We sit down with Richard Hewson, the creative force behind the Ra Band, to trace how an under-credited arranger turns frustration over fees into a self-made recording legacy. We get the real stories behind “Clouds Across The Moon,” Abbey Road sessions, vintage studio gear, and what it feels like to be rediscovered through Spotify and TikTok decades later. 

• arrangers paid a fee without royalties, pushing Richard toward writing his own songs 
• building early Ra Band tracks as a one-person “bedroom band” on multitrack tape 
• jazz influences shaping a pop sound, plus the Paul McCartney connection that opens doors 
• turning an “international operator” memory into the sci-fi story of “Clouds Across The Moon” 
• writing lyrics by creating a story scene, starting with simple phrases and expanding them 
• “Messages from the Stars” going viral on streaming and reigniting the back catalog 
• receiving the Roland SH-5 as a first synthesizer and sticking with vintage gear 
• analog warmth vs digital sameness, plus why hiss and tape feel “timeless” 
• favorite string arrangements and the craft of writing orchestration by hand 
• Abbey Road memories, Phil Spector’s massive orchestra request, and McCartney’s reaction 
• praising session musicians as the real heroes who can nail anything first take 
• seeing the Ra Band performed live by his son and a nine-piece touring lineup 
• where to find the music on major platforms and hopes for a vinyl run 

If you haven't already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment. 

INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. Wild

Mantor Music BMI

We sit down with Richard Hewson, the creative force behind the Ra Band, to trace how an under-credited arranger turns frustration over fees into a self-made recording legacy. We get the real stories behind “Clouds Across The Moon,” Abbey Road sessions, vintage studio gear, and what it feels like to be rediscovered through Spotify and TikTok decades later.  • arrangers paid a fee without royalties, pushing Richard toward writing his own songs  • building early Ra Band tracks as a one-person “bedroom band” on multitrack tape  • jazz influences shaping a pop sound, plus the Paul McCartney connection that opens doors  • turning an “international operator” memory into the sci-fi story of “Clouds Across The Moon”  • writing lyrics by creating a story scene, starting with simple phrases and expanding them  • “Messages from the Stars” going viral on streaming and reigniting the back catalog  • receiving the Roland SH-5 as a first synthesizer and sticking with vintage gear  • analog warmth vs digital sameness, plus why hiss and tape feel “timeless”  • favorite string arrangements and the craft of writing orchestration by hand  • Abbey Road memories, Phil Spector’s massive orchestra request, and McCartney’s reaction  • praising session musicians as the real heroes who can nail anything first take  • seeing the Ra Band performed live by his son and a nine-piece touring lineup  • where to find the music on major platforms and hopes for a vinyl run  If you haven&apos;t already, take a quick second to tap the follow button. It really helps the show reach more people who love music and entertainment.  INTRO/OUTRO Music: T. WildMantor Music BMI

Nashville based veteran music producer Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville podcast takes its listener on a journey through the business of music and entertainment. Following the success and popularity of his top-rated podcast on Autism & Mental Health awareness - Why Not Me? - Mantor hosts thought-provoking conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from various celebrity guests from the world of music, television and entertainment. With more than 30 years as an accomplished music producer based in Nashville, Mantor welcomes a worldly guest list of musicians, actors and entertainers who share their unique stories about the roles they’ve played in creating and sustaining what we know as popular American culture. Conversations and stories that also give a deeper understanding on what it takes to achieve success in the entertainment industry for aspiring entertainers who are currently pursuing their own dreams of being a star someday. Whether listening for the entertainment or storytelling factor alone, or for tips on how his guests faced their life’s challenges, Almost Live… Nashville will have a story for anyone who has been a fan of popular culture in music, movies and television over the last few decades.

Nashville based veteran music producer Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville podcast takes its listener on a journey through the business of music and entertainment. Following the success and popularity of his top-rated podcast on Autism &amp; Mental Health awareness - Why Not Me? - Mantor hosts thought-provoking conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from various celebrity guests from the world of music, television and entertainment. With more than 30 years as an accomplished music producer based in Nashville, Mantor welcomes a worldly guest list of musicians, actors and entertainers who share their unique stories about the roles they’ve played in creating and sustaining what we know as popular American culture. Conversations and stories that also give a deeper understanding on what it takes to achieve success in the entertainment industry for aspiring entertainers who are currently pursuing their own dreams of being a star someday. Whether listening for the entertainment or storytelling factor alone, or for tips on how his guests faced their life’s challenges, Almost Live… Nashville will have a story for anyone who has been a fan of popular culture in music, movies and television over the last few decades.

Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville

Richard Hewson’s RAH band: Journey From Bedroom Demos To Global Streams

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b427b814-7743-4ef6-8157-b4d5016a45dd/transcript