most people coming up the ranks today could only hope to have in their own careers 30 years from now...

Rick's interest in mentoring others still exists, but has expanded to areas which include not just engineering, but performance, musicianship and genuine quality of character (all of the parents of our younger performers and songwriters have been quick to point out to us the amazing improvements in their children on ALL fronts after working with Rick)...

Fast cars??? Oh yeah! (but let's not go there!!!)

Love and devotion to family??? Without question (and which has touchingly spilled over to my own 88 year old mother, who refers to Rick as "her other son").

"Bird adopter?" Yes, I see that as something which will pick up speed in the not too distant future (which should work well with his new found love of CATS!)

Yes, I believe the 'what you see is what you get' core of the Rick Finch from 30 years ago hasn't changed a bit (with perhaps the reference to him being 'soft-spoken' --- the Rick Finch "I" know is gregariously loud and funny beyond words --- I should have killer abs from all of the double-over laughing we've done!!!).

At any rate........... sit back and enjoy a little slice of history -- and be thankful that there is a Rick Finch working in the music industry today; someone who will never compromise his professional integrity or the integrity of others --- and stay tuned......... the 'next big thing' we've been working on is about ready to take flight!

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Richard Finch would rather be engineering a record than talking about himself, but soft-spoken and smiling, he volunteers precious time to chat. Putting the story together, he scratches his head, searching for the proper order of events, trying to be truthful without giving away too many of the industry's secrets. Fine, dark brown hair frames the boyish features... but this is no paradox. Rick Finch is young... very young to have accomplished so much.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Richard is the second youngest of five children. The family relocated to Florida one year later and Hialeah has remained their home. His father passed away when Rick was five. Powered by his affection for music and the desire to make life a little more comfortable for his mother, Rick has far exceeded his original goals. The respect he has gained for his performing, writing, producing and engineering skills is justly deserved.

A passion for records and fast cars characterized Rick's personality at the tender age of seven. The Beatles were happening then and he played their music endlessly, as well as the soul artists of that time. When second oldest brother, Junie, recorded a song in one of those booths that put the tune on a white wax disc for 50 cents, Rick was hypnotized. He had to know how those records were made... what it took to put all of those sounds together. The search seemed futile... writing to RCA for information, looking up recording studios in the phone book... it was a dead end street. Somehow, someway, Rick Finch did find the answers.

With a feeling for the guitar, Finch picked up his first bass when he was eleven. By the age of twelve, he was playing Country & Western music at the Disabled Veterans Club with a neighborhood band. The bass came naturally... he found C&W music easy to perform. Still, it was soul music that he wanted to perfect on the bass. In school, he met a few boys - some white, some black, who thought Rick's bass playing was terrific and professional. They formed a band called 'Ball and Chain' and grew up together, appearing as an act for the next five years. They played Top 40 music in a Miami Beach club called The Castaways for about 2 1/2 years.

A school friend, Lamont Synder, acquainted with recording artist Clarence Reid, introduced Rick, and soon he began spending his after school free time at the TK studio watching, learning, asking questions... absorbing all he could of this new "high energy" musical experience.

Apparently TK didn't consider Rick's curiosity a nuisance. Building his education on the console, they thought they were giving a kid a break. What they had done was open a major door for an electronic wizard. Rick at 16 years of age began engineering recording sessions.

TK hired him as a part time engineer for studio maintenance. Three weeks later he met Harry Casey. The two music enthusiasts met while packing orders in the warehouse. Casey wasn't aware that Rick played bass in the beginning, but soon they were collaborating on song ideas, cutting demos with basic, good concepts. The first demos were cut on Rick's 4-track TEAC in an apartment.

Lyric writing is part and parcel of Rick's talents, but the musical production end best suits his creativity.

"I'm more into chord changes and the beat and the percussion, phrasing and the background voices too. KC's really good at the lyrics." Casey and Finch put equal effort into the arrangement of those background voices that enhance the quality of The Sunshine Band melodies.

But there's too much to do to sit and dwell on material gains. They newly-built Sunshine Sound recording studio affords him the freedom to create at the moment of inspiration. Now Rick has all the time he needs to record the proper feeling. His instrument is a Fender Jazz bass for performing and he possesses a Telecaster and Mustang basses as well. He'd like to be adept on numerous instruments and would someday enjoy putting together a school for audio-engineering in the Hialeah area.

