Law, Richard

Vocalist from Nashville, Tennessee, who formed The Richard Law Singers in 1963 and parlayed his group into radio and television success, singing station IDs at first for WSM-TV, then making appearances on The Noon Show and The Waking Crew on WSM Radio. In fact, WSM saw fit to send them on the road for a cerebral palsy telethon in Birmingham, Alabama. His secretary at the time was Sondra Locke, who went on to become a movie actress. The group expanded into the advertising and music industry, with Richard often scripting and producing the commercials himself. They also performed live with acts such as Gene Pitney and Bobby Vinton. The Richard Law Singers had the opportunity to record under their own moniker, and the result was “Billy Sunshine”, an independent record that RCA showed some passing interest in, but it never took off.

In time, the singers disbanded and Richard went on to join The Lea Jane Singers, supplanting Chuck Woolery, who went to a career in television, hosting Wheel of Fortune and The Love Connection. The Lea Jane Singers were similar to Richard’s group, in that they did commercials and sang background vocals on records, including Jerry Lee Lewis’s #1 hit, “She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye”. Other records on which Richard appeared include Jerry Corbitt’seponymous album and Gary & Randy Scruggs’ All the Way Home.

In 1970, the bass singer and Richard defected to co-found The Sound 70 Singers. They were briefly populated by Ginger and Mary Holladay, who had already enjoyed some recording success with The Box Tops. Some of the artists with whom The Sound 70 Singers performed and recorded include Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Pat Boone, Crystal Gayle, Don Gibson, Ray Griff, Doug Kershaw, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton and Webb Pierce. They also released an album under their own name on the RCA Camden label.

Richard moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974 to join Imagine Music, a production house that specialized in music for commercials. The move opened up more recording studio doors for Richard, who got to perform with artists such as the Atlanta Rhythm Section, who appeared on several jingles for Imagine, Tommy Roe, Billy Joe Royal and Dennis Yost & The Classics IV.

In time, he returned to Nashville, and he, along with Kim Morrison and Barbara South, went on an Australian and European tour with Roy Orbison, which Richard calls his “best moment”. They also appeared with Roy at the famed Austin City Limits in a 1982 concert that has since been immortalized on DVD.

Richard remained active behind the scenes, singing back-up vocals with U & theLaw, a group led by Donna Ulisse. They also co-wrote songs and started a company called A Cappella Concepts, which specialized in jingles, on-hold messages and ringtones.

Here is Jerry Corbitt performing “John Deere Tractor” with Richard singing backing…

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Law, Richard

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