THE GRAMMY-WINNING MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND SONGWRITER PREMIERES HIS WHIMSICAL NEW VIDEO “BEAR” AT BLUEGRASS TODAY — “BEAR” WILL BE AVAILABLE ON STREAMING SERVICES MAY 12 HERE
New album of all original songs, Cup of Sugar, will be released June 16 on Howdy Skies Records
“one of the finest singers in bluegrass” — Steve Martin
MAY 10, 2-23 Nashville, TN: Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien has a released a new video for “Bear” premiering today at Bluegrass Today; it’s the second single from O’Brien’s upcoming album, Cup of Sugar, and will be available on all streaming services starting this Friday, May 10; you can pre-save the single HERE. Bluegrass Today comments on O’Brien’s well-known sense of humor and droll wit, both in evidence in this song about a frustrated, jazz-playing bear who just can’t get no respect. It’s one of the 13 original tracks on O’Brien’s next album release, Cup of Sugar out June 16th on Howdy Skies Records. O’Brien shares, “In the 46 years I’ve been recording, this is my very first release of all original material.”
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE THE SINGLE HERE
PRE-ORDER/ PRE-SAVE CUP OF SUGAR HERE
O’Brien shares the story behind the song: “The songs for Cup of Sugar started with “Bear.” It was December of 2021, and the news was all about Russia and would Putin invade Ukraine. I had just read a book on the history of dancing bears. White Nationalism was a prominent topic, the flip side being Black Lives Matter. Trump had lost the election but was ramping up his spoiled brat act. I could imagine the gripes Putin, Trump, and the White Nationalists had, even if I didn’t agree.
“I’d also reread some of a favorite book by Rafi Zabor: The Bear Goes Home. In the plot this guy in NYC wins a dancing bear in a card game, and after he gets busted trying to busk with it, he leaves the bear in his flat during work. One day he comes home and the bear’s talking and playing clarinet. The bear becomes a jazz sensation but he’s also the ultimate outsider.
“So I was thinking about all that. I think the bear represents anyone or any social group that feels their world has changed too much while they weren’t looking. The bear comes out of his cave in spring and all the trees are cut down. He’s just pissed off. ‘I’m a bear,’ he cries, ‘but damn it, I’m more than that.’
I can identify with the bear because I’m old. I don’t relate to a lot of new stuff and while I do fairly well in spite of all the changes, sometimes I’ll swear at them.”
Cup of Sugar is Tim’s first album of all original songs — 13 new tracks about a bear, a fish, lambs, horses and some people too — a grave digger, a neighbor, and even Walter Cronkite. O’Brien is backed by his loyal band mates Mike Bub, Shad Cobb and wife Jan Fabricius, supplemented by Jamie Dick on drums, Mike Rojas on keyboards, Russ Pahl on steel guitar, and Cory Walker on banjo. Bluegrass icon Del McCoury lends his signature guitar and tenor vocal on “Let the Horses Run.” Co-writers include Ronnie Bowman, Jonathon Byrd, Shawn Camp, Jan Fabricius, and Thomm Jutz.
Sounding more and more like himself, O’Brien will debut the new material from Cup of Sugar at the 50th annual Telluride Bluegrass festival on June 17. Please to to go to www.timobrien.net for updates.
Pre-Order/Pre-Save “CUP OF SUGAR” (RELEASES JUNE 16)
STREAM CUP OF SUGAR
ALBUM ART DOWNLOAD AND PRESS ASSETS
TOUR DATES:
May 26, 2023 Cleveland, WV
May 27, 2023 Cumberland, MA
June 17, 2023 Telluride, CO
July 8, 2023 Frankfort, IL
July 9, 2023 Frankfort, IL
July 26, 2023 Berwyn, IL
July 28, 2023 Manitowish Waters, WI
July 29, 2023 Manitowish Waters, WI
August 18, 2023 Manchester Center, VT
August 19, 2023 Manchester Center, VT
September 30, 2023 Mamaroneck, NY
October 14, 2023 Big Stone Gap, VA
November 3, 2023 Moab, UT
November 4, 2023 Moab, UT
November 15, 2023 Richmond, VA – Tin Pan
November 17-2023 Berryville, VA – Barns at Rose Hill
November 18, 2023 Parkersburg, WV – Parkersburg Arts Center
Dec. 08, 2023 Oak Ridge, TN – Secret City Radio Show