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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 ZBREWER and SHIPLEYSoft-rock duo Mike Brewer (b 14 April '44, Oklahoma City) and Tom Shipley (b 1 April '42, Mineral Ridge OH), both formerly solo folksingers, teamed as songwriters for A&M '65. After the label released an unauthorized LP of their demos (Down In L.A. '68) they moved to Kama Sutra. San Francisco producer Nick Gravenites used first-class backing musicians such as Nicky Hopkins, Mike Bloomfield, Jerry Garcia for albums Weeds '69 and Tarkio '70; the latter made US charts with surprise hit 'One Toke Over The Line', despite being banned for blatant drug reference. Folksy style continued on LPs Shake Off The Demon '72 and Rural Space '73; they switched to Capitol, then Mercury for sporadic LPs. Set up home with families on farmland in Missouri, not too disturbed at lack of continued commercial success. Last LP Not Far From Free '78, with sessionmen from Area Code 615 stable; Brewer made solo album Beauty Lies. |