MY STORY
Reflecting back, it’s been quite the journey. Cruising down the Dan Ryan Expressway at the ripe young age of 14 on my way to play my first gig with my step dad’s band….yep, that was pretty much the beginning of what one could call a twisted, crazy, bumpy, long, road worn, drunken musical trip.
One can easily assume that my High School years were not typical. While my peers were attending football games and enjoying after school punch, my weekends were filled with road worthy tales of college girls, beer and oh yeah, playing gigs throughout the Mid-West.
When my time had come to disembark from the institution of lower-level learning, I took the easy road out of town and joined the United States Army. Growing up in small town Illinois surrounded by corn and soy beans, I couldn’t foresee an adequate future that would facilitate my creativity or fulfill/relieve this burning, aching, gut-clenching feeling that there is more out there.
After spending some quality time in the US Army, I retreated back to my passion. Armed with a few scars, a 30-round magazine full of life experience and some stories under my belt, songwriting became my new addiction. From that point on...you can google me!
Touring nationally for over 12 years, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Jimmie Vaughan, REO Speedwagon, Tesla, Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love, Squeeze, JJ Grey, Chris Baron (Spin Doctors), Paul Riser and more.
Do I have regrets? I do wonder, as the great Mr. Dave Matthews asks, could I have been….
Photo By: L. Rode CELEBRITY ACCESS
- Recent article from Maximum Metal Column
"The opener was Brent Byrd, a Northeast Florida native that's toured and supported the likes of REO Speedwagon, Jimmie Vaughan and Donavon Frankenreiter. Byrd, who often fronts a full band, needed only a guitar and a mic to captivate the audience. Embracing his love for Southern Rock, Americana and Blues, Byrd ran through a short solo set of powerful, original cuts, before closing with a song close to his heart--"Whipping Post" by The Allman Brothers Band. Vocally, Byrd's vocals and playing are reminiscent of troubadour talent Ryan Bingham (and fellow slide guitarist). In reality, the crowd probably would have watched an hour long set from Byrd and never left the seat"
"Singer-Songwriter Brent Byrd has raised eye brows through his lively performances"
- Luke Reynolds, Herald-Tribune
DISCOGRAPHY
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