He also cares about his album-buying audience.

"We try to make everything that goes on one of our albums a hit because today people are going out and spending top dollars for albums that only have one or two singles on them and that's ridiculous! To me, an album's life should be longer than that. There should be more singles on an album and that's what we're not afraid to do."

At home, Richard has a large collection of tropical birds... 51 to be exact! As the story goes, a turquoise parakeet accidentally landed on Rick's shoulder while he was gassing up at a station. He took it home and a week later, bought it a few companions. A parrot named 'Rainbow' conned Rick into purchasing him with a simple "hello." When Rick greets his feathered buddies each morning, Rainbow can be heard to chant without coercion, "I love you, baby.'

Knowing Richard Finch, it's easy to see why.

www.rickfinch.com

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to tell you about an awesome 40-minute interview I recently did with MadPod.



CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW

I had an amazing chat with Shadoe Steel and it will give you an insight into some of the fun times I had during the KCSB days, as well as a sneak peek into what's happening now with my new artists and projects.

When you're done listening, do check out some of the other great interviews Shadoe Steel has done (btw, he's done over 2,000!!!), including chats with Peter Criss from KISS, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Neil Young, Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Bonnie Tyler, Thomas Dolby, Art Garfunkel and many, many others!

It's an honor to share Internet "podcast" space with all of them.

Enjoy!

Blessings,

Rick Finch
http://www.rickfinch.com/

www.reverbnation.com/richardfinch


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... and MY two cents:

This is just one of several amazing interviews recently done with Rick.

Hopefully you got the chance to hear Rick's interview with legendary Rolling Stone Magazine's former editor and now KFRC-FM's link to great interviews, the amazing Ben Fong-Torres --- but if not, click here and catch it "On Demand."

Also............. Global Music Star, the premiere music publication in Australia did an in-depth one-on-one with Rick for their March 2008 issue (still available for viewing in their archives). The issue was so successful that Rick's interview will be republished in the winter edition of Writer's Edge Magazine --- Rick also has the cover!

Last, but certainly not least.............. do stop by Rick's MySpace and his Reverb Nation sites to check out some of his new artists, including Nevada, The Miles, Robert Dooley, Scott Williams and The Memphis Rascals/Try-Love. Their music is amazing and once again fully demonstrates the production genius that IS Richard Finch.

The production company (and productions!) are ramping up big time with some interesting projects on the horizon (too "top secret" to talk about just yet, but I think everyone will be blown away once the press release comes out!). More interviews are also in the works and an awesome web site will be making its debut soon - so stay tuned!!!

It's amazing how some people walk the earth, believing that they are self-empowered to make the rules and ruin people's lives accordingly. Nowhere is this more evident than in the State of _________ --- awwww, have some fun, people --- fill in the blank! I'm sure you've encountered this sort of thing in your own lives --- and the state that I mention might not be the geographical reality of your angst and woe.

So let's keep this generalized, just so you can also participate in the same righteous indignation I've experienced with this state since last winter.

... and it's not even so much the state --- I'm sure it's a lovely place to be and that many lovely people live in it (with the exception of the parasites this is directed towards). Actually, I know a total of nine perfectly fabulous individuals currently residing in this state --- no, make that 10! 10 absolutely wonderful people who I wouldn't trade for the world are currently living in the State of ____________. (my condolences to them!)

So................ to all of you who have ever dealt with or encountered unscrupulous, devoid of conscience bottom feeders, enjoy the following media, and always remember that:

1. The best form of revenge is success!

2. Don't get mad, get even!

... and

2. What goes around DOES come around! (and sometimes you live long enough to see it happen!)

(p.s. --- the following videos are not an endorsement for public whacking or 'sleeping with the fishes' --- I tend to roll with #1.)

Ahhhhh yes...... As Tom Hanks said in "You've Got Mail," "The Godfather" is the 'I Ching of business.'

In other words people - stay tuned for what is going to be some very publicly documented FUN!!! Let the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!!!!!!!!

...70's dance music icon and premiere wine producing vineyard enter into new business alliance.

Once in a blue moon, an amazingly gifted artist will cross my path, and funny enough, the moon has recently been a beautiful shade of Azure. So it was no surprise when the talented, soulful Rick Finch (multi-Grammy Award winner, American Music Award Winner, brilliant bass player/producer/arranger, 'Hollywood Walk of Fame' star recipient and one half of the team which founded "KC and the Sunshine Band") and I strangely stumbled upon one another.. (that, in itself is its own story............. stay tuned for a future installment!).

