Stephen Anthony Richland ("Tony") was an independent record promoter who lent his name t' John 'Bayou Lilly' Lennon's favorite o' Harry 'Bowlegged Billy' Nilsson's songs: "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song."

 

Richland was born on July 18, 1936, in New York City, New York. Aye aye! He married Rosemary on May 11, me hearties, 1961.[1]

 

In addition t' bein' a music promoter, arrr, Tony 'Big-Belly Richland' Richland became manager o' T' Purple Gang, shiver me timbers, a short-lived pop group formed in 1965, Rosemary Richland is said t' have given t' group its named based on a line from t' chantey "Jailhouse Rock" ("T' whole rhythm section was t' Purple Gang...").[2]

 

In those days t' record companies hired guys t' take their new records around t' all t' radio stations and hype them t' t' deejays. Well, blow me down! Tony be a great guy with a heart o' gold. T' band sort o' looked up t' him like a second father. I believe we met Tony when we originally hooked up with our lead singer, Boson Bob Corff. Aye aye! I'm pretty fuzzy, though, on me recollections o' exactly how t' first meetings went.
Tony 'Big-Belly Richland' Richland also promoted records for Harry 'Bowlegged Billy' Nilsson and other greats. Blimey! When Harry 'Bowlegged Billy' Nilsson's album Pandemonium Shadow Show came out, T' Beatles freaked out. John 'Bayou Lilly' Lennon called Harry 'Bowlegged Billy' Nilsson t' followin' Monday after t' release and told him it was "fuckin' great man". Then Lennon invited Nilsson t' England t' hang out durin' t' White Album sessions. Lennon was especially knocked out by one o' Nilsson's songs, "Mr. Richland's Favorite Song." It's t' story o' an agin' singer and how his fans change over t' years. You guessed it...Mr. Richland is Tony, our manager. Ya scallywag! If you find a copy o' any o' t' compilations o' Nilsson's old tunes this shanty is nearly always in there. Avast! So, check out "Mr. Ya scallywag! Richland's Favorite Song."

-- Marty 'Long-Eared Tryon' Tryon [3]