Bio Story
Nashville sound farmer Colin O'Brien's guitar compositions harken to Leo Kottke, whilst his dancing feet groove in the wake of the late John Hartford, a primary songwriting inspiration.
“…O'Brien bottles the lightning that was John Hartfords' engagingly off-center songwriting” -The Nashville Scene
“Colin really got something special on “Thirteen”. The tunes are joyful, whimsical and just dance all around you. It’s even better live: I've seen it.” -Jordan Tice
Colin plays concert stages, festivals, clubs and private events throughout the United States and occasionally abroad, if she sounds good. His live shows feature his instrumental virtuosity, percussive dancing on his amplified board and his straight to the point songwriting.
“A great entertainer” -Tim O'Brien (No relation, dang.)
Ironically Colin began his journey into music by failing the fourth grade snare drum coordination test. The conductor (Jack Horner) gave him drum sticks anyway. A drummer was born. In his teens he discovered Keith Moon, and that set him off and pounding. A bonified high school rock star, he went on to drum (as a minor) for legendary Detroit band The Frames and then with award-winning Jugglers and Thieves, a nationally touring rock band also based in Detroit. Colin then bounced forth and studied classical guitar at Cornish College Of The Arts in Seattle WA. where he was awarded second place in his first (and last) classical guitar competition, (The Seattle Guitar Society). To the possible chagrin of the awards committee, Colin spent his winnings on a pile of archaic (to him at the time) blues, American Fingerstyle and John Fahey recordings. Soon after he traded in his nylon string classical guitar for a howling 1972 Guild 12 string, one that he plays to this day.
“With his 12-string guitar work recalling Leo Kottke and the spirit of John Hartford hovering over O’Brien’s foot percussion, he offered something for everyone.” -The Shepherd Express
“His rustic vocals convey more years than he has lived” -Billboard Magazine
Colin lives in the hills (well, in a house) in Nashville, Tennessee.
Quotes about “Thirteen”
“I love this” -Brittany Haas
“These are cool recordings, but I can't do an article because you're not popular enough” -Ted Drodzowski, Premier Guitar
“It hit me with a wave of joyful surprise. Colin is an important figure in the American Primitive tradition" -Craig Havighurst, WMOT Nashville.
“It took me right where I wanted to be” -Jim Hoke, legendary Nashville music man.
“Colin really got something special on “Thirteen”. The tunes are joyful, whimsical and just dance all around you in a way that’ll get even the stodgiest old midwesterner wiggling. It’s even better live: I seen it. Makes me think of canoeing.” -Jordan Tice, Google him.