Richard Mckay Music
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.
Music is a Spiritual Experience
Music is the only real magic I have encountered in my life, its pure, its real, it moves, it heals.
Musical Biography of Richard McKay
Richard McKay is an Indigenous Canadian born singer/songwriter
His earliest memories of music began at the age of nine while watching and listening to his talented mother Anita Neault play guitar and sing at family gatherings. Although his mother is his main musical inspiration and influence, he also comes from a very talented musical family
He would often watch his aunts and uncles pass the guitar around and listen to them sing beautiful harmonies and melodies. Richard was in awe, he fell in love with music. These fond memories are what laid the foundation for his love of creating music
His mother, a self-taught singer & performer she put in countless hours teaching and educating Richard on how to play the guitar by age eleven
Richard then applied his new found passion and understanding into song writing
Richard is also active and recognizable on the Manitoba POW WOW trail he is a Traditional drum singer Richard writes with Indigenous perspective and cultural pride
The Richard McKay Music experience is overall, diverse & heartfelt & The mother son duo transcends through the music which is very uplifting and inspiring.
Richard's future plans are to work with young aspiring Indigenous youth who want to pursue music as a career. He feels that with his experience and knowledge, he can help other up and coming aspiring artists. Having overcome many obstacles and hardships, he feels that he is ready to re-enter the music industry with greater passion and determination than ever before
she taught me everything
Music was all around me growing up - family gatherings is where I witnessed my mother and various other relatives performing. the spiritual energy that it gave off - it hit me like a bolt of lightning.
As a young man he experienced many trials and tribulations growing up in the inner city of Winnipeg Manitoba
Knowledge that he gained from first-hand experience with gang lifestyle & addictions & incarceration …. Richard applied that new found understanding into song writing
Being active and recognizable on the Manitoba traditional POW WOW Trail – Richard writes with indigenous perspective and cultural pride
The Richard McKay Music experience overall – diverse & heartfelt
However Richard’s main musical influence happens to be his mother – self-taught singer & performer Anita Neault from Cayer Manitoba. Richard’s mother put in countless hours teaching and educating Richard on how to play the guitar at 11 yrs Old
Employed with the Brandon friendship centre for the past 37 years – after work hours she always made time to work with Richard’ teaching him how to sing and play different chord variations . She sings harmony on all Richards recorded material. mother son vibe transcends through the music - very uplifting and inspiring.
Richard's future plans are to work with young aspiring Aboriginal Youth who want to pursue music as a career. He feels that with his experience and knowledge, he will help guide them into successful artists. Having overcome so many obstacles, he feels that he is ready to re-enter the music industry with more passion and determination.
"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively". Bob Marley
DISCOGRAPHY
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My Re-Awakening
Healing song I was given when I was on a vision quest
TINA FONTAIN & MMIW TRIBUTE
DANCE ME OUTSIDE _Written and performed by Richard McKay
Produced by Jeremy Rusu
Teaching & Cover Art Design explanation : Seven Sisters who danced up to the Stars !
There are many Legends regarding the Seven Sister Stars, also known as the Little Dipper. When I was asked by Richard to create the cover for Tina Fontaine and this very special song, I waited patiently for the Spirits to send me inspiration. I was drawn to the Seven Sisters story of the children who danced their way up to the stars.
Seven children loved to dance and play, and were spending too much time dancing out in the grass at night.
One day, the children danced so hard, they danced up into the sky where they can be seen to this day. You can clearly see The Stars in the winter, but they cannot be seen in the summer. It is believed that during the summer months, when Ceremonies and Dances are being celebrated by Natives, the Children join them, returning to the heavens with the onset of winter. This is where the Seven Sister Stars shine on like a pretty band of dancing children's
The Young Women presented here is to represent Tina and all Missing and Murdered Women on Turtle Island. The Fringes on her Dress you will often see on our clothing, Dancing Regalia, our Medicine Bags and on things we use.
The First Fringes cut are the Prayers for our Parents. Their connection is the strongest to us from Birth. The next Fringes on each side are our Grandparents from both sides of the Family. Fringes next over are cut for our Brothers and Sisters with whom we grew up playing with. Then for our Relatives and those close to us we Love. Then we cut Fringes for those around us and for the Seven generations that have yet to come forth. The Fringes are cut for the Four Legged, the Winged ones, the one that Crawl, the ones that Swim, the tall Trees and Plants. All these together we call “My Relations”. When we move and Dance our Fringes swing and move together and All our Relations Dance with us. The Relatives Dancing with us create Energy and Power.
The Relatives are there with you to help and comfort you when it is needed. When you see our Dancers you can often see and feel this Energy. When you move your Fringes you can feel the Power of your Relatives’
A tradition from the old times was that we would sometimes use the White Feather to wipe away the tears of those who were in grieving.
For this reason I thought it was important to include the White Feather as a Healing reminder to All the grieving families in Native Country who have lost loved one's
I believe this artistic concept is a very fitting tribute to Tina and for all Murdered and Missing Women across Turtle Island. When we look up to the Seven Sisters Stars we can forever be reminded of Tina and the many Women and Girls who were taken from us. When I see The Seven Sister Stars up there in the Sky with the Creator, I know they have found their way Home.
Zhaway Animikii Binesii ~ Twirling Thunderbird
ᑙᕒᐪ ᕪᐅᐣdᐁᕒbᐃᕒd
Traditional Firekeeper & Spiritualist
Native Traditional Artist ~ Knowledge Keeper
Published Writer ~ Musician ~ Public Speaker
First Nations Anishinaabe Cree
Sapotaweyak First Nation
DRUMMER BOY By Richard Mckay
I write from a spiritual perspective and the teachings i’ve picked up over the years I apply that knowledge into songwriting
sometimes as people we need to make sacrifices in order get all the blessings creator has in store for us, the drum teaches us how to become strong leaders
I wrote this song about a young man being introduced to the drum for the first time
the love addiction that comes with connecting to that drum beat of mother earth - it stays with you where ever you go once you catch it
the right of passage from boy to man
Drummer boy was written and performed by Richard McKay - Produced by Jeremy Rusu
Available on Apple Music & Spotify
“Sweet Love” By Richard McKay
produced by Jeremy Rusu
written and performed by Richard Mckay