About FreeWorld

Band Bio

FreeWorld is an independent, regionally touring, ever-evolving, Memphis-based musical ensemble who celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2017. Drawing from influences as diverse as Booker T. & the M.G.s, John Coltrane, Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, Steely Dan, and The Meters, these brothers under one multicultural groove have remained a consistently entertaining and informed voice on the Memphis music scene since the group’s inception.

FreeWorld was honored to receive a Brass Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame in 2012, and they’ve also had the honor and privilege of sharing the stage with a wide variety of musical legends over the years, including Levon Helm, The Memphis Horns, Billy Preston, Bootsy Collins, Richie Havens, Blues Traveler, Widespread Panic, Derek Trucks, Hot Tuna, Los Lobos, Merl Saunders, Dr. John, Timothy Leary, John Sinclair, The Bar-Kays, Ann Peebles, Steve Cropper, James Cotton, Mojo Buford, Jimmie Vaughan & Double Trouble, Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, & Jonny Lang just to name a few.

FreeWorld’s 7th CD release, entitled “What It Is”, is FreeWorld’s tightest and most ambitious set yet. Produced and recorded at world famous Ardent Studios in Memphis (Led-Zeppelin, ZZ Top, The Allman Brothers Band, The Replacements, R.E.M., Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.), the new CD features a special guest appearance on drums & vocals by Jody Stephens of Memphis power pop cult classic “Big Star” fame. Sonically, the new disc was mixed by FreeWorld’s most successful alumnus, the incomparable Dave Aron (Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, Sublime, Prince, moe., Rob Wasserman, J.Lo, etc.) at his Hollywood Way Studio in Los Angeles, CA., and mastered by Grammy Award winning mastering engineer Brad Blackwood at Euphonic Masters in Memphis, TN., so you KNOW it sounds AMAZING!

The CD packaging contains a download card included inside so you can digitally download our new music to your various electronic devices, and we’re also proud to once again feature the amazing art of Memphis painter/muralist David Lynch on the cover. In addition, when you purchase a copy of “What It Is”, we’ll also be throwing in a FREE EP of a live set of “FreeWorld with Levon Helm” from back in 1995 – ENJOY!

Keep your eyes & ears tuned in to FreeWorld throughout 2020 and beyond, as this celebratory year stands as a proud milestone in the band’s musical odyssey that now spans a full third of a century.
THANK YOU!

Honors, Awards, TV/Radio/Movie & High Profile Performances:

FreeWorld “What It Is”: L.A. Music Critic’s #1 Best Indie Album of 2017; #1 on WUMR 91.7 FM, Memphis, TN., Top 20 Jazz Countdown; #1 on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Blues Rock Song Chart; National, international, Terrestrial, and online radio airplay to over 50 million listeners; Featured in a global Intradexx spotlight article, August, 2019.

FreeWorld received a Brass Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame, with October 6, 2012 declared as “FreeWorld Day” in the city of Memphis by Mayor A.C. Wharton.

FreeWorld honored with the “Memphis Sound Award” at the Memphis Charitable Foundation’s annual Blues Ball; December, 2012.

FreeWorld songs included on Musicians for Le Bonheur Benefit CDs in 2013-2020.

FreeWorld, with special guests Marvell, Vaneese & Carla Thomas, paid tribute to Rufus Thomas with a special concert for the Center for Southern Folklore’s annual Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, with the show being listed as one of the “Top Three Memphis Concerts” in the Memphis Flyer’s year end wrap-up issue; December, 2011.

Beale Street Merchant’s Association “Entertainer of the Year” Award won by FreeWorld; December, 2010.

Beale Street Merchant’s Association Special Merit Award given to FreeWorld honoring 20 years of Performing Memphis Music on Historic Beale Street; December, 2007.

AMMA National Award winner in the Pop Category for “Smoke the Prophets”; August, 2006.

Four FreeWorld songs included on the soundtrack for the independent film “Nothing but Flowers”, June 2002; and “Paco T.” used in the Indie Film Shorts Festival presented by Last Train to Memphis Entertainment for the Library Channel, WYPL-18; November, 2006.  Live FreeWorld performance featured on the internationally syndicated radio program “Beale Street Caravan” (2.4 million weekly listeners); May 2007, October 2008, & July 2009. FreeWorld songs & interviews included in WKNO-TV “Live from Beale St. New Year’s Eve”, December, 2010.

FreeWorld performed on the nationally syndicated Food Network TV program “The Bobby Flay Show” in June, 2004, appeared on ESPN’s “50 States in 50 Days” series in August, 2005, and performed on the Travel Channel’s syndicated TV series “5 Takes – USA” in November, 2006, as well as numerous appearances on local TV & radio shows, including “Live at 9”, “Good Morning Memphis”, George Klein’s “Memphis Sounds”, & Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton’s “ACTV”. FreeWorld’s 25th Anniversary Rockumentary DVD “Eventually Everything Will Happen” featured in regular primetime rotation on WKNO-TV Memphis (+ simulcast statewide), 2013-14.

Fools’ Ball & Fall Ball Festivals (Main Stage), 2004-2020; Schwagstock Festival, 2004, 2005 & 2007; Bele Chere Festival, 2005; Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival (Main Stage), 2014-2020; Southern Hotwings Festival (Main Stage), 2016-2017; Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival (Main Stage), 1995-2001, 2014, & 2017; Cooper-Young Festival (Main Stage), 2009 & 2018.

Overseas touring: Two European tours in 1993.  One tour of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2008.

