Tim Briggs

Ransom Briggs and Jamie Briggs were both in the Tim Briggs Band prior to HIT-N-RUN. 

With two video's on C.M.T. and opening for the Dixie Chicks, Lori Morgan, and Collin Ray, the Briggs Brothers were hooked on music for life...

Tim spent the late 70's and early 80's endlessly touring the Southeast region with his group, The Bonnie Gringo Band; their album One Eyed Dan the Fiddlin Man was widely played throughout Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. After those years of touring, Tim returned to his home in Indiana to work on his Bachelor's degree in Art and a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. Upon graduation, Tim began teaching in Florida, yet he couldn't abandon the music he loved; he began to play part-time.

It was while playing one of those pick-up gigs that Tim met Teddy Gentry of Alabama, who was vacationing in Florida at the time. Grasping Tim's special talent, Teddy began working with Tim by co-writing songs and planning to produce Tim's debut album. Tim joined the Nashville community becoming a writer for Alabama's publisher, the Maypop Music Group, which then led to Tim's touring with Alabama playing guitar, mandolin, harmonica and providing background vocals. Currently, Tim divides his time traveling, playing gigs, and working on his new CD in Boston. His unique blend of honesty and humor bring a new facet to rock music, his spirited performance will capture you as he sings his songs.

Previous Bio:

The unique story of Tim Briggs is a characterization of what many musicians hope for but few achieve. After years of playing in a variety of bands, Briggs was fortunate to make the acquaintance of country music supergroup Alabama. Shortly thereafter, Tim discovered a new direction and determination, which renewed his belief in himself and his music.

Like many artists, Tim Briggs was inspired by the sounds of Bob Dylan and the folk music boom of the 1960's. His musical interests took a giant leap forward when he witnessed the U.S. television debut of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. At that moment, he realized his life's ambition and began to teach himself to play a guitar given to him as a gift from his older brother and musical mentor, David.

By the mid-1970's, Briggs had moved to Florida from his home in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and was touring with a Christian group when he was asked to join Christian music's most popular group, Petra. Unfortunately, his growing disenchantment with the music business of the time prevented him from making music his lifelong career choice. Music, however, was still the love of his life.

By the early-80's, Briggs returned with brother David to form a southern rock group called the Bonnie Gringo Band. They toured extensively throughout the Southeast and recorded an album titled One Eyed Dan the title of which serves as subject matter for a song contained on his Intersound Country/Pro Records debut. Once again, Briggs removed himself from the music business, deciding to complete his bachelor's degree in art at Indiana University. He was on his way to obtaining a masters degree as well when he returned to Florida to teach art in elementary school during the day, while still playing his own brand of southern rock in local clubs at night.

In 1987, Tim formed the band that bears his name with bassist John Sullivan and drummer Doug Frame. In fact, the band's rhythm section has remained with him to this day, and were accompanying him on that fateful day when they were performing for the Chamber of Commerce in Boca Grande, Florida. On that particular day, all were shocked to learn that Teddy Gentry from the group Alabama was in the audience. The anxious group took the stage and put on the performance of their lives, concentrating especially on Tim's original compositions. After the performance, an exhausted Briggs was rejuvenated at the sight of Teddy Gentry walking towards him trying to get his attentions. By the end of their conversation, Gentry made it clear that he was interested in producing Briggs, who, as a long-time Alabama fan, was more than interested in working with Gentry.

The pair began working almost immediately by writing songs and recording in the studio. They worked tirelessly for three years, encountering many obstacles. Even though Briggs possessed a strong musical mentor in Gentry, and benefited from Gentry's many associations, a need to put food on the table forced his return to the world of academics. After only a few months had passed, Briggs received an offer to join Alabama on the road playing guitar. This temporary opportunity resulted in a permanent situation and allowed Gentry and Briggs to continue their work on a constant basis now that the pair worked together for months at a time. Finally, after extensive work with Gentry on the road, things were beginning to look up for Briggs, who was now beginning to play his own music on Alabama dates while the rest of the group took a break.

With a clear vision of a project in their minds, Briggs and Gentry, along with songwriter/producer Robert Byrne, entered Nashville's Javelina Studios in early 1997 to put together the artist's self-titled, debut album for Intersound Country/Pro Records. Recorded with some of Nashville's finest session musicians and co-produced by Gentry and Byrne, Tim Briggs also features the newest members of Briggs' touring band, his sons. Ransom and Jamie Briggs both play guitar and provide backing vocals on the album, which features many Briggs-Gentry compositions and displays the artist's musical versatility.

From tender, heart-felt ballads to humorous, pop country fare, Tim Briggs showcases the folk, rock, and country influences that have defined Briggs' writing and performance style. Songs like "No Difference" and "Everything She Needs" are wonderfully-performed with a style reminiscent of the early Eagles, while "Coupe de Ville" and "She's A Country Girl," quite simply, rock. The first single from the album, "Couch Potato," displays Briggs' with and knack for writing a great hook. This song, combined with a hilariously-exaggerated video, will certainly make us all reflect on the little bit of "couch potato" that is in everyone.

With the release of his debut project, Tim Briggs has come full circle in making the music that has inspired his personal direction. His wealth of experience and diverse musical background are well-documented on this freshman effort, making a clear statement about the future of country music. In many ways, Briggs understands that the time spent as a "weekend warrior" in Florida clubs and the six years and 600-plus dates on the road with country music's most popular group have led to the culmination of his dream. The sounds of that dream are to be heard forever on Tim Briggs.

See reviews from these magazines...

Magazine

"This outing by bandleader Tim Briggs, a sideman from the group Alabama, is a pleasant surprise. Briggs proves to be a capable songwriter and an engaging vocalist with a Don Henley-esque edge. In fact, comparisons to the Eagles are inevitable, but Briggs manages to convey his own identity, mainly through good song selection. Besides his own tunes, Briggs draws upon those from the likes of Alabama's Teddy Gentry, Billy Montana, David Briggs, Rick Carnes, Gary Nicholson, and Southern legends Donnie Fritts and Dan Penn. Smooth group harmonies, a Dylan-inspired harmonica, and a rocking band yield an effective mix of '60s country rock and '90s country pop. Distributed by Intersound Country.

 

 "This takes precisely 10 seconds to get under your skin. The ol' boy sounds like yer next door neighbor. The band's happy foot rhythm sense makes you wanna boogie around the yard. And the lyric is a by-gum, guaranteed smile. I'd love to hear this as a No.1 record. Briggs formerly played guitar on the road with Alabama, and Teddy produced."

Robert K. Oermann

 

 "Imagine Eagles-like country rock, add a sense of humor and you'll start to have a handle on Tim Briggs. The album blends rocking country, tender ballads and fun, witty songs. It opens with "Coupe de Ville" a rockin' cruising car song. The fast paced "She's a Country Girl" celebrates the virtues of a country girl - in the style of Brooks & Dunn's "Rock My World." "Memphis Women and Chicken" is a catchy celebration of two of Tim's favorite elements of the South. Tim's years in Florida left their mark on his songs. Clever lyrics, funny social commentary and danceable music reveal hints of other famous Florida musicians such as the Bellamy Brothers and Jimmy Buffett. "Cold Budweiser and a Sweet Tater" is an ode to a nearly empty refrigerator, while "Couch Potato" exalts the tranquility of cushioned vegetation. Tim spent the last six years as guitarist for the country supergroup Alabama and writing songs with Teddy Gentry, Alabama's bass player. Teddy serves as producer for Tim's self-titled debut, but this is no 'Bama Lite album - Tim has something of his own to say.

Cynthia E. Brodrick

www.myspace.com/timbriggsmusic

Tim Briggs

Bonnie Gringo Band

1979