Bryon Friedman

This is what happens when you mix one of the country's most soulful, grammy-nominated musicians with an up and coming singer songwriter who has a roots rock soulfulness of his own.

"Just pick up the guitar and play," Johnny said to Bryon the first time they met. "I'll never forget that moment," says Bryon. Johnny asked me about my music and I came clean and told him I hadn't been playing much over the past 3 years. And that was his reply, "you gotta pick up the guitar and play, that's all." "That was exactly what I needed to hear," said Bryon. "Like a good lyric or strong melody, sometimes it's that simple. After our conversation he asked me to join him during sound check so we could get to know each other (musically). He must have liked what I was adding to his music because he asked me to come up and play a few songs with him that night. It was a musical moment I'll never forget, a soul-changer. Now two years later we're writing songs, making a new record, and playing shows. It's surreal to be creating with a guy like Johnny. He's played with some of the heaviest cats in Rock & Roll and now we're collaborating." Little did they know that one simple suggestion would turn into a budding musical friendship.

Born blind, musically gifted and overflowing with soul, Johnny Neel cut his first record at the age of 12. Today, he is well-known as one of the country's most soulful and versatile players. Neel's Blues, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Country and Southern Rock all fused into one deep-rooted sound, renders him sought after by many top music industry professionals across the globe.

Although an amazingly gifted pianist, B-3 organist, and harmonica player, Neel is best known for his songwriting. Formerly with Allman Brothers (1989-1991), Neel is a Grammy Nominated Keyboardist, Singer/Songwriter, and a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Among other chart topping hits, Neel co-wrote the Allman Brothers "Good Clean Fun" with Allman and Betts, which provided the Allman Brothers their first #1 hit in over 15 years. Many of Neel's songs have been recorded by such artist's as Montgomery Gentry, Delbert McClinton, John Mayall, Dickey Betts, Michael McDonald, John Louis Walker, Gov't Mule, as well as cuts with HBO, FOX Sports and Disney.

Johnny Neel has shared the stage with many great artists such as: BB King, Widespread Panic, Steve Winwood, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson and Bruce Willis. Other musical associations, including songwriting over the years are: Bonnie Riatt, Huey Lewis, Bruce Hornsby, David Allen Coe, Joe Diffie, Keith Whitley, Suzy Bogguss, Ann Peebles, Deep Fried, W.I.N.D, Keith Urban, Adam Wakefield and the list goes on...Johnny Neel has toured all over the US and Europe, astonishing audiences with his powerful vocal and amazing keyboard technique.

It is the effortless delivery of word and melody that draws you into the contented world of Bryon Friedman. From spacious ballads, smoke filled grooves, and tongue-in-cheek pop songs,
Friedman easily navigates the over-crowded waters of the singer-songwriter domain and sails
gently and confidently toward firm ground.