The Life of Bryan

I am originally from Alexandria, VA where I got my start playing music and performing. I played saxophone in the school band and eventually wound up playing tuba. For eight years I was a member of the Mount Vernon Guard Fife and Drum Corps. It was in this outfit that I met Andrew McCain & Chris Anderson with whom I formed my first band called "The Minors". The Minors eventually became "The Moorish Idylls" with the addition of 2 new members, Luke Taylor on guitar and Ian Werden replacing Chris Anderson on drums. The Moorish Idylls played for several years in the DC/VA area. In 1996 Andrew, Ian and I packed our belongings and moved to Georgia. Where we began playing as "Slackdaddy".

Slackdaddy stayed busy for many years putting out 3 albums and contributing to several compilation CD's. Understandibly, we have all grown as people and that has taken us in several different directions. Slackdaddy is STILL a band though the shows are VERY infrequent. Andrew is now a successful teacher as well as a doting father and caring husband. Ian Werden Stays busy playing drums for several Athens, GA bands including my brand new band, The H.E.A.P. Project. Slackdaddy is the band that helped me develop as a player and made me ready for the musical opportunities that would soon arise.

I worked as a doorman at the 40watt Club in Athens, GA for several years and it is there that I met Kevn Kinney. This would prove to be a fateful meeting because I have been playing bass with him for the last 6 years as a founding member of the Sun Tangled Angel Revival with drummer, Dave V. Johnson and guitarist, Gibb Droll. Kevn has proven to be one of my closest friends as well as my primary mentor musically. Kevn has always been very encouraging and introduced me to many great musicians and songwriters. I feel blessed to be a part of S.T.A.R. and hope to always be a part of this great band. We have released two CD's, "The Sun Tangled Angel Revival" in 2002 & "Comin 'Round Again" in 2006 and will hopefully begin working on a third in the near future.

In 2004, Kevn introduced me to Sarah Lee Guthrie and her husband, Johnny Irion. S.T.A.R. drummer, Dave V. Johnson and I toured with them as their backing band, The Corner Pockets for 2 years. Most recently Dave and I played on two tracks on Johnny's newest CD, "Ex Tempore". Sarah Lee and Johnny also helped to broaden my musical world be introducing me to many more great players and I truly appreciate that.

While on tour in Milwaukee with Sarah Lee and Johnny, I met one of my bass idols, Brian Ritchie of the seminal band, The Violent Femmes. Brian has been extremely generous with his time and musical knowledge and even invited me out on the road with the Femmes for a short midwestern tour. I remain in contact with Brian and am thankful for his friendship and advice.

Now in 2007, I have found it necessary to branch out on my own with a brand new 8 piece band called, The H.E.A.P. Project. This band is like a dream come true. I have some great players on board with this project and even though we just started playing a few months ago, word is starting to spread. I expect big things in the near future!

I still live in Athens, GA a town I absolutely LOVE. This is my town now and though I was born and raised in Virginia, I consider myself to be an Athenian. This town is full of brilliant musicians who are often willing to work together to keep the music scene here alive. I enjoy working with a variety of musicians so please feel free to contact me if you are in the Athens/Atlanta area and need a bassist for a session.

That is a brief history of my musical career up to this point. Check back often to see what else is new!