Rich Hand Band

I was very fortunate to have gone to college with some of the most talented musicians anywhere, so I didn’t have to look far. I had stayed friends with 3 of my band mates throughout the years. Our relationships had grown to become more than college buddies but true friends in life as we continued to share all of the important benchmarks in life. Weddings, Anniversary’s, the birth and adoption of children, 30th and 40th birthdays, and many, many occasions for holiday cheer. So after a little persuasion, they agreed to join me in my endeavor to record my first CD. We are now on CD #3 "Something For Everyone"

Band Members:
Pete Cassani – He is not only the main guitar man, I consider him my producer since he adds so much more than guitar parts. We also collaborate on some of the songs from a writing perspective. He is definitely Lennon, I am more McCartney. He likes to curse. I have to slap his hand. He is a passionate songwriter, performer, song writer that has his own band called “The Peasants” (www.thepeasants.net). He brings my songs to life and without his inspiration I would not be recording my third CD. I love this guy, although we know not to talk politics since we reside on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Leif Benestad – When I hear someone say they know of a great bass player I just chuckle inside. I know I have the best bass player. Leif is one of the most naturally gifted people I have ever met in my life. That’s not only music, although he plays a mean bass, and rhythm/lead guitar, but when it comes to sports, hockey and baseball in particular, he shines. In my opinion, his greatest achievement came within the last 2 years, when Leif and his lovely wife Angie, adopted a beautiful baby girl, Brooke. They have given her a chance at life that one day I know she will appreciate. They are wonderful parents.

Mike Perkins – If you know him you can’t help but laugh at the mention of his name. If you had to define the term entertainer without being able to use words, you would put his picture next to the word. He is one of the best harmonica players ever, and he has been on stage with national talents as well as recording for films and my CD’s. He has a vocal sound that I can only describe as Don Henleyish or Steven Tylerish. He has this unique sound that I love recording. His ability to arrange songs is uncanny (he also writes songs). In particular background vocals. Unfortunately, the first CD was recorded in such a short schedule (due to money) we didn’t get to use some of his best ideas. He also plays keyboards, and is quickly becoming a force to recon with on guitar. His wife Dr. Ruth (not the sex therapist) was featured as a vocalist on my first CD. They have a lovely daughter Jill (quickly becoming a keyboardist in her own right) and we love them dearly.

Billy Close – As I stated earlier, Billy joined us at the start of our first CD project and quickly became someone we felt honored to call a friend. Billy was trained as a drummer early in his life, but mainly plays bass and guitars on most other projects he’s involved in. When he agreed to play on “Angels in My Basement” I think he said it was the first time he played drums in years. He is multi talented and he recently married his boyhood sweetheart and moved to LA. He is such a rock and roller! At the first CD release party, one of the single ladies in the crowd came up to me and said, “Who is your drummer, he is such a rock and roller”. Billy was wearing no shirt, sunglasses, and had a cig hanging from his lips. Yeah I agree.

Rich Hand – That’s me. Not much to say about myself except that I have been blessed with a wonderful supportive wife Justine, two children, Taylor and Emily, and friends and family that are a huge support mechanism for all of my projects. I play rhythm guitar mainly as a vehicle to write songs. My absolute passion is to create songs. I wish I could describe the feeling but I can’t. Those of you that are lucky enough to work at things that you have a passion for, probably understand. I also have become increasingly interested in recording since I do these projects on no budget so I can’t hire engineers. It can be monotonous at times and more like work, but when you get the right sound and feel there is a great feeling of accomplishment. Many of you may not know that a song is played over and over (1000) times between recording, overdubs, mixing, mastering. I have a section of the site that talks about my song writing process if you’re interested in further detail.

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