Oli Brown

Oli Brown

Late 2002 saw Oli pick up a guitar for the first time and just 2 ½ years later, at 15, he was invited to play in America as the guest of Blinddog Smokin’, this first trip saw Oli open for Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal. Oli has been back to the States each Summer since that first trip.

In 2006, following suggestions from Carl Gustafson, the band leader of Blinddog Smokin’, Oli put together The Oli Brown Band and their first gig was March 2007 in Norwich.

2007 saw Oli record a live session for BBC Radio 2 (The Paul Jones Show) which received rave reviews.

2008 and Oli was signed to the German Blues label, Ruf Records, Thomas Ruf actually flew into the UK to see Oli perform and signed him there and then.

The debut album, OPEN ROAD, was recorded and released in 2008 and received great reviews from both the UK and Europe and, two years on, is still high in the Blues Charts.

“has the Blues under his fingernails” Classic Rock
“a debut that lives up to expectations” Mojo
“the future of the Blues is evidently bright” Guitarist
“definitely one for the present as well as the future” Guitar and Bass
“a sparkling debut” Sunday Express

Oli was the ONLY UK act to be selected for the 2008 International Blues Convention in Memphis and whilst in Memphis was asked by John Fry (the owner of Ardent Studios) to go in and record a live session for them, this session received 1.3 million hits in three weeks.

The year ended with OPEN ROAD being voted the No.2 Blues release of 2008 by the readers of Blues Matters! Magazine.

2009 was a busy gigging year and a UK tour was put together in association with HMV and had numerous sell out venues.
Oli also gigged extensively in Europe with Ruf Record’s Blues Caravan.

Vanquish Guitars became an endorsee of Oli and now produce the Oli Brown Signature guitar (made to the specific requirements that Oli wants on stage), Hofner, Blackstar, Kustom, Ernie Ball, Whirlwind, Randystraps also became endorsees.

2010 saw Oli back in the studio with the legendary producer, Mike Vernon (Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, John Mayall)
Mike actually came out of self imposed retirement to work with Oli, after seeing and hearing him on various You Tube videos.

The album “HEADS I WIN TAILS YOU LOSE” was finished in February 2010 with a release date of
26 April 2010. The new album features 8 Oli originals, 2 Oli and Mike Vernon originals and 2 great covers (No Diggity and Fever)

A live session has been recorded for Paul Jones, BBC Radio2, which will be aired in April.

Oli will be gigging in Europe, the UK (including Glastonbury) America and New Zealand this year along with numerous local and international radio sessions.

WEBSITE: http://www.olibrownband.co.uk
PUBLICITY AND MEDIA RELATIONS: www.gfi-promotions.com
RECORD LABEL: www.rufrecords.de
MANAGEMENT: management@olibrownband.co.uk - +44 (0) 7917 443362
BOOKINGS: www.rhinoagency.co.uk