Big Addict Energy is Ward Richmond’s most fearless record yet — a collection of stories that humanize addiction and smash the stigma around it. These songs dig into the truth that addiction isn’t just about drugs and alcohol, but also the chase for sex, money, power, and identity. It’s about how we get lost, how we get found, and the strange dreamscapes in between. 

Richmond grew up in East Dallas, spending his high school nights at Reverend Horton Heat, Hagfish, and Tripping Daisy shows before starting to play his own gigs in Deep Ellum alongside longtime friend and now-producer John Pedigo. By his 20s, he was a fixture in the Dallas scene, eventually touring the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand with Slick 57 and Boys Named Sue — grinding out hundreds of shows a year. 

Since 2020, Richmond has released two solo albums. Now, with his third — Big Addict Energy — he says he’s finally reached a deeper honesty: “These songs are the first time I’ve really been able to open up about the dark side of the life I once lived, the rocky road to recovery, and the experiences, friendships, and wisdom gained along the way.” 

Sonically, the record pushes further than anything he’s released before. Texas roots still pulse beneath it, but Big Addict Energy blends indie-folk, alt-country, and punk with flashes of psychedelia. The lead single, “Non-Alcoholic Beer Drinkin’ Man,” sets the tone with humor, surrealism, and raw honesty. 

“Ward’s songs are like postcards from another planet — but you can tell they’re stamped in East Dallas,” says producer John Pedigo (Joshua Ray Walker, Old 97’s, Vandoliers). 

That Dallas DNA runs deep throughout the record. Friends and collaborators including Joshua Ray Walker, Charley Wiles, Becky Middleton, James Driscoll, Chad Stockslager, and Trey Pendergrass helped bring the songs to life, keeping the music rooted in community while expanding its reach. 

The urgency behind the album is real. In 2024, Richmond lost three close friends to addiction. That grief cracked him open, pushing him to make the most personal record of his career. Big Addict Energy is raw, funny, and brutally honest. It’s about owning the past instead of hiding it — and maybe helping someone else feel less alone in theirs. 

Produced by John Pedigo at Barnito Studio in East Dallas, Big Addict Energy will be released on Idol Records in November 2025.
Label: Idol Records
Radio: Swank Promotions
Publicity: Rabbit Hat Marketing