T Bear is a distinctive singer and talented keyboard player who has made his mark as a solo performer and collaborator with many iconic artists — Crosby Stills and Nash, The Blues Brothers, Billy Squier, Cher, as well as Gene Simmons and Peter Criss of Kiss, to name a few. He is currently on a world-wide tour with blues guitar legend, Walter Trout.

After a lengthy hiatus, T Bear returned to the music scene in 2020 with Fresh Bear Tracks. It was released during the early stages of COVID lockdown, and, with touring curtailed, he maintained connection with his fans with streaming performances Live From The Bear Cave and interviewing his collaborators on The Bear Facts.

A series of non-album singles ‘One Day At A Time’, ‘Christmas On The Row’ and a song for Ukraine ‘Red Harvest’ (featuring Paul Rogers) followed the Fresh Bear Tracks release.

 His new album, The Way Of The World, was written and recorded as the world emerged from the pandemic. Produced by long-time Grammy®-winning collaborators drummer Tony Braunagel and guitarist Laurence Juber, the horn-driven excursions of Fresh Bear Tracks were stripped-down to a small group sound, recording mostly in home studio environments.  Augmenting this core trio was a selection of bass players, including the legendary Reggie McBride, Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt) and John Mayall-alumnus Ricky Cortez.

Set for release by Quarto Valley Records, The Way Of The World  boasts a stunning set of twelve original songs, written and co-written by T Bear. The subject runs from the wry humor of ‘Your Husband’s Got a Gun’ and ‘A Change Will Do Me Good’ to the pithy observations of the title song ‘The Way Of The World’, the Latin-flavored narrative of ‘Dinner For One’ and the meditative self-reflection of ‘Breathe’.

 T Bear on “The Way Of The World:  “It was like getting a new pair of glasses. I see everything more clearly and in focus around me. These are songs that made me think and dream. It’s an oasis for the mind.”

Richard T Bear boasts a career that spans more than 40 years, one that led to a string of noted solo albums and collaborations with a dizzying list of revered artists. In 1978, he signed with RCA Records and released his debut album, Red, Hot, and Blue, produced by Jack Richardson (Bob Seger, The Guess Who). The album featured a notable group, Les Dudek, Billy Squier, Paul Shaffer, and the Becker Brothers. The album spawned the single “Sunshine Hotel.” A remix of the song climbed to number four on the world dance charts before becoming the dance staple that it remains today. A second album followed titled Bear that includes a rendition of the Rolling Stones ’classic “Ruby Tuesday” and Captured Alive, a concert recorded in Hamburg, Germany. In 1984, he moved to Teldec Records, which led to the release of The Bear Truth, and the Giorgio Moroder produced album The Runner. 

He has appeared on numerous recordings including Crosby, Stills and Nash's "Southern Cross," The Blues Brothers Soundtrack, Richie Havens Mixed Bag II, Kiss members Gene Simmons and Peter Criss' solo ventures, as well as Toby Beau’s hit single “My Angel Baby,” Billy Squier’s solo debut Tale of the Tape, and former Rascals Gene Cornish and Dino Danelli.  He would also pen the song "Love and Pain,” one of the standout tracks on Cher's blockbuster album Take Me Home.  He has shared the stage with artists such as Richie Havens, Odetta, The Doobie Brothers, and Jeff Beck, to name a few.

Domestic responsibilities and a struggle to regain his sobriety forced him to put his musical career on hold. In 1983, T Bear gained his sobriety and focused on helping others with addiction, and became instrumental in developing the Musicians Picnic, serving on its board of directors. The annual event led to the creation of the Musicians Assistance Program (MAP), a non-profit organization that is now part of the Recording Academy’s MusiCares Foundation

Praise for Fresh Bear Tracks 

 "This is a comeback album in the purest sense of the word. After a self-imposed hiatus of nearly 30 years, multi-faceted singer-songwriter-keyboardist (Richard) T Bear returns with a collection of timeless, soulful tracks."
- MUSIC CONNECTION

“A fine way to welcome T Bear back, these fresh tracks find this vintage artist effectively plowing his way forward.”
- AMERICAN SONGWRITER

“Long-overdue return of a blues-hued maverick. Richard T Bear's first album in a quarter of a century finds him effortlessly reconnecting with the soulful blues-rock of his best work, aided and abetted by a few famous friends. Stephen Stills contributes slick licks and sparkling harmonies to “Give It Up” (which he also co-wrote), and Edgar Winter, Robby Krieger, and Benmont Tench make their presence felt elsewhere across these 12 tracks.
- UNCUT

"There is such a deep spirit that runs all through T Bear's new album that it feels like a hallelujah get-down."
- AMERICANA HIGHWAYS.ORG

“If it took 25 years to release an album like this, it’s worth the wait. The record is a solid and outstanding collection of mostly original tracks by a seasoned vocalist and keyboard player who is also a masterful songwriter.” 
- ROCK AND BLUES MUSE

"Great songs. This has been years in the making I loved it." - STEPHEN STILLS

“T Bear lays it down old school, right in the pocket. Put it on, turn it up, and have a party!” - EDGAR WINTER

"T Bear's material has both good music plus good poetry. Give it a listen." - ROBBIE KRIEGER

"Richard T. Bear is a master songwriter, player and singer and he has crafted a beautiful piece of work here!" - WALTER TROUT

She's Not There - Grammy Museum Performance

RIVER OF RESURRECTION - OFFICIAL VIDEO

ONE DAY AT A TIME - OFFICIAL VIDEO

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JOHN LAPPEN
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