Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau

What really strikes the listener when enjoying Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau is: you can truly feel the “realness” of the music. They are not trying to be bluegrass. They are not trying to be the blues. They are not trying to be alt/country/rock. They are not trying to be anything other than what they are: a damn fine band. This band is a square peg that slides smoothly right into a square hole. Though Richie, a born and bred Smoky Mountain native, could certainly ride his pedi...

What really strikes the listener when enjoying Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau is: you can truly feel the “realness” of the music. They are not trying to be bluegrass. They are not trying to be the blues. They are not trying to be alt/country/rock. They are not trying to be anything other than what they are: a damn fine band. This band is a square peg that slides smoothly right into a square hole. Though Richie, a born and bred Smoky Mountain native, could certainly ride his pedigree right down the “biscuits and gravy circuit”, his band’s music is a simple heartfelt expression of life experience, earnestly shown through accessible yet stirringly poetic lyrics, that is exciting, honest, dynamic and entertaining beyond any sort of regional pigeon-holing. The music is the best of what Americana strives to be without any evidence of unnatural effort or formula. It touches the heart. It’s relevant. It’s fun to listen to. The songs are great and the musicianship is superb. Take some mountain music, the blues, a little Celtic influence, some old school country western and some hard driving rock and roll, throw it in a blender, add ice and some twelve year old sour mash and you end up with the potent blend called Richie Owens and the Farm Bureau. I’d hate to meet the fellow who doesn’t enjoy it. Do your ears a big favor and give them a listen. You’ll be more than glad you did.