The Rd Olson Blues band

Born in the Country

An album “experience” by Blues singer, R.D. Olson

What makes a Blues singer great? It’s that special person who makes you “feel” the

Blues, lets you relate to those face-down-in-the-dirt times, situations you wish would end,

and those you hope never do, emotions that fill you with hope, and the seldom felt

elations of true happiness. After all, the Blues is simply an extension of Life put to music.

R.D. Olson, Arizona Blues Hall of Fame inductee, possesses that rare and unique talent

of relaying the emotions of a song to the listener. With just notes and lyrics, R.D. creates

a song to remember, one that hits home, sticks in your head, and has you singing that

tune. You will find several of those songs in his latest album, Born in the Country, with

five of the songs written by R.D. The other four are classic cover songs from Muddy

Waters, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, and Willie Nelson.

An authentic country boy, one of seven children, R.D. learned to work the fields of the

family farm at a young age. And, just like the Blues’ history of field laborers, R.D.’s farm

work was hard and arduous. To help relieve the monotony, he sang songs during the day

that took his mind off the tasks at hand. But at night, his thoughts were fine-tuned to a

late-night radio station, its airwaves skipping off the atmosphere, bringing him wonderful

music from a faraway AM station in Little Rock, Arkansas. One day, he imagined, his

own music would be heard by others on the very same radio airwaves.

Fast forwarding to this moment in time, R.D. Olson has become a seasoned professional,

through and through, although success didn’t happen overnight. It took decades of

dedication, constant practicing, many different band members, and late nights in

recording studios. He has jammed with, and learned from, the best of the best, played

 the same stage as Buddy Guy and Canned Heat. He’s been the band leader for Alligator

Records’ artist, Long John Hunter, as well as Grammy winner, Beverly “Guitar”

Watkins. He came within a hair’s breadth of being signed by Capitol Records had it not

been for an egotistical musician who stole the time allotted for Olson, whom they were

there to see.

It’s a rare combination when a singer is as good, or better, in the recording studio than

when playing for an audience. The variety of songs you’ll find in Born in the Country

highlights R.D.’s accomplished vocal techniques, soulful harp playing and excellent

songwriting abilities. His talents are complemented by respected musicians, some

Branson favorites, backup vocalists, and sultry Blues singer, Linda Thompson, R.D.’s

fiancée.

R.D., known as the “Real Deal,” shines as the outstanding Blues man he is. In this latest

album release, Born in the Country, we are offered songs that relate to the many facets of

one’s life, from the despairing moments to the ones full of hope. They are also a part of

R.D.’s life: what he thinks, what he’s been through, what he’d like us to know. The

album’s songs have messages, full of intended innuendos tucked into the moods you feel

and the lyrics you hear. Born in the Country is a favorite of Blues fans, as well as those of

different musical tastes, such as Americana, Rural Blues, Red Dirt and more. R.D.

Olson’s well-crafted contribution, Born in the Country, is a gem of a collection of songs.

It offers a refreshing journey into the Blues, and is packed full of artistic creations just for

music lovers!

Find Born in the Country songs on his website, www.rdolsonbluesband.com, Internet venues, and online music stations.

Written by Melody Paxton Tinder, former Promotions Manager, Pinecastle Records