(Jason Fletcher) - Harmony Vocals, Auto Harp, Guitar, Harmonica, Percussion
(Randy Hunt) - Upright Bass, Electric Bass
(Mike Ferguson) - Drums
Influences
Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, John Lennon, Norman Blake, Tom Waits, Dolly Parton, Peter Rowan, Tom Petty, The Band, Grateful Dead, Bill Monroe, David Grisman, Beatles, Gram Parsons
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What really strikes the listener when enjoying Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau is: you can truly feel the “realness” of the music. They are not trying to be bluegrass. They are not trying to be the blues. They are not trying to be alt/country/rock. They are not trying to be anything other than what they are: a damn fine band. This band is a square peg that slides smoothly right into a square hole. Though Richie, a born and bred Smoky Mountain native, could certainly ride his pedigree right down the “biscuits and gravy circuit”, his band’s music is a simple heartfelt expression of life experience, earnestly shown through accessible yet stirringly poetic lyrics, that is exciting, honest, dynamic and entertaining beyond any sort of regional pigeon-holing. The music is the best of what Americana strives to be without any evidence of unnatural effort or formula. It touches the heart. It’s relevant. It’s fun to listen to. The songs are great and the musicianship is superb. Take some mountain music, the blues, a little Celtic influence, some old school country western and some hard driving rock and roll, throw it in a blender, add ice and some twelve year old sour mash and you end up with the potent blend called Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau. I’d hate to meet the fellow who doesn’t enjoy it.
Do your ears a big favor and give them a listen. You’ll be more than glad you did.
Dylan, Grateful Dawg, Acoustic Neil Young, Folkabilly Jam Gone Hawg Wild
,Mississippi Fred McDowell,Stringbean,R.L. Burnside,Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mtn. Boys,Skip James
Fans of ’80s Nashville rock will remember Owens and guitarist Robert Ocker from the tense, modern sounds of The Movement, but the East Tennessee natives have pursued a rootsier, more acoustic sound for well over a decade now.
As The Farm Bureau, Owens plays banjo, mandolin and harmonica, while Ocker trades between his acoustic and lap steel guitars, with vocalist Rebecca Seaver adding harmony to Owens’ lead.
They play spiked-up mountain music and melodic, sweet-toned originals that show off Owens’ melodic and lyrical know-how.
A relative of Dolly Parton’s, Owens comes by this music honestly, and the fact that Parton uses him as a producer and a backing musician in the studio and on the road speaks of his talent for putting it across.
Hi Richie & Band!..I was going through some of my older footage and came across this one from Billy Block's 12 & PORTER show you did. I think it rocks. Have a great day and I look forward to the next show I can make it to....peace...Darrell
Hey!! This is Nikki. I run this fansite to help support Kimberly Paige!! THANKS FOR THE FRIENDSHIP!! How are you? HOPE YOU'RE HAVING A FANTABOLOUS DAY!! =) Keep In Touch!!!
PLEASE CHECK OUT/ADD KIMBERLY'S OFFICIAL MYSPACE MUSIC PAGE.( link is below )
be nice to myki.........i have known him for to long for that to be a possibility.....ah just kidding....myki rocks and he speaks very highly of you guys
hi men!!
