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last site update - October 17, 2008
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With a great rocking guitar style and strong blues
inspired vocals, Brad gives us pure, straight
forward, no-frills American roots rock ‘n roll with
an inspired blend of blues, country, folk, and funk
influences.
Born in Ohio, raised in Michigan, and now based
out of San Jose, California, Brad has been writing,
playing, and touring for over two decades.
Artist Biography
A self-taught musician, Brad started out playing drums when he was twelve. “I
was always interested in words and writing – and began making the transition to
guitar when I was about seventeen to accommodate that need to write music.
While growing up, I was strongly influenced by the music of The Beatles,
Creedence, The Guess Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Eagles”.
In High School - Milford, Michigan – Brad played the drums and sang in the Top
40 - Wholly Mackeral that played local parties. Then, in College at Michigan State,
he formed and played drums and guitar – honing his skills in the 50’s band Stark
Naked and the Car Thieves. “I moved permanently to lead guitar in the local
award winning country rock band Four Fifths – where I began introducing my
original songs in the local bars and college radio. It was here that I really started
developing my own style”.
After graduation with a Packaging Engineering degree – and just before heading
west to California, Brad played in the rockin’ Cold Water Flat and the always wild
and techno – Fun with Tools.
“In California I formed or joined a number of bands including The Jaime Garcia
Band, The Buskers, The Brine Flies, and most recently, the very active and funky
Whiskey Hill Blues Band. Quite literally, I have years of playing and performing
experience”.
Restless to record some of the large backlog of material that he’d written recently
and through the years, Brad finally embarked on a solo recording career in 2003 –
and in 2005 released Breaking the Awkward Silence with twelve original new and
old songs.
Now in 2008, Brad is following up with a release of fourteen new songs in Talk
Radio. “This is the best thing I’ve ever done. If we can’t turn something here into
a hit – well, then we just don’t have one in us”.
One of the more unique aspects of these two CD’s is that not only has Brad
written and arranged all the songs, but he also plays every instrument and
performs every vocal. . “I give myself credit for lead guitar and vocals on these
two CD’s, but decided to feature the fictional Otis Rimer on rhythm guitar, Sedge
Warwick on bass, and Victor “Pants” Johnson on drums – it was a fun diversion”.
Brad’s music has been covered by numerous artists from Michigan to California,
and six songs from Breaking the Awkward Silence received radio play - especially
Holiday For Two, I’ve Had Enough, and Silly Children – which scored in major
markets of Detroit and San Francisco.
Brad’s songs are tight and well crafted with insightful lyrics, interesting chord
progressions, and a driving back beat. There is excellent attention to harmony,
and a level of detail that is full, but yet still simple and approachable.
“The people who buy my music tell me that the songs are very personal and easy
to relate to – but not at all simple minded. They tell me they can listen to them
over and over without getting bored - and that it makes them feel good”.
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