Rich Chambers is kind of retro, but not really. He hints at country, but he isn’t quite country. He is a little bit modern rock and also a little bit pop. He’s even a little bit bubble-gum pop (watching endless amounts of Partridge Family reruns as a kid will do that to you) In a nutshell, he really is a little bit of everything. Rich Chambers is Rock n’ Roll Reimagined. His latest release, the guitar-driven rocker ‘I'm a Fool for Lovin' You,’ is a hook-laden pop rock track everyone can relate to. Who hasn't loved someone that doesn't love them back and called themselves a fool for doing so?
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Rich Chambers, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Thanks so much! It is a pleasure to chat with you too!
I first got into music as a little boy. There were a few things that did it. My mom was a huge music fan and had all kinds of the latest records available, and she taught me how to use our record player on my own at a very young age. I used to love playing all of her records. It didn’t matter to me which ones. I also absolutely loved watching Monkees and Partridge Family reruns. Both shows were in syndication, so I was able to watch a lot of episodes. But the biggest reason of all was my dad. He played the guitar, and as a small boy, I thought it was pretty much the coolest thing I ever saw. As soon as I was old enough to wrap my hands around the guitar neck, I started playing, and I have never looked back!
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Great question, and also a very tough one. I have so many influences and so many artists I absolutely love!! For different reasons, I would love to collaborate with: Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Melissa Etheridge, Vince Gill, Harry Connick Jr., and Elvis Costello. There are so many more, but these are the big ones!
Your latest song is 'I'm a Fool for Lovin' You'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
The most unusual thing about “I’m a Fool For Lovin’ You” is the fact that I wrote it 30 years ago, and at the time I never thought it was good enough to record. But the song stuck with me and has always been there lurking in my subconscious. For some reason I could just never quite forget about it. I finally figured that if I can never quite forget about the song then maybe there is something to it. Maybe there is something there. So, a few months ago I decided to make it a highlight single. I am sure glad I did as the end result is a song better than what I initially thought it ever could be. I am quite proud of what I first thought was a throwaway song.
What are you focusing on right now?
I am currently working on getting a full album release out in the next few weeks. The album will consist of all my singles since Jan 2021 and three new songs. After that I will start recording my next song and preparing for its video. This song and video will be released in early May. After that, new singles will be following every 12 weeks or so. I have so many things written. It gets hard to find the time to record them all, but I am determined to get all my music out there, so I will make it happen!
What are you most proud of?
Easy question, my two boys! But from a musical point of view, I am super proud of the fact that I have worked my butt off on every angle of my song writing, recording, and music production. I feel I was given a gift when it came to songwriting. It has always been beyond easy for me. But oh my, this is definitely not the case when it comes to musicianship and producing. I have spent years working to get my guitar playing and singing to professional levels, and then that was followed by hard work to get my music production abilities up to the same standards. I am now super proud of all the songs I release. They are all me, from the songwriting, musicianship, mixing, and mastering. I am doing it all, and I am super proud of this!
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
Oh my!! So many challenges. Where to start! Lol! Everyone has challenges that are unique to them or are harder for them than for others. My hardest challenge is getting my music out there and heard by the music industry itself. My many influences have resulted in my music sitting in a sort of genre crossroads. It leans heavily toward rock, but within that it has elements of 50s and 60s rock, punk rock, 80s rock, and modern rock. Throw in my country, blues, and even big band influences and the music industry doesn’t really know what to do with me. They have a hard time classify me, and unfortunately, today’s music industry seems to have to “classify” all music, so I have done my best to classify myself for them. That’s why I have branded myself as “Rock n’ Roll Reimagined” because I feel it is the best way to wrap all my influences and what my music is about into one package.
How do you structure your day?
Work, work, and more work! Lol! At this point, my music makes me virtually no money. Today’s streaming of music is great for access and allowing independent artists to get their music out there, but it pays artists virtually nothing, so I have to keep on working like crazy toward building my name and exposure to huge levels as that is where the money is. In the meantime, I hold a full-time job at a local university. So essentially, I work 40 hours a week at my day job and just as many, if not more hours, on all my music after I finish my day job. It is a huge amount of work, but I have to say I am currently having the time of my life and wouldn’t trade it for anything. How does one put a price tag on living their dream?
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I am a huge fitness guy. I run and/or lift weights every day. I love running. I also love to play and watch hockey. Hockey was my first love up until 10 when I started playing gui tar. I love reading, but am a slow reader, so unfortunately it takes me a while to get through a book. Writing fiction is another passion of mine.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Not in the shower, but in my car for sure!! What I sing varies greatly on any given day. Today, I was singing the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” Boz Scaggs’ “Lido Shuffle,” and Don Gibson’s “Sea of Heartbreak.”
What are your plans for the future?
I’ll be finishing up my first non-Christmas album in a couple of weeks and then starting on all the singles that will make up album #2. I am beyond excited about my next two singles as I feel they are super catchy and have all the elements to help me break through to the next level. And yes, the “next level” is what I am after for the future. I am determined to make myself a household name and to reintroduce and recharge guitar rock/pop music.