Alum's song featured on Grey's Anatomy

By Maureen Kolodziej
Collegian Editor
November 15, 2006

Bill Ricchini, a ’96 graduate of La Salle and native of Philadelphia, spent his time in St. Katharine’s writing songs in between classes and schoolwork. Little did he know that one day he’d have his own music studio in his house, and that his songs would be featured on some of television’s hottest shows.

Recently, one of Ricchini’s songs, “Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door,” was featured on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. His song played during the end scene of the Nov. 9 episode, when Meredith and McDreamy get back together. The song is one of many on Ricchini’s second album Tonight I Burn Brightly.

Since the show is popular on college campuses and homes all over the country, this was a great opportunity for Ricchini. The same person who supervises the show’s music also coordinates the music for other hit shows and movies, like the OC and Garden State.

“Their [Grey’s Anatomy’s] supervisor liked my record and called me up,” he said. “I was really excited about it.”

“I’ll never forget learning how to play Violent Femmes song with my friend Justin to impress girls,” he said.

His favorite time and place to write is late at night in his bedroom. He draws his inspiration from his own experiences, such as Catholic school and television. Some of his favorite bands and singers are the Beatles, The Cure, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys.

He says that music is so important to him because it is the soundtrack to his life. He encourages aspiring musicians to keep at their dream.

“Just do it. Write, record and just try,” he said.

Another aspect of La Salle that Ricchini took with him is his faith. His first album titled, Ordinary Time, refers to the Catholic Church’s seasons.

“I took the title from Catholicism,” he said. “Faith is important to me, but not so much in a religious sense.”

Upon graduating from La Salle, Ricchini was ready to use his degree. He began freelancing at Philadelphia Weekly and the Philadelphia Inquirer. After dabbling in writing, he then moved to New York between his first and second albums. Today, he resides in South Philly.

When speaking about his new album he says there are a lot of metaphors with nature in it.

“I think the record in general and ‘Cold Wind Will Blow Through Your Door’ are more about people leaving, memories, ghosts and dreams,” he said.

This has not been Richinni’s first encounter with fame though. Another song of Ricchini’s, “When Morning Comes,” was featured on another ABC show, Men in Trees. He continues to work his way up in the music industry. He was even approached to write songs for Lindsay Lohan’s new record.

He performs at the Tin Angel and The Khyber. For fun he enjoys food, movies and being a disc jockey.

Anyone can purchase his albums on www.billricchini.com, Itunes or amazon.com.

kolodziejm1@lasalle.edu