Meet Richard La Bella | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard La Bella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, why did you pursue a creative career?
My whole life, as far back as I can remember, I performed for my parents, like most children, only for me there was a burning desire to be a television star.

I grew up with a father who loved the movies. We would go to the movies all the time. He loved music, and he loved to sing. His father was a touring musician with Roy Rogers in the early twenties, signed to William Morris. My father had dreams to do the same but his mother was against it.

My father put my sister through dance and singing classes in New York City from a very young age. She made it to broadway, and later discovered a new passion and left the business to pursue a career in fitness.

I dropped out of high school two years after my parents divorce. I moved to New York City when I was eighteen and followed my dreams to become a star. I spent close to ten years auditioning for film, TV, and theater. I studied character acting and a couple different techniques but nothing big ever panned out for me. In 1993, I met my wife on Columbus Avenue and 72nd Street, we moved in together and started a life together. I got my GED and discovered the Internet, bought a computer and taught myself the Internet. I took my first job in a Cybercafe in the West Village.

For the next twenty eight years, my wife and I raised two amazing children who are now adults, I followed the corporate route and remained in Cybersecurity.

Everything shifted at age forty when I decided to buy a guitar and take lessons. Today, I’m fifty four, I’ve been playing for fourteen years, I just completed my sixteenth single which will be released May 22nd. I’m reinventing myself again! It’s the most fulfilled professionally I have felt in years. It is my new passion. My dream and focus is to substitute my corporate income as a singer-songwriter some day. I’m currently in the process of playing out live now that COVID has settled down. You can catch me on all the social media platforms and wherever you stream and download music. Im an alternative country folk artist who has plans to win a grammy one day. You never know. I’ll be ready.

In summary, I am the most fulfilled when I am performing. My whole life, now that I look back, getting in front of an audience is where my skill set shines. It’s a calling that has become more and more clear for me over the years. Music plays a big part of the equation. I’m truly blessed to have found my purpose. Again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Richard La Bella is an alternative country folk artist and singer-songwriter. I offer a unique and energized stage presence that connects strongly with his audience. I’m told I have a unique and distinctive vocal quality. My music is a full representation of who I am, where I came from, and where I’m going, taking you right along with me in ways you can feel and understand.

I work very hard at my music. I’m relentless in my pursuit to deliver a consistent flow of quality songs across all social and music platforms.

I’m most excited that I have discovered my voice as an artist. The fan feedback has helped enormously by helping me pay attention to what works.

Nothing is easy. Everything we set out to do in life takes many years of hard work. For me my challenge was doubling my output to learn music theory for composing and arranging songs, and to develop my songwriting skills. I’m proud to say, I’m starting to level out now, and the journey is moving me where I dream to go.

I want the world to know something I feel is very important. You are never to old to begin again. We are never to old to find a new passion and to see that passion to the end wherever it may take you. I believe our thoughts and vibrations speaks to the universe and gives back in multitude. And lastly, more important than anything – NEVER EVER GIVE UP! No matter what.

The Richard La Bella Music Brand is all about family, love, hardships, bouncing back, and inspiration.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tea and Poets Sopa di Mare
La Planta
Mister 01
Coconut Grove
Coral Gables
Ball and Chain
Salt and Straw

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife. Since the very day we met, she has supported me in everything. Right up and into my dreams to be a full time musician.

Website: richardlabellamusic.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/richardlabella

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-la-bella-cissp-99926932

Twitter: @rlabellamusic

Facebook: Facebook.com/richardlabellasmusic

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCYDNr2FhvaI6YbvsZ7_VN1Q