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, the latest media hoopla is over the residential future of a precious Brussels Griffon terrier mix named "Iggy" that was recently adopted by comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres. Unbeknown to DeGeneres, the small print of the adoption contract stated that if she was unable to keep the pet, it was to be returned to the "Mutts and Moms" organization, located in Pasadena, CA.

Like many of us, when it comes to the fine print, we don't always read every single word, every dotted "i" or every crossed "t." That's a fun task we typically leave to our legal representatives. Ellen was no different and has heartbreakingly admitted her error in not following the rules. When Mutts and Moms contacted her to see how Iggy was doing, she didn't lie - she openly stated that she had found a wonderful home for the little guy.

Then, as they say, is when the 'fur started to fly!!!' Who knew that it was now necessary to be accompanied by an attorney to read over the contract when adopting a pet???

Ms. DeGeneres's heart has always been in the right place where animals are concerned. Her benevolent acts on behalf of our four legged friends is well documented. To her credit, rather than subject her feline residents to further cohabitation problems with her newly adopted canine, she acted in all of the animals' best interest. She sought out a new, loving home for little Iggy and found that home via her hairdresser and her two daughters (ages 11 and 12). Both girls immediately bonded with little Iggy, and he with them.

Marina Batkis, the owner of Mutts and Moms, stated to ABC News:

"If Ellen wants to start her own rescue group then she can decide where the dogs go. "Who is she to say who is a good home and whose not? And who is she to say where I should place my animals and how I should do this? I don't tell her how to run her show."

To further complicate matters, another reason that Ms. Batkis will not return Iggy to Ms. DeGeneres' hairdresser and daughters is due to Mutts and Mom's policy of not putting pets up for adoption to families with children under the age of 14.

In this entire scenario that has unfolded before our eyes, I find this piece of information to be the most disturbing.

What Ms. Batkis is practicing is age discrimination. Ms. Batkis automatically deemed this an unsuitable home based on the ages of these young girls. Not once did she take into consideration their feelings nor the feelings of Iggy, who had bonded with the children. To add insult to injury, she sent a police officer to remove the pet from their home. Had Ms. Batkis or her organization been in possession of a sensitivity chip, they would have fully understood the damage and trauma they were causing these two young girls and their mother. But in this case, more consideration was given to an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper over the pleas and tears of these heartbroken children.

The RIGHT thing to do would have been to see that there are always exceptions to rules. Ms. Batkis could have done a home evaluation on the spot - she could have observed these girls with Iggy to see how much they love him - and she could have brought along new adoption papers. Had Ms. Batkis done this, the media storm that she's now complaining about never would have happened.

As of this writing, the Mutts and Mom's web site has been taken down (it's been reported that the organization and Ms. Batkis have been the recipients of death threats and other hostile acts or retaliation). This is in no way the mature or appropriate way in which to handle this situation and I would hope that people would choose to conduct themselves in a more thoughtful manner. The world is not going to collapse over this - but the hearts of two young girls certainly have, and that is the issue to which I would like to speak now.

I would like to make an appeal to Ms. Batkis to review the age policy Mutts and Moms has put into place. Thousands of loving, nurturing homes with younger children are being deemed unsuitable based on a number you have selected. Who is to say that a child of 14 is more responsible than a child of 11 or 12? Unless you have a Ph.D in Childhood Development and have extensive studies to back up your claim that a child under the age of 14 does not possess the maturity to own a pet, you are doing a great disservice to both the child and the animal. Some of my best memories as a child include the pets that I had over the years. They taught me more about unconditional love, responsibility, patience and commitment than any adult ever did. How does it feel, knowing that your age requirement is perhaps depriving a child of that same experience?

The BEST that any pet adoption agency can do is to evaluate potential families on a case by case basis. If Mutts and Moms has successfully put pets into good homes in the past, then they should have no trouble evaluating each family and situation individually, free from a restrictive chronological number. It's common sense: putting a giant, aggressive dog in the home of a three year old is probably not the thing to do - but an 11 and 12 year old owning a puppy just slightly larger than the size of a teacup?

Come to the table, Ms. Batkis - admit your error in judgment as Ms. DeGeneres has - and DO THE RIGHT THING. Amend your age policy and return Iggy to his family.

The world is watching................................................