Thomas Wynn - lead vocals/guitar
Olivia Wynn - vocals/organ-piano/tambo
Justin Beckler - guitar
John Hembree - bass
Thom Damon - drums
Chris Bell - harmonica
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"This band is better every time I see them. On the outdoor stage, it was apparent that Thomas Wynn is plenty comfortable with being a demonstrative frontman, accentuating the band's hard-charging hybrid of Southern rock and gospel with a magnetic stage presence. Musically, the band also makes the most of the triple-threat vocal combination of Wynn, his sister Olivia and guitarist Justin Beckler in moments such as that incendiary "Shot of Love" chorus. Thom Damon, a new addition on drums, is a powerhouse also adept at pulling back for the more country-flavored numbers. Truthfully, the band doesn't pull back much and on Saturday the power was impressive on raucous tears through "We Don't Fight Anymore" and "You Can't Hurt Me." With a debut album produced by veteran Tony Battaglia slated for Winter release, this band looks poised for much bigger things." JimAbbott/SoundBoard, OrlandoSentinel.com
"THOMAS WYNN AND THE BELIEVERS, from Orlando, is one of the most exciting new bands in Florida . . . astounded, as was nearly everyone . . . Folks stood with their jaws dropped. Several of my friends just shook their heads and said "damn". Their My Space link has strong tracks, but absolutely pales in comparison to their live sound. Thomas' voice is the key, he's a mix of Ronnie Van Zandt & Otis Redding -southern soul, blues & backed by a tight band that plays blistering rock. I can't remember the last time I was this impressed by a band I knew nothing about ahead of time. But don't pigeon hole them as an alt-country band, there was as much soul & blues in their sound as twang. Ultra professional, no stammering or lags between songs.'” Bev Cranshaw/Randy Wynne, WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa
FULL-BAND DVD "LIVE@THE SOCIAL" to be released this Spring!
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CD/MP3s available at CD BABY, iTUNES and PARK AVE CD's in Orlando
WYNNS' "REASON" COVERS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
The Wynn Brothers Band is no more, but when Thomas Wynn & the Believers celebrate the release of the band's debut disc on Saturday at the Social, it will still be a family affair.
Wynn's sister, Olivia, of course, is still an integral part of the Believers, adding powerful, high harmonies to the band's updated take on Southern rock.
Brother Jordan Wynn and his wife, Heather Lee, will offer gospel-tinged acoustic songs as an opening act. Also on the bill: Family friends Matt Butcher and the Revolvers. Butcher features Olivia's vocals on the lovely "Giving My Sadness a Name."
Though the family ties are strong, Wynn and the Believers continue to forge an identity separate from the Wynn Brothers days. Songs on debut album The Reason are powered by electric guitars and a more forceful rock rhythm section.
The opening "Hold On" is vaguely reminiscent of vintage Tom Petty, while "It's All Right" is a majestic blues ballad.
The band traveled to the Midwest for much of the recording, putting down tracks at the farmhouse studio of producer Tony Battaglia, near Appleton, Wis.
During the day, there would be chores to do, aside from working on songs.
"I helped enclose a chicken coop," Thomas Wynn says. "And we were out in the garden a lot. It was like work, but it was good to get the blood flowing and help him out, because he was helping us out with the album."
Lyrically, the songs reflect someone coping with romantic challenges, yet ultimately emerging with a strong spirit.
The album's title, The Reason, is intentionally vague, Wynn says. "It started out as the reason for life, the reason for hope," he says. "The more things I threw in front of it, I realized there's lots of things that could go in front of it. Why not allow the audience to make their own determination?"
The album's brilliantly colored cover art also nudges the imagination. It's the creation of Little Joe, of Orlando's Devotion Tattoo, the Wynns' body-ink artist of choice. When Wynn was looking to fit a big message into a small space, he looked down at his arm and found inspiration.
"I called him to see if he had any ideas," Wynn says. "I wanted something that would encompass both life and death, good and evil, pain and joy, love and hate."
