Traveler: The Musical Odyssey of Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer who has explored the American musical landscape for five decades. He has digested a broad array of roots styles and reshaped them to his own purposes. Bobbie Malone and Bill C. Malone have teamed up to chronicle OBrien's career and trace the ascent of Hot Rize and its broadening and enrichment of musical traditions. OBrien's success in navigating the shoals of America's vast reservoir of folk musical expressions has taken him into the realm of Americana. Traveler provides the first complete, behind-the-scenes picture of a thoroughly American self-made musical genius.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

For over five decades, Tim O'Brien has been an influential figure in the American music scene, as a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer. While his roots in Appalachia and Ireland have become integral to his identity and music, he has embraced a diverse range of musical styles, reshaping them to suit his unique purposes. Collaborating once again with award-winning biographer Bobbie Malone and renowned country music historian Bill C. Malone, they have brought forth a comprehensive account of O'Brien's career and the rise of Hot Rize, a bluegrass band that left an indelible mark on the genre.

Born in West Virginia, O'Brien relocated to the Rocky Mountain West at the outset of his career. Within a short span, he assumed the roles of lead singer, mandolin and fiddle player, and primary songwriter for the beloved 1980s bluegrass band Hot Rize. Seeking to expand his musical horizons, he ventured to Nashville, where his success in navigating the vast tapestry of folk musical expressions led him into the realm of Americana.

At the heart of Tim O'Brien's virtuosity lies his unwavering enthusiasm for embarking on new musical adventures. As a traveler, he has explored a wide spectrum of instruments, songs, styles, fellow musicians, and venues, always seeking to push the boundaries of his creativity. Written with O'Brien's full cooperation and input from family, friends, colleagues, and critics, "Traveler" offers a revealing and comprehensive portrait of a self-made musical genius. It traces his journey from a boy who grew up listening to country artists at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree to charting a new course through American music.

Throughout his career, O'Brien has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and The Grateful Dead. His music encompasses a fusion of traditional bluegrass, country, and folk elements, infused with his own distinctive style and storytelling. His albums, such as "The Longest Train," "West of the Divide," and "The Ghost of Tom Joad," have received critical acclaim and have solidified his place as a musical legend.

In addition to his musical achievements, O'Brien has been actively involved in promoting the preservation and expansion of traditional American music. He has served as a board member for the International Bluegrass Music Association and has been instrumental in organizing the annual Bluegrass Music Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina. Through his music and advocacy, he has inspired countless musicians and fans alike to appreciate the rich heritage of American music.

Tim O'Brien's legacy as a singer, musician, songwriter, and producer continues to resonate deeply within the American music scene. His unwavering pursuit of musical adventure, combined with his exceptional talent and dedication, has left an indelible mark on the genre and inspired generations of musicians to come. Whether he is playing his mandolin or singing his heartfelt songs, O'Brien remains a true icon of American music, whose influence will be felt for years to come.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806190624