A hero loud and clear; Port firefighter's tribute to late wife lands him in charity vocal competition

Until now, the riffs of Chris Richard's acoustic guitar could only be heard coming from inside his firehouse or at local concerts. But next week, the Newburyport firefighter will share his original song in memory of his late wife with a much larger audience.

Richard, a 10-year veteran of the Newburyport Fire Department and an emergency medical technician, is one of 10 finalists in Tuesday's "Stars Over Boston 2009, Unsung Heroes Who Sing" contest at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston.

The contest spotlights the hidden vocal talents of firefighters, police officers, EMTs and military personnel from across the state. Richard and the other finalists will perform before a panel of celebrity judges for a shot at $500 to benefit the charity of their choice.

"My friend called and said I have to do it; it's for charity," Richard, 34, said of the contest. "I called and gave them a demo tape, and they said I was a finalist."

When Richard lost his 30-year-old wife, Jamie, to breast cancer three years ago, he said he was astounded by the community support he and his then 2 1/2-year-old son, Jason, received.

On Tuesday, he'll perform a song he wrote following his wife's death. Titled "Forever Not That Long," the song chronicles his willingness to wait to see his wife again and his struggle raising a son who misses his mother.

"I know in my heart you'll never be gone," Richard sings in the song. "Can you make forever not that long?"

If Richard wins, the prize money will support the Lawrence charity, "Let's March Against Cancer," that was started partly in response to his late wife's battle with cancer.

Participating in "Unsung Heroes Who Sing" seemed natural for Richard. He said it's rare a contest comes along geared toward emergency personnel. And singing a song so close to his heart made the contest that much more appealing.

"It isn't for the promise of being a rock star, but it's for charity,' Richard said. "I can sing the song I wrote for my wife. To have it all come together like that gave me enough drive to apply."

Richard taught himself to play guitar when he was in the fourth grade and then eventually taught himself to sing, more out of necessity than a personal desire to lend his voice to his music, he said.

"I starting singing to accompany my guitar playing; no one wants to hear an instrumental song," he said. "With enough practice by myself in the car, I guess I started singing."

While Richard is no stranger to performing (he's done shows at Moseley Woods in Newburyport, Latitudes Sports Club in Salisbury and Michael's Harborside in Newburyport, where he has another appearance scheduled for later this month), he's still a little nervous going into next week's contest.

"They call you up in random order," Richard said. "There is barely a warm-up, just a sound check before the show."

"Unsung Heroes Who Sing" is presented by the New England chapter of the American Women in Radio and Television. In addition to the prize money for charity, the winner will earn a performance spot on UPN-38 TV and WBZ's "Community Auditions." The celebrity judges include arts and entertainment critic Joyce Kulhawik, Magic 106.7-FM's Candy O'Terry, Tom Doyle of the "Loren and Wally Show" on 105.7 WROR, and Hank Morse of local radio stations.

Even though his fellow brothers on the Fire Department often razz Richard about the attention he gets performing, they attend nearly all his shows.

"The Fire Department is really good with their support," he said.

Richard added, "My family and friends make me tick, especially with my son and being a single dad. They help me make it work."

IF YOU GO

What: "Stars Over Boston 2009: Unsung Heroes Who Sing" competition

When: Tuesday at 8 p.m., doors open at 7.

Where: Scullers Jazz Club in the Doubletree Guest Suites, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston

Cost: Tickets $48, $38 for American Women in Radio & Television members and friends and family of performers, $28 students; available at Scullers box office at 617-562 4111 or www.scullersjazz.com.

The Competition

Chris Richard of Newburyport (10-year Newburyport firefighter and emergency medical technician)

Mike Ruggere of Weymouth (Boston firefighter)

James Hoar of Dorchester (Boston fire lieutenant)

Robert Walsh of Somerville (federal law enforcement officer in Boston)

Yma Arrington of Boston (32-year Boston police officer)

Pauline Wells of Milton (Cambridge police sergeant and detective)

Shanna Glassman of Upton (reserve police officer and rape crisis counselor)

Brad Durkin of Andover (Marine Rifleman 0311, Bravo Company reservist)

Chuck Carnell of Arlington (Arlington firefighter and emergency medical technician)

Blair B. Raker of Hanscom Air Force Base (senior Air Force airman)