Official website of Richard Klender - Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ...

Q. Why does Richard write and record Christian music?
A. Richard is a veteran of the music industry, performing and recording original music for many years. Since giving his live to Jesus Christ in 1985 he is committed to building up the church body and to reach out to hurting people and lost souls who need Jesus Christ.

Q. Richard, What is your statement of faith?
A. I believe in Almighty God, the Creator and God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God and that Jesus Christ is God, just as He claims to be (John 1:1). I believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all those who accept Jesus as Lord. As I have openly claimed in my music, Jesus Christ is my King.

Q. Is Richard also a worship leader?
A. Richard participates regularly in leading worship at a couple of local churches in Ventura County, California. As a charter member Richard helped to build the well-established Cornerstone Community Church, led by the gifted Bible teacher Francis Chan. He currently assists in worship leadership at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, CA. Both of these churches have grown to over 4000 members.

Q. Can we use one of your songs in worship? Can we get a copy of the lyrics and/or chords for our worship band to use?
A. Yes, Richard encourages church leaders to make use of his music. That’s one of the reasons he has published it for you. See “Worship Sheets”, chord Charts or “Lyrics” under the “Ministry” button.

Q. Does Richard tour? Is he coming to my town? Where is he planning to travel. Lead worship…?
A. Currently Richard is finishing a couple of projects in the recording studio. We are currently collecting requests from those who are interested in having Richard come to their church or town. If you would like Richard to speak or do a concert in your town, please introduce Richard’s music to your pastor or church leaders so they may consider your request. In addition to giving concerts Richard enjoys visiting churches to assist others in leading worship. Perhaps you would like to be on our street-team and help bring him to your local area.

Q. Richard, how long did it take you to produce the new RAIN album?
A. I spent 3 or 4 years writing and recording this album. It was a labor of love, and very close to my heart, in an attempt to share my very best with God, the church body and those seeking a closer walk with Christ.

Q. Who is Terry Sue Crawford, that sings the duet with Richard on “Give Your Life to Jesus”?
A. Terry Sue is a Christian songwriter/recording artist who has a similar heart as Richard. Both Richard & Terry Sue have their own separate Christian ministries to help lift up hurting people. Richard enjoys worshipping and singing with others who have given their life to ministry. They have worshipped together at churches and Richard asked Terry Sue if she would perform the duet with him and he is quite pleased that people are enjoying the duet. You can find out more about Terry Sue by visiting her site at www.terrysue.com

Q. What is Day of the Child?
A. Day of the Child is a foundation/ministry started by Richard Klender back in 1988. Centered around December 1st, an annual event was created to help promote more awareness of child abuse as a way to help stop it’s rampid devastation. It is financed by Richard personally and with the assistance of some other business people who are unselfishly interested in this cause. It was designed to help other child abuse agencies raise awareness and funds without any of those funds coming directly to Day of the Child. Because of this premise it continues to be active and helpful today.

Q. Can I get permission to use one of Richard’s copyrighted songs/lyrics/recordings on my website, (in a video, etc.)
A. Due to copyright issues, such permission MUST be formally granted in writing. There are a number of people who illegally use musical materials on the web so we urge you not to do so without getting permission. You may provide links to our website (without permission) but to access a copyrighted work from your own pages you must get written permission first. You should contact Richard’s publisher, Songtracker.com regarding this permission. Click the webpage link here for more information about various types of licenses. They can issue all types of licenses based on your written request.

Q. I’ve written a song/lyrics - can Richard listen to it/help me finish it…or…record it for me…or… can Richard help me get into the music industry?
A. To all aspiring songwriters, singers, producers, directors, etc - it is not possible for Richard to receive demo tapes, lyrics, poems, scripts or songs in any form. We certainly understand that many people love to write songs/sing and that they might like to have Richard help them in some way but due to legal issues surrounding copyrighted and uncopyrighted materials, Richard cannot review or receive your materials. Therefore - we would suggest you contact ASCAP, BMI or the Gospel Music Association that have specific programs designed for aspiring artists. (GMA's website at www.gospelmusic.org). You may wish to check the Songtracker.com WANTED page to see if they are looking for certain types of artist or material. Normally they are not, but from time to time they post any need for outside artists/material, depending on specific project needs. If you are looking to rent studio time you may contact them separately about that from their site.

Q. Does Richard read his emails?
A. Richard reads most all of his email personally. However, in some cases he may not have the time depending the demands of his schedule. In those cases he will ask a trusted assistant to help him and funnel all important mail his way. It’s important to Richard that all the mail gets read so thanks for your patience if it takes some time due to hectic schedules. He’d love to hear from you eventhough he cannot promise to always respond.

Q. Richard, what made you write the song, “Dear Mr. Jesus”?
A. At that time I was producing music for a new children’s ministry called PowerSource, in Texas. We were about to record our second album and we decided to produce an album that addressed a number of the hurtful issues that many children face these days (rebellion, single-parent homes, etc.). One of the parents of the group suggested we do a song to address the pain of child abuse. Although, not a victim of child abuse myself, God has always given me an extreme empathy for those who have suffered abuse. I think the first time I ever saw one of those Ad Council commercials my heart was pierced for life. How could anyone ever hurt an innocent child? My response to the board was, “that will be a tough song to write” but I obliged and the idea for the actual song finally came to me during an airplane flight. The first idea that came to me was a child’s hopeful plea “Dear Mr. President” and then I soon realized that the heart of a child would go directly to the King, realizing that political figures have really not been successful in halting such an epidemic. So, I quickly updated the title to “Dear Mr. Jesus”. I sat down for two afternoons at a piano and the tune flowed, into my spirit, along with a steady stream of empathetic tears. Immediately upon completion, I remember playing it for an employee there in the office who cried as she listened. Since then, I’ve watched thousands of similar scenarios and the song has been an incredible blessing, from God, ever since.

Q. Richard, who were the singers on your original “Dear Mr. Jesus” record?
A. A Texas children’s group named PowerSource sang the choruses. The lead singer on Dear Mr. Jesus was little 6-year old Sharon Batts who was part of this group. Sharon was a true gift from God who had a true innocent heart for Jesus. Sharon and I were practically inseparable during those album years. I fondly remember how we were real friends and she always lifted my spirits. Her Spirit was contagious and she could always get me to smile, no matter what the circumstance. It was the children of that group who solidified my relationship with Christ. Praise God for them. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen her for many years and I miss her heart (that goes for many of those children whom I love to this day). A group of the parents, of these children, also joined in on the last two choruses. I sing the male voice you hear in the last chorus of the song.

Q. For years I wasn’t able to find the “Dear Mr. Jesus” record. Why?
A. The ministry that previously owned the rights to the recording felt that they could meet the huge worldwide demand from their own small office but, in my opinion, that effort was mismanaged and unfortunately their valiant efforts failed. At the time, there were 7 major record companies offering them international distribution deals but they refused to accept any of the offers thinking they could handle the massive job on their own. Sorry if you had trouble finding the song. In recent years since, Songtracker.com now owns all of the copyrights and is making this album (Shelter from the Storm) available to the public again on CD. Songtracker is constantly amazed that people still call weekly for this song saying, “I’ve been looking for this song for years and I finally found you on the web”. Songtracker.com is pleased to make it available and have been doing so since 1998 at both:
www.DayOfTheChild.org/dc98/merchandise.htm and also at
www.songtracker.com/dmj_cd.htm