Performed or recorded with such notables as: Levon Helm, Little Feat, The Memphis Horns, Billy Preston, Richie Havens, The Meters, Bootsy Collins, Merl Saunders, Dr. John, Timothy Leary, John Sinclair, James Cotton, Willie Mitchell, Jim Gaines, Jim Dickinson, Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens & Richard Rosebrough (Big Star), Roland Janes, Dave Aron (Snoop Dogg, U2, Sublime, TI), Mojo Buford, Ace Cannon, Ivan Neville, Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady (Hot Tuna), Blues Traveler, Jon Fishman & Page McConnell (Phish), Widespread Panic, Rob Wasserman, The Derek Trucks Band, The Radiators, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), The Grandmothers (formerly Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention), Stephen Perkins & Tony Franklin (Banyan), Los Lobos, John Blackwell (Prince), David Bryan (Bon Jovi), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Eric Garcia (Bob Dylan), Fran McKendree (McKendree Spring), Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, James Burton, Stan Perkins, Chad Taylor (Live), Tomasito Cruz (Arturo Sandoval), Bruce McCleave (Brian McKnight), The Record Company, Needtobreathe, Mark Doyle (Little Richard), Rolando Briceno, The Bar-Kays, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Syl Johnson, Steve Cropper, J. Blackfoot, Marvell, Vaneese & Carla Thomas, The Masqueraders, Terryl Saffold (The Platters), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Jim Dandy” Mangrum (Black Oak Arkansas), Jeremy “JB” Bustillos (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band), George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners, String Cheese Incident, Vince Herman & Leftover Salmon, Colonel Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit, Todd Smallie (JJ Grey & Mofro), Greensky Bluegrass, Brian Stoltz, The North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic, Drivin’ & Cryin’, Marc Bolin (T-Rex), Elliott Ives & The Regiment Horns (Justin Timberlake), Ty Taylor (Vintage Trouble), Buddy Davis (Target), Afroman, Henry Gross, Wes Studi, The Grass Roots, Big Ass Truck, Deep Banana Blackout, Shawn Lane, Phineas Jr. & Calvin Newborn, George Coleman, Samurai Celestial, Charlton Johnson (Count Basie Big Band), Gerard Harris (Kool & the Gang), Angelo Earl (Bar-Kays, George Clinton), Damian J. Sanchez & Gregory Fallis (Glenn Miller Orchestra), Teenie Hodges, Howard Grimes, Ben Cauley, Astral Project, The Rebirth Brass Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Schwag, Robert Palmer, Jimmie Vaughan & Double Trouble, Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Stacy Mitchhart, Little Jimmy King, Sonny Burgess & The Pacers, Pete Pederson, The Cate Brothers, Todd Snider, Lonnie Shields, Kenny Neal, Charles Bradley & his Extraordinaires, Rodd Bland (son of Bobby “Blue” Bland), Devon Allman (son of Gregg), Jimmy Pryor, Blind Willie Dineen, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Alexis Grace & Trenyce (American Idol), Patrick Dodd & Sarah Simmons (The Voice), Connor Vance (The Dustbowl Revival), Preston Shannon, Ruby Wilson (the “Queen of Beale Street”), Toni Green, Earl “the Pearl” Banks, Willie Covington, Ross Rice & Peter Hyrka (Human Radio), Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady), Paul Brown (Ann Peebles, The Waterboys), Rick Steff (Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Lucero), John Kilzer, Billy Gibson, Fred Sanders, Eric Hughes, Brandon Santini, James Govan & the Boogie Blues Band, Tony Thomas, Tom Lonardo, Jothan Callins, Inner Circle, Anthony Kearns (The Irish Tenors), & touring members of the Broadway musical productions of “Jersey Boys”, “Wicked”, “Stomp”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Grease”, “Cats”, “Chicago”, “Celtic Women”, “All Shook Up”, “Wizard of Oz”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Shrek”, “Madagascar”, “War Horse”, “Spamalot”, “Hair”, “The Buddy Holly Story”, “Memphis”, “The Bodyguard”, “Cirque Du Soleil Corteo”, “Trolls”, “Dirty Dancing” & “Aladdin”.

Richard C. Cushing

Band Leader, Bass, Vocals

b. May 1, 1963; Memphis, Tennessee. Professional musician since 1981.

Executive producer, lead vocalist, bassist, co-songwriter, musical director, bandleader, & business manager for “FreeWorld” since 1987. Lead vocalist, 12-string guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, sitarist, harmonica player, & songwriter for “Kaleidoscope” since 1997. One of several bassists for the “Herman Green & the Green Machine” jazz quintet since 1992, and Heartsong Church bassist, vocalist & multi-instrumentalist since 2006 (and Musical Director since 2017).

Official endorsee of Modulus Graphite Basses, Taylor Acoustic Guitars, DR Strings, SWR Bass Amplification Systems, & DigiTech Effects Processors.

CEO – SwirlDisc Records & Déjà Vudu Music.

Appointed by Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton to the Board of the Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission in 2005. Further elected to serve on the Executive Board of the MSCMC as an At-Large Officer in 2006 & 2007 and as Vice-Chairman in 2008, while also serving as the Chairman of their Musician’s Advisory Council from 2004 – 2007. Re-appointed by Mayor Mark Luttrell; February, 2011 & February, 2013.

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) member since 1991. Elected to the Board of Governors in 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007 & 2010, while also serving as 1st Vice-President from 2001-2003 and as Secretary/Treasurer from 2005-2007. Membership Committee Co-Chairman, 1999-2003; Premier Player Awards Committee Chairman, 2001-2003.

Eighteen time NARAS Premier Player Award nominee: Premier Bassist, 1996-2000, 2002-3; Premier Band, 1995 & 1997-2003: Premier Harmonica Player, 2003; Premier Multi-Instrumentalist, 1993; Premier Producer, 2000. Premier Player Award winner; 2003 – Premier Bassist.

Voted “Best Bassist” by The Flying Saucer/Memphis Flyer Readers poll; May, 2002.

“FreeWorld” full length CDs released and distributed by Select-O-Hits nationally & internationally in July, 1994 (“FreeWorld”); July, 1996 (“You Are Here”); August, 1999 (“Diversity”); January, 2003 (“Live from Memphis”); October, 2008 (“From The Bluff”); October, 2012 (“Yesterday, Today… Tomorrow” CD, w/ “Eventually Everything Will Happen” companion DVD); January, 2017 (“Back To Memphis” w/ Levon Helm); & October 2017 (“What It Is”).

Honors for FreeWorld “What It Is”: L.A. Music Critic’s #1 Best Indie Album of 2017; #1 on WUMR 91.7 FM, Memphis,nTN., Top 20 Jazz Countdown; #1 on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Blues Rock Song Chart; National, international, Terrestrial, and online radio airplay to over 50 million listeners; Featured in a global Intradexx spotlight article, August, 2019.

“FreeWorld” received a coveted Brass Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame, and had October 6, 2012, declared as “FreeWorld Day” in the city of Memphis by Mayor A.C. Wharton.

“FreeWorld” honored with the “Memphis Sound Award” at the Memphis Charitable Foundation’s annual Blues Ball; December, 2012.

Two independent European tours with “FreeWorld”; 1993. One independent tour of the U.S. Virgin Islands; 2008.

Four “FreeWorld” songs included on the soundtrack for the independent film “Nothing but Flowers”, June 2002; and “Paco T.” used in the Indie Film Shorts Festival presented by Last Train to Memphis Entertainment for the Library Channel, WYPL-18; November, 2006. Live FreeWorld performance featured on the internationally syndicated radio program “Beale Street Caravan” (2.4 million weekly listeners); May 2007, October 2008, & July 2009. FreeWorld songs & interviews included in WKNO-TV “Live from Beale St. New Year’s Eve”, December, 2010.

“FreeWorld” performed on the nationally syndicated Food Network TV program “The Bobby Flay Show” in June, 2004, appeared on ESPN’s “50 States in 50 Days” series in August, 2005, and performed on the Travel Channel’s syndicated TV series “5 Takes – USA” in November, 2006, as well as numerous appearances on local TV & radio shows, including “Live at 9”, “Good Morning Memphis”, George Klein’s “Memphis Sounds”, & Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton’s “ACTV”. FreeWorld’s 25th Anniversary Rockumentary DVD “Eventually Everything Will Happen” featured in regular primetime rotation on WKNO-TV Memphis (+ simulcast statewide), 2013-14.

Fools’ Ball & Fall Ball Festivals (Main Stage), 2004-2019; Schwagstock Festival, 2004, 2005 & 2007; Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival (Main Stage), 2014-2019; Southern Hotwings Festival (Main Stage), 2016-2017; Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival (Main Stage), 1995-2001, 2014, & 2017; Cooper-Young Festival (Main Stage), 2009 & 2018.

Producer of debut CDs by regional acts “Yamagata” – 1999; “The Memphis Jones Revolution” – 2000; & “Retrospect” – 2001.

AMMA National Award winner in the Pop Category for “Smoke the Prophets”; August, 2006.

International Folk Alliance Conference panelist; February, 2007 & 2009.

Selected to serve on the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame Committee; March 2009-present.

Founding Board Member of the 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization “Memphis Music Matters”; April, 2009-present.

Beale Street Merchant’s Association Special Merit Award given to FreeWorld honoring 20 years of Performing Memphis Music on Historic Beale Street; December, 2007.

