Richard
Vernon was Born in 1950, the son of a 1920's percussionist
band leader and also Grandson of a turn of the Century Victorian
Music hall singer who supplemented his theatre and early radio
work with a family business selling pianos, records and wardrobes
- what else?
Richard's earliest memory of the 'new fifties' recalls a mixture
of older brothers' various trad records; their Sunday afternoon
skiffle sessions in the front room; and Vernon senior's daily,
7:00 am 'full-fortissimo-belt' renditions of the Crosby repertoire
from the bathroom...infantile bliss!
Strong parental interest and support ensued and the swinging
sixties provided the stage outlets for Richard to work as a
guitarist in a band which frequently double-billed with Musicians
from 'fifties trad' ; players who had moved across to the 'sixties
scene', only to move back to jazz when the frenzy calmed down.
The
demise of the sixties' venues, choked by the spread of 'the
disco' was to place Richard in dance bands playing Bass guitar.
A stint helping out a local jazz band in 1977 marked the introduction
of Richard to regular playing in proliferous music work, with
a conversion to double bass; the challenge of which being influenced
by the magnetic appeal of Trefor Williams'
rich percussive style in the 70's Max Collie Rhythm
Aces.
Richard
provided bass accompaniment for Tommy Burton from
1984 up until his untimely death in 2000 which, apart form being
a trusted and loyal, long-term friend, earns him the accolade
of being Tommy's longest serving 'Sportinghouse' associate.
Early
radio and TV recordings, including BBC's 'This is Tommy
Burton', plus a full circuit of the majority of the
major UK festivals and club venues for many years (and Jokes!)
enables Richard to develop and establish his musical support
and contribution to the colourful, percussive sound of Tommy's
'sportinghouse' rhythm section.
The
Sportinghouse Strings trio was established in 2001
which enabled long standing Tommy Burton associates, messrs.
Langham, Degville and Vernon
to combine and indulge in the unique blend of the Sportinghouse
repertoire.
The
years of performance experience across a varied spectrum of
musical styles has enabled Richard to comfortably accompany
many great international musicians including: Humphrey Lyttleton; Roy Williams
with the late Dick Morrisey; John Barnes;
Randy Colville; Keith Nichols;
Digby Fairweather; Bruce Adams
and the late giants, Kenny Baker and Nat
Gonella.
He
has also been a regular 'stand-in' Rhythm Ace
working with Max Collie throughout Europe and
has accompanied American heavyweights, Kenny Davern,
Howard Alden, Scott Hamilton
and Bob Wilber.
Regularly
engaged with Tommy Burton's Sportinghouse colleagues, or with
The Tom Kincaid Trio, and occasionally
accompanying other great musicians, Richard is equally at ease
with a variety of genres - ears at the ready!
