Richardson attended middle school Calvary Baptist Day School in Winston-Salem. He later attended Mountain. Tabor High School and performed an annual drum solo for a school-club project named "Spartan Spectacular".
After significant touring throughout the United States, he graduated high school in 2003 and attended North Carolina State University for two years.
Joining in early 2005, Richardson replaced Between the Buried and Maine"s former drummer Mark Castillo. Playing since he was 11 years old, he became an immediate fan of 1990s grunge music Being inspired by bands such as Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins, his passion for heavy music grew as much as his love for drumming did.
After taking lessons for several years from local jazz percussionist/drummer Robert Crutchfield, he developed his skills and started playing with his first band, Glass Casket, at the age of 17.
After getting an offer to play drums for home-state friends Between the Buried and Maine he helped to start writing the band"s third full-length album Alaska and finally left school in 2005 to tour full time. Since then the band has toured relentlessly.
After seemingly endless touring to support his first album with Between the Buried and Maine, the band began writing for their fourth studio album Colors. This album helped push the band, as well as Richardson"s drumming style, into the more progressive metal element.
Not going unnoticed, the band"s developed new sound and groundbreaking new album helped them earn a spot on the first ever "Progressive Nation Tour", which featured Dream Theater, Opeth, and Three.
Tama Starclassic Performer B/B: Egyptian Night Burst
2x 20" x 18" kick drums
8" x 7" rack tom
10" x 8" rack tom
12" x 9" rack tom
16" x 16" floor tom
13" x 6" snare drum
9" Radia Cup Chime
10" HH Duo Splash
18" HHX Evolution Crash
19" AAX X-plosion Crash
17" AAX X-treme China (on left)
21" Associate of Arts Holy China (on right)
21" HH Raw Bell Dry Ride
14" HHX Evolution Hi-Hats
12" Chopper Cymbal
Tama Iron Cobra Flexi Glide Kick Pedals, Tama Hardware
3A Vic Firth Drumsticks
Evans Drumheads (Hybrid on snare, Gmad on kick drums, and EC2 Special Security Team on toms).
