Longtime readers of O&AN will already be familiar with its companion television show on News Channel 5+ “Out & About Today.”
Those who watch the show should already be familiar with the catchy theme music that opens and closes it. That original theme music was written and composed especially for “O&A Today” by out singer and instrumentalist Brian Glenn.
Brian has recently released his first solo CD “Original Intent,” which is a collection of 12 songs that highlight his musical capability…traveling the roads of contemporary country music while paying tribute to those who laid the way. Brian’s voice resonates with a chameleonic quality that goes from one end of the country spectrum to the other and sometimes even borders on R&B and the Blues. The mix is no surprise considering his musical background.
“This is the best representation of my work thus far,” Brian told O&AN.
Born in Cadillac, Michigan as part of a third generation of singers and entertainers, Brian has been playing professional gigs since the age of eleven. While still in high school he formed a band with his cousins that eventually moved to Pontiac, Michigan and assumed house band duties at the nationally known High Kicker Saloon. In 1990 this same group moved to Nashville and performed regularly at the Opryland Hotel. They also toured all over the continent — Las Vegas, Canada and from Baltimore to the Florida Keys — playing fairs, festivals and clubs. During this time the band opened for over 50 major artists and recorded a song written by Larry Gatlin that reached # 4 on the independent records chart.
When the family band split in ’96, Brian continued gaining experience as a singer and instrumentalist including two seasons at Opryland Theme Park and the Opry Mills Entertainment Complex. He led the house band at Nashville’s Broken Spoke Saloon and went on to form his own band called Hunker Down that rocked the famous Wildhorse Saloon, opening for artists like Lee Ann Womack and Lonestar. In the years that followed, he established himself as a high-demand demo singer.
As of 2006, his vocals have been used on over 1,300 country and Christian songs for music publishers, songwriters and sound-a-like recordings. As a background singer and musician, he has worked with the likes of Michelle Wright, Darryl Worley, Andy Griffith, Christy Lane, Connie Smith, Porter Wagoner, John Anderson and with several artists at the Grand Ole Opry. As a lead vocalist he sang on recordings used by CBS daytime’s “The Young and the Restless,” the Lifetime Network, and the 78th Annual Academy Awards.
“I think that in regards to the country music industry people are a lot more accepting than they are often given credit for,” said Brian, who is completely out. “I hardly strike fear into the hearts of anyone who has any homophobic ideas and people pick up on that.”
In April of 2002, Brian received a call from country star Marty Stuart and became a “Fabulous Superlative” along with guitarist Kenny Vaughan and drummer Harry Stinson. The band is featured with Marty on tour as well as on recordings for Marty’s 2003 Columbia Records album, “Country Music,” as well as 2005’s “Soul’s Chapel and Badlands” and “Live At The Ryman from 2006” (Grammy nominated).
Still on tour with Marty, Brian performs about 80 shows a year with the Superlatives as well as continuing his session work and live performances in Nashville.
“Original Intent” is available online by using Paypal. Visit www.brianglenn.com for more information or email your request to BrianGlennCD@comcast.net.