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Joanie: What have you been up to in music?
Richard: During the summer, I head up the music at camp. I may not be the lead voice but I organize it. I sing at three different seniors homes, coffee houses, fund-raising suppers etc. At Christmas I sang at The Shelter House. Some of those type of events I play with my group "The Transparencies". The members are Robin Harbron on bass, Darren "Shroom" Foulds on drums and vocals, Lance Schibler on guitar and myself on guitar and vocals. We can be found at "reverbnation.com/thetransparencies.
I'll be singing next on November 10 at 8:15 p.m. at The Westfort Community Centre. It'll be a folk style music evening.
Joanie: How did you come to write music?
Richard: When I was a kid, my first instrument was the violin. I also plunked around on the piano. I ended up writing a musical ["Nehemiah"] for Vacation Bible School. It was pretty goofy. My mother, sister and I performed it with puppets.
Joanie: How did you come to know God?
Richard: I grew up with Sunday School, so I had an intellectual knowledge. Then when I was twelve, I went to Dorion Bible Camp. Alan Kotanen was my counselor. Sometimes now, when I give my testimony at camp to the kids, I say, "Two things happened to me in my sleeping bag. One of them was very noticeable: I got hit in the head with a glow-in-the-dark frisbee and there was blood!" (I still have the sleeping bag and I show it the kids). "But the other thing nobody knew about at the time but me [and God!!]." After lights out, Alan said, "This is how you can respond to what I've been telling you." In my own brain, not even out loud, I responded to Christ. The next day, I told Al and gave a testimony in chapel that week.
Joanie: How has your walk with Christ been between then and now?
Richard: I had a bit of a crisis over baptism. I guess there was a certain amount of shyness. But through a week at camp that was very challenging and encouraging, I was inspired to take that step. Another thing I had to deal with in my life, in junior high school, were friends in my life. But a friend invited me to Inter-School Christian Fellowship and invited me to come back to camp when I skipped a year. And Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship along with my home church and Dorion Bible Camp have been very influential in my life in terms of fellowship, instruction and discipleship. I'm now in a place of needing to find ways to step beyond that.
Joanie: What would you say to other musicians?
Richard: I challenge myself and others to explore the full range of emotions in life. For example, Psalm 88 and 89, are divinely- inspired Scripture, that say "darkness is my closest friend". There is despair, questioning God; it tells the truth of a life. The psalmist is expressing his heart to God.
I think we are wrong when we only present the nice side and not our doubt, fears and questioning side. I think people will see the genuineness of Christians as people. The Scripture does say to rejoice with those that rejoice AND weep with those that weep. People in grief may need, combined with the happy worship songs, elements of grief or calling to God or times of silence. That would give a whole variety for those weeping and those rejoicing to know "you are all welcome to be here and we acknowledge all of you." Don't be afraid to follow your style.
Joanie: What's up in your future?
Richard: Back in February I went to Israel. Now in November I'm heading to England.That's where I was born. Also I'd like to get the computer ability to record a comic operetta I've written.
Joanie: Are you open to being called for music events here in town?
Richard: Yes.
Joanie: Richard says you can call him at 622-9905, (remember the machine always gets it [first]) or email him or visit my.tbaytel/rpepper and follow the links.
My appreciation to you Richard; you live a good testimony. [No, thank you.]
P.S. (from Joanie) Elgin and I are in B.C. now, recording. Thanks for the prayer support.
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Last Update: Dec. 1, 2011
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