Sean and I get deep. This guy breathes authenticity, and grants us access into his heart and spirit as we talk about the pathway to his current zen. Relationship wins, overcoming chaos in familial discontent, sharing a smile and a focus on doing the next right thing. There’s something for everyone here.
A grinning gem of a human, Brian and I recorded and performed together twenty five years ago. As I transitioned out of a difficult band departure, Brian swept me up and brought me into the recording studio to work on one of the most unique projects I had the privilege to track. His infection smile and warm camaraderie helped me discover new highs in the music biz, and we became fast friends. Read onward to know more about BC:
Brian Cutler began his professional music career at age 17 in San Jose, CA where he played in sandwich shops for tips with his $250 guitar. Attending college at California State University, Sacramento in the fall of 1974, Brian took up with some bluegrass musicians who put together a band and played five nights a week at Shakey’s pizza parlors in Sacramento.
Brian joined South Loomis Quickstep, an established high powered bluegrass band, in 1976 and immediately began touring and recording with them as their guitarist. South Loomis Quickstep played clubs, festivals, and opened for a long list of A-list bands and artists coming through Northern California. The band played primarily in California but toured throughout the western states, even venturing into Texas and playing for a festival in Amsterdam.
Brian relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 1986 where he started to emphasize playing the stand up bass. This complimented his guitar, mandolin, and keyboard work, and allowed him to perform in a variety of genres. In Portland, OR Brian backed up many notable singer/songwriters, all the while writing his own songs and looking for opportunities to perform them.
In 1999, Brian began sessions for his solo record, Wax Moons and Satin Roses, for Wrought Iron Records. The work was completed in 2000 and garnered acclaim from northwest media. Brian supported the record with club work and playing with some of the town’s best musicians.
In Seattle, Brian crafted Night Crossing, a record of songs he wrote for the voice of Samantha Thoe-Schechter. The production was purposefully sparse, employing only a solo guitar and their two voices. More critical acclaim followed from everyone who heard this anthology of songs. Community radio stations across the country with programming that accepts contemporary folk music enthusiastically played selections from the record.
Currently, Brian plays stand up bass in Fairground, an acoustic quartet that performs songs written by Brian and his musical partner, Oliver Rosenthal. Fairground will be featured at this year’s NW Folklife, Seattle’s premiere outdoor festival that takes place over Memorial Day Weekend.
Brian continues to write and produce music in his home studio as well as doing session work for other artists.
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Powerhouse Singer-Songwriter, Lynn Frances Anderson is BACK – and better than ever! Anderson has been away from us for awhile, but, the transformation is profound. Anderson’s all new Songwriter Series brings together songwriters who are not typically sharing a stage because they each have their own projects. Anderson’s new band is like nothing she’s ever done before!
Lynn has recorded four albums since her music career began in the late 80s. Lynn’s first studio recording, was released in 1997, titled, “My Famous Friend”. This would prove to be a bit of a premonition. The musicians Anderson would come to work with are indeed, her “famous friends”. Anderson has performed with renowned and legendary musicians including Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck), Scarlet Rivera (Bob Dylan), Joe Craven (David Grisman, Gerry Garcia), Tony “TC” Coleman (BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Jamey Johnson), All The King’s Men – the men who made up BB King’s band. Anderson’s latest album is “One Fine Day” and features Jennifer, TC, Scarlet Rivera and Portland’s beloved guitarist, Tim Ellis.
Anderson’s career began to soar in the early 2000s. Her appearances ranged from headlining large Pride festivals with her stellar band, to concert halls across the country. After her headlining appearance with the band at Atlanta Pride, Anderson performed solo for the Savannah, GA Folk Society in a beautiful concert hall packed with members. She also performed as an acoustic duo with guitarist, Mary Curtis, at the New York Museum of Modern Art. She had international airplay and is featured in Girls Rock!: Fifty Years of Women Making Music. An unexpected turn of events caused an unplanned hiatus, but, Anderson’s musical family encouraged her back to her life purpose. Her muse returning, Anderson is now in a very exciting resurgence. Her music has taken on a new vibration, she has a Tele-Style guitar in her hands alongside her master class acoustics. Lynn has transformed, as has her music.
With three projects in the works, you can find her performing solo and hosting the all new LFA Songwriter Series, launching a Pretenders Tribute concert series, and performing with her all new band featuring fresh arrangements of select covers. The new style is a twist on Anderson’s existing material, incorporating songs like “The River” and “Road to New Orleans” and adding both covers and new material in a Country-Americana-Roots Rock-Blues-style. (Think Eagles meeting Brad Paisley meets Lone Justice, meets Creedence meets CSNY meets Allison Krause meets Dinah Washington.)
Anderson was appointed as a Commissioner with the Beaverton Arts Commission in 2020, where a new 550-seat performing arts center is under construction.
Lynn and I share an empath wave, and we’ll share it with you on All Access Live: www.youtube.com/allaccesslivewithkevinrankin
Sponsored by Five Star Guitars