Biography

Born in the Country
An album “experience” by Blues singer, R.D. Olson
What makes a Blues singer great? It’s that special person who makes you “feel” the
Blues, lets you relate to those face-down-in-the-dirt times, situations you wish would end,
and those you hope never do, emotions that fill you with hope, and the seldom felt
elations of true happiness. After all, the Blues is simply an extension of Life put to music.
R.D. Olson, Arizona Blues Hall of Fame inductee, possesses that rare and unique talent
of relaying the emotions of a song to the listener. With just notes and lyrics, R.D. creates
a song to remember, one that hits home, sticks in your head, and has you singing that
tune. You will find several of those songs in his latest album, Born in the Country, with
five of the songs written by R.D. The other four are classic cover songs from Muddy
Waters, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, and Willie Nelson.
An authentic country boy, one of seven children, R.D. learned to work the fields of the
family farm at a young age. And, just like the Blues’ history of field laborers, R.D.’s farm
work was hard and arduous. To help relieve the monotony, he sang songs during the day
that took his mind off the tasks at hand. But at night, his thoughts were fine-tuned to a
late-night radio station, its airwaves skipping off the atmosphere, bringing him wonderful
music from a faraway AM station in Little Rock, Arkansas. One day, he imagined, his
own music would be heard by others on the very same radio airwaves.
Fast forwarding to this moment in time, R.D. Olson has become a seasoned professional,
through and through, although success didn’t happen overnight. It took decades of
dedication, constant practicing, many different band members, and late nights in
recording studios. He has jammed with, and learned from, the best of the best, played the
same stage as Buddy Guy and Canned Heat. He’s been the band leader for Alligator
Records’ artist, Long John Hunter, as well as Grammy winner, Beverly “Guitar”
Watkins. He came within a hair’s breadth of being signed by Capitol Records had it not
been for an egotistical musician who stole the time allotted for Olson, whom they were
there to see.
It’s a rare combination when a singer is as good, or better, in the recording studio than
when playing for an audience. The variety of songs you’ll find in Born in the Country
highlights R.D.’s accomplished vocal techniques, soulful harp playing and excellent
songwriting abilities. His talents are complemented by respected musicians, some
Branson favorites, backup vocalists, and sultry Blues singer, Linda Thompson, R.D.’s
fiancée.
R.D., known as the “Real Deal,” shines as the outstanding Blues man he is. In this latest
album release, Born in the Country, we are offered songs that relate to the many facets of
one’s life, from the despairing moments to the ones full of hope. They are also a part of
R.D.’s life: what he thinks, what he’s been through, what he’d like us to know. The

album’s songs have messages, full of intended innuendos tucked into the moods you feel
and the lyrics you hear. Born in the Country is a favorite of Blues fans, as well as those of
different musical tastes, such as Americana, Rural Blues, Red Dirt and more. R.D.
Olson’s well-crafted contribution, Born in the Country, is a gem of a collection of songs.
It offers a refreshing journey into the Blues, and is packed full of artistic creations just for
music lovers!
Find Born in the Country songs on his website, rdolsonbluesband.com, Internet venues
and online music stations.
Written by Melody Paxton Tinder, former Promotions Manager, Pinecastle Records