Since 2008, Bradenton, Florida-based Pete Tamburin's Rye Road has been rocking audiences up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida with their unique brand of new country/rock. Their name comes from the road in east Bradenton where most of the band members grew up and hung out (often doing things they shouldn’t have been doing!). Their sound, with its blend of new country and rock, is driven by Pete Tamburin’s incredible, emotional vocals and country-influenced guitar, combined with former Bad Company guitarist Tracy Lee Austin’s rock sensibilities and Kirk Britto’s thunderous power rock drumming. Add the booming bass lines of Mack Black and the solid keyboards of Tim Meyer, mix it all together and you get Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert on rock steroids!
One can clearly hear the band’s influences – Bon Jovi, Jason Aldean and Keith Urban, in their original music. Catchy, accessible melodies under lyrics that everyone can relate to, these are songs that rock and move you! Originals like Big Truck (written by Jack Tamburin and Kim Tribble) and Let's Make History alternately make you want to get up and rock or slow dance with your honey!
The band is currently writing and rehearsing a number of new originals in preparation for recording their initial release on Reckless Grace Records, with veteran producer Bruce Ferber. Expect to hear songs with strong vocal hooks and stadium size drums and guitars!
Band Bios:
PETE TAMBURIN:
Pete Tamburin was born and raised in a musical family in Bradenton. His grandfather was a famous maestro from Italy, his dad is a local legendary musician who is still playing shows in his 70s and his brother Jack was a founding member of the popular country band, One Night Rodeo. At 23, Pete is already a music business veteran – he’s been touring since he was 17 and has played with a whole host of national acts, including Emerson Drive, Keith Anderson, Craig Morgan, Luke Bryan, Josh Thompson, Josh Gracin and James Otto. Pete’s musical influences include Keith Urban, Jason Aldean and Jon Bon Jovi. You can hear these wide ranging influences in his catchy, accessible original songs, powerful vocals and slick, new country/rock fusion guitar licks that are the foundation of Rye Road’s unique sound.
TRACY AUSTIN:
Tracy (TA) is a Bradentucky (aka Bradenton) native who’s been on the road touring with national acts since he was 17. His very popular local band, the Syndicate, toured nationally before going their separate ways in 1991. TA has shared the stage or toured with most of the major national rock acts in the US. In 1998, TA was invited to join Bad Company with