Johnny Richeson has been playing professionally since the age of 14. As a working drummer in Nashville, Philadelphia, and beyond, he is known for bringing a high level of preparation, musicality, and versatility to every musical situation.

 

Johnny was self-taught from ages 12-18. He has since studied with several world-class teachers and players, including: Derrek Phillips (Hank Williams, Jr., Robben Ford, Gloria Gaynor, Brett Eldridge), Jordan Perlson (Jeff Coffin, Blue Man Group, Becca Stevens), Matt White (Rihanna, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Coffin), Jesse Willis (Coastal Carolina University), and Lalo Davila (Middle Tennesee State University). 

 

After college he moved to Nashville, TN, where he enjoyed a successful freelance career. He has performed with artists such as: Zach Top, Jason Scheff (Chicago), The Dryes (The Voice Season 22), Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones), Crissy Collins (Beyoncé), Howard Levy (Béla Fleck and the Flecktones), Jake Botts (Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Daigle, Cory Wong), Jackson Bruck and the Dukes of Hume (Lightning 100’s Music City Mayhem winner 2018), and more. He has opened for Hardy, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Lane, Dylan Marlowe, and others.

 

In addition to performing, Johnny is passionate about sharing his love for music through teaching. He is currently a professor at Rider University, where he directs the Pop, Rock, and Hip-Hop Ensemble, teaches Pop Music Theory, and Applied Percussion Lessons. From 2016-2018, he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Middle Tennessee State University, where he taught the Band of Blue drumline, salsa band, percussion ensemble, and percussion lessons. 

 

In June 2018, Johnny traveled to Colombia, South America to play and teach at jazz camps around the country for the Colombo Americano organization. He offers clinics, group lessons, and individual lessons on a range of topics, including: drum set, Brazilian percussion, Afro-Cuban percussion, classical percussion, music theory, music technology, gig prep, audition prep, career development, and more.

 

Johnny holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Coastal Carolina University and a M.M. in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University. He currently lives near Philadelphia, PA, where he is a professor at Rider University and enjoys a career as a freelance musician.

 

Johnny proudly endorses Innovative Percussion as a Drum Set Artist.