Renowned pianist and accordionist Richie Lawrence announces his second solo release for Big Book Records entitled Water available September 4. Recorded in Sacramento’s famed The Hangar Studios, the album features the deft ivory tickling and accordion skills for which Lawrence is so sought after and well-known. The songs run the gamut from upbeat swing numbers, introspective ballads and clever ditties about willful critters and are a heartfelt homage to the Americana landscape that shaped Lawrence’s unique style.

Haling from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Richie now resides in Sacramento, California. He’s well-known for his work as an accordionist for L.A. polka legends, Rotondi, a side-man (piano, accordion) in I See Hawks in L.A. and a member of Loose Acoustic Trio. While Richie could lay out the big bucks on a brand new piano, he prefers the comfort and sound of his 1917 Steinway Grand piano that his grandfather gave him many years back.

Richie has been immersed in music ever since he can remember. He taught himself to play the 1917 Steinway Grand and he’s been a working musician for most of his life. His dedication to the craft of songwriting is obvious on Water, a collection that distills a lifetime of knowledge into 12 songs filled with innocence and experience. “The songs use water as a metaphor for consciousness, imagination, love, wonder, playfulness and humor, as well as implying the importance of water both politically and environmentally,” Lawrence explains. “Water nurtures the body as love nurtures the soul; both are essential to life.”