Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-10
Today, the acclaimed Colorado quartet Big Richard shared their stirring cover of “Make the World Go Away,” offering a powerful and intimate interpretation of the Hank Cochran classic.
“‘Make the World Go Away’ has become our favorite encore song over the past year,” writes cellist Dr. Joy Adams. “Most bands opt to play barn-burners as their final farewell to the audience, leaving everyone energized. But after the emotional rollercoaster of our sets, which are built around heavy commentary on the current social-political climate in America, we like to unplug our instruments and go out in the crowd and play ‘Make the World Go Away.’”
Adams continues, “We introduce it by saying that we understand the great power music holds to lift you out of the muck, and that we hope we’ve done our job that night, and that it means so much that they would come to share the evening with us. Then we play this old classic written by Hank Cochran while the audience holds each other, and it’s like a great big collective hug between all of us.”
Big Richard’s highly anticipated label debut Pet was released February 6 via Signature Sounds, with No Depression selecting the band as their Artist Spotlight for the month. The Bluegrass Situation featured the band writing, “Raw power seeps through every track, their topical lyrics and fiery dispositions bulldozing over patriarchal expectations so often affiliated with the bluegrass legacy,” adding that Big Richard’s cheeky moniker “is a fitting introduction to their mischievous spirit – think four women, leaps and bounds of talent, political acuity, and unrivaled vibrancy.”
Big Richard makes music for the 21st century’s twisted cultural unease. Pet is a fierce, provocative rejoinder to what troubles them and the world right now and was recorded live to tape in order to capture the fervor of their live shows.
“Big Richard is so much about our energetic delivery, and so I think it’s been really important for us as a group to figure out how to do that for a record,” says mandolin and guitar player Bonnie Sims. “We made the album all on tape and did it all in these single-shot performances.”
Cellist Joy Adams adds, “The collection of songs—we wanted to take our most hard-driving, heavy-hitting songs and craft a banger set list. Like, if we had a 30-minute set, what would we put on there that says the most and makes people feel the broadest bunch of feelings? And it was all these songs.”
Big Richard opens Pet full force with a blistering medley of Sims’ “It’s Gonna Fall” and the Bill Monroe fiddle tune “Old Daingerfield.” The band frequently jokes at shows about Monroe’s famous habit of claiming credit for songs written by his bandmates, quipping that Sims wrote both tunes.
“A lot of the time in our sets, we like to follow a heavy-hitting song with an instrumental that meets that energy,” fiddler Eve Panning says of pairing “Old Daingerfield” with “It’s Gonna Fall.” “It feels good to reflect on something for a moment, or keep going with it, and keep that energy somewhere.”
The album also features instrumental highlights written by Panning, including the gentle “K’s March,” inspired by a musical phrase her roommate used to sing around the house.
Adams notes that the track “Millionaire,” written by David Olney and originally released in 1991, remains strikingly topical today. “It might be time to change ‘millionaire’ to ‘billionaire’ at this point,” she jokes.
Unapologetically outrageous and provocative, the band’s name is a playful reclaiming of “big dick energy” often associated with male bluegrass bands. Big Richard lean into the humor and discomfort, using both as a tool to provoke thought while entertaining audiences.
The album concludes with “Make the World Go Away,” which also frequently closes their live shows. During performances, the band descends from the stage and gathers within the audience to perform the song unplugged — a final moment of communal connection after an intense set.
“Our live performances are so raw and gritty,” Adams explains. “Recording live to tape meant we were all in the same room together with mic bleed and little imperfections. But that energy felt alive and human — and immediately sounded like our band.”
1. It’s Gonna Fall / Old Daingerfield
2. The One I Love Is Gone
3. Millionaire
4. K’s March
5. Pet
6. Alaska
7. Holy Holy
8. Circus Jerk
9. Red Fox Run
10. Make the World Go Away
Mar 18 – The Grandin Theatre – Roanoke, VA
Mar 19 – Pearl Street Warehouse – Washington, DC
Mar 20 – The 8×10 – Baltimore, MD
Mar 21 – 118 North – Wayne, PA
Mar 22 – The Birdhouse Center for the Arts – Lambertville, NJ
Mar 24 – The Bitter End – New York, NY
Mar 25 – StageOne at FTC – Fairfield, CT
Mar 26 – ZenBarn – Waterbury Center, VT
Mar 27 – One Longfellow Square – Portland, ME
Mar 28 – Back Porch Music Festival – Northampton, MA
Mar 29 – Club Passim – Cambridge, MA
Apr 3 – Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery – Santa Fe, NM
Apr 4 – Fusion 708 – Albuquerque, NM
Apr 23 – Sherbino Theater – Ridgway, CO
Apr 24 – Paradise Theatre – Paonia, CO
Apr 25 – The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT
May 1 – Pierce Hill Performing Arts – Viroqua, WI
May 2 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI
May 16 – Tico Time Bluegrass Festival – Aztec, NM
Jun 26 – Big Ponderoo Music & Art Festival – Sisters, OR
Aug 7 – Rocky Mountain Folks Festival – Lyons, CO
Since exploding onto the Colorado scene in 2021, the four women of Big Richard have been on a wild ride. Armed initially with homemade puff paint t-shirts, a load of crass jokes, and outfits intentionally channeling Stevie Nicks, the band quickly proved themselves serious musicians through tight vocal harmonies, dazzling string virtuosity, and inventive arrangements.
The group soon took their act on the road, building a devoted national following through festival appearances and headline tours. Blending bluegrass, old-time, classical, country, and pop influences with fearless humor and powerful four-part harmony, Big Richard continues carving a bold path in the modern Americana landscape.
Bonnie Sims – mandolin & guitar
Joy Adams – Grammy & Emmy Award-winning cellist
Hazel Royer – bass & guitar
Eve Panning – fiddle
