Dr. J.R. Richardson

Pastor Joseph Randolph Richardson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

According to Dad; His musical background began as a child, His mom would teach him and his two younger siblings how to sing in harmony at the dinner table at night and then regularly take them to minister in music to the elderly at several convalescent homes in New Orleans, Louisiana.

​

Pastor Richardson pursued his singing career by touring with the Lillian Randolph Corral throughout the United States and abroad. They appeared on television and radio programs including the popular Amos and Andy television show.

​

At the Victory Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California under the leadership of Dr. A. A. Peters. Joseph Richardson assumed the duties of choir director at Victory Baptist Church and became the featured soloist for the church’s weekly radio broadcast.

​

During this time Dr. Richardson also receive personal training and instruction for conducting choirs from the renown Thurston Fraizer (American Gospel Choir Master), in which they also became very close friends.

​

Dr J.R. Richardson studied and received formal training in Opera Singing as a Tenor Vocalist from the Los Angeles Music Conservatory and perused it as a career.

​

While at the Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California, Dr. Richardson also received professional voice lessons from Robbie Lee Williams (Mother of Billy Preston) who was a Pianist at the Victory Baptist Church of Los Angeles, California.

​

In 1980 Dr Richardson full-filled a lifelong dream by releasing his first record album that featured his sermon message “The King is Coming” which also included his selections of songs from the Mass Choir of the Church He pastored at that time.

​

Dr. Richardson was also a featured vocalist twice for the Singing Pastor’s Concert of the Bay Area. Along with his spiritual renditions he also performed the Opera selection of “The Old Plow Boy” as he was dressed in Black Tuxedo Tails.

​

Dad would often tell us that he gave up Show-Biz, Entertainment, a Opera Career and a Long Car to be able to Preach the Gospel.