Richard Henry Blair
Educated at St. Joseph School and Emerson College, Richard Henry Blair
subsequently pursued graduate studies at Scripps College of Communication at
Ohio University and advanced, self-directed multidisciplinary graduate studies and
doctoral studies at the Merrill-Palmer Institute: most notably, family sociology and
community organization studies with Hyman Rodman; child developmental
psychology with Greta Fein; and clinical and humanistic psychology with Clark
Moustakas, a founder of Humanistic Psychology.
Returning to his birthplace in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, he worked
as Principal Psychologist at a comprehensive regional community mental health
center. There he held various posts, including clinical directorships of the early
intervention program, child and family services, and later of outpatient services. He
presented numerous workshops and counseling courses for educational and social
service agencies, with ongoing consultation to staff of regional Head Start
programs. Specialty areas included infant and child developmental assessment; play
therapy; psychotherapy with families, adolescents, and adults; program
development and implementation; staff clinical supervision and training.
Since the 90's he has worked as an independent music producer, including
efforts donated in his role as a founder of ISIS of Yorkshire, an international, UK-
based nonprofit organization which produced, promoted and published both
emerging and established musical artists deserving of wider appreciation. ISIS
represented artists in England, USA, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New
Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Argentina. It produced individual and
compilation CDs, multi-artist Road Show concerts, and scores of other concert,
festival, radio and club events.
Richard pioneered the general use of streaming internet audio (RealAudio) in the UK
and Europe. He originated a mentor program which matched experienced musicians
with aspiring artists, and as well launched the popular "Streets to the Internet"
program which assisted internet-novice artists in northern England with web site
design, studio production and music uploads. With ISIS he produced and
programmed a signature weekly radio program in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, UK,
presenting an eclectic mix of original music to new audiences.
Lifelong musician, Richard traces his affinity for music to previous generations on
both sides of his family. He is a multi-instrumentalist* who plays drum set, world
percussion, vibraphone, and saxophones. His compelling interest in all kinds of
communication is reflected in his love of conversational jazz.
Richard swims 80 laps per day.
Two of his novels will be published by Cusack & Hines in 2011-2012, Revolutions of
Mercy: A New England Winter’s Romance, and The Untimely Abortion of Dingus
Malone. Richard wishes to acknowledge erstwhile Alfred A. Knopf vice president
and senior editor, Ashbel Green, for his forthright and gracious encouragement upon
reading an early draft of a first novel. Those kind words written many years ago
resonate to this day.
Richard is currently at work on several projects including a thinking person’s
international intrigue entitled, Yorkshire Puddin'.
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