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Selwyn Birchwood (born March 9, 1985) is an American blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter from Tampa, Florida. He was the winner of the
''selwynbirchwood.com.'' March 1, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014 Birchwood attended a Guy concert in Orlando when he was 18. In an interview in '' Blues & Rhythm'' magazine, Birchwood recalled, "It just blew me away. It was like someone getting up and getting me by the shirt and shaking me around. I will never forget it. At that point was when I decided that this is what I want to do." At the age of 19, Birchwood was introduced to the neighbor of a friend, who told Birchwood that his neighbor was a blues guitarist and band leader. The neighbor was Clarence Smith, who performs and records under the name Sonny Rhodes, a veteran blues musician originally from Texas who spent many years in California. Rhodes played both electric guitar and electric lap steel guitar. Rhodes had recorded multiple singles, the first released in the early 1960s, and a number of albums, his first released in 1977. Birchwood's playing impressed Rhodes and soon Rhodes invited Birchwood to join his touring band.Selwyn Birchwood Bio
Alligator.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014 According to '' Living Blues'' magazine, Birchwood was just out of high school when Rhodes took him out on tour. He toured with Rhodes off and on for four years while attending college. In the same article, Birchwood stated, "I learned a lot from him (Rhodes). He took me all over the United States, all over Canada…and he showed me what the lifestyle was like. He always kept me second in command, by his side, and tried to show me how to be a bandleader. He showed me the business side of it." It was also Rhodes who inspired Birchwood to take up lap steel guitar. "Sonny always said, 'Play what's in your heart.' I've never lost sight of that," said Birchwood.
Birchwood continued his education and received his MBA from the University of Tampa. "I challenged myself to get that degree," Birchwood said. "These days, it's not good enough to just be a good player." In 2010, Birchwood moved to Tampa and formed the current version of The Selwyn Birchwood Band, with Donald Wright on bass, Curtis Nutall on drums and baritone sax player Regi Oliver. The band competed in the 2012 International Blues Challenge before winning in 2013. Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer was a judge for the finals of the Blues Challenge in 2013. He stated, "I saw Selwyn's potential in 2012. He absolutely deserved to win in 2013." The band began touring outside of Florida and, in early 2014, signed with the Intrepid Artists booking agency of
Blues Foundation
The Blues Foundation is an American nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the County seat, seat of Shelby County, Tennessee, Shelby County in the southwest part of t ...
’s 2013 International Blues Challenge (band category), as well the winner of the Albert King Guitarist of the Year award, presented at the same event. To win, he bested 125 other bands from around the world. Birchwood plays electric guitar and electric lap steel guitar. His live performances feature his original songs. '' Living Blues'' magazine said, "Selwyn Birchwood is making waves, surprising people and defying expectations. Be on the lookout. He revels in the unexpected."Aikin, Camilla. "Breaking Out: Selwyn Birchwood". ''Living Blues,'' June 2013. Issue 225, Vol 44 #3, pages 10–11 '' The Tampa Tribune'' said Birchwood plays with "power and precision reminiscent of blues guitar hero Buddy Guy. He is a gritty vocalist ho iscommanding with his axe." ''Rolling Stone'' said "Birchwood is a young, powerhouse guitarist and soulful vocalist. ''Don't Call No Ambulance'' is a remarkable debut by a major player." ''The Washington Post'' said, "Selwyn Birchwood is an indelibly modern and original next-generation bluesman; his tough vocals, guitar and lap steel touch on classic Chicago blues, Southern soul and boogie."
Life and career
Birchwood was born in Orlando, Florida. His father was born in Tobago and his mother in the United Kingdom. He began playing guitar at age 13, playing primarily popular non-blues music. He soon discovered Jimi Hendrix, who became a major influence. Reading about Hendrix's blues influences led Birchwood to the blues, and he became a dedicated blues fan by the age of 17. He names Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Muddy Waters,Albert King
Albert Nelson (April 25, 1923 – December 21, 1992), known by his stage name Albert King, was an American guitarist and singer who is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is perhaps ...
, Lightnin' Hopkins and Albert Collins as among his favorite artists.Selwyn Birchwood Bio''selwynbirchwood.com.'' March 1, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014 Birchwood attended a Guy concert in Orlando when he was 18. In an interview in '' Blues & Rhythm'' magazine, Birchwood recalled, "It just blew me away. It was like someone getting up and getting me by the shirt and shaking me around. I will never forget it. At that point was when I decided that this is what I want to do." At the age of 19, Birchwood was introduced to the neighbor of a friend, who told Birchwood that his neighbor was a blues guitarist and band leader. The neighbor was Clarence Smith, who performs and records under the name Sonny Rhodes, a veteran blues musician originally from Texas who spent many years in California. Rhodes played both electric guitar and electric lap steel guitar. Rhodes had recorded multiple singles, the first released in the early 1960s, and a number of albums, his first released in 1977. Birchwood's playing impressed Rhodes and soon Rhodes invited Birchwood to join his touring band.Selwyn Birchwood Bio
Alligator.com. Retrieved May 12, 2014 According to '' Living Blues'' magazine, Birchwood was just out of high school when Rhodes took him out on tour. He toured with Rhodes off and on for four years while attending college. In the same article, Birchwood stated, "I learned a lot from him (Rhodes). He took me all over the United States, all over Canada…and he showed me what the lifestyle was like. He always kept me second in command, by his side, and tried to show me how to be a bandleader. He showed me the business side of it." It was also Rhodes who inspired Birchwood to take up lap steel guitar. "Sonny always said, 'Play what's in your heart.' I've never lost sight of that," said Birchwood.
Birchwood continued his education and received his MBA from the University of Tampa. "I challenged myself to get that degree," Birchwood said. "These days, it's not good enough to just be a good player." In 2010, Birchwood moved to Tampa and formed the current version of The Selwyn Birchwood Band, with Donald Wright on bass, Curtis Nutall on drums and baritone sax player Regi Oliver. The band competed in the 2012 International Blues Challenge before winning in 2013. Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer was a judge for the finals of the Blues Challenge in 2013. He stated, "I saw Selwyn's potential in 2012. He absolutely deserved to win in 2013." The band began touring outside of Florida and, in early 2014, signed with the Intrepid Artists booking agency of Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...
.
Since winning the International Blues Challenge, the Selwyn Birchwood Band has performed at many festivals including The Springing the Blues Festival, The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, The Tampa Bay Blues Festival, The King Biscuit Blues Festival, The North Atlantic Blues Festival and also on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise. Birchwood has opened for Robert Cray and Buddy Guy, and has shared the stage with veteran bluesman and fellow Alligator Records artist Joe Louis Walker (who made a guest appearance on ''Don't Call No Ambulance'').
On June 10, 2014, Chicago-based Alligator Records released his debut album for the label, ''Don't Call No Ambulance''. The album was produced by Birchwood, recorded in Florida and mixed in Chicago under the supervision of Birchwood and Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer. Previous to the Alligator release, Birchwood had self-released two CDs, ''FL Boy'' (2011) and ''Road Worn'' (2013).
In 2015, Birchwood won a Blues Music Award
The Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys"), are awards presented by the Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization set up to foster blues heritage. The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Handy ...
in the 'Best New Artist Album' category for ''Don't Call No Ambulance''.
Discography
* 2011: ''FL Boy'' * 2013: ''Road Worn'' * 2014: ''Don't Call No Ambulance'' ( Alligator) * 2017: ''Pick Your Poison'' * 2021: ''Living in a Burning House''Current band members
*Selwyn Birchwood – Guitar, Lap Steel, Vocals *Regi Oliver – Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute *Donald "Huff" Wright – Bass *Courtney "Big Love" Girlie – DrumsReferences
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Birchwood, Selwyn 1985 births Living people African-American guitarists American blues singers American blues guitarists American male guitarists Contemporary blues musicians Lead guitarists Songwriters from Florida 21st-century African-American male singers 21st-century American guitarists Alligator Records artists African-American songwriters American male songwriters