When I last posted a blog I really believed we’d be back touring by the middle of May…boy, was I wrong!! As you can see, it’s the end of June, I’m still home and it doesn’t look like we’ll be back touring until the fall…and that’s wishful thinking!! This pandemic has sure changed the world…it was the longest I’d gone without performing live since I was 14 years old and it’s the longest I’ve gone without touring since I was 24 years old. But on the upside, I’m now 20 pounds lighter & in much better shape. As for all of you out there reading this, I hope you’re staying safe and healthy.
During the lockdown I did perform some Facebook Live shows…quite a few with my partner in crime Billy Sullivan, one with Jessica Petrone and on April 18th I performed a solo show in the comfort of my basement that featured songs that I’d written, recorded and released with the bands I’d been in throughout the years along with songs I’d written for other artists (Sonny Geraci, Billy Hufsey, Gary Lewis, etc). You can still watch the show if you go to my Facebook page & scan down my timeline to April. I’ve also been making music every Sunday with the Praise Band at my church…even during the lockdown while the church was closed we live streamed the service online.
On the creative side, I sang and/or played on quite a few recording projects for charity, I mixed a few new songs by Bill March (Beau Coup, Wally Bryson Group) that he’s releasing soon and I finally signed a licensing agreement with a company in Nashville that places songs in TV shows, movies, etc.
But one of the biggest things I accomplished that I never would’ve had the time for had it not been for the lockdown is that I FINALLY went through and digitized over a hundred cassettes that I had packed away over the years because, since they had no information written on them, I wasn’t sure exactly what they contained, I only knew it was my music or music I produced. Wow, was that a trip down memory lane! I found songs that I’d forgotten I’d written, Love Affair demos that I forgot we recorded, other songs of mine that Sonny Geraci recorded, etc. I even found a cassette of me at 15 years old playing guitar & singing the first 6 songs I’d ever written. Plus, I also found live performances of Spina & Sullivan, Stairway, Richard & The Heartbeats, Gary Lewis and Love Affair. In fact, one of the Love Affair shows in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1983 sounded so good it could be released as a live album.
Here in Ohio, our lockdown ended a few weeks ago and though the reopening has been slow, I’ve actually performed live twice with Tommy Amato at the Rock Creek Kitchen & Bar and on July 6, Billy & I will finally resume our weekly Monday night gig at Arnie’s Clubhouse Grill. Other than that, I’m still on vacation. Hope to see you all again on the road soon…until then, stay safe!!
Yo Rich. Think of you every time I drive down Park. Always checking if you’re even living there still. About time I tried to see how you’re doing. You and you’re family definitely a part of my life. You still in the house? Anyway. Hope you’re well and hope to run into you while we’re both able to recognize each other. 😊. Take care old friend. Ron
Hi Ron,
Wow, it’s so nice to hear from you. Yes, I do live in the house now. Please email me at rich@richspina.com and I’ll give you my phone number…I’d love to get together & catch up. Again, it’s great to hear from you after all these years!!
Cheers,
Rich
Hi Rich, Long vacation huh? I can see where you have a few upcoming shows with HHSPN. Hope you and your family are well. My husband and I saw you and the boys are the Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati last December. My first Christmas show. It was great, really enjoyed it. Take Care!
Hi Kathy,
I’m glad you enjoyed our Christmas show. Hopefully, our normal touring schedule will resume soon.
Cheers,
Rich
It was so great seeing you out n about again. Looking forward to when some of those “secret tapes” see daylight …
Best always to your household.. G&S
Thanks…it was great seeing you again, too.
You’ve been busy. It sure would be nice to see you in Florida or New York. We missed out on the Flower Power Cruise and Epcot. Not sure what’s going on with NYS fair, I gave up looking. Surely not the magnitude of the concerts HHSPN would have done but feeling some of the disappointment. But on the plus side, your Facebook shows are so appreciated. And also when you were with Billy. It’s also been enjoyable to be entertained by Kellie.
When stars align we will be sitting in the audience and more appreciative than ever.
Thanks Bruce…we sure do miss performing for you!
The more I do here, the more I find to do. I am more organized than I have ever been; and I’m going nowhere. Keep safe, Rich. I want to see you perform again.
Same here…it’s a never ending to do list!!
We will be back at Arnie’s to see you both. Take good care my friend. Hopefully we’re on the down slope of this thing, but take no chances. Kathy says hi as well and misses you both.
Thanks Jack…miss both of you!
Thanks Rich, you stay safe too! Miss seeing your shows and hope to get back to doing that before too long.
Judy
Thanks Judy!
Can’t wait to see you and the band on the road again, too, and hopefully maybe in the fall.
Glad to hear you’ve reached your weight goals.
You continue to stay safe and healthy as well.
Thanks!
Thanks for updating us. Sounds like you’ve been quite productive and making good use of your vacation time. Congrats on the weight loss too. I hear most people are gaining weight. Good on you.
I too never expected this lockdown to last this long.
Hope to catch another livestream soon.
Thanks Francine…hope to see ya sometime soon.
Although I will miss my yearly trek to Rams Head in Annapolis, MD to see HHSPN, I have to admit I’ve really enjoyed your Internet performances (and Billy’s, as well). It’s been great getting to experience the solo talents that we don’t get to see (unless you were lucky enough to grow up in Ohio). It would be great to see Spina & Sullivan performing at venues along the mid-Atlantic (hint, hint)! Stay safe and enjoy your vaca!
Thanks!
Thanks for posting. It’s so true, no one realized months ago this pandemic would take over and change as much as it already has. That’s awesome you digitized your music! And that’s great you have been able to use this time to get healthier. I always appreciate your optimism and motivation. Perhaps we will all find a few blessings out of this experience after all. I’ve been working more on my 60’s site [which you are welcome to be a part of] 🙂 Stay safe, and keep taking your vitamins.
Thanks Emily! Let me know when your 60’s site goes live.
Thanks for catching us up on what you’ve been up to, Rich! Wow, digitizing all of those cassettes sounds like quite a project, but a fun one for you 😃. It’s been great seeing you with the Praise Band every Sunday and I’m really looking forward to seeing you for real out on the road….soon I hope 😃 Stay happy & healthy 😃.
Thanks Jill! yes, I also hope to see you out on the road again soon.