Johnny Richeson has been playing professionally since the age of 14. As a working drummer in Nashville, Philadelphia, and beyond, he is known for bringing a high level of preparation, musicality, and versatility to every musical situation.

 

Johnny was self-taught from ages 12-18. He has since studied with several world-class teachers and players, including: Derrek Phillips (Hank Williams, Jr., Robben Ford, Gloria Gaynor, Brett Eldridge), Jordan Perlson (Jeff Coffin, Blue Man Group, Becca Stevens), Matt White (Rihanna, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Coffin), Jesse Willis (Coastal Carolina University), and Lalo Davila (Middle Tennesee State University). 

 

After college he moved to Nashville, TN, where he enjoyed a successful freelance career. He has performed with artists such as: Zach Top, Jason Scheff (Chicago), Victor Wooten, Bob Reynolds (John Mayer, Snarky Puppy), The Dryes (The Voice Season 22), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones), Howard Levy (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones), Joel Frahm, Ryan Scott, and many more. He has opened for artists like Miranda Lambert, The Revivalists, Hardy, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Lane, and Dylan Marlowe.

 

In addition to performing, Johnny is passionate about sharing his love for music through teaching. He is currently a professor at Rider University, where he is the creator and director of the Nashville Experience course. In this course, students are able to record their original music in Nashville studios with session aces, meet executives and creatives on Music Row, and network with other professionals on both the performance and business sides of the industry. Additionally, he directs the Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop Ensemble & teaches Applied Percussion Lessons. From 2016-2018, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Middle Tennessee State University, where he taught the Band of Blue drumline, salsa band, percussion ensemble, and percussion lessons. 

 

In June 2018, Johnny traveled to Colombia, South America to play and teach at jazz camps around the country for the Colombo Americano organization. He offers clinics, group lessons, and individual lessons on a range of topics, including: drum set, Brazilian percussion, Afro-Cuban percussion, classical percussion, music theory, music technology, gig prep, audition prep, career development, and more.

 

Johnny holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Coastal Carolina University and a M.M. in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University. He currently lives near Philadelphia, PA, where he is a professor at Rider University and enjoys a career as a freelance musician.

 

Johnny proudly endorses Innovative Percussion as a Drum Set Artist.