Beale Street Merchant’s Association “Entertainer of the Year” Award won by FreeWorld; December, 2010.

FreeWorld, with special guests Marvell, Vaneese & Carla Thomas, paid tribute to Rufus Thomas with a special concert for the Center for Southern Folklore’s annual Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, with the show being listed as one of the “Top Three Memphis Concerts” in the Memphis Flyer’s year end wrap-up issue; December, 2011.

Performed or recorded with such notables as: Levon Helm, Little Feat, The Memphis Horns, Billy Preston, Richie Havens, The Meters, Bootsy Collins, Merl Saunders, Dr. John, Timothy Leary, John Sinclair, James Cotton, Willie Mitchell, Jim Gaines, Jim Dickinson, Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens & Richard Rosebrough (Big Star), Roland Janes, Dave Aron (Snoop Dogg, U2, Sublime, TI), Mojo Buford, Ace Cannon, Ivan Neville, Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady (Hot Tuna), Blues Traveler, Jon Fishman & Page McConnell (Phish), Widespread Panic, Rob Wasserman, The Derek Trucks Band, The Radiators, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), The Grandmothers (formerly Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention), Stephen Perkins & Tony Franklin (Banyan), Los Lobos, John Blackwell (Prince), David Bryan (Bon Jovi), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Eric Garcia (Bob Dylan), Fran McKendree (McKendree Spring), Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, James Burton, Stan Perkins, Chad Taylor (Live), Tomasito Cruz (Arturo Sandoval), Bruce McCleave (Brian McKnight), The Record Company, Needtobreathe, Mark Doyle (Little Richard), Rolando Briceno, The Bar-Kays, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Syl Johnson, Steve Cropper, J. Blackfoot, Marvell, Vaneese & Carla Thomas, The Masqueraders, Terryl Saffold (The Platters), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Jim Dandy” Mangrum (Black Oak Arkansas), Jeremy “JB” Bustillos (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band), George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners, String Cheese Incident, Vince Herman & Leftover Salmon, Colonel Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit, Todd Smallie (JJ Grey & Mofro), Greensky Bluegrass, Brian Stoltz, The North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic, Drivin’ & Cryin’, Marc Bolin (T-Rex), Elliott Ives & The Regiment Horns (Justin Timberlake), Ty Taylor (Vintage Trouble), Buddy Davis (Target), Afroman, Henry Gross, Wes Studi, The Grass Roots, Big Ass Truck, Deep Banana Blackout, Shawn Lane, Phineas Jr. & Calvin Newborn, George Coleman, Samurai Celestial, Charlton Johnson (Count Basie Big Band), Gerard Harris (Kool & the Gang), Angelo Earl (Bar-Kays, George Clinton), Damian J. Sanchez & Gregory Fallis (Glenn Miller Orchestra), Teenie Hodges, Howard Grimes, Ben Cauley, Astral Project, The Rebirth Brass Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Schwag, Robert Palmer, Jimmie Vaughan & Double Trouble, Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Stacy Mitchhart, Little Jimmy King, Sonny Burgess & The Pacers, Pete Pederson, The Cate Brothers, Todd Snider, Lonnie Shields, Kenny Neal, Charles Bradley & his Extraordinaires, Rodd Bland (son of Bobby “Blue” Bland), Devon Allman (son of Gregg), Jimmy Pryor, Blind Willie Dineen, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Alexis Grace & Trenyce (American Idol), Patrick Dodd & Sarah Simmons (The Voice), Connor Vance (The Dustbowl Revival), Preston Shannon, Ruby Wilson (the “Queen of Beale Street”), Toni Green, Earl “the Pearl” Banks, Willie Covington, Ross Rice & Peter Hyrka (Human Radio), Steve Selvidge (The Hold Steady), Paul Brown (Ann Peebles, The Waterboys), Rick Steff (Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Lucero), John Kilzer, Billy Gibson, Fred Sanders, Eric Hughes, Brandon Santini, James Govan & the Boogie Blues Band, Tony Thomas, Tom Lonardo, Jothan Callins, Inner Circle, Anthony Kearns (The Irish Tenors), & touring members of the Broadway musical productions of “Jersey Boys”, “Wicked”, “Stomp”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Grease”, “Cats”, “Chicago”, “Celtic Women”, “All Shook Up”, “Wizard of Oz”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Shrek”, “Madagascar”, “War Horse”, “Spamalot”, “Hair”, “The Buddy Holly Story”, “Memphis”, “The Bodyguard”, “Cirque Du Soleil Corteo”, “Trolls”, “Dirty Dancing” & “Aladdin”.

 

Complete, Chronological Discography:

Moonlight Syncopators Social Sister, ©1987 Indie release (co-songwriter, bass guitar, backing vocals).

Richard Cushing 12-String Dreams, ©1988 Indie release (producer, songwriter, 12-string guitar, harmonica, lead vocals).

FreeWorld FreeWorld, ©1994 Hair Farmer Records (co-producer, songwriter, bass guitar, lead & backing vocals, shaker).

CD Compilation Memphis in the Meantime, ©1994 Gravelsauce Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar, backing vocals).

CD Compilation Maine Vocals, ©1995 Reversing Recordings (co-songwriter, bass guitar, lead & backing vocals).

CD Compilation Memphis (Ain’t Like It Used To Be), ©1995 Memphibian Records (bass guitar, lead vocals).

Klaudia & Rico At the Same Place Twice in Life, ©1996 Inside Memphis (sitar, mandolin).

FreeWorld You Are Here, ©1996 Real Beale Records (co-songwriter, bass guitars, lead & backing vocals, shaker).

Jeremiah Tucker & the Johnsons Gone to the Dogs, ©1996 MCB Records (backing vocals).

The Trust Any Kind of Shelter, ©1997 Heavy Mellow Records (backing vocals).

CD Compilation The Best of CDART.COM/Vol. 2, ©1998 Pendulum Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar).

Becc Lester Circles of Angels, ©1998 Inside Memphis (fretless bass guitar).

CD Compilation On Hold Music, ©1998 Pendulum Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals).

Herman Green & the Green Machine Inspirations: Family & Friends, ©1998 Green Machine Records (bass guitar, lead vocals).

FreeWorld Diversity, ©1999 SwirlDisc (co-songwriter, bass guitars, lead & backing vocals, 12-string guitar, sitar, mandolin, shaker).

Yamagata Eveland, ©1999 Mempho Records (co-producer).

The Memphis Jones Revolution The Memphis Jones Revolution, ©2000 Mempho Records (producer, harmonica, bass tech).

Eddie Dattel Sketches & Revelations, ©2000 Inside Memphis (bass guitar).

Carol Plunk A Piece of Me, ©2001 Indie release (fretless bass guitar).

Retrospect Green Melody, ©2001 Ardent Records (producer, backing vocals).

CD Compilation The Instrumental Memphis Music Sampler, ©2001 Inside Memphis (co-songwriter, bass guitar).

The Memphis Music Community Living in a State of Love, ©2002 Indie release (co-producer, co-songwriter, bass guitar).

Independent Film Nothing But Flowers, ©2002 Indie release (Soundtrack).

Yamagata Connect, ©2002 Eveland Records (harmonica).

FreeWorld Live from Memphis, ©2003 SwirlDisc (co-producer, co-songwriter, bass guitar, lead & backing vocals, shaker).

Bobby Rush Undercover Lover, ©2003 Deep Rush Records (bass guitar).

Ann Peebles Unreleased Demos, ©2003 Paul Brown Publishing Co. (fretted & fretless bass guitars).

