Richard Simon became a Christian and started singing at the age of 8 with his duet partner Zorina Frederick. A red haired freckle faced child at the time took to the stage as a duck to water with a voice that stunned the adults around him at the Berean Bible Church and the Gospel Hall where he frequently performed at major church events.

He won the Baritone solo section of the Grenada Arts festival on his first entry against well seasoned performers. He represented the Berean Christian Academy, which was the only school with a full musical programme as part of its curriculum at the time. Trained by two American missionaries Pearl and Charlie Faugust or aunt Pearl and uncle Charlie, as they were affectionately known, and school principal Steve Felty, his music started to take shape. He was also at the center of the music at the Lucas Street Berean Church where he fellowshipped at the time.

His love for singing and his ability to sing would place him as lead singer of several gospel bands including Tabernacle, which was led by renown guitarist Aiden Slinger and Alpha Ministries led by Galton Collins. He would have at various points of his career come into contact with some of Grenada’s best singers of Gospel like Sandra and Sonia Scott, Sharlene Felty, Phillip Peters, Chris Hall among a long list.

But his friend and Sister, now deceased, Brenda Peters would be among the most inspirational to him. They teamed up time and again as members of Alpha to do ministry, whether on a national stage or at Coals Gap in St. Davids. In 1991 they were again together at Gospel Spectacular in St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

In fact every where he went music followed him, making his two year stint at Radio Antilles in Montserrat most memorable. Richard performed at churches through out the island and later was invited to join the tenor section of the popular Montserratian group Voices, a collection of wonderful people who just enjoyed sharing their voices in a blend of harmony that was “music to the ear”.

Upon returning to Grenada he performed with “A group of us”, The Grenada Music Society, “Regan Nedd and Friends,” and directed the National Christian Mass Choir. He also founded and led Chosen, another band for a short while.  

Richard’s music further developed when he came into contact with Pastor Selwyn Hayling’s series of national crusades with almost nightly performances in Tanteen or the various locations around the island.

“He has done well but things never went to his head. I have known him for a long time and he has maintained his humility” said Pastor Hayling.

In 2001 Richard teamed up with his sister and friend Janice Charles to host a fund raising concert to support missions to Africa. One of the highlights of his musical career was a tour of several cities in the United States with Commancheros. The tour climaxed with a concert in New York where he performed “The impossible dream” accompanied by the sweet tones of classic steel.

After many enquiries and years of patience, enter Bishop Todd O’neal of Cincinati, who came to Grenada as part of a Raise Praise Worship conference. Having sung with Bishop Oneal at one of the conferences in Grenada, Richard was invited by him to come to Praise Factory, a studio associated with his House of Joy Ministries in Cincinnati to record his music. While there Richard also had the opportunity to provide vocal support to a 600 strong choir for the opening of “The UnderGround Railroad”, a US national landmark to the anti slavery movement.

“It was one of my fantasies, and when it came through, especially when ask to be part of a trio, It was one of my most fulfilling experiences” he said.

Recording so far from home was a major challenge but a great experience with fabulous rewards as some of the best musicians in that US city teamed up with House of Joy Choir under Bishop O’Neal to provide the musical base for Richard’s first album: Is there not a cause.

Richard hopes you will be blessed and challenged by the music; a rich combination of traditionals, contemporary gospel, Reggae and black American gospel influences that permeate the album.

“In my 30 years as a Christian I have come to recognize that Christianity is not measured by how many rules you keep but the quality of the relationship you establish,” he said.

Richard is the owner Manager of StepOut Productions, a Public Relations Company in Grenada and Music Director at the Evangelistic Center. Visit his website www.spiceisle.com/simon_r.