brad yoder (voice, guitar),
Jason Rafalak (upright/fretless bass);
sometimes:
Corey Congilio (el. guitar),
Randall Venturini (el. bass),
any of a number of very nice drummers...
Influences
John Prine, Bruce Cockburn, the Replacements, REM, early U2, Joni Mitchell, Victoria Williams, Ani, Django Haskins, Elliott Smith, Nenah Cherry, Mark Eitzel, Dylan...
Sounds Like
Bruce Cockburn, Paul Westerberg, Barenaked Ladies, Freedy Johnston, Michael Stipe, Elliott Smith, Josh Joplin...
Brad Yoder believes musical success should be measured in more than just the obvious ways. Being voted "Best Acoustic/Solo Artist" by readers in four of the past five Pittsburgh City Paper polls (2003, 2004, 2006 & 2007) is great, as are unexpected nominations for "Best Musical Performance" (2004) and "Best Small Venue Performer" (2003) by the readers of Campus Activity Magazine. However, playing Poughkeepsie, New York and having a college freshman from Los Angeles request songs she's only heard via internet downloads is actually cooler. It's exciting to have songs featured on CBS's show "NUMB3RS", NPR's "Car Talk", and in the Pittsburgh History Museum's 9/11 exhibit; more tangible, though, is various original art on Brad's walls created by supporters and inspired by specific songs, and four "gig guest books" full of appreciative comments from over six years of live shows.
Logging around 150 performances each year, in venues ranging from colleges, clubs, and cafes to church basements and the zoo, Brad has earned the title of "ruling the Pittsburgh coffeehouse scene" (Pittsburgh Magazine.) As a solo performer, Brad has showcased at Toronto's North by Northeast Music Conference, performed at the Pittsburgh Folk, and Philadelphia Fringe Festivals, and opened for artists such as the Cowboy Junkies, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Todd Snider, the Nields, Ellis Paul, & Tegan & Sara, plus played the 2nd stage for David Gray, Peter Paul & Mary, and Steve Earle/Jackson Browne. What matters more, however, is having a fan base that ranges in age from 3 to almost 80, sings along with unrecorded songs at live shows, and generally seems to show up when they're most needed.
Brad's total CD sales are now over 5,000, and he's eager to add to that total with sales of his new record, "Someday or Never," released in November 2006.
Thanks for the add :-) May you keep finding the Skylers of this world. Comment ca va en VT? J'espére que tu a beaucoup des good moments and even more listeners.
I wrote a very Brad Yoder-esque song today though of far lesser quality and appeal and charm. I miss seeing you!! I am going to come to a show VERY VERY SOON! Hope you've been well! :)
Hey Brad! I never commented you back. Yes, that show was random, but I'm never going to forget it!! Are you going to be putting together some more shows in Burlington? We could share the bill at Radio Bean and the like... and p.s. thanks again for your CD!
...really good meeting you at The Festival at Slippery Rock...Jane(Jazz's Mom) and I will get along and see you again soon..Just thought I would say Hi.
hello brad! i adore that song, and cinama 4.. i saw you perform at the poetry cafe at my school acouple weeks ago. i think your a very good artist, one of my favorites for sure. i was soposed to go see you at dormont park today but i couldnt get off work. and my mother just imformd me that you and her both answerd phones together at WYEP before.
Brad Yoder, you know what absolutely made my week? Last night I was listening to Pandora radio (pandora. com) which I haven't listened to in a long while. So I thought I'd search to see if they knew who you were yet...lo and behold the search found you! And now I can hear Brad Yoder songs mixed in with my other favorites...so yippee!
Hey, it should turn out to be a great show. I hope we get a big crowd for you guys, just make sure you spread the word and bring your fans. The ticket in is a bag of a few non perishable items or two dollars. I have a flyer i could email to you if you would like it.