CD Compilation Wiskansin… And Beyond, ©2003 Trapdoor Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar, lead & backing vocals).

CD Compilation The New Memphis Jazz Collection, ©2004 Icehouse Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar).

CD Compilation Memphis Music Today – Vol. 1, ©2004 Response Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar).

Belgian Reality TV Show DVD Wedding Bells in America, episode 2 – Mississippi Delta, ©2004 (harmonica).

FreeWorld Save Our Soul, ©2005 SwirlDisc (co-producer, co-songwriter, bass guitar, backing vocals).

Rusty Lemon Rusty Lemon, ©2005 Young Avenue Records (harmonica).

Ross Rice Dwight, ©2006 (backing vocals).

CD Compilation Fried Glass Onions – Vol. 3, ©2006 Inside Memphis (bass guitar, lead vocals, sitar, shaker)

CD Compilation Wednesday Nights in Memphis, ©2007 Vexar Records (co-songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals).

FreeWorld From the Bluff, ©2008 SwirlDisc (co-songwriter, bass guitars, lead & backing vocals, sitar, shaker).

CD Compilation Acoustic Rainbow #36, ©2010 PoetMan Records USA (songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals).

Dr. Herman Green The Best of the Green Machine, Vol.1, ©2011 Green Machine Records (bass guitar, lead vocals).

Wing And A Prayer One Voice, ©2011 Heartsong Records (bass guitar, lead & backing vocals).

FreeWorld Eventually Everything Will Happen, DVD ©2012 SwirlDisc (executive producer, interviewer, bass guitar, sitar, lead vocals).

FreeWorld Yesterday, Today… Tomorrow, ©2012 SwirlDisc (co-songwriter, bass guitar, sitar, lead & backing vocals, shaker).

CD Compilation Musicians for LeBonheur, ©2013 Angry Nerd Records (songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals).

Mike Watt Mouthful, ©2013 Memphodelia Music/Sony Records (“space harp”).

Jimmy Stephens, Jr. Road Ready, ©2014 Ardent Records (harmonica).

CD Compilation Musicians for LeBonheur, ©2014 Angry Nerd Records (songwriter, bass guitar, backing vocals).

Dr. Herman Green The Many Shades of Green, ©2015 Green Machine Records (songwriter, fretted & fretless bass guitars).

Agrelia’s Castle Elders and Ancestors, ©2015 Mysterium Music (sitar, rainstick).

CD Compilation Musicians for LeBonheur, ©2015 Angry Nerd Records (songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals, tambourine).

Meanwhile in Memphis DVD The Sound of a Revolution, ©2015 Broken String Pictures (interviewee, performer).

CD Compilation Vol. II After Bethel, ©2016 Del Rendon Foundation (bass guitar, lead vocals).

FreeWorld & Levon Helm Back to Memphis, ©2017 SwirlDisc (executive producer, bass guitar, backing vocals).

FreeWorld What It Is, ©2017 SwirlDisc (co-producer, co-songwriter, lead & backing vocals, fretted & fretless bass guitars, shaker).

CD Compilation Musicians for LeBonheur, ©2019 MFLB Records (songwriter, bass guitar, lead vocals).

Devan Yanik Fire and Stone, ©2019 DYI Records (bass guitar).

Mike Watt Mouthful, ©2020 Memphodelia Music/Sony Records (“space harp”).

FreeWorld Healing Music (documentary DVD), ©2020 MFLB Video (performer, interviewee, co-songwriter, lead vocals, bass guitar).

FreeWorld Le Bonheroo (live concert DVD), ©2020 MFLB Video (performer, interviewee, co-songwriter, lead vocals, bass guitar).

FreeWorld D-Up (Here’s to Diversity), ©2021 SwirlDisc Video (executive producer, co-songwriter, lead & backing vocals, bass guitar).

Robert Allen Parker The River’s Invitation, ©2021 Broken String Records (sitar).

CD Compilation Musicians for LeBonheur, ©2021 MFLB Records (co-producer, bass guitar, lead vocals).

 

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1981 Graduate of Christian Brother’s High School, Memphis, TN.

1986 Magna Cum Laude Graduate from Memphis State University with a BS in Biology (Vertebrate Zoology Concentration).

 

Currently a Medical Technologist I at IDEXX Laboratories in Memphis, TN. Previously held the position of Senior Research Assistant in the Goldowitz Laboratory of Developmental Neurogenetics (Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center), from 1989-2014.

 

Richard is also a proud & loving husband to Lori (for 34 years), & an active father to both Oliver (22 years) & Ian (20 years).

FreeWorld Richard Cushing Brass Note Beale

Dr. Herman W. Green

Tenor Sax, Flute, Vocals

Legendary Jazz saxophonist Dr. Herman Washington Green was born in Memphis, TN on May 27, 1930. His father, Herman Washington, played saxophone with W.C. Handy’s band back in the 1920s, and Herman continued the tradition by playing his first professional shows on Beale Street with Phineas Newborn, Sr.’s big band in 1945, with his childhood friends Phineas, Jr. and Calvin Newborn.

Herman was playing on Beale Street in 1947 when his friend, a then unknown B.B. King, asked him to help him put his first band together. Another friend and mentor, Rufus Thomas, asked Herman to join him for a session at Sun Records in 1953. From that session came the song “Bearcat”, the answer song to Big Mama Thornton’s “Hound Dog,” which many believe to be the very first Rock n’ Roll recording.

Dr. Green’s been around jazz and blues circles for decades, and earned his chops working with such legends as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Dinah Washington, not to mention being a major part of Lionel Hampton’s big band for eight years.

Dr. Green has stepped forward into more unexplored areas of music than almost any other musician, helping to originate the experimental jazz movement founded in San Francisco known as West Coast Jazz.

Here’s an excerpt from his upcoming book:

“In 1955, when Herman was twenty-five years old, he was returning from overseas military duty and was on his way home to Memphis, TN. When his plane stopped in San Francisco for an unknown amount of layover time, he decided to visit a bar near the airport for a drink.

A three-piece jazz combo began to play and Herman heard some of the same sounds that he had been playing in Memphis, but he also heard some new sounds, something that was not known in Memphis. He decided to stay in the Bay area for a while, and as he got to know some of the musicians that played in the local clubs, he discovered that they were just as fascinated by his stories of Beale Street as he was by their stories of playing with artists like Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck.

In a short time, Herman found himself in the house band of the “Blackhawk”, a famous San Francisco Jazz Club that many believe helped to found the sound that would later be known as West Coast Jazz. From 1955 to 1957, he played with artists such as Cannonball Adderly, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, the Modern Jazz Quartet and many others. He was there when the experiments with Jazz were first starting, and when Jazz become more than a few instruments improvising on “old standards”.

In 1958, Herman became the leader of the House Band at a new place called “Box City” in San Francisco. This was a late night club set up just for the musicians who played other places in town to go to and relax after they got off work. (Box City did not even open until 1:00am!) Herman had with him a young lady vocalist, a then unknown Dinah Washington. In Herman’s own words,
“I worked Box City, Say When, and the Jazz Workshop. These had to be the most amazing clubs I have ever played in. They were where you went after a night on the town or after you had been working. Frank Sinatra dropped in and sat in with the Band whenever he was in town – and this was quite often. It’s also where I also got to know Sammy Davis, Jr. Many of what we would call the “Great Artists of Jazz” would show up and sit in with the Band – for no pay – just for the fun, the company, and the relaxation. At the Jazz Workshop, we opened the place with Cannonball Adderly and it only went uphill from there.”

