When Rick Brantley opens his mouth, it is time to listen. Behind his thunderous voice, pounding piano, and pulsing rock guitar lies a vision, or, as Brantley puts it, a “battle cry.” Expect to discover the heart of the human existence: the desperation and disillusionment, cynicism and longing, but also an inexhaustible hope. It’s as if he has developed a true artistic detachment that bleeds authenticity. It is hard to believe that the music and lungs responsible for this authentic 21st century “millennium rock n’ roll” originates from such a young Georgia native, but Brantley sees his youth as an asset.
On stage, Brantley’s youthful energy collides with his world-weary insight, creating an irresistible friction. Though his fiery music could certainly stand alone, it is the often-wistful lyrics that give Brantley’s songs their dimension. He gives rock n’ roll a conscience and an overwhelming sense of triumph and couples that with a belief that music must be more than just a soundtrack. In his own words, he views himself and his music as “a mouthpiece for many things: tolerance, freedom, love, hope, justice, peace…war…God’s instrument to change this world.”
It seems Brantley has created the perfect balancing act. He combines Otis Redding’s moan and Joe Cocker’s growl with all the heart-pounding intensity of a breathless Bruce Springsteen. Add a horn section, a couple gospel background singers, and an unshakeable purpose, and you find yourself listening to Rick Brantley. It is the flickering human spirit standing up to the grit of reality.If you’ve been wondering if rock ‘n roll has truly been put to death by today’s fabricated, widget-like pop stars “popping” out of the woodworks, rest assured that you will find the phoenix not only rising out of but bursting forth from Rick Brantley.
Brantley, barely 21, writes, plays, and sings his Southern angst filled rock n’ roll with the heart, soul and body of a young Bruce Springsteen or Kris Kristofferson. Brantley’s songs address the same timeless issues that his protégés addressed in the 60’s and 70’s: the confusion and longing inherent in lovelorn youth, political and racial injustice, and a search for meaning in a world that offers harsh judgments but few solutions. “The issues are the same today as they were when Lennon, Dylan, and Robbie Robertson (a few of his influences) were writing about them,” Rick says, “and we are still divided over them.”
In keeping with the true rock concert tradition of his heroes, a Rick Brantley performance is packed to the max with action. One moment Rick’s fingers are hammering across the keyboards as he’s belting out lyrics with a Bob Seger like frenzy, and his full band is pounding down the house to keep up with him. Next, Rick is center stage going at it with an electric ax, and the next moment he’s back at the keys, under spotlight, crooning out a ballad that will break your heart. His audience is always riveted.
Rick Brantley’s music is meaningful and his performances are full of passion and integrity. After a long, long wait, rock n’ roll has found the real deal again.
When Rick Brantley opens his mouth, it is time to listen. Behind his thunderous voice, pounding piano, and pulsing rock guitar lies a vision, or, as Brantley puts it, a “battle cry.” Expect to discover the heart of the human existence: the desperation and disillusionment, cynicism and longing, but also an inexhaustible hope. It’s as if he has developed a true artistic detachment that bleeds authenticity. It is hard to believe that the music and lungs responsible for this authentic 21st century “millennium rock n’ roll” originates from such a young Georgia native, but Brantley sees his youth as an asset.
On stage, Brantley’s youthful energy collides with his world-weary insight, creating an irresistible friction. Though his fiery music could certainly stand alone, it is the often-wistful lyrics that give Brantley’s songs their dimension. He gives rock n’ roll a conscience and an overwhelming sense of triumph and couples that with a belief that music must be more than just a soundtrack. In his own words, he views himself and his music as “a mouthpiece for many things: tolerance, freedom, love, hope, justice, peace…war…God’s instrument to change this world.”[
It seems Brantley has created the perfect balancing act. He combines Otis Redding's moan and Joe Cocker's growl with all the heart-pounding intensity of a breathless Bruce Springsteen. Add a horn section, a couple gospel background singers, and an unshakeable purpose, and you find yourself listening to Rick Brantley. It is the flickering human spirit standing up to the grit of reality.If you've been wondering if rock 'n roll has truly been put to death by today's fabricated, widget-like pop stars "popping" out of the woodworks, rest assured that you will find the phoenix not only rising out of but bursting forth from Rick Brantley.
Brantley, barely 21, writes, plays, and sings his Southern angst filled rock n' roll with the heart, soul and body of a young Bruce Springsteen or Kris Kristofferson. Brantley's songs address the same timeless issues that his protégés addressed in the 60's and 70's: the confusion and longing inherent in lovelorn youth, political and racial injustice, and a search for meaning in a world that offers harsh judgments but few solutions. "The issues are the same today as they were when Lennon, Dylan, and Robbie Robertson (a few of his influences) were writing about them," Rick says, "and we are still divided over them."
In keeping with the true rock concert tradition of his heroes, a Rick Brantley performance is packed to the max with action. One moment Rick's fingers are hammering across the keyboards as he's belting out lyrics with a Bob Seger like frenzy, and his full band is pounding down the house to keep up with him. Next, Rick is center stage going at it with an electric ax, and the next moment he's back at the keys, under spotlight, crooning out a ballad that will break your heart. His audience is always riveted.
Rick Brantley's music is meaningful and his performances are full of passion and integrity. After a long, long wait, rock n' roll has found the real deal again.
