Drum Farm Studio is the recording studio of drummer John Louis Richardson, located in rural Menomonie, WI, just an hour from Minneapolis-St. Paul and 30 minutes from Eau Claire, WI. Set in the pastoral farmland of the Midwest, Drum Farm Studio offers natural sounding acoustics on a secluded 100-acre organic farm, away from the distractions of the city. The farm provides a setting that is truly one-of-a-kind. The beautiful Wisconsin countryside is peaceful and inspirational. Drum Farm embraces the natural environment of wood, trees, grass and snow (if you are inclined to visit in the Winter).
A 100-year-old granary barn was converted to a recording studio and features walls lined with reclaimed, old-growth lumber—some boards as wide as three feet. The wood-lined walls and acoustical design of the rooms make for a sound that’s lively but not too lively—just right.
Whether you want to record your entire band at Drum Farm, or hire us to record live real drums for your existing tracks, we would be happy to work with you.
Let’s talk about your project. Contact John >
John Richardson
Drummer, Producer, Drum Farm Studio Owner
Born in Champaign, IL, John is a lifelong drummer whose credits include Gina Miles, The Steel Woods, Pamela McNeill, Shoes, Tommy Keene, Gin Blossoms, Badfinger, Eddie Money, Will Hoge, Jay Bennett (Wilco) and others across rock, pop, power pop and alt-country.
John is the owner of Drum Farm Studio and brings his veteran experience in the music business to Wisconsin to build a relaxing environment for musical inspiration and creation. Since opening the studio in 2010, John has produced, arranged and performed on tracks by numerous artists recording at the studio. With strong regional connections, as well as artists from abroad, John’s vision for the studio has become reality.
John Richardson Career
The Martyrs
John started his professional career in 1980 with seminal Champaign-Urbana band The Martyrs.
Tommy Keene
On the release of Tommy Keene’s Based on Happy Times in 1989, Richardson was recruited to play drums for the subsequent tour (along with Brad Quinn on bass) opening for The Replacements. He played on all Tommy Keene’s following albums and tours from 1992 to 2009.
John played on all of Tommy Keene’s albums and tours from 1992 through 2009, and again from 2012 through Tommy’s passing in 2017.
Joey Molland of Badfinger
John was tagged to play drums for Joey Molland (Badfinger) in 1990. He has toured the US, Canada and Europe with Molland/Badfinger and played drums on Joey’s solo album, The Pilgrim, released in 1992.
Gin Blossoms
From 2008-2012, John played drums for the Gin Blossoms, touring all over the world and recording on their 2010 album, No Chocolate Cake.
The Small Square
John joined longtime friend and bandmate Paul Chastain to record and tour as The Small Square. Their debut album, which was co-produced by Richardson and Chastain, was released in 2015. The Small Square toured Japan in 2015.
Gina Miles
John played a central role in developing Gina Miles as an artist, producing and recording her music at Drum Farm Studio and releasing it on Farm to Label Records. Gina went on to win Season 23 of The Voice in 2023 and sign with Republic Records.
Associations
Touring
John has toured with many bands including Gin Blossoms, Badfinger, Tommy Keene, Eddie Money, Soul Asylum, Shoes, The Steel Woods, Catchpenny, Adam Schmitt, Garrison Starr, Tim Easton, Will Hoge, Clare Dunn, Chris Hawkey, The Bad Examples, Ralph’s World, Three Hour Tour, Weird Summer and the Bay City Rollers. He has toured throughout the United States and in Canada, Japan, England, France, Ireland, Spain, Holland, Belgium, The Philippines, Brazil, Kuwait, Iraq, El Salvador and Honduras.
Recording
In the studio, John has played drums for Gin Blossoms, Joey Molland (Badfinger), Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush, Matthew Sweet), Tommy Keene, Shoes, Adam Schmitt, Keene Brothers (Robert Pollard and Tommy Keene), Garrison Starr, Robynn Ragland, Pamela McNeill, Tony Cuchetti, The Bad Examples, Three Hour Tour, Weird Summer, Jay Bennett (Wilco), Billy Davis (Foghat), Randy Forte & the Reconstruction and numerous other recordings.
John has worked with producers Jonathan Pines; Mark Rubel, Ken Coomer, Tom Bukovac and Joe Baldridge, Justin Cortelyou, R. Walt Vincent, Brad Wood, Phil Solem of The Rembrandts, Adam Schmitt, Brad Matala, Willie Wells, Jeff Murphy of Shoes and Ian Combs.
Network
John has performed and/or recorded with musicians including Tom Bukovac (session guitarist), Adam Ollendorff (Will Hoge, Kacey Musgraves, John Oates), Adam Beard (Will Hoge, Tenille Townes), Johnny Stanton (Gretchen Wilson, Shooter Jennings), John Lancaster (Gary Allan), David LaBruyere (John Mayer), Brad Rice (Keith Urban), Brad Jones (Matthew Sweet, Tommy Keene), Ethan Pilzer (Billy Joe Shaver, Jewel, Big & Rich), Jay Bennett (Wilco), Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush, Matthew Sweet), Cory Wong (Vulfpeck), Isaac Levy, Matt Kirkwood, Kevin Gastonguay (Cory Wong), Ian Martin Allison, Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum) and Ryan Liestman (Jonas Brothers).
Media
Television Appearances
Richardson has performed on Fox News All-American New Year’s Eve and 12 News Phoenix – Downtown Goes Live (with Gin Blossoms), Late Night with Conan O’Brien (with Tommy Keene), WGN News (with Shoes and WGN Morning News (with Ralph’s World).
Equipment Endorsements
John is currently sponsored by: