Reed Ferguson

Reed's writing skills are unexpected given her age. She has accelerated life experiences, with wisdom beyond her years, that she translates into amazing songs. Her stage presence and powerful voice were surprising. She impressed me. - not published

Reed and lead guitarist, Barry Richman (Eric Clapton, Les Paul, The Allman Brothers, Zac Brown, and many others), join Christine Pullara on WXIA's Atlanta and Company to play acoustic version of Magic Eye, the title track from her latest EP. - WXIA TV Atlanta, Georgia

Reporter John Lorinc introduces listeners to Reed Ferguson, a "Neo" Classic Rock songwriter who just released her latest EP, Magic Eye. - NPR

"While classic rock lovers will delight in the covers sprinkled through her set list, it's Reed's original tunes that are sure to bring new rockers to the fold. " - MDJonline.com

If Rock n Roll is looking for a revival, it just might find its savior in Generation Z’s Reed Ferguson from Atlanta, Georgia. A fusion of various influences puts Reed decidedly in a space all her own. You could call it Neoteric Rock. Her latest CD, an original 5 song EP entitled Magic Eye is evidence of this emerging genre. And it would be a mistake to enter into Reed’s world with expectations, because she is anything but predictable. Her instrumentation, melodies and lyrics defy categorization. It’s no wonder notables in the industry say Reed’s writing style is on the path to being “prolific” and perhaps this is what her songwriting idols Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Robert Plant looked like at 18.

With a plethora of influences, from R&B and gospel to Classic Rock and Blues, her original music comes to vibrant life on her latest 5-song EP, Magic Eye…all by Reed’s perfect design. Bringing together musicians with different experiences was imperative to Reed in order to achieve her vision for Magic Eye. Drummer D’Andre’ Thigpin has an R&B and gospel background. Bass player Preston Shewbridge, a self-professed John Mayer fiend, comes from a progressive rock background. And Reed is a lover of all things blues and classic rock, which is why she brought in lead guitarist Barry Richman who has played with the likes of Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers, Les Paul and many others. His Classic, and sometimes Santana-like, style brought the “Amen” to this revival. Reed will attest to that, “I think the more you listen to, the more you just absorb. Whether, it's a new riff, or their style, every time you listen to a new artist or band, you pick something up from them…a little inspiration.”

And “inspired” she is! With a real maturity and deep understanding of the human condition, Reed’s lyrics articulate best what her generation is all about. There is an unusual, thoughtful depth to her lyrical content, with subjects ranging from pop culture’s sexualization of women to the dead end street that is drug abuse. "I tend to really work hard on lyrics. Every time I sit down to write a song, I swear to Bob Dylan that this will not be some crappy cheesy pop song. This will mean something to people.”

Magic Eye (EP) was fully funded by fans on Kickstarter.

--The title song was inspired by the “Magic Eye” paintings of the 90’s, which on the surface show an intricate design, but by soft focusing your eyes another image pops out. Reed thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could see PEOPLE that way?” In other words, what if we could see people beyond the surface for what they really are.

--“Keep To Yourself” is Reed’s take on feminism, derived from her frustration with the Hollywood portrayal of women and those who buy into it by trying to emulate the magazine covers.

-- “The Burnout Knew Better” was inspired from a Youtube video of so called “cool” kids at Coachella. Perturbed with audiences who don’t really know what the music is about, Reed wrote this tune as a riddle, and if you know who “the Burnout” is, you likely don’t fall into that category.

And then there are songs like 'He Thinks It’s Magic" and "Grim Reaper” (reminiscent of early Green Day), two songs that describe the dead end street that is drugs.

Even the album art, designed by Panamanian artist Jaime Guillen and graphics designer Kristy Strait, harkens back to the 60’s with a psychedelic feel and rawness that says the music is the star of this album.

Reed's vocals are delightfully different as well. They are neither the raspy delivery one would expect of Rock n Roll nor the Colbie Caillet-esque restrained vocals of current female pop vocalists. Instead, they have a sweet, soulful, “airy” quality….a uniqueness that seems to say “Rockers come in all shapes and sizes and I’m proof!”

So set up your tent and pull up a chair for this rock revival. A rebirth is happening. Reed will tell you that anyone "can write a clever line" or create a catchy tune, but "The trick is actually telling a story, creating a world inside your song." And it's there, inside the nuances of her songs on Magic Eye, that Reed defines a new generation of Rock. - Guitar Girl Magazine

Reed is an 18 year old prodigy out of Atlanta who is bringin old school rock n’ roll flavor into the present day. Her rich soulfulness and smooth vocals bring a profound headiness to her music. Songs like “My Favorite Color” “One Way Road Back Home,” and “Wide Eyed Little Sly Guy” on her website show her diversity and the gradient in the spectrum of her work. - AXS

Reed, Preston Shewbridge (on bass) and Ben Sparaco (on lead guitar) join the gang at Balcony TV Nashville to play Magic Eye, the title track from Reed's latest EP. - Balcony TV

Reed Ferguson is a rare talent with a voice that makes my heart smile. Get ready world. This is a singing sensation! - Not published

"the greatest accomplishments I celebrate--my proudest moments--are the moments I create something that sticks with me...something I really love and that other people can relate to or take something from." ----Reed Ferguson
http://www.popvltr.com/2014/09/reed-ferguson.html - PopVulture Magazine

"You better get this girl's autograph now! In the future it won't be so easy, she will be huge and she is such an excellent songwriter and singer that she made my 21 year old son cry! We all know that when you can create emotion that you have already succeeded."
- not published

“Reed is amazing...a young artist who writes teen ‘angsty’ lyrics every kid can relate to." - not published

'Wide Eyed' is like Taylor Swift x 3 when it comes to ex-boyfriends, and it brought a smile to my face. Im sure there's a lot more that Reed has to say about life, love and the pursuit of happiness, and I can't wait to hear it! - TIW Music blog

by John Lorinc - NPR 90.1 Atlanta