Annabel, Drew and Jack Richter. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Growing up in south Huntsville, Drew Richter called himself “a NASA baby.”

“I thought everyone’s dad worked for NASA until I was 12 years old. My father was a 40-year NASA veteran, going back to 1960.”

In the late 1980s, Richter moved to Miami Beach. “One of the best times of my life. I gained many lifelong friends. South Beach apartments were run-down but dirt cheap, so we didn’t care,” he said.

He later traveled to South America, England, Amsterdam and Spain. He returned to Alabama in 2002 with English wife Annabel and sons Luke and Jack, born in Chatham, England.

The Richters settled in Madison because his parents had relocated here and for the superior school system for Luke and Jack.

Madison and Huntsville are very different towns, Drew said. “Most people in Madison aren’t even from Alabama. So many people are from around the world. I like the international feel of Madison. I sometimes forget I moved back to the South.”

Contrary to popular opinion, “I love the constant in-your-face growth of the City of Madison,” he said. “People complain about traffic, but it’s comforting to know the city is vibrant and constantly changing.”

Wife Annabel was born in St. Albans, England. A Columbia Elementary School employee for 11 years, she was awarded “Staff Member of the Year” in 2015. Son Luke graduated from Bob Jones High School in 2010.

Son Jack is a Bob Jones junior and drama student. Jack appeared in “The Axeman’s Requiem”, which won awards recently at Southeastern Theatre Conference.

Drew earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He currently works as a data analyst for a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

A singer/songwriter, he’s always playing in Madison or Huntsville. He earned second place for “2015 Best Overall Musician” by “Valley Planet.”

Drew’s full-length CD, “Snake Smile,” is available on iTunes, Amazon and other online outlets. His charity performances have helped the homeless and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (itunes.apple.com/us/album/snake-smile/id1045650418)

Interested in all music genres, Richter especially enjoys Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and The Cure. Damien Rice’s latest CD has been in his CD player for more than a year.