www.colingobrien.com
Experience Level: Expert/Professional

Occupation: Song and Dance Man

My Instruments:
Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Feet.

Favorite Bands/Musicians:
John Hartford, Keith Moon.

Classified Rating: not rated
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Profile Info:
Visible to: Public
Created 10/26/2009
Last Visit 6/4/2012

“You sound great!” -Pat Donahue, A Prairie Home Companion Throughout the United States Colin O'Brien has been described as Wisconsin’s answer to John Hartford. His show features his dazzling dancing foot percussion as he plays fiddle, banjo and guitar. With his live shows he leaves his audience spellbound with the impression that they're listening to an entire band. Colin’s musicality began taking shape in the fourth grade when he failed the co-ordination test in his snare drum audition for the school band. The wise instructor Jack Horner decided to give Colin sticks nevertheless…This unleashed Colin’s rise to become a full blown high-school rock star, in his school, anyway. Always questing and rarely resting, Colin’s interest turned to the guitar. So, O’Brien left his native Michigan for Seattle, Washington where he studied classical Guitar at Cornish College of the Arts. After just one year of study (intense study!) he was awarded 2nd place in The Seattle Classic Guitar Society competition. To the possible chagrin of the award committee, Colin spent his award certificate on a huge pile of American Finger-style Guitar books and recordings. In 1997 O’Brien released his debut recording Pressure in the West co-produced by Willy Porter. It received great reviews from both the local press and international publications such as Billboard Magazine. Right about 1999 O’Brien was bitten by the “Banjo Bug” and proceeded, (with characteristic intensity) to delve into Bluegrass and Celtic styles of Banjo playing. This led Colin to form Salt Creek, an extraordinary ensemble featuring some of Wisconsin's’ finest musicians. Salt Creek was honored as “Best Bluegrass Band” in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) in 2004, ’05 and ’06. Currently Colin performs his solo show through out the U.S.A. in a style reminiscent of the late John Hartford. Colin O’Brien’s show features his dazzling dancing foot percussion. Indeed the wonderful rhythms of his feet have soul! While dancing, Colin sings and plays the daylights out of his fiddle, banjo and guitar. He has just released “Dancing by the River” which captures his enormous instrumental range and songwriting in full swing. Colin has recently authored the book Play Banjo Today! For publisher Hal Leonard. www.colingobrien.com 414 372 8523 colingobrien@isp.com