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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZO'BRIEN, Tim and MollieBrother and sister act from Wheeling WV who grew up listening to country, pop and bluegrass, sang together as teenagers, went to college and separate ways. Tim, a singer, songwriter and multi- instrumentalist (mandolin, guitar, fiddle, etc) played in various bands; moved to Colorado '74 playing with the Ophelia Swing Band, a string jazz group performing swing and novelty tunes from '30s--40s; made solo album Hard Year Blues '77 for Flying Fish, formed Hot Rize '78 with Nick Forster (guitar and vocals), Charles Sawtelle (bass) and Pete Wernick (banjo): they made six albums riding the fence between traditional bluegrass and contemporary 'newgrass', also one of the most entertaining bands on the circuit with comic alter-ego the country-swinging Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers. O'Brien wrote much of Hot Rize's repertoire, as well as mainstream country hits like 'Walk The Way The Wind Blows' and 'Untold Stories' for Kathy Mattea and co-writing with some of country music's best writers like Pat Alger, Hal Ketchum, Gary Nicholson and Fred Koller. Signed solo recording contract with RCA '88; parted ways with Hot Rize determined to kick solo career into top gear, formed a new band with drums and keyboards: the album project remains in RCA's vaults. He re-recorded much of the material for Odd Man In '91 on Sugar Hill; duet with Kathy Mattea, 'The Battle Hymn Of Love' was a country top ten '90. International Bluegrass Music Association named him the Male Vocalist of the Year '93; that year he joined Scott Nygaard and Mark Schatz in a virtuoso trio Tim O'Brien and the O'Boys, recording the stunning Oh Boy! O'Boy! Solo album Rock In My Shoe '95 on Sugar Hill reunited him with sister Mollie, now a bluesy country and pop singer; she studied voice and woodwinds at West Virginia U, moved to NYC, then to Colorado '80; teamed with Tim for occasional duets; first professional appearance as a duo at a Mother's Day concert '84; released Take Me Back '88, a simple, acoustic bluegrass-flavoured album; she also sings in a 'casual' R&B band, Mollie and the Bluetips. Tim also works as producer for various acts covering Cajun, bluegrass, folk and Celtic rock, maintaining a touring schedule solo, with Mollie or both with the O'Boys. Hot Rize albums incl. Radio Boogie '81 on Flying Fish; Tradition Ties '85, Untold Stories '87, Hot Rize Presents Red Knuckles And The Trailblazers: Shades Of The Past '88 all on Sugar Hill; Tim and Mollie O'Brien albums incl. Remember Me '92, Away Out On The Mountain '94 on Sugar Hill; Tim O'Brien solo albums incl. Rock In My Shoe '95, Red On Blonde '96 (a set of Dylan covers), When No One's Around '97 on Sugar Hill. |