Kevin Richards is a Country Radio Broadcaster and Country Music promoter most noted for winning a national CMA Award as Medium Market radio personality of the year in 2006. In all, the Northeast radio veteran has earned 7 national Country Music Association (CMA) Award nominations since 2000, and one nod from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) in 2014.
Richards' passion and reputation in Country Music led to an invitation from the CMA to host and produce the CMA Heritage Artist Panels at the CMA Music Festival in 2013. Richards worked with the CMA to book, host, and produce a groundbreaking reunion of CMA winners from the 70s, 80s and 90s on the CMA 'Close Up' stage at Nashville's Music City Center- an event Richards cites as one of his greatest contributions to Country Music.
Kevin Richards began his broadcasting career at the age of 12 on WSCG in Corinth, New York. After winning a contest on the radio, the young country fan found himself applying for a child actor's permit to legally work on the air after school. After building a massive following at several Northeast Country Radio Stations, and a four year stint on Sirius Radio, his friendly country radio voice is currently heard on Froggy 100.3 (WFFG) and Big Country 104.9 (WINU) in the Upstate New York markets.
In addition to his radio shows, Richards has hosted and produced Country themed events all over the nation. In 2007, he curated an International Country Music and Country Dance Cruise with Mel Tillis, The Bellamy Brothers, Collin Raye, and Suzy Bogguss. In 2008, Kevin welcomed Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers, Bryan White, Kevin Sharp, Wayne Warner, and Rick Henry. In 2009, the cruise sailed with Mark Chesnutt, Dale Watson, David Church and Line Dance Groups from all over the world- including England, Canada, France and Switzerland!
A fan and supporter of Classic Country, he launched a Classic Country Concert Series in Upstate New York in 2008. Richards booked, promoted and produced concerts with Grand Ole Opry Legends Whisperin' Bill Anderson, John Conlee, and Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers. These well received shows, with inspiration from his CMA Music Festival program, led to "Kevin Richards' Country Concerts...Close Up" series in his own hometown- bringing Nashville to The North Country! The 'Live On Stage' interview and acoustic performance series- promoted, booked, produced AND hosted by Richards- has put legends like Randy Travis, Ty Herndon, Aaron Tippin, Suzy Bogguss, Billy Dean, Billy Gilman, Kathy Mattea, Georgette Jones, Doug Stone and Larry Gatlin back in the spotlight, on stage, in Upstate New York. The spectacular unique music presentation has developed a loyal following of fans eager for more.
Through the years, Richards has hosted and produced over 120 national and regional bus trips, and listener group getaways, to Country Music Themed events and destinations- including Dollywood, The CMA Awards, The ACM Awards, The Grand Ole Opry, Branson, Caribbean Cruises and more.
In addition to his continued success on the air, Kevin Richards is an award winning Country Dance instructor and host (6 Northeast CMA Awards). Since 1992, he has promoted and hosted Country Dance events all over the Northeast, with a dedicated following of Line Dancers, known as 'The Country Kickers.' Moreover, producing Country Dance appearances and events for Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon (96,97,98,08), Dollywood (08) and Walt Disney's Magic Music Days (99,00,08).
Obviously, the respected Country Radio Personality has also emceed and introduced the biggest names in Country Music on stage- announcing for stars like Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Wynonna, Randy Travis, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Dolly Parton and countless others -in front of thousands of fans at theaters, arenas and festivals! Beyond announcing, Richards has also served as the host and 'opener' for artist concerts- like Chris Young, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser, Craig Campbell, LoCash, Jana Kramer and Dustin Lynch. And there's more... Richards is also a regular host, and contributor, of Classic Country Television Specials airing on WMHT/PBS, Telethons and Country Music Programming.
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Click here for Kevin's Country Dance Events.
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Click here for Kevin's Interviews and Show Samples.
