Perry Richardson was so excited when offered Stryper gig that he had his worst golf game in years

Perry Richardson was so excited when offered Stryper gig that he had his worst golf game in years

Stryper recently announced that former Firehouse bassist Perry Richardson was going to be filling the band’s vacant bassist position.

Richardson was recently interviewed for Stryper‘s website and spoke about how he got into the band as he stated: “It was fate or the hand of God, man. This old friend of mine ending up talking with Dave Rose (Stryper’s co-manager), and Dave said that they were looking for a bass player. My friend Marty said that he knew just the guy! And Dave was familiar with me because he used to play in a band that opened for my old band Maxx Warrior! So I meet with Dave and then after that Michael Sweet called me. Last time I saw Mike was about 5 years ago in Nashville, but we met in person maybe 3 times total. But he remembered who I was and invited me to fly over to jam and see how it felt. I had about a month to learn 5 songs. We all flew in and setup in a little room in his house. We played the songs, and it felt good. Then we sang some together, and the vocals sounded good. So they said that they would call me and let me know. A few days later I was about to start a game of golf when I got the call that I was in the band. I was so excited I couldn’t even play the game. It was the worst game of golf I’ve played in years! (laughs) But that’s how it happened. When I met the band, I just felt so at home with them. I couldn’t be more happy.”

In terms of whether he’ll be continuing with country star Craig Morgan as well, Richardson advised: “I’m going to stay with Craig through March, and then start with Stryper in April. I’m going to move back to my hometown of Myrtle Beach and build a house down there. So I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few months. I want to get back and spend more time with my family. I’ve been on the road for the last 30 years so I didn’t get to spend much time with them. So this is perfect timing. I’ve wanted to move back for some time, so when the Stryper thing came around it was meant to be.”

With respect to which songs that he learned for his Stryper audition, Richardson stated: “Um… “The Way”, “Soldiers Under Command”, “Rock That Makes Me Roll”, “Calling On You”, and “No More Hell To Pay”.”

In regard to Stryper‘s new upcoming studio album, Richardson stated: “I have not heard anything new yet.”

You can read the rest of the interview with Richardson on Stryper‘s website.