and
their parents became members of the Church Of God in Jesus.
At a very young age, Rich’s Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and went on to be with the Lord at the age of 32. Rich’s Mother continued to raise her two little boys in a Christian home; you could always find these three lifting up the name of Jesus in word and song, every church night. Rich started singing in the children’s choir, and as time passed he became an intricate part of the Praise and Worship Team with his brother Danny leading the way as the church pianist. Both Rich and Danny are “God-taught” piano players and singers.
During Rich’s middle school and
high school years, you find Rich singing with his family group, “The Singing
Lively Stones” (consisting of his brother, mother, and cousin Joyce Harmon),
or singing at school functions (talent shows, musical, choir programs, and
such), or at local churches, nursing homes and local radio stations. He often was
asked to sing the National Anthem at his high school basketball games. His
senior year he was voted Most Talented, and was asked to write and perform a
song for his graduating class. He celebrated the joy of performing at his
graduation shortly after his return from New York City, where he and his high
school choir performed at Carnegie Hall.
After graduation, Rich worked as an Activity Assistant at a
local nursing home. His job? To sing and entertain the residents. He counts
this as one of his most rewarding jobs ever! Rich has so many countless
treasured memories of all the beautiful folks that changed his life for the
good. He was
asked to minister to the residents, but most of the time, the residents
ministered to him.
When Rich was 19 yrs old, he met his wife, Jody Ann Lipps, at
a church fund raiser. Four short years later they would marry and start a
life of their own. Rich and Jody have always accepted the call of God in
their lives, and obediently yield to his will. If you were to ask Rich what
he loves most about his wife, you’d have to sit a while, because there is a
LONG list. He often says that God clipped the wings of Heaven’s most
beautiful angel and sent her to complete Rich’s world. Joboo, one of Rich’s
many love nicknames for Jody, is the love of his life!
Rich has always walked through every door that God has opened
for his ministry without hesitation. Recently Rich auditioned for the “Dream Big”
talent show in St. Mary’s Ohio, at the St. Mary’s Theatre & Grand Opera House
www.stmarys.us
. After 12 weeks of
competition, Rich walked away with the grand prize, a new car AND the
opportunity open for such country superstars as John Berry (Your Love Amazes
Me), Jimmy Fortune (Statler Brothers), and T Graham Brown (Turn The Water Into
Wine). Thanks to the owners of Dream Big, Tim and Leslie Townsend (tim@stmarys.us
or
leslie@stmarys.us), Rich’s
singing ministry has been propelled to the next level.
Just this past September, Rich competed in National Quartet
Convention Talent Contest. He placed 2nd, and won a recording package with
Son Sound. While at the NQC Rich’s good friends, The Sons Family, introduced
Rich to the LEGENDARY Eddie Crook. A few months later Rich signed an
exclusive recording contract as an artist and writer for the Eddie Crook
Company. His freshman project is due out this spring on the Morningstar
Signature Label. All 12 God Inspired songs on this recording will be from the pen of Rich
Adkins.
For all the folks that have patiently awaited the arrival of
this project….IT’S ALMOST HERE! The project will be entitled, “I’ll Bless
That Name”. Be sure to check out his website
www.richadkins.com
for the latest updates on this young man’s career in southern gospel music!