Brandy Wood

Only a few names come to mind who follow the traditions that honor true rock music. In recent years, Macy Gray, Kurt Cobain, Sheryl Crow and Ryan Adams have given us the universal and uplifting lyrics amplified by well written song forms that etch meaningful sound tracks into our lives.

Brandy Wood, the fiery haired Virginia waif has her priorities set in that same foundation.

With the release of her debut CD, Alone, Brandy Wood brought to the listener honest life experiences from her transplanted home of Greenwich Village. From the depths of her center, Brandy’s lyrics allow you to sit in the driver’s seat in order to see and feel, first hand, what it is like to take the soulful and musical journey of artistic evolution, alone.

Her sound is rooted in the South, precise, textured and alive. Even with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Jazz Performance, under Mike Richmond, and bass tutorials with Michael Manring, Brandy chooses to pursue the "crossroads" tradition in her quest for authentic musical mileage. Recently returned to her hometown of Richmond, Brandy writes and plays for the sake of pilgrimage.

At the age of 18, Brandy was recruited to play bass by Lisa Wexler, daughter of the legendary producer, Jerry Wexler (Aretha Franklin…), for the all female R&B group entitled Big Sister. Together, the group recorded two full length albums, Soulful Stride and Live at the Lake. They toured and performed live at countless North American venues, including the famous Antone’s in Austin, Texas during the 1994 SXSW Music & Media Conference, and at the Sarasota/Bradenton Blues Festival in 1992, where they opened for Solomon Burke and Otis Rush.

Upon leaving Big Sister, Brandy became one of the original members of the notorious New York underground rock group, Cherry Red. For three years, Cherry Red dazzled the New York scene with their uncompromising approach to sound and image, razor sharp lyrics, classic 12 bar upbeat rock songs and a natural sense of flash. Cherry Red toured the Northeast supporting their single "Get Set" released by Ferralette Records.

As the members of Cherry Red disbursed, Brandy began writing songs of a more deeply personal nature, with an emphasis on the great songwriting styles of such groups as The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave and Bad Co. Her first live performance of this material caught the attention of David Lowery, and Brandy was asked to join Virgin Records’ recording artists, Cracker. Brandy has toured across the US, Canada and Europe with Cracker, performing on stages with The Counting Crows, Foreigner, Sheryl Crow and Bob Dylan, and is the bassist and female voice on their last two studio albums.

With Brandy’s first CD as front woman gaining more momentum and great reviews, and the popularity of the live shows growing exponentially, Brandy is currently performing and working on the follow up record. She also continues to find time to play with other artists. Ronnie Earl (Roomful of Blues/Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters), Lenny Kaye (The Patti Smith Group), Patti Rothberg, Alex Skolnick (Testament), Sean Lane (Dream Theater), Leni Stern, Sue Foley, Murali Coryell, Matt Smith, Pat Burgeson (Lyle Lovett’s Large Band, Chet Atkins), Sarah Greenwood and Garrison Starr are just some of the artists who have had the benefit of Brandy Wood sitting in on bass. Brandy has also toured with the Chris Barron Band (featuring Chris Barron and Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors), as well as spent summers teaching at the National Guitar Workshop. Brandy sings regularly with the Rock Candy house band when she is in New York City.