Rich Boland is a Freehold, NJ–based guitarist and vocalist (originally from Forest Hills, NY) known for putting his own spin on songs you love. His sets move effortlessly across genres — from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and the Grateful Dead to The Cure, The Clash, Snoop Dogg, and the Beastie Boys — delivering familiar favorites in ways you might not expect.
Rich performs regularly throughout Monmouth County and the Jersey Shore, including The Standard at the American Hotel (Freehold), Maggie’s (Lakewood), Working Dog Winery (Hightstown), F Street Social (Belmar), Tre Pizza Pasta Beer Garden (Freehold), Max’s (Long Branch), Our House Restaurant (Farmingdale), 16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro (Westfield), Colts Neck Pub, and the Downtown Freehold Gazebo.
A guitarist for over 45 years, Rich began studying seriously in the early 1990s under renowned guitarist Larry Baeder (Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Albert King, Bo Diddley, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Cher, Chuck Jackson, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and more). Through intensive study of blues and jazz, Rich elevated his musicianship and went on to perform in bands including Zeke and the Jugs, The Cats, Captain Delicious, Casabas, and C3 Soul Revue.
For most of his career, Rich focused primarily on guitar — until the pandemic changed everything.
Encouraged by his fiancée, Angela Farella Sturm, Rich began performing nightly live streams on Facebook during lockdown. What started as a way to lift spirits became a breakthrough moment. For 99 consecutive nights, he learned new material and performed for an online audience — discovering his voice and stepping confidently into the role of frontman.
Since then, Rich has built a reputation as a dynamic solo performer known for creative arrangements, strong audience connection, and a relaxed but engaging stage presence. Whether through banter, sing-alongs, or a packed dance floor, Rich believes music brings people together — and he’s grateful to share that connection at every show.