Biography

Cassie Jean and the Fireflies is a labor of love driven by a passion for storytelling through music. With their new singles, the group returns to their genre-jumping blend of indie Americana, folk, and alt-country, with hints of bluegrass, blues, and R&B. While they say they “let each song take us where it wants to go,” it’s soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics that make their memorable sound.

Cassie Barbaresi and Rich Odato found their songwriting spark during the pandemic, leading to their successful 2022 debut album Heart Over Head. Cassie is a devoted mother of three and a former All-American soccer player who still plays and coaches. She brings the intensity of an elite athlete to her songwriting and performances, along with a high-energy personality that inspires everyone around her. Cassie’s life has been filled with triumphs and tragedies, and they’re all fair
game as sources for lyric inspiration. Partners in life and music, Cassie and Rich collaborate on the melodies and arrangements. Cassie was born in Houston and raised in Connecticut, while Rich hails from Pittsburgh. Today they call Tampa Bay, Florida home.

"Too Far from Texas" puts the pedal to the metal with Cassie’s fiery performance and sassy lyrics, plus Rich’s guitar mixing it up with Nashville legend Joe Spivey’s fiddle, all driven by powerhouse band John Miller, Garret Dawson, and Phil Wolfe, with Grammy-winning producer Bud Snyder (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule).

"Lullaby" is a warm, uplifting folk tune, captivates even the most lively crowds at the band’s shows. Here Rich trades his electric for the resonator, while Scott Hunt adds his fiddle to the mix.

"Merriest Christmas of All" is your reminder that Christmas always finds a way. Based on one of Cassie’s most popular solo acoustic videos, it’s now presented as a full-band production featuring John’s bowed bass in counterpoint with Rich’s resonator and Scott’s fiddle.

Highlights:

- Selected for Wild West Songwriters Festival
- Debut reached #125 on AMA Americana Albums Chart
- Top 100 Alt-Folk Albums of 2022 – Roots Music Report
- #1 RMR Folk single “Tomorrow”
- 100,000+ Spotify Streams
- Performing at top-tier events in SW Florida, including St. Pete Pier Fourth of July, Sarasota First Friday, Lakewood Ranch Music on Main, Rock & Roll Revival, FL Americana Music Festival

FCC: Clean

Contact: Brandon@TinderboxMusic.com / (612) 375-1113