Richard Chann Law's Obituary
Nashville musician Richard Law, who carved a world-class career as a singer and songwriter over decades in Music City, has died at the age of 77 after a multi-year battle with multiple illnesses.
Born on June 5, 1945, in Nashville, Law came to music early on. As the only child of Channie Law and Hattie Law, who resided on Music Row when he was born, Law began singing as a child, when his father would take him down to the general store in Parsons, Tenn., and sit him down on a pickle barrel and ask him to perform. Law gravitated toward doo wop groups, particularly the Anita Kerr Singers. Law would go on to work with Anita Kerr on many projects.
Law played trumpet in high school, during which period he also had a band that played local gigs. That led to stints in the Vanderbilt Band and the Dr.’s Orchestra, as well as the Army National Band during the Vietnam War, where Law was awarded for going beyond the call of duty for playing “Taps” for so many servicemen.
Law launched his career as a background vocalist when he was a student at George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt, where he spent 5 years, but never earned a degree because his session schedule became so busy.
Law went on to carve an enviable career as a vocalist, singing background on a slew of records from stars including Chet Atkins, Jimmy Dean (“Big Bad John”), Jerry Lee Lewis (“She Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye”), Tommy Roe (“Dizzy”), Joe South (“Games People Play”), Bobby Vinton (“Blue Velvet”), Gene Pitney (“Only Love Can Break a Heart”), Brenda Lee (“I’m Sorry”), Tex Ritter (“Do No Forsake Me Oh My Darling”), Dolly Parton (“Love Is Like a Butterfly”), Don Gibson (“Oh Lonesome Me”) and more.
He also sang with Ralph Emery and Jim Ed Brown, Billy Joe Royal, Crystal Gayle, Peabo Bryson, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Barbara Mandrell and more.
Law considered the pinnacle of his career to be the period when he toured with Roy Orbison, working in Australia for six weeks, as well as England, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, the United States and more.
He also sang back up at the Roy Orbison Tribute Concert for the Homeless in 1989, backing a lineup that included Emmylou Harris, Was (Not Was), John Hiatt, Talking Heads, Bonnie Raitt, k.d. lang, Patrick Swayze, Michael McDonald, Benny Mardones and more.
Law also worked as a jingle singer, notching national campaigns including Burger King, Toyota, Coca Cola and more.
Law later worked with disabled children at the Tennessee School for the Blind, where he started a chorale group for the children. He also scripted a radio program, Sunday Morning Radio, which featured smash Nashville songwriter Natalie Hemby when she was a child.
Law devoted his life after retirement to his wife and family. Law died on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, after a multi-year battle with multiple illnesses. He was 77 years old. He was preceded in death
by his parents and his only child, Michael Chann Law. Richard Law is survived by his wife, Mary E. Law, and a multitude of extended family and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Richard Law will take place at 1 PM on Aug. 20, 2022, at Riverside Revival, 1600 Riverside Drive, Nashville, Tenn., 37216. His ashes will be interred at Spring Hill Cemetery next to his son.
Those who wish can make donations in his name to the following:
Tennessee School of the Blind
Attention: Kim Jack (In Memo Line: Multi Handicap/In honor of Richard Law)
or
Family Affair Ministries Children’s Fund
P.O. Box 60448
Nashville, TN 37206
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?
