Larry Brick & Rachel Fields come together with The Chosen Ones, creating their natural approach of Original Arkansas Blues, using a Gospel platform as well as an Americana Soul feel. With the marriage of this front duo Larry and Rachel, Brick Fields was born while having the privilege of joining national and internationally well-known performers along the way. This couple’s original music is rooted deeply in The Delta Blues, Gospel, Folk, and Roots music and their versatile music can accommodate venues from an intimate relaxed setting with the acoustic duo to a full on band experience.
This husband and wife team with Larry’s anointed guitar sound and back-up vocals along with Rachel’s, soulful ambrosial voice, flute, and rhythm guitar continue to touch their audiences deeply everywhere.
Brick Fields Music has been called an “Unleashed cleansing of the soul” by Nashville Blues Society. Doug Hill of the Norman, OK Transcript called Brick Fields album the "Gospel Blue" “A worshipful House of Blues with a steeple on top!” And New Classic Music for Tomorrow said, “Brick Fields is by far the most soulful artist I’ve heard in years!”
Larry was born September 7th 1953 in Marion Arkansas, he remembers taking an interest in guitar at a young age, learning his very first guitar licks from a close friend and from local African American blues players. Brick says,” the players would spend their afternoons on their humble front porches deep in the southern cotton fields while picking guitars.” Memphis music was a big influence for Larry, only 20 minutes away from Mid-Town; “we spent many weekends observing musicians from the doorways of the clubs”, saying that "Beale St. then was not what it is today, Mid-Town is where we went to hear music.” After graduating from Marion High School in 1971, Larry attended U of A in Fayetteville. With influences by great guitarist's like Eric Clapton & Ry Cooter he then moved to Dylan, CO where he began playing music around central Colorado with another Arkansas musician, Larry Womack, and then on to Key West, Florida playing six nights a week at the 900 club on Simonton St. Larry was eventually lead back to his native Arkansas where he played his music for a time in Hot Spring, there he was invited to begin playing Gospel Music in churches with Pearl Brick. Eventually this led to a record contract with the Christian label, Maranatha Records (today Maranatha Music). and traveling to the west coast bringing their music to Calvary and Vineyard Chapels joining the first of the “Christian Hippie movements” started by Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel. Some of their original songs such as “I Will Wait” and “Heart Of Gold” along with about twenty others have been published and are still being sung in churches today.
Rachel Fields was born Dec 16th 1974 to sing the blues in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to a musical family, who helped begin her early music influences while attending her birth fathers concerts before she was ever born; her father sang the blues and rock-n-roll with his band Johnny Jet and The Rockin’ ‘ 88’s. Before she could even walk her grandfather, Mr. James P. Willis, an infamous Arkansas architect, was teaching her all about Dizzy Gillespie and Lawrence Welk. Her influences continued with her caretaker, Ms. Marcella, singing Gospel and African American Traditional music to her as toddler, while while her mother also made sure growing up she got her fill of The Beatles, Barbara Streisand, and the 60’s influence. Rachel’s uncle, Arkansas singer / songwriter Mike “Burger” Scoggins, and her adopted dad Cecil Sutterfield made sure she got an ear full of Jimmy Buffet, Bluegrass, and Country.
Rachel began to play flute at age eleven in school, then at 16 leaving home for private school in Vicksburg, Mississippi where she studied classical voice and flute, later moving to NYC to study musical theater, acting, and dance at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy while singing part time for Spirit Cruise Ships.
In the 1990’s Rachel was singing for a traveling festival and began honing her songwriting skills by improvising and singing blues, jazz, and rock style music. While traveling with jam bands she also was opening up for groups such as The Jerry Garcia Band, Warren Haynes with Government Mule, New Riders Of The Purple Sage, and Merl Saunders and The Rainforest Band.
Rachel attended a spring tour with The Jerry Garcia Band in 1997.
When the tour ended and Rachel moved to CA, continuing songwriting, performing, and recording with members of various west coast bands including Big Brother and The Holding Company, Starship, Jerry Garcia Band. These recordings began a west coast tour with a collaboration called "Big Folk"; with Rachel joining Peter Harris and Jude Gold. Jude Gold, (Editor of Guitar Player Mag) then gave her the stage name, “Rachel Fields." Having her first child Rachel took back to Arkansas where she spent some time writing with a small and private Nashville company on Music Row. After having her songs recorded by a few different Nashville artists she went on to pursue her solo career. Rachel's twins were born in 2003, and in 2006 she moved to Eureka Springs, AR where as a new single mother she could make a living singing while raising three children. Rachel began singing as early as 3 yrs old, entertaining her family. “I knew I wanted to sing for people my whole life, That’s all I’ve ever done, and all I want to do.” Rachel has sung in all styles of venues; from New York City to San Francisco, in churches, The Monterey Blues Festival and everywhere in between.
| Brick Fields and The Chosen Ones, come together with their natural style and signature sound. Comprised of Larry Brick, on guitar- background vocals. and Rachel Field's ambrosial lead vocals, guitar & flute are backed by The Chosen Ones of Arkansas; with Jennifer Parker on bass, Chris Parker on guitar, Matt Jenkins on keys, Morty Mortenson on drums and Ben Sass (Israel ) on harmonica they provide a stormy performance each and every time, inspiring a cure for anything. This multi-award winning musical team are definitive blues artists, yet there repertoire includes originals written by both Rachel and Larry of various genres; including Gospel, Roots, Folk, as well as tested standards. The collaboration of these different genres touches the heart and soul of all walks of life. Presenting enriching concerts either with their 7 piece band or as a duo, Brick Fields offer American entertainment for the young and old alike; just like good old fashion medicine, we all need a taste of this invigorating music.
The Nashville Blues Society has called Brick Fields Music an “Unleashed cleansing of the soul!” and New Music Of Tomorrow says, “Brick Fields is by far the most soulful artist I have heard in years!”
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You can read more national and international reviews at their website, their music can be heard on blues, gospel, folk, and even children’s radio nationally and internationally. The State of Arkansas has produced a musical treasures of independent artists over the years, some still a best-kept secret. Brick Fields Band is both a tradition-rich, and forward thinking natural progression of that lineage. with their work ethic and deep-rooted talent, the fences around the state of Arkansas can no longer contain them.
Brick Fields is an Arkansas Treasure and must be heard and seen.
For more information check out: www.BrickFieldsMusic.com