Gene Richard

Bass, Rhythm, & Lead Guitar, Vocals, website 

Gene has been playing lead, rhythm and/or bass guitar for over 40 years.  His main influence was his Dad and uncle, who played country music together. It led to his love for southern rock.  His first band in 1969 was called "Grand Council Review".  In the 1970's he played guitar and bass, as well as writing some original songs with a Southern Rock band from the Swampscott, Mass. called "Lapwing", playing from the upper Cape to Maine.  After a couple of years off, he met his future brother-in-law, Bob Michaud, and formed a Beverly, Mass. band called "Open Road" in 1980, again playing Southern Rock and featuring dual lead guitars, and he wrote a few more original songs.   They stayed together off and on for about 20 years before finally calling it quits in 2000.  After a short stint in 2001, filling in on bass guitar with a Kittery, Maine band called "Another Round", featuring Karrie Burnett and Jim Desharnes, from "Jim & Karrie", he joined up with "Rage 'N' Age" on bass/lead guitar in December, 2001.  His daughter and son are carrying on the family music tradition, with his daughter playing piano, clarinet and bass guitar, and his son playing drums, guitar and bass.