Pretty much everything then?
Wynn laughs: "Yeah, it was like encapsulate our entire existence as human beings."
The Reason isn't bold enough to offer all the answers, but the music is compelling enough to make the questions memorable."
Jim Abbott | SOUNDBOARD-ORLANDO SENTINEL
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" . . . new album The Reason gives reason to believe that bigger and better things are on the horizon for the 24-year-old singer-songwriter. Wynn channels big guns Neil Young, Tom Petty and Waylon Jennings by way of rugged, yet uplifting rock, country, soul and gospel. And the Believers, who hail from both St. Pete and Orlando, push it full-throttle." Carole Giambalvo, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
"outstanding Orlando alt-country outfit. . . The five-piece alternates between quiet folk and barn-burning rockers such as the kiss-off "You Can't Hurt Me," which throws some blazing Crazy Horse grunge into the mix. At the core of the band's success is Wynn's gold-dust voice." Wade Tatangelo/www.tampa.creativeloafing.com
" . . . allow me to introduce you to a local talent that actually deserves the attention they’ve been getting: Thomas Wynn & the Believers. Their heady brew of rock, country, gospel and Southern soul is one of the most thoroughly indigenous sounds coming out of Florida, and their sold-out CD release party was the type of union between homegrown talent and local support that’s truly something to take pride in (Feb. 7, the Social). This is the stuff that may just save us from ourselves. The sheer outpouring at the event – the band’s outpouring of talent and the community’s outpouring of support – is what I’m talking about. And hell if that song “Hold On” don’t scratch the spot just right."
ORLANDO WEEKLY - Bao Le-Huu * * * * * * *
"The first time I was introduced to Thomas Wynn’s music was via a mutual friend who insisted I hear this band. The Wynn Brothers were a family band with southern rock roots that ritualistically began every show with “The Weight;” the influence of The Band was evident in their own sound and vibe, as well. Thomas, equal parts Levon Helm (minus the drums) and Waylon Jennings, had fronted the endeavor since before he was of drinking age, but the demands of real life dissolved the Wynn family band, leaving Thomas thirsty to pursue his vision.
"If you spend any time in downtown Orlando, you've probably heard him. Playing anywhere from The Globe to the Cheyenne Saloon, his solo set of classic-rock gems blending seamlessly with originals is sure to be echoing off walls and down Orange Avenue. He might be the hardest working musician in Orlando, and it is paying off.
"His new band The Believers expands on the classic and southern rock themes of the Wynn Brothers; his music has grown. It has more weight. Thom Damon’s solid drumming and Showcat Luise’s bass lock down the rhythm section, while Justin Beckler’s lead guitar opens up the sound. Beckler’s guitar work elevates their presentation with fierce, bluesy chops and southern grace. Wynn’s own guitar work is vastly improved from earlier incarnations, and their music peaks when he intertwines with Beckler’s playing in some of the more thunderous jams and solos that punctuate The Believers' work.
"Wynn is also maturing as a songwriter. The tunes are brutally honest and heartfelt - every word, every note registers on his pained face. His vocals are starting to sound seasoned and direct. A mix of earnest emotion and practice lends more conviction and power to his voice. Helping Wynn out in the vocal department is his sister Olivia, whose sweet, strong vocal response makes the perfect companion to his yearning banshee cries. Her words give lyrical depth and auditory balance to The Believers' delivery.
"For once, you have a Florida band that is Florida. They look Florida, they sound Florida - with a touch of Molly Hatchett sprinkled on The Band, Neil Young, and The Black Crowes. Not hipster . . . transplant Florida, but Florida Florida.
"The sum of the parts is one of the strongest live shows in the state. The music is becoming more stately and sweeping, with powerful melodies and hooks, grinding jams with soaring guitars and tight drum work, and a frontman that can carry “the weight.”
"February 7, 2009 sees the release of Thomas Wynn and The Believers' first full-length album The Reason. If they can capture some of the power present in their live shows, The Reason will be a tipping point in Wynn’s career.
