A Decade of the Blues -- Oreo Blue
By Audra Marquez
It wasn't the blues that brought Brian Crowne and fellow Fort Smith Christian High School pal Rod Williamson together many years ago, but the love of music and the desire to entertain. Now, ten years later, Crowne, Williamson, and their band Oreo Blue, are keeping audiences not crying the blues, but cheering for more.
"There is a misconception that blues is crying about something and that it's not danceable," said Crowne who plays saxophone.
Oreo Blue, which in addition to Williamson and Crowne, includes Gary Hutchison on lead guitar and Stephen Boudreaux on drums, will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. today for Fayetteville's Gulley Park Summer Concert Series.
Oreo Blue captured this year's NAMA for "Best Blues Band." The group has kept audiences on their feet not only at small clubs and wedding receptions, but also at festivals playing to crowds of almost 40,000. They have played Memphis' Beale Street, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in New Orleans, and venues in Colorado, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri as well as Arkansas. They have shared the stage with Gov't Mule, Leon Russell, Robert Cray, Son Seals, Marcia Ball, 38 Special and others. Last year they headlined the Fourth of July Bricktown Festival in Oklahoma City.
After playing the Crossroads Music Festival in Memphis, the band was invited to appear on the internationally broadcast radio program "Blues Caravan" which is carried locally on KUAF, the local National Public Radio affiliate. They have enjoyed critical acclaim in publications like Blues Access and Blues Review as well as in local press.
Oreo Blue brings audiences more than the traditional blues. However, if the time is right, Oreo Blue will deliver their special interpretation of a Muddy Waters standard. Crowne describes Oreo Blue's trademark sound as "groove oriented blues." Early inspiration came from the get-down sounds of the "The Blues Brothers," Delbert McClinton's smooth Texas blues and of course, the world-famous Memphis blues.
The band doesn't work from a set playlist, but depends on Crowne to feel out the audience and determine what style songs and show will best suit the bill. The result is usually a mix of the drivin', rockin' Chicago style of Buddy Guy, to the Memphis sound of BB King, to a more modern blues with a rock edge reminiscent of Steve Ray Vaughn or Jimi Hendrix. For Oreo Blue every crowd is a new opportunity.
"We like to play for the crowd. We give our all whether it's to five or 5,000," Crowne said. "Energy and passion is what we do."
Crowne said the band is excited about the Gulley Park show since it will give them a chance to play for people who don't normally go out to hear them at their usual venues, from kids to senior citizens.
Some fans have followed the group throughout their ten-year career. Sometimes when playing outside their local base-Hutchison and Williamson are from Fort Smith, and Crowne and Boudreaux from Northwest Arkansas- the group is surprised when the audiences call for Oreo Blue originals taken from one of the band's six self-produced albums.
"It's fun when someone says 'we had our first date at an Oreo Blue show,' or when a college student knows about us because their older brother or sister followed the band," Crowne said.
A recent gig playing for a Texarkana high school prom, brought Oreo Blue a new group of fans. Crowne said he was a little nervous about how the band would be received, but his fears were quickly dispelled. "They had a blast and we've had a lot of response to our website."
Combine the variety of musical styles Oreo Blue delivers with the talent of the four members and the result is success. Each of the band members could easily make their way in the music world alone, however, the chemistry between them enhances each individual's talent. One of their goals is to deliver a professional show.
Williamson has been in high demand as a talented bassist and has performed with Johnny Johnson and Coco Montoya. Crowne, who borrowed a saxophone from a woman at church to teach himself to play when he was barely a teenager, was a member of the WestArk College Jazz Band and has since played with a variety of performers including Grammy winning bassist Kenny Bentley. The newest member of the group, drummer Stephen Boudreaux, holds a degree in music from the UA and has toured for 15 years working with Bo Diddley, The Bramhall Brothers, Michael Burks and Gerry Moss. Veteran lead guitarist Gary Hutchison has earned a reputation as one of the most accomplished guitarists in the Midwest.
"He's one of the most phenomenal guitarists I've ever encountered," Crowne said. "Most people don't have a clue how versatile he is. Just one more rung up the ladder-from regional to national-Gary would be recognized as one of the truly great guitar players."
In the past few years, the band has cutback on its performance schedule in order to put their families first. With the exception of Crowne, all are married with children. Boudreaux coaches Little League and Hutchison is expecting a new baby.
Crowne continues to immerse himself in music. In addition to managing and booking Oreo Blue and producing their recordings, he is a talent buyer for George's Majestic Lounge. He recently entered the field of artist development and is nurturing the career of singer Amanda Adams, who he discovered at a local karaoke venue. Crowne produced Adams first album and is booking performances.
A new performing venture for Crowne is an acoustic duo with vocalist/guitarist Travis Kidd, "Travis Kidd and Safe Sax."
"I've always wanted to do something with Travis," Crowne said. "He's an extremely talented musician, a solid guitar player and a pristine vocalist. He's so good it bugs me."
The duo played a three-week Colorado tour in March and has dates scheduled locally and regionally. They perform everything from Jimmy Buffet to Willie Nelson to Ozzy Osborne.
Crowne says choosing the life of a musician and the music industry in general is not easy, but confirms that he wouldn't want to do anything else.
"If you let it, any job or career, not just music, will consume you totally.
"The life of a musician-I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but then it's a dream for some people. My worst night on stage is better than any other day on another job."
Oreo Blue CD's are available at www.oreoblue.com, Hastings, Soundwarehouse and CD Warehouse. Bring lawn seating for tonight's Gulley Park concert.