WHEN moorland farmer Tony Richardson finishes his day working on his 120-acre farm and tending his 500 sheep and cattle, his life takes on a new role - as Tony Richards, singer and guitarist.

He has built up a reputation with his long-established act which has seen him appearing in venues ranging from churches and chapels in Ryedale, night spots in Scarborough, and on television and radio.

Now, Tony, who farms in a remote spot near the village of Glaisdale on the North Yorkshire Moors, has produced his second CD, Spirit of the North, which features 12 numbers written by himself, featuring life on the moors.

His farm diversification enterprise pre-dates the buzz-trend, for he developed his interest playing guitar with a friend in a cow byres on his family's farm.

Influenced by skiffle, and later rock and roll, Tony began to play at village hall dances, filling in at the interval while the main band of the night was having its break. Eventually, he found himself earning the then princely sum of 30 shillings a night, appearing with a Robin Hood's Bay band.

Self-taught, Tony's talent developed and demand increased for his appearances in such places as working men's clubs in the mining communities in County Durham and the holiday parks on the Yorkshire coast.

But it was in Whitby that his stage name was created.

"The then manager of the Spa, Captain Denis Cooper, wrote the poster, but couldn't get all my name in so we decided I should be known as Tony Richards and it's been that ever since!"

He has five times appeared on stage in Ohio, in the United States, and saw the legendary Hank Williams, one of his mentors, along with Johnny Cash and Jim Reeves.

Today he has five cassettes and LPs to his credit along with two CDs.

He regularly sings and plays up to 40 songs a night, many made famous by other artists.

But he has now made a name as a composer and lyricist with his latest CD which, says Tony, "portrays the courage and tenacity of the northern people."

Known as the "Troubadour of the North Yorkshire Moors", Tony has also written songs extolling the nature of the moorland, its characters, traditions and the North York Moors Railway, another features Rievaulx Abbey and the Ryedale's country lanes.

"I often write my songs on petrol receipts, when I have inspiration on the spur of the moment," says Tony.

The first CD, This Part of the North, benefited St Catherine's Hospice to the tune of £500. His latest has gone on sale at Hoppers newsagents in Malton.

His son Mark is an accomplished drummer and daughter plays keyboard and sings and the family regularly play together.

"There is so much to the North Yorkshire moors which can be translated into song and music," said Tony.

"I didn't realise when I started my singing that I was really in the vanguard of farm diversification!"

Updated: 10:12 Wednesday, September 18, 2002