Herman met a lot of people in places like Box City and the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco, and this is where he was brought to the attention of Lionel Hampton, who was widely considered to be the “King of Jazz Music” at that time. Lionel offered Herman a job playing with his big band, and when Herman accepted he quickly found himself in New York, playing with a band that he would stay with, on and off, for eight years. One of the other band members, who would become one of Herman’s best friends, was John Coltrane. In Herman’s own words, “New York was a blur in my memory for three years. It all happened so fast, and it was such a great time. We were musicians doing what we wanted to do and getting paid good money for it. Also, we use to jam – just for the fun of it – in my apartment in New York. There would be Miles Davis, Clark Terry, John Coltrane, Art Davis; all just sitting around my apartment playing what we wanted, how we wanted to play it, and all because we were having a good time. I might add that everybody wanted to experiment and everybody wanted to try something new, but there was no one that had that innovation of music like ‘Trane. Even today when I do a sax break and I get way out into outer space, I still turn to the others in the band and say, ‘Hey, I’m doing my John Coltrane thing!'”

Like all Memphis Musicians, Herman thought from time to time about returning home to Memphis, but the jobs were good and he was with Lionel Hampton, the most recognized name in Jazz Music. Herman said, “We were playing the Riviera in Las Vegas and Sammy Davis, Jr. was there. I was walking in the lobby with him and I said, ‘I’m worried. I invited my Mother out here to visit, and I don’t know what to show her or how to entertain her.’ Sammy said, “Why don’t you let me worry about that? When she gets here, just bring her down to my concert and we’ll think of something.” When Herman’s mother arrived he took her down to the show and right on the front row was a table reserved for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Herman Green. Herman’s Mother got to watch the show sitting with Sammy Davis, Jr. – except when it was Sammy’s turn to be on stage. And when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin dropped by to sit at the table for a while, Herman’s mother never complained about not being “entertained”.

A few weeks later, Herman and some of his fellow band members were having afternoon drinks in the lounge at the Riviera when a rumor began to circulate that President John F. Kennedy had been shot in Dallas, TX. All over America, things were never the same for most people, and musicians were no different. Herman thought long and hard about what he was doing, what he wanted to do, and where he had come from, and after taking care of all of his obligations to Lionel Hampton and the other musicians he had gotten to know, Herman was on his way back to Memphis.”

Over the next several decades, Herman played and recorded with many of the greatest legends of the Memphis Music scene (such as Isaac Hayes among many others), and also began a second career as a music educator, teaching & mentoring many of the best and brightest Memphis musicians from the next generation of jazz greats (such as James Williams, Donald Brown and Mulgrew Miller) while serving as the Head of Jazz Studies at Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis for many years.

He also found the time to form the “Herman Green & the Green Machine” jazz quintet, and compose and record his own solo CDs, such as “Who IS Herman Green?” and “Inspiration: Family and Friends”. He also founded the jazz/rock/jam/fusion group “FreeWorld” in 1987 – a local Memphis music institution which is still going strong today after 22 years and 5 CD releases.

Featuring 83-year-old jazz saxophone legend Dr. Herman Green (who has performed &/or recorded with the likes of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, B.B. King, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Phineas & Calvin Newborn, Bob Weir, Rob Wasserman, Stephen Perkins, Norwood Fisher and a host of others during his 63 year professional music career), FreeWorld is literally ‘new school meets old school’, and has been variously described as “The best of Memphis, New Orleans, & San Francisco – all rolled into one fresh & excitingly unique musical experience!”

So the next time you’re walking down Beale Street, keep your eyes peeled for the brass musical note in front of Blues City Café, which honors 80-year-old Dr. Herman W. Green – the indefatigable Jazz saxophone legend – who cut his teeth on Beale Street in the ’40s, went on to conquer the Jazz world in the ’50s and ’60s, and then brought it all back home to Memphis where he continues to amaze and astonish music aficionados from all over the world on Beale Street each and every week, while actively passing on his deep musical knowledge & a lifetime of musical experience to the next generation of Memphis musicians.

Peter J. Climie

Saxophones, EWI, Horn Arranger, Backing Vocals

Saxophonist Peter Climie has been active on the Memphis music scene for over 30 years. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he moved to Memphis in 1992 to study music composition at the University of Memphis. Former member of The Boogie Blues Band at Rum Boogie Cafe on historic Beale Street, he was the longtime saxophonist for The Distraxshuns and Funk de Ville before joining FreeWorld in 2011. A prolific arranger, he has written and arranged over 400 horn charts for various bands throughout the Mid-South. He has also performed with and written for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Memphis, and the Memphis Ballet. As an award-winning classical composer, he has had original works performed on five continents in over 20 countries.

Andy G. Tate

Guitars, Vocals

My name is Andy Tate, and guitar playing is my favorite activity. I started when I was eight years old. My sister got a classical guitar for Christmas, and I got a snare drum and cymbal. I was always banging on things, and my sister was always singing. It didn’t take long for me to discover what a guitar was, and I would spend hours learning and showing her how to play. My friend around the corner became our drummer, using my drum. We soon began playing for friends. The next Christmas I got a Kay guitar and a Kay amp. I also got my first chord book. Soon I could play any country song I heard. Mama was the music lover in our family and always encouraged me to practice. By the next Christmas, I had worn the paint off the guitar neck up to the fourth fret, so Santa brought me a Fender Duo Sonic and a Champ amp. I was in Heaven! As time went on, I was getting pretty good. It was logical that I should begin showing my friends how to play. I also knew other players in my small town of Perry, Florida, so we started forming various bands.

This will take forever to finish, so — just the facts: Been in many bands, played in many lands, love the many fans, and loved Mama’s candied yams… Not much more to say. Still playing and learning today with FreeWorld. Forever grateful, I am. Peace❣

Christopher M. Stephenson

Keyboards, Vocals

My name is Chris Stephenson, and I’m a Hammond Organ player/keyboardist/vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee. I’ve been a regular entertainer at B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rum Boogie Café, and all around town for the past 20 years. I’ve opened for B.B. King three times, shared the stage with Bobby Blue Bland, and toured with Shirley Brown on “The Blues is Alright” tour. I currently work full time with FreeWorld, a band that has been a staple of Memphis music for over 30 years. I also have my own band, Doc Fangaz and The Remedy. We have had a house gig at B.B. King’s Blues Club for the past five years and going. I have been the keyboardist for Heartsong Church for the past five years as well. I’ve recorded with several Memphis artists such as Jeff Jensen, Victor Wainwright, and Brandon Santini in many different studios, including Ardent and Sun. I’ve also played the Beale Street Music Festival annually since 2009.

Freedman J. Steorts

Trombone, Vocals

I was raised in Memphis by a musical family. My father was a working guitar player, rock star, and music education pioneer. I heard music every day in the basement of my house from my dad. I started playing piano at age 6 and alto sax in elementary school. I came alive as a musician when I switched to trombone in the 4th grade.

Trombone Shorty was an inspiration, as well as Snarky Puppy, Auralee Civil War tune, FreeWorld, Curtis Fuller, Frank Rosalino, Carl Fontana, and Louis Cole.

