Meet Richard Wetherington: Guitarist, Songwriter, Frontman of Raw Fire

In this episode of SoCal Soundcheck, I sit down with Richard Wetherington - guitarist, songwriter, and frontman of the country-rock band Raw Fire.Originally from New Jersey and now in Southern California, Richard shares his journey into the local music scene.We discuss the power of networking, including how offering value through photography and gear support helped him build relationships with established musicians like John Demps. Richard also breaks down how Raw Fire came together - using Facebook, open mics, and some hustle to find the right lineup for his band.We also talk about the “science” behind a great live show, including why pacing and giving the audience breathing room can make or break a set. We also talk gear, from his Taylor guitars to his Blackstar tube amp, and how his sound comes together on stage.Finally, Richard shares what’s next - transitioning from a strong cover set into original music and building a distinct identity for Raw Fire.Follow Raw Fire on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rawfiremusic/