Rich Sheldon is a Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist that grew up in western Pennsylvania, graduated from Florida State and spent the majority of his life in West L.A. between Venice beach & Santa Monica. It was there that he became a professional music performer, commercial actor and honed his musical style of Americana folk & roots rock. Classic rock legends from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and many others have remained a constant influence throughout his life. Beginning in Los Angeles beach cities to now the Tampa Bay area and beyond, he has maintained a musical career as perhaps one of the hardest gigging musicians, performing either solo or with his band and accompanied duets, for well over a decade.
The Rich Sheldon Band brings soulful vocals to original rock songs from ballads to blues, grooves, and classic rock covers that jam and serve up feel-good music. The band line-up currently consists of legendary guitarist Steve Connelly (former guitarist of Roger McGuinn of the Byrds), Damon Navari on drums, Jeff Dilly on bass, and Matt Frick on keys (and guest bassists Mark Messina & Eric Riddles). The boys recently gave a stellar performance as a Rolling Stones tribute in St. Pete at the Ale & Witch and played the “Sunshine Get Down” festival in Brooksville, FL and the “Grateful Gathering” in Lakeland, FL.
Other performance highlights for Rich’s bands include headlining the “Festival of Lights” in Mammoth Mountain, CA to a crowd of nearly 10,000 (in December 2019: w/ Ben Martin-drums, Doug Haxall-bass, Steve Kim-guitar, Roy Fishell-keys). His band played the “Desert Oasis Music Festival” at the Coachella Polo Fields in Indio, CA (in October 2017) along with Damian Marley, Los Lobos, Rebelution, Steel Pulse & Reel Big Fish. He performed at the first “Skull & Roses” Grateful Dead tribute festival in Ventura, CA (in April 2017: w/ Sheldon & Cunnane band). And he performed on the same bill with David Lindley, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Chris Hillman of The Byrds, Lukas Nelson, Sweetwater, Cubensis & Uncle John’s Band.
In the studio, Rich has recorded with producer/engineer Craig Adams (mixer of Frank Zappa’s archives), producer Doug Grean (of Scott Weiland & Velvet Revolver), Ed Tree (of The Spencer Davis Group), Rick Shlosser (former drummer for Van Morrison) and Dig Lewis (former bassist for Stevie Wonder).
Rich’s song “Meet You In the Heavens” appeared on Ziggy Marley radio at ziggymarley.com, and in the film “American Drug War” on Showtime. His song “Destination Unknown” was selected for the first RELIX Magazine JAM OFF compilation.
These radio stations have featured Rich’s music: “Frosty, Heidi, and Frank show” on 97.1 FM; “Local Licks” on 95.5 FM KLOS; and “The Music Never Stops” with Barry Smolin on KPFK 90.7 FM and recently 96.7 FM Radio St. Pete.