The CD release party for The Reason will be at The Social on February 7."
John Prinzo - www.ReaxMusic.com
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"I heard Thomas Wynn and the Believers the other night at Bamboo that put me in the mind of Delaney and Bonnie's style. They did a lot of truly excellent originals as well as a couple covers by the Band like "The Weight" and "Evangeline" both of which was sung mightily and raised the hair on my neck. Papers seem to think they are Rock, but I think they are just real good and somehow got tuned into that Delaney, Bonnie, Leon/Shelter People era and are following the path where it left off." tweedblues.net
Great bands we've played with:
The Tommy Talton Band
Over The Rhine
Leon Russell
Cross Canadian Ragweed
The Drive-By Truckers
JJ Grey & Mofro
Lucero
The Tennessee Three
Mickey Thomas (starship)
FireFall
The Drams
Cowboy Mouth
The Hackensaw Boys
Unknown Hinson
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
Michelle Branch
Legendary JC's
Shak Nasti
Tim Easton
Hoots & Hellmouth
Her & Kings County
Heather Lee & Jordan Wynn
Matt Butcher & the Revolvers
The Beauvilles
and many more.....
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THE WALLFLOWERS!
House of Blues -Orlando!
Sunday July 12!
Thomas & Olivia direct support!
acoustic duo!
ZSHOWZ announces A Celebration for Mike Lyons, long time Orlando resident and musical friend, recently diagnosed with both liver and pancreatic cancer.
Mike Lyons moved to Orlando from Kittery, Maine at a young age, graduating from Edgewater High School in 1970. He began his career in Orlando back in 1971 by publishing the city's first underground newspaper and promoting the first rock show at the Citrus Bowl (Cactus, Bloodrock, Potliquor and Dr. John for $3). He was Music Director and announcer for WORJ, WDIZ and WHTQ in Orlando, Program Director for 98 Rock (WXTB) in Tampa, and spent the last eight years of his radio career as mornings/Assistant Program Director at WZTA Miami. Mike entered the record business in the mid-90's. From 1995-2000 he was VP of AAA Promotions at Lee Arnold Marketing. Mike joined TripleARadio.com as columnist (The Forest) and contributing editor in 2001.
A Celebration for Mike Lyons will be Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. at McWells, and include performances by Thomas Wynn & the Believers; Galloway-Kelliher, Beth McKee; Rick Birkbeck & Friends; Heather Lee & Jordan Wynn; Bob Carr; Dennis, Jeff & Bari; Wendy Benson, and others, with special appearances by many of radio's best and brightest. This is a fundraising event with all proceeds to go to Mike to help out with medical bills and other expenses.
McWells is located in the Gatlin Center where Holden, Gatlin and Orange Avenue converge, at 4757 S. Orange Avenue in Orlando (407-855.4006). McWells is a nonsmoking venue featuring a variety of good food and a full bar. Tickets are $10 at the door. The public is invited.
Thomas Wynn & the Believers's Friend Space (Top 36)
thomas, it was great talking tonight. and i am extremely thankful for you helping sahra and i with the concert in august. it is truly a blessing. keep on pressing on brother, you are an uplifting spirit to this town and scene. shalom.
Thomas and Olivia opening for the Wallflowers at HOB Sunday!!!! Coolest of cool. What a gig! Hope to make it there. Jakob Dylan just plain lucked out in getting the best local talent to play with him. Best~ Lara
Hey,Thomas & The Believers, Came by showin' some love and Appreciation for you and your Awesome Music!! I know you all work hard to please not only your Fans but yourselves as well,and I would like to thank you for your time & energy you put into your GREAT Songs!!! Hope you had a "Bangin' 4th,and Have A ROCKIN' rest of the Week* :)(:
Hey,Thomas! "AWESOME" Music!! Thanks for Adding Me. Your Music,Lyrics and VOCALS are Great!! Love your Style and Sound:) Hope you Have A Wonderful Weekwnd* ROCK -N- ROLLLLLLLLLLLLL
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