Biography

Big In Iowa

Big In Iowa hails from Hamilton, Ohio. The present lineup of bass guitarist Ken Glidewell, Mike Gray (vocals, guitars), Dan Andrews (vocals, guitars and other stringed instruments) and Randy "Spike" Wilson (drums and percussion) bring a new sound to an internationally known name.

Big In Iowa comes out of your speakers with a classic southern flavor reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s. The lyrics of the tune Hamiltucky Honky Tonk Hero sums up the bands stylistic quirks. Vocalist Mike Gray lamented that at the age of ten, I used to watch Buck Owens and Roy Clark pick and grin. Theres no doubt that we are influenced by bands of the 60s and 70s as well as some of todays artists, said Glidewell. We grew up listening to that stuff. The bands musical talents allow it to carve its own niche from influences that clearly include the aforementioned as well as Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, Hank Williams Jr., Muddy Waters, ZZ Top, Johnny Cash, The Charlie Daniels Band and more.

Big In Iowa has performed stints in several nightclubs and festivals, playing in the Tall Stacks 2003 line up that also featured BB King, Ricky Skaggs, Mary Chapin Carpenter, & Steve Earle is one highlight. The bands new C.D., Geezil Pete, carves a notch into grassroots country and southern rock. Listeners will be drawn to the toe-tapping Hamiltucky Honky Tonk Hero. Songs like Headache, All I Can Do and Black Hearted Woman offer fast-paced jamming while This Old House and The Zoo provide more of a classic country groove that could remind one of George Jones. The band sums up the disc with the blowout country rocker Cheap Drunk, a statement of Big In Iowas incredible musical talent and an energetic compilation finale.

Geezil Pete is a change of direction for the band. We played to the bands strong points, said Glidewell. Mikes voice leads the band, and when we were in rehearsals writing I knew exactly where we needed to go to make this new disc. The production stems from the bands mix of influences and personalities, giving the album a variety for Big In Iowas local, national and international fan base to enjoy.

Four of the tunes from Geezil Pete are featured in the Indie Film Dead Horse starring Daniel VonBargen known for his role in O Brother Where Art Thou and several other feature films. The disc was also selected as one of the top ten releases of the year by The Cincinnati Post.

Big In Iowa CDs are available from Miles of Music, CDBaby.com, The Texas Music Round-up and downloads now available on i-Tunes, Rhapsody, and other on line distributors.

For more on Big In Iowa, visit www.biginowa.com or contact Under A Rock Management, P. O. Box 13268, Hamilton, OH 45013. (513) 868-7064.