Featured Live Music Artist - Brad Tallman

Our featured Live Music Artist column makes a return and we feature Mr. Brad Tallman!

https://www.reverbnation.com/bradtallman

I had a chance to see Brad at the Rock The Grid Festival (http://www.rtgfestival.com/) at Sebring International Raceway recently.

Many performers will agree that 3 of the most difficult things to do in music is 1) sing solo, no band  2) play acoustic guitar, solo, no band and 3) be the opening act!!  Brad did all three - and did them all well, which really is no surprise.

Brad Tallman is a solo vocalist/solo guitarist.  At this concert, he was a solo acoustic guitarist, to be specific....and the opening act.  People in the audience described his music as acoustic country, acoustic rock, and acoustic blues - all of which would be accurate.  Brad's set consisted of a mixture of originals (all very excellent), some covers, and some new arrangements to well known songs - arrangements that one might not expect.  All of which were performed exceptionally well and were very enjoyable.

But let me describe Brad's stage presence, which is 50% of Live Music, correct?  So, let's picture this - a racing crowd, not sure what to expect (as this was the first concert event at the Sebring 12 Hour ever - or at least as far as anybody can remember), standing in a field, a few yards from the stage, as this one person walks to the front of the stage - acoustic guitar in hand......

Brad welcomed the crowd, went straight into the first song, and pulled it off perfectly.  As with any concert, initially, the crowd was sort of standing back from the stage and evaluating this opening act (as they do with all opening acts at any concert).  By the end of the 2nd song, visible waves of people began moving forward, by the end of the third song, Brad had a crowd of fans at the very front of the stage fixated on his performance, cheering before, during, and after each song.

Brad won over a somewhat unsure crowd, and he did this basically in 2 ways - 1, the music!  His music was fantastic, he made the acoustic guitar fill the stage and the large lawn.  His voice, quite simply, blew people away.  A perfect singing voice in just that right octave for a male vocalist.  And the lyrics to the songs, lyrics everybody could relate to and understand.  And #2, his personality.  He started talking to the crowd as soon as he walked on stage, and connected with them between each song - and it was a genuine connection, he didn't just look off into the crowd, he looked at the crowd, and connected with them.  By the end of his set, every single person in the crowd was up near the stage and cheering and having a good time.

His set was about 30 minutes or so (I really didn't time it) - but I can't wait to see more of this guy on stage with longer sets, and someday with the headline spot.  His reverbnation site was posted at the top of the article - go take a listen - well worth it!

Oh, one last note, this guy also works for it.  Earlier in the day, in 90 degree Florida heat, he was walking among the race fans passing out concert flyers and talking to the fans!

Brad Tallman - remember the name, you'll see more of him in the future, I'm sure!