MMIM was granted the opportunity to interview talented writer and singer Calvin Richardson.  This Charlotte native has released three albums, and his latest LP When Love Comes is currently in stores now.  Richardson’s single “More than a Woman” was nominated for a Grammy, and he even wrote and performed songs on Raphael Saadiq’s Instant Vintage. Check out the interview below from this charasmactic and soulful artist and let MMIM know what you think.  

MMIM:You performed last night at the Birchmere correct? How was that?

CR: That’s right. It was a great crowd. They showed a lot of love.

MMIM: When did you fall in love with music?

CR: (Laughs.) You know what?  I have been singing for quite some time. Actually it goes all the way back to when I was like five years old.  Ever since I can remember I have loved music. 

MMIM: Who are your musical influences?

CR: Al Green, Marvin Gaye Sam Cooke. That’s who I developed my style from.  Those are the type of guys in the industry that I listened to as I was growing up. So if that is reflected in my music that is where it comes from.

MMIM: What was it like working with Angie Stone on your song More than a Woman?

CR: I actually recorded that song when I was still signed to Universal Records in 2001.  They played the song for Angie Stone and she wanted to include it on her Mahogany Soul album.  She took a verse off of the song and recorded her ad libs and was able to add it to her album which was released first.  We actually never worked together in terms of recording the song since the song had already been recorded and written. My album ended up coming out the following year in 2003 once I was signed to Hollywood records. That’s how that happened.

MMIM: What was it like releasing your first two albums Country Boy and 2:35pm? What were the challenges?

CR: Country Boy was on Universal and 2:35pm was on Hollywood. The positive thing about the first album was it was my first commercial release that I ever had on my own. It took three years from the time I started recording the album for it to come out. Also it was not promoted or marketed the way I thought it would have been, but I learned a lot.  I didn’t get much control either or take the direction that I ultimately wanted to which is understandable when you are a new artist.  Having to deal with someone else making the decision in terms of which songs will make the album and what producers I will work with so on and so forth.

MMIM: Loving the song “There Goes My Baby.”  What inspired the work on your current album, “When Love Comes?”

CR: When love comes was dealing with everything that was going on in my life at that particular time, but I did not want it to be all about serious relationships, the mishaps or whatever. The album was just about my life – like give it to me straight with a little more upbeat up-tempos.  I wanted people to get to know Calvin Richardson and show more of my personality.

MMIM: What producers or artists would you like to work with in the future?

CR: I would love to work with Timbaland and R.Kelly.  Timbaland is an outstanding producer. R.Kelly is a great writer. He has a certain way of saying things and he is very prolific. I can also relate to his musical style.

MMIM: Where would you like to see 2008 take you?

CR: Recording and touring and taking “When Love Comes” as far as it go. I would like to put out another album in 2009 to follow up on my current album.

MMIM: What do you want people to remember about you if you were to stop making music?

CR: That the records that I have put out were songs that people can play forever.

MMIM: What obstacles have you faced trying to pursue your passion in the music industry?

CR: My obstacles have included dealing with record companies that focus and spend a lot of money on mainstream music. I don’t necessary make records that are mainstream, so record companies won’t spend a lot of money to promote you and sometimes I will find a lack of support from labels, as well as the radio because my music does not fit a certain format or sound like everything else that is being played. You feel it is an artist when it comes to touring, how many times your song is being played on the radio, and how many units are being sold. That is my main obstacle, but it is what it is, but I will still continue to do what I do. 

All About Calvin Richardson

MMIM: If you were not doing music what would you be doing?

CR: I would probably be a club owner a music promoter

MMIM: What is your recommended activity while someone is listening to your music?

CR: Relaxing

      MMIM: What is your favorite book?

     CR: Troubled Man – A book about Marvin Gaye’s Life. Check it out it’s a good book

MMIM: Name something you cannot leave the house without.

CR: My Sidekick (Laughs)

      MMIM: Name a hidden talent.

CR: I am a rider and I race motorcycles. I should have been in Nascar or something like that because I love speeding (Laughs)

Click here for more information on Calvin Richardson

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