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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.
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Richard's Organ Society concert instrument has caused a great deal
of interest over the last 2 years, as it is unique. The
combination is a Yamaha Tyros 2 (top keyboard), a Yamaha PSR290
(lower keyboard), and Hammond midi pedals. This has created a
lightweight instrument which caters for the traditionalists, who
like to see 2 manuals and pedals. Even more importantly, it sounds fab!
If you would like to get the very best from your Yamaha
instrument, Richard is available for 1-to-1 product knowledge
teaching sessions in your own home. Please e-mail for details.
Richard Bower is one of the keyboard festival and society
favourites. His easy-going style has won him many friends and
followers over the last 20 years, and he has now become a familiar
sight and sound at the top keyboard events, festivals, societies and clubs in the UK.
Harmony Cottage Audio is Richard's own CD label. The catalogue features CD's from Richard, Keyklix, Ian Griffin and others. Download catalogue.
Please contact Richard if you are interested in details about his software for Yamaha EL Electones, PSR Keyboards and Tyros.
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