Jarod Richardson

Early Life

   As a New Jersey native, Jarod was raised to the soundtrack of the 60’s and 70’s. Surrounded by the sounds of bands such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Doors and The Grateful Dead. As a teenager he found himself enwrapped in the multi-genre music culture of the 90’s. These combined influences would set the tone for a lifetime of inspiration.

   By the age of nine Jarod had taught himself how to play guitar and piano. Soon after he had learned any instrument within reach. At the age of 12 he was playing in his first band. By age 14 Jarod would be leading his own, filled with bandmates four to five years his elder. But this would all change on a rainy day in May when his world would come to a crashing halt.

May 12th, 1995

  On May 12th 1995 Jarod was traveling as the front passenger in a 1987 Camaro. The car hydroplaned around a sharp turn, hitting a Mac truck head on. Jarod’s head was propelled through the car’s windshield leaving him lifeless. Following a medevac trip to the hospital, he awoke hours later to the sounds of life support monitors. Having suffered a traumatic brain injury, Jarod would have to relearn all cognitive, social, and motor skills; being left with only sadness and rage as emotions. Not even the ability to play guitar was spared. Jarod was left merely a reflection of the person he once was; and had no idea of the journey to follow.

   Longing for the person he once was, Jarod fell to the depths of depression and addiction. This would plague his life for decades to follow. After a stay in a mental/substance rehabilitation facility and years of perseverance, he slowly started to find his way back.

“Somewhere after Numb.”

   As the 17th anniversary of his near fatal car accident approached, Jarod received a call that would throw his life back into a downward spiral.  A friend that had been in the car accident with him had committed suicide. “Why would he live just to die later?”. “Is this my ultimate fate?”. Struggling with these mortal questions put Jarod in the grips of addiction once again. The only thing that saved him this time was his guitar. While battling through a deep depression fueled by alcohol, Jarod slowly started compiling pictures and film footage from their high school years. He put together a tribute, paying homage to many of his fallen friends. The soundtrack that would accompany this became Jarod’s 2017 release, “Above and Below”. Through his friend’s death, Jarod was given new life.

“This existential renaissance is humbling.”

   While searching through the darkness, Jarod knew it was time to face his own past and demons; or succumb to them. He immersed himself in the music, again finding the freedoms of self-expression through singing and playing guitar. In this, he found a new appreciation for life, a renewed passion for creation and a dream to be fulfilled. This would all lead to the realization that a sober lifestyle was the only way to accomplish it.

“Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 acts ‘til they finally ask for an encore.”

   Now sober and fully rejuvenated Jarod Richardson is ready to share his fire and set the world ablaze. His newest solo release “peacelovemusic” is a soulful journey into the once lost, but now found. Being a stripped-down collection of mostly the man and his guitar it also features his drumming, bass and piano skills on three of the tracks. Completely written, recorded, produced and performed by the man himself.  Jarod is a force to be reckoned with.

   Fresh off the heels of his solo Soulshine Farm Music Festival performance, he also continues to pack houses with his hard rock outfit Black the Sky. The band is currently performing at venues such as Starland Ballroom, The Wonder Bar, and Asbury Lanes. Whether directly supporting classic acts such as Kings X, KIXX, Faster Pussycat and Bang Tango or newer acts such as Crobot, Jarod Richardson has his finger on the pulse of everything music.

   His raw and emotional vocals are both jarring and soothing in the same breath. While his song writing and soaring range place him on a plateau of his own.

   Jarod Richardson is currently booking gigs and playing both band and solo performances. While in the studio producing the bands self-titled debut album, he is also working on his next solo venture “Existential Renaissance”.