Biography

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Michael Frank, CEO
Earwig Music Company, Inc.
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Tim Woods has been singing and playing acoustic and electric guitar for over 25 years, and has long been a fixture on the southwestern Pennsylvania music scene.

Growing up in a virtual “melting pot” of music – including having older brothers who exposed him to a wide array of styles, including jazz, blues, bluegrass and rock – Tim’s appreciation of all music took root at an early age. During his formative years, this appreciation grew into a deep love of the blues of Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters.

Tim first began performing as a professional with improvisational rock ‘n’ roll bands – long before the “jamband” genre became as widespread and popular as it is today – playing psychedelic blues and, oftentimes, jamming with local players.

These influences have each shaped his playing and songwriting throughout his career, and today are at the heart of Tim’s sound. But it’s Tim’s unique and truly original style – in which he plays and picks using his thumb – that enables him to distinguish himself by playing both lead and rhythm while interchanging chords and licks.

When Tim turned 18, his family moved to Macon, Georgia. It was in Macon where his immersion in the legendary music scene had a profound and lasting impact on him. Working at a local nightclub promoting and coordinating appearances of national acts, Tim eventually formed lifelong musical friendships. His time in Macon and travels throughout the South were both educational and inspirational.

Throughout his career, Tim has shared the stage with many well-known musicians and has opened for music greats, such as Sonny Landreth and Donna Godcheaux (former member of the Grateful Dead). He also frequently performs alongside his very good friend George Frayne (a.k.a. Commander Cody) and his band who even played at Tim’s wedding.

From 2002-2009, Tim was a founding member of The Mountain Jam Band that built a regional following playing blues-based jamband rock in the style of The Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead and others. Unfortunately, they disbanded due the passing of a key member, although the friendships remain and they continue to play together.

Most recently, Tim was greatly influenced by his guitar instructor, Ernie Hawkins, an honored Pittsburgh blues musician and world-renowned master of the complicated picking and style of the Reverend Gary Davis, known as the Piedmont fingerstyle.

In June 2005, Tim had the opportunity to meet and spend an intimate musical evening with legendary delta blues artists David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Homesick James, Sam Lay and Pinetop Perkins. He was so inspired by their soul and sound that he devoted himself to recording a musical tribute to these legendary masters of the Delta blues.

Nearly three decades after his original trip, Tim found himself back in Georgia in the midst of a session tour throughout the blues basin working on his debut release. “The Blues Sessions,” is the realization of a deep and personal commitment to share with others the art and spirit of these seminal musicians.

Tim Woods “The Blues Sessions” was recorded during a six-month studio tour of Clarksdale, Atlanta and Chicago, and features, as special guests, Allen Batts, Joe Craven, David “Honey Boy” Edwards, Michael Frank, Shannon Hoover, Big Jack Johnson, Aaron Moore, Eric Noden, John Primer, Bobby Lee Rodgers, Jeff Sipe, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, Ike Stubblefield, Bob Stroger, Lee Williams and Terry “Big T” Williams.

The affinity each artist has for one another is clearly evident in this eclectic collection. But, it’s Tim’s fiery vocals and tasteful guitar work that complement them while also shining throughout.

From the pleading acoustic, three-piece “Bad Whiskey & Cocaine,” to the rollicking “Clarksdale Boogie,” to the scarcely played (and not recorded since 1942) “Wind Howlin’ Blues,” Tim Woods “The Blues Sessions” takes you on a celebrated journey that weaves across the diverse fan bases of early Delta, boogie and Chicago-style blues.

“These sessions would never have happened without the inspiration and kindness of these artists, my own perseverance and a lot of luck. The experience was a thrill of a lifetime that I will always treasure,” states Tim. “It is my pleasure to honor them by enriching others with this great music.”

Still residing in southwestern Pennsylvania and playing at many local venues and festivals with a repertoire of more than 200 songs, Tim strongly believes in musicians supporting other musicians and cherishes the moments that he shares on stage with local artists and friends.