Earl Scruggs, Merle Haggard, Doc Watson, Lyle Lovett, Emmy Lou Harris, JJ Cale, Alison Krauss, Jimmy Rogers, Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, Los Pregoneros del Puerto, Jimmy Rogers, Ralph Stanley, The Mississippi Sheiks
I was lucky enough to be born into a family that loved music and we listened to all kinds when I was growing up. There was a lot of country and bluegrass on the stereo, lots of Merle Haggard and Jerry Reed, Flatt and Scruggs, and Jimmy Rogers, as well as an eclectic mix of calypso, blues, mariachi and Mexican folk music.
We also played music ourselves; my older brother played guitar, my father played banjo and ukulele, and at one time my younger brother was taking fiddle lessons and my sister played piano. When we were little kids, we had to give a singing performance to our extended family every Christmas. My Pop would make us four kids practice for weeks beforehand and this was a great introduction to performing in front of people and singing with others.
I started out by playing ukulele and learned a lot of great old American songs from the twenties and thirties. One of my favorite song books was called the Great American Songbook which had all kinds of wonderful old songs like Frankie and Johnny, After the Ball, etc. so I learned most of those tunes. After my father received a banjo as a present, I started playing it and just sort of fell in love with the instrument. I really believe that the five stringed banjo can be the most beautiful sound in the world, and I started learning all of Earl Scruggs' classics like Cumberland Gap, Worried Man Blues, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Cripple Creek and the like.
In high school I played bluegrass banjo but also started listening to a lot of rock and folky stuff as well as zydeco, blues, reggae and even some classical. So my musical taste is really eclectic, but with a strong emphasis on country, folk and bluegrass and I think this is evident on the album.
Its been quite a ride over the last ten years, playing everything from beer joints to festivals and even a few state prisons (we love you San Quentin and Bread and Roses!) Its been a blast and I feel things are just beginning to come together for me as an artist and for us as a band.
News and Reviews
Dear Fans:
I am really delighted to have been honored by Indie-Music.com as one of their Featured Artists for the month of April. Indie-music.com is kind of the definitive site for independent artists and I was one of only ten artists chosen in all genres out of several hundred to be featured so it is a wonderful accolade.
Check out the glowing review from Indie-music.com:
Quote: "Brigham delivers the goods with straightforward country music, including hints of early bluegrass and a mix of styles that wouldn’t be allowed on corporate radio."
By Derek Blackmon
The best part about independently-released country music is how Toby Keith is nowhere to be found, and Tom Brigham’s Amadora County is proof that Keith can hide behind dumpsters when he isn’t waving flags or doing Ford truck commercials.
Opening with the blazing instrumental “Ode to Amy,” a tune that sounds reminiscent of a hooteroll session featuring David Grisman and Porter Wagoner, Brigham seems confident enough to show he’s not afraid to kick things off with a jam rather than a soft country-pop tune about getting dumped, getting drunk and watching cars make left turns for five hours.
Brigham delivers the goods with straightforward country music, including hints of early bluegrass and a mix of styles that wouldn’t be allowed on corporate radio. Don’t believe me? Well dig the trumpet on “Gravy.” I don’t think Tim McGraw would allow a horn section to get funky on his tunes, unless Faith Hill told him it would be sexy. (I’m assuming that she wears the pants in the family.)
There is a primal urge to reinforce how bad the genre has gotten by pointing out how great a sleeper “Quiet Train” is. However, there isn’t a building tall enough and I can’t scream loud enough. “Noche Dulce” not only sounds but even smells like a weekend border dance where true love is found for the night and everyone shakes hands when the beer is gone.
Sadly, by listening to contemporary country music on the radio today, someone just being exposed to the genre might easily think the only difference between country and pop is a cowboy hat. Fortunately, for those of us capable of knowing the difference, there are artists like Tom Brigham that are content to keep the music fluid and real, a tradition that is fading faster than Kenny Chesney’s jeans.
Check out the Amadora County album review below from an LA times Music Critic
A warmly inviting and powerfully satisfying work that features strong
songwriting, fine performances, and a sunny,
toe-tapping Amadora vibe.
Rootsy, funky,moving--the record contains a compelling mix of musical
approaches all tied together by Tom Brigham's sly'n'playful
sensibility. Hard to resist setting for a spell with this one.
Chuck Crisafulli--music critic, Hollywood Reporter, LA Times; author
"Me and a Guy Named Elvis."
You Rockkkkkkkk!! I was just out in L.A. and performed at the House of Blues. Check out the Video - hope you like it :)
:) :) Any Fun Plans Lately?
xoxo ~Suzi O I'm recording with Rodney Jerkins (Producer of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Beyonce, and more! ) and also ROY THOMAS BAKER!! The producer of QUEEN, ROLLING STONES, and so many more rock bands its INSANE.) I'm sOoOo Excited! Can't wait 4 u 2 hear the new Album out!!
Please join Los Cenzontles this Wednesday 11/12 @ Yoshi's in Oakland for an amazing evening of music with the legendary David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Shows @ 8pm & 10pm. $10 off 10pm show. Thank you!
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