Richie Stearns has been influenced by just about anything that can be heard and understood as music. He is steeped in the traditions of American old-time music, Appalachian folk, blues, jazz, African, rock, and country music. He has led numerous bands, including The Horse Flies, and Donna the Buffalo. He has played with countless others, and tours with Natalie Merchant. He is a musician's musician. "Anyone who has played with Richie Stearns will tell you how kind and joyful and honest he is, as a musician and human being. His love for music is infectious," wrote David Gura, an associate editor of Talk of the Nation on National Public Radio. Banjo guru Tony Trischka said that Stearns is "a transcendentally clawhammering force of nature. Richie's music is ladled from deep wells of spirit." Natalie Merchant wrote, "I have been amazed by Richie Stearn's musicianship. He is so effortlessly able to blend his knowledge of traditional technique and repertoire with contemporary and original material. He explores the