Richard Cully was born on April 19th, 1949 in Manhattan, New York.  He began his musical career at the age of 16 studying with James Rago,  Julliard graduate in percussion, presently the timpanist with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra and Professor of Percussion at the University of Louisville. While still in high school, he formed a very popular quartet, (The Charades).  He attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying with Alan Dawson and continued his studies with former ìTonight Showî drummer Ed Shaughnessy. His early career included performing a variety of musical styles: pop, rock, disco, jazz and country.   In 1982, he formed the DICK CULLY BIG BAND, a high energy, exciting unit performing a wide variety of arrangements for all age groups.  In 1984, he became an artist/endorser for the world famous Slingerland Drum Company and was recognized as a ìWorld Class Drummerî by the Pro-Mark Corporation of Houston, Texas, the worldís largest manufacturer of drumsticks.

He has worked with numerous celebrities including: Toni Tennille, Sandy Duncan, Florence Henderson, Frank Gorshin, Ray Anthony, Buddy Morrow, Skitch Henderson, Patti Page, Nanette Fabray, band leader Les Elgart, noted big band singer Connie Haines, pop star Bobby Rydell, TV personality Dennis James and comedians Foster Brooks and George Kirby.  In 1989, the Dick Cully Big Band was chosen as ìOne of the best bands in the nationî by Down Beat magazine, the undisputed musical authority, and has been featured numerous times on the Black Entertainment Networkís ìJazz Discoveryî television program.