George R. Lawrence

Drums, Percussion

Hailing from Jackson Mississippi, George has lived and worked in the major music cities of Los Angeles, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals Alabama, recording and touring around the world with some of the best musicians and major recording artists. He is known for his “deep pocket groove” and his ability to inspire other musicians to play their best. During the nineties he built a reputation as one of the top sub drummers in the Nashville music scene and nation wide. Able to fill in with national recording artists on a moment’s notice with no rehearsal, George has been working constantly as a “ringer” or “pinch hitter”. He subbed a couple of gigs with POCO in 1999 which led to his becoming a member of that band from 2004 to 2015.
A truly versatile jack of all trades and “master of some”, he has played funk, R&B, soul music, blues, country, classic rock, pop, big band jazz, be-bop jazz and jazz-rock fusion music. He has spent many years as a recording studio “session cat” and reads standard transcription and Nashville number charts flawlessly. He has played drum set in every imaginable setting including concert arenas, videos, TV, clubs, churches, symphony orchestras, and clinics.
A professional sideman, George is available to work anywhere in the world for gigs large and small. “Sometimes people are hesitant to call me because they think I only play for Poco or that I might charge too much to play. I am a working drummer and never have too many opportunities. My only criteria for accepting jobs are great music and great people. The money is secondary. I play recording studios, coliseums AND honky tonks”. To contact George about playing a gig or tour or playing on your recordings, email him at george@notsomoderndrummer.com or call him at 330 338 6035.
George is very active in the drumming community both locally and nationally, attending drum festivals and conventions around the country as a performer and clinician. He produced the Nashville Drum Shows in 2009, 2012 and 2014. He is one of the administrators for the Nashville Drummers Facebook Group and has organized and hosted the monthly Nashville Drummer’s Lunch. He has taught hundreds and hundreds of students, many who have gone on to become professional drummers and some who have become famous drummers. Of special note is student Keith Carlock, also from their mutual hometown of Jackson Mississippi, who is now recognized as one of the top drummers in the world working with the likes of Steely Dan, Sting, John Mayer, James Taylor and Toto. Pro and aspiring pro drummers from around the country seek out George for the highest level of instruction.. George owned and operated George’s Drum Shop from 1985 through 2010. George now teaches at Memphis Drum Shop. In 2006 George and Joe Partridge started the Famous Drum Company which manufacturers pro level snare drums and drum sets. In 2008 George bought Not So Modern Drummer magazine from Bill Ludwig III and works as editor, publisher and photographer. IN 2018 he started DrumSellers.com which is an online peer to peer sales site for drummers (think Ebay for drums).
George’s work resume
Q. Who are you and what have you done that is so dang wonderful?
A. “Nothing all that important really. I consider myself just a journeyman working drummer who graduated from the school of hard knocks. I went to SMU, U. of North Texas and a bunch of junior colleges, but my real schooling was the gigs. I spent thousands of week long gigs in night clubs during the seventies and eighties learning how to function in a rhythm section and create drum parts for bands’ and writers’ songs. Fortunately I found my niche with some people who like my “Big Mississippi Beat” groove and the funny little fast notes I paint the holes with. I’ve recorded thousands of publishing and songwriter demos, hundreds of custom label and independent albums, lots of major label albums, and dozens of great band album projects that never saw the light of day. A partial discography is posted at this site http://www.allmusic.com/artist/george-lawrence-mn0000265757 ”
In Nashville TN and Muscle Shoals Alabama
…since 1993 until now I played gigs and/or recorded with: • Tanya Tucker • Diamond Rio • Poco • Little Milton Campbell • Johnny Taylor • Bobby Blue Bland • Shirley Brown • The Kinleys • Georgia Middleman • Delbert McClinton • Susan Tedeschi • Peter Wolf • The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section: David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Clayton Ivey, Will Macfarland • Percy Sledge • The Wilkinsons • Reggie Young • Larry Stewart • Keb’ Mo • Dave Alvin • Vince Gill Tour • Lucinda Williams • Terry McBride and the Ride • Great Plains • Thrasher Shiver • T. Graham Brown • Buffalo Club • Russ Zavitson • Tony Haselden • Jim Horn • the Muscle Shoals Horns • Fred Knobloch and Radio Free Nashville • The Tennessee Jazz Orchestra, and Kelly Pickler, Steve Rutledge, FreeWorld, Clint Black.
…..and before that in L.A. and other far flung regions
….were: • Micheal Brecker • Gary Herbig • Icarus Johnson • Alex Harvey • The Seawind Horns • Brent Bougois • Larry Tagg • Uncle Rainbow Jim Messina • Kenny Loggins • Steve Lukather • Mike Porcaro • Lenny Castro • Margaret Allison and the Angelic Gospel Singers • The Jackson Southernaires • The Christianaires • Thrasher Shiver • The Buster Brown Band • The Williams Brothers • Uncle Rainbow • Noel Haggard • The J.D. Borman Band • North Texas State Jazz Lab Bands • The Royal American Showmen • Richard Page • Steve George • Thom Rotella • Lee Ritenour • Eric Tagg • Don Alias • Phillip Kennard • Phillip Claypool • The Lonesome Romeos • G. C. Cameron • Yazoo Beach • Mose Allison • The Guy Smiley Blues Exchange • Semmes Blurton Big Band …and others that escape my memory at the moment. Sorry if I left anyone out.
Timeline :
1964-1972 Elementary through high school marching and concert bands in Grenada and Jackson MS.
Started teaching at age 15 and began playing professionally at age 17.
Left on the road with a pro rock band after graduating high school in 1972 (sound familiar?).
1973 Attended Hinds Jr. College and Milsaps College in Mississippi.
1973-1974 Attended North Texas State University, Denton, Texas.
1975-1976 Attended Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
1977-1982 Session musician in San Fransisco, L.A. and Santa Barbara, California. Major record label recording artist in Northern California Bay Area with “Uncle Rainbow” (which evolved into Bourgeois-Tagg) and in L.A. with “Pages” (which evolved into Mr. Mister). Funny how those bands became successful after I left! :-)
1983-1993 Based out of my hometown Jackson, MS. to raise my kids, lead my own band, “Chemistry”, teach private students, operate George’s Drum Shop #1, and record at Malaco, Muscle Shoals and the other famed studios of the Deep South.
1993-2001 Worked out of Nashville touring with pop country acts. Long stints with Larry Stewart, the lead singer from Restless Heart during his solo career, McBride and the Ride, T. Graham Browne, the Kinleys and the Wilkinsons. Lots of subs, one-offs, and short tours with many country recording artists listed above. Recorded albums and publishing demos in Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Memphis, Atlanta and L.A. I was also associated with Fork’s Drum Closet in Nashville as a private instructor and wrote a couple of instruction books that have been reviewed in Modern Drummer and sold steadily.
2002-2010 Operated George’s Drum Shop #2 in the Akron / Cleveland, Ohio region. Joined Poco in 2004 playing gigs with Poco around the world.
2011 Moved back to Nashville where I worked as a freelance musician, teacher and publisher.
2018 Moved to Memphis TN to be with my wife, Georgetta. I teach at The Memphis Drum Shop, work with the band FreeWorld on Beale Street. freelance and operate Not So Modern Drummer and DrumSellers.com

Johnny M. Gutierrez

Trumpet, Vocals

• Originally from Chicago, IL.
• Most current music experiences: Newest member of FreeWorld. Traveled
around the world with B.B. King’s All Star Band At Sea 2019-2020;
Europe/Australia/North America/South America/Central America/New
Zealand/Greenland/Iceland/Norway/UK, etc.
• Recently performed with several Grammy Award winning musicians.
• Had the honor of performing with several Jazz Legends in college.
• Professional Prankster.
• Favorite activities: Cooking/eating/hangin’ with friends.
• Best luck with pick up line: “Can you show me how to blow this thing?”

 

Stephani “Doll” McCoy

Vocals

Stephani “Doll” McCoy was born and raised in Memphis, TN, and formed her roots singing and directing in the church choir at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist
Church. While a student at Ridgeway Jr. High and Ridgeway High School, she met
her three sisters and together they formed the group ”ADAJYO”, recently
celebrating 16 years of musical sisterhood. With a desire to expand her
artistry, she relocated to Los Angeles from 2011-2015, working closely with
artists such as Raphael Saadiq, Leonna Lewis, and Rhona Bennett. In 2015, she
went on tour with the B.B. King’s All Star Band At Sea, traveling the world
aboard Holland America Cruise Lines until 2018. Now, back in Memphis, using
all that she has learned, she continues to rock the stage out, creating new
music with bands such as FreeWorld, Streeter & The Tribe, and ADAJYO, and
releasing her own new music soon!

FreeWorld Alumni (1987-2020)

Counting everyone who has ever played one whole gig with FreeWorld on any one instrument (not just sitting in for a tune or two, but the WHOLE gig – top to bottom – and gotten PAID), plus anyone who has recorded, engineered, &/or produced on any of our live gigs or studio CDs, the list I have kept over the years currently consists of the names below. Names in Bold are folks who’s work with the band has been more extensive (no less than 4 months of live performance experience, or officially credited on any of our studio CDs), and names with an * are the Founding Fathers – and various close associates – of the original FreeWorld band from 1987:

Bass:
Richard Cushing *
Errol Thomas
Donald Quisp
Richard Young (Dr. Lint)
Ross Rice *

Drums:
Jimmy Ellis * (RIP!)
Bo Harris
Chuck Fields
Robert Barnett
David Skypeck
Ross Rice *
Kurt Ruleman
Jim Britt
William Floyd
Clifford “Pee Wee” Jackson, Jr.
Terry Saffold
Brian Aylor
Greg Lundy
Robert Hall
Jody Stephens
Walter White
James Cunningham
George Sluppick
George Lawrence

Guitar:
Clint (Goodwin) Wagner *
Vince Pratt *
Chuck Sullivan
Calvin Newborn
Ed Finney
Brian Overstreet
Ross Rice *
Richard Cushing *
Peter “Trout” Roniger
Luther Dickinson
Julian Wong
J.D. Westmoreland
Matt Tutor
Charlton Johnson
Gene Nunez
Carleton Blunt
Andy Tate
Jack Holder (RIP!)
Gerard Harris
Angelo Earl
Steve Corbett

Keyboards:
Ross Rice *
Charlie Wood
Phillip Joyner (RIP!)
Herman Green
Gerald Stephens
Parker Card
Russ Wheeler
Paul Brown
Archie Turner-Mitchell
Rick Steff
Adam J. Levin
Jim Dickinson (RIP – “East Memphis Slim”)
Tim Stanek
Patrick Fusco
Jon Hornyak
Paul West
Freddie Kirksey
Matt Nolan
Chris Stephenson
Rusty Stavely
Joe “Boogie” Simmons

Trumpet:
Willie Waldman *
Phillip Joyner (RIP!)
Johnny Yancey
Richard Boyington
William “Nokie” Taylor
Mickey Gregory
Steve Dolan
Rick Dolan
E.J. Dyce
Scott Thompson
Charles Ray
Paul Morelli
Brandon Doggett
Marc Franklin
Jared Dover
Will Paladino
Adam Robertson
Alex Shuetrumpf
Tony Hudson
Chris Cooper
Nobel Del Mar

Sax/Woodwinds:
Dr. Herman Green *
Robert Palmer * (RIP!)
Kirk Smothers
Pat Register
Brian Crown
Art Edmaiston
Mattias #1 \
Mattias #2 \ In Germany!
Mattias #3 “Mr. Happy” /
Volker Schmidt /
Jeff Huddleston (RIP!)
Jeff Waldon
Josh Degges
Hope Clayburn
Damian Sanchez
Isaac Daniel
Clifton Brady
Steven Foster \ Hurricane Katrina Evacuees!
Sheik Rashid /
Scott Katzev
“Captain” Phil McGee (RIP!)
Justin Johnson
Tom Link
Matt Gooden
Andrew Traylor
Nathan Strickland
Peter Climie
Zach Nixon
Paul Morelli
Trombone:
Jeff Chaz
Gerald Stephens
Prentice Wulff-Woesten
John Hagan
Jared Dover
Kaitlyn Smith
Freedman Steorts
Cameron Benson (bass trombone)
Greg Fallis

Percussion:
Neil Wadlington *
Doug Garrison
George Finney
Chuck Fields
David Skypeck *
Jimmy Ellis (RIP!)
Jonny O’Dell
William “Nokie” Taylor
Leopoldo “Rico Rumba” López
Robert Barnett
Angela Frontera
Boyd Brannan
Twinkle Van Winkle
Bill Sterns
Jim Britt
Richard Cushing *
Ross Rice *
Steve Dolan
Prentice Wulff-Woesten
Jack Holder (RIP!)
E.J. Dyce
Scott Katzev
“Captain” Phil McGee (RIP!)
Charles Ray
Tom Harris
Terry Saffold
Cody Dickinson
Jason Northcutt
John Hagan
Peter Climie
Jared Dover
Paul Morelli
Andy Tate
Chris Stephenson
Freedman Steorts
George Lawrence
+ Group Percussion Circle for “Diversity”
Lisa Harrison
Ashley Calliham
Clay Maddox
Joe Austin
Christy O’Neal
Leigh Williams
Kristy Fulks
Kevin Leahy

Lead or Backing Vocals:
Richard Cushing *
Jimmy Ellis * (RIP!)
Ross Rice *
Clint (Goodwin) Wagner *
Dr. Herman Green *
Pat Register
Chuck Sullivan
Brian Crown
Klaudia Kroboth
William “Nokie” Taylor
Parker Card
Art Edmaiston
Russ Wheeler
Steve Dolan
Prentice Wulff-Woesten
Jackie Johnson
Paul Brown
Hope Clayburn
James Govan (RIP!)
Damian Sanchez
E.J. Dyce
Scott Katzev
“Captain” Phil McGee (RIP!)
Matt Tutor
Charles Ray
Harold “Sundance” Thomas \ (“The Masqueraders”)
Robert “Tex” Wrightsil /
John Hagan
Peter Climie
Jared Dover
Andy Tate
Paul Morelli
Chris Stephenson
Freedman Steorts
Greg Lundy
Adam Hill
Jody Stephens
Stephani McCoy
Walter White
Alexis Roberson

+ Group Backing Vocals for “FreeWorld”
Adam Hatley
Melanie Jones
Zanne Leif
+ Group Backing Vocals for “Diversity”
Lori Cushing (+1)
David Skypeck
Brian Overstreet
Ashley Calliham
Lisa Harrison
Tara Doran
Mike “Free Tone” Smith (Smitty)
Chris Blaylock
Kevin Leahy
Faith Neenan
Gary Simmons
Damon Lewis
Monica Berkheimer
Matt “Havoc” Tipton
Ashley Wilemon
J.C. Youngblood
Joe Fry
David McGowan (RIP!)
John Coburn
Bryan Fraley

Spoken Word:
Chris Baer *
Theolonius “IQ” Sanders
Richard Cushing *

Other:
Peter Hyrka – violin
Jason Latshaw – turntables
Steve Dolan – musette
Richard Cushing * – sitar, mandolin
Sean Murphy – tuba
Richard Thomas, Jr. – cello
Peter Climie – EWI
Paul Morelli – clarinet, valve trombone, alto flute
Freedman Steorts – slide trumpet
Andy Tate – electric sitar, lap steel, mandolin

Engineers (Live & Studio):
Michael Kearney *
Ronnie Kittel *
Dave Aron * (RIP!)
Alan Spindel *
Dan Pfeifer *
Jim “Jammer” Godsey *
David Peck *
Keifer *
James Senter
David Jordan
William Floyd
Richie Runnels
Randy Holder
Randy LeRoy
Jason Latshaw
Jim Gaines
Mike Iacopelli
Doug Easley
Davis McCain
Stuart Sykes
Posey Hedges
Kevin Houston
Ross Rice *
Brad Blackwood
Richard Cushing *
Joey “Pablo” Walker
Benji Hughes
Ken Whitehead
Devan Yanik
Hunter Rosen
Justin Hess
Mike Wilson
Dawn Hopkins
Sam Bryant
Archie Mitchell
Willie Mitchell
Matt Tutor
Mark Yoshida
Adam Hill
Andy Tate
Kevin Nix
Robbie Rose

CD/DVD Producers:
Dan Pfeifer
Jim Gaines
Ross Rice *
Kevin Houston
FreeWorld
Jim Dickinson (RIP!)
Jonathan Pekar
Adam Hill

Songwriters:
Ross Rice *
Herman Green *
Willie Waldman *
Clint Wagner *
Richard Cushing *
Jimmy Ellis * (RIP!)
Richard Young *
Cliff Pinkston * (RIP!)
Chuck Sullivan
Robert Barnett
Kirk Smothers
David Skypeck
William “Nokie” Taylor
Jothan Callins
Parker Card
Brian Overstreet
Art Edmaiston
Steve Dolan
Prentice Wulff-Woesten
Rico Heard
Josh Degges
Damian J. Sanchez
E. J. Dyce
Peter Climie
Andy Tate
Chris Stephenson

Graphic Artists:
David Hall *
John Lind
Mike Werkhoven
Nancy Apple
Steve Roberts
Alex Kohli
Steve Dolan
Randy Williams
Leslie Gilmer
Brandon Seavers
Thomas Halfacre
Peter Climie
Beverly Speakes
Sarah Dalesandro
Danny Day

Web Master:
Martin Norris
Steve Cox (RIP!)
Jack Simon

Archivist:
Patrick O’Daniel

Benefactors & Honorary Band Members:
Lori Kay Cushing
Doyce Hodum * (RIP!)
John “Guru” McGee * (RIP!)
Dick Clifton * (RIP!)
Eddie Burks
Ken and Jill (RIP!) Hartsfield & the Entire ‘Rites of Spring’ Crew
Sam Nowlin (RIP!)
Papa Don McMinn (RIP!)
George Paul Eldridge (RIP!)
Ty Agee
Todd Adams
Mike Glenn
Felix Vega (RIP!)
Greg Haynes
Deric Murphy (RIP!)
Donna & Mark Christiansen & the Entire “Love of Life” Experience
And Ross Rice officially gets the award for being the most versatile FreeWorld alumnus – appearing in over half of the above categories!

*************************************************************************

Special Guests:

Performed or recorded with such notables as: Levon Helm, Little Feat, The Memphis Horns, Billy Preston, Richie Havens, The Meters, Bootsy Collins, Merl Saunders, Dr. John, Timothy Leary, John Sinclair, James Cotton, Willie Mitchell, Jim Gaines, Jim Dickinson, Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens & Richard Rosebrough (Big Star), Roland Janes, Dave Aron (Snoop Dogg, Sublime), Mojo Buford, Ace Cannon, Ivan Neville, Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Casady (Hot Tuna), Blues Traveler, Jon Fishman & Page McConnell (Phish), Widespread Panic, Rob Wasserman, The Derek Trucks Band, The Radiators, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), The Grandmothers (formerly Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention), Stephen Perkins & Tony Franklin (Banyan), Los Lobos, John Blackwell (Prince), David Bryan (Bon Jovi), John Avila (Oingo Boingo), Eric Garcia (Bob Dylan), Fran McKendree (McKendree Spring), Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, James Burton, Stan Perkins, Chad Taylor (Live), Tomasito Cruz (Arturo Sandoval), Bruce McCleave (Brian McKnight), The Record Company, Needtobreathe, Mark Doyle (Little Richard), Rolando Briceno, The Bar-Kays, Ann Peebles, Don Bryant, Syl Johnson, Steve Cropper, J. Blackfoot, Marvell, Vaneese & Carla Thomas, The Masqueraders, Terryl Saffold (The Platters), Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Jim Dandy” Mangrum (Black Oak Arkansas), Jeremy “JB” Bustillos (Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band), George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners, String Cheese Incident, Vince Herman & Leftover Salmon, Colonel Bruce Hampton & The Aquarium Rescue Unit, Todd Smallie (JJ Grey & Mofro), Greensky Bluegrass, Brian Stoltz, The North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic, Drivin’ & Cryin’, Marc Bolin (T-Rex), Elliott Ives & The Regiment Horns (Justin Timberlake), Ty Taylor (Vintage Trouble), Buddy Davis (Target), Afroman, Henry Gross, Wes Studi, The Grass Roots, Big Ass Truck, Deep Banana Blackout, Shawn Lane, Phineas Jr. & Calvin Newborn, George Coleman, Samurai Celestial, Charlton Johnson (Count Basie Big Band), Gerard Harris (Kool & the Gang), Angelo Earl (Bar-Kays, George Clinton), Damian J. Sanchez & Gregory Fallis (Glenn Miller Orchestra), Teenie Hodges, Howard Grimes, Ben Cauley, Astral Project, The Rebirth Brass Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, The Schwag, Robert Palmer, Jimmie Vaughan & Double Trouble, Susan Tedeschi, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Jonny Lang, Stacy Mitchhart, Little Jimmy King, Sonny Burgess & The Pacers, Pete Pederson, The Cate Brothers, Todd Snider, Lonnie Shields, Kenny Neal, Charles Bradley & his Extraordinaires, Rodd Bland (son of Bobby “Blue” Bland), Devon Allman (son of Gregg), Jimmy Pryor, Blind Willie Dineen, Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Alexis Grace & Trenyce (American Idol), Patrick Dodd & Sarah Simmons (The Voice), Preston Shannon, Ruby Wilson (the “Queen of Beale Street”), Toni Green, Earl “the Pearl” Banks, Willie Covington, Ross Rice (Human Radio), Billy Gibson, Fred Sanders, Eric Hughes, Brandon Santini, James Govan & the Boogie Blues Band, Tony Thomas, Jothan Callins, Inner Circle, Anthony Kearns (The Irish Tenors), & touring members of the Broadway musical productions of “Jersey Boys”, “Wicked”, “Stomp”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “Grease”, “Cats”, “Chicago”, “Celtic Women”, “All Shook Up”, “Wizard of Oz”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Shrek”, “Madagascar”, “War Horse”, “Spamalot”, “Hair”, “The Buddy Holly Story”, “Memphis”, “The Bodyguard”, “Cirque Du Soleil – Corteo”, “Trolls”, “Dirty Dancing” & “Aladdin”.

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