outta the belly

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/118985190826870.xml&coll=9 - Saginaw News...

OUTTA THE BELLY PLAYING LOCAL CIRCUIT

Photo by Krystle Dunham Rachel Brown (left) and Amy Timbers are members of Outta the Belly. The group performed to a crowd of about 95 Aug. 2 as part of Milan's Concert in the Park Series. As children, Amy Timbers and Rachel Brown had dreams of becoming musical performers. Now, as adults, those dreams have come true. "You're never too old to reach for your dreams," Brown said. "We're a prime example to continue with your dreams." Timbers, 38, of Milan and Brown, 49, of Ypsilanti are members of the musical group Outta the Belly. The group performs acoustic/folk music throughout the Milan area.



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- Milan Leads / Saline Reporter

Outta the Belly playing local circuit

Timbers, Brown plan to make first album

By Krystle Dunham, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: August 9, 2007


Photo by Krystle Dunham
Rachel Brown (left) and Amy Timbers are members of Outta the Belly. The group performed to a crowd of about 95 Aug. 2 as part of Milan's Concert in the Park Series.

As children, Amy Timbers and Rachel Brown had dreams of becoming musical performers. Now, as adults, those dreams have come true.

"You're never too old to reach for your dreams," Brown said. "We're a prime example to continue with your dreams."

Timbers, 38, of Milan and Brown, 49, of Ypsilanti are members of the musical group Outta the Belly. The group performs acoustic/folk music throughout the Milan area.

Both women have their own individual roles as members of the band. Timbers is the singer and songwriter, and also plays the rhythm guitar. Brown is the back-up vocalist and plays keyboard.

Outta the Belly's mission is to connect to its audience through its stage presence and sound, but mostly through the lyrics to Timbers' songs.

The band's lyrics are about life experiences.

"It's good, clean music. It always has a good message -- love and God," said Sue Burgin of Milan and niece of Timbers.

Timbers first formed the group in the early part of 2000 without Brown. The group was a full electric five-piece band performing all of Timbers' original music she had written. Timbers was the only woman in the band.

The band survived for a few years before differences of opinion and the direction they should take broke them up.

Once the band separated, Timbers realized it was time to change things up.

"I wanted a sister," she said.

Soon after, Timbers met Brown while working for the Vineyard Church in Milan.

Timbers learned that Brown had two years of experience playing the piano and thought that was the change the group needed.

Shortly after meeting, the two women decided to join forces and continue the pursuit of Timbers' original music.

Since then, Outta the Belly has played across the state, including places such as the steps of the capitol in Lansing to draw attention to suicide prevention, the Belleville Strawberry Festival, Wyandotte Street Fair, Faithfest, Hines Park Biker Bash, the Milan Relay for Life and Holypalooza.

Outta the Belly also regularly plays at local coffee shops throughout the area, including the Lighthouse Coffee Shop in Milan, Zou Zou's in Chelsea and Foggy Bottom in Dexter.

Timbers and Brown have also performed throughout the Michigan prison system, including maximum-security prisons.

The best part of performing her music, for Timbers, is hearing the audience say the music she has written relates to their lives.

"Just having our music touch people's lives is the best part of being a performer," she said.

Brown hopes after the group's listeners hear an Outta the Belly performance, the audience will walk away with hope and encouragement to step out of life's boundaries.

While Outta the Belly has not produced an album yet, Timbers said one of her goals for the group is to start working on one this fall or winter.

Before the duet started performing in front of audiences, both could be found singing for their local churches and their school programs. But it wasn't until several years after high school and marriage that the desire to actually write music, perform and play instruments became a part of their everyday life.

Timbers said it took her to reach adulthood before she realized she missed singing.

"Music has always been there for me, ever since I was a little girl," she said.

When she was a young girl, Timbers was very shy and was never very thrilled to be performing in front of people. Her choir teacher always wanted her to perform, but Timbers never really wanted to, she said.

Brown said her love for music developed through her family and her participation in youth group bands associated with her church.

"Music has just always been there for me, too," she said.

For more information on Outta the Belly, visit www.myspace.com/outtathebelly or http://sonicbids.com/outtathebelly.

Staff Writer Krystle Dunham can be reached at 429-7380 or through the editor at mrogers@heritage.com.
- Milan Leader News

Outta The Belly, a two piece group that I have managed in the past, a perfect example of a band that wants to get their message out. Their soulful lyrics and their great musical talent plays to all ages and really makes you think. I am very proud to work with them at anytime at any venue. - Don Keith, Director, Manager, Promoter