Carolyn Richards once turned down a Nashville recording contract to raise her three children. In 1990, she recorded her first album, Almost A Memory and started a band. Her Last Chance Band performed at fraternal organizations, other venues, and festivals regionally near Parkersburg, WV for nine years. Some highlights include opening for Brooks & Dunn, and being featured along with Billy Walker, Jeannie Kendall, Bill Anderson, and others.
Carolyn and her second husband, Dave Butcher, created a Tribute to Patsy Cline segment for their shows that they later recorded. Paul Hayhurst of The West Virginia Country Music Association said, "I love Patsy Cline and she's the best I've heard sing her songs!" Two songwriters from California had written six of Patsy's songs, and offered a new one to Carolyn after hearing her Tribute to Patsy Cline album (available on Spotify). Thus she recorded the album, Patsy, We're Still Lovin' You! named after the title song. The song reached #24 on the Music Source country chart for two months in a row.
Carolyn and Dave began performing in theaters and other venues along with supporting performers. Carolyn Richards Country Fun Show was presented around much of West Virginia, Ohio, and Anderson, Indiana. One departing elderly man in Ashland, Ohio said it was the best music variety show he had ever seen.
After attending a Christian Country music conference in Nashville, Carolyn and Dave got interested in gospel music. They put together a Christian program in October of 2003 and, under the name "Spiritual Road", they presented such programs around the nation for two and a half years. They have been described as "Unique!", "Annointed!", and "Spirit Led!".
In October of 2005, Carolyn was invited to co-host the Country Gospel Music Association (CCMA) International Awards show in Branson, Missouri. Her co-host was James Marvell, who once headed the band "Mercy" in the 1960s. They are still friends today. Carolyn's husband, Dave Butcher, was awarded "International Reciter of the Year" for his rendition of an original story. He has received several such awards from the Eastern Division of the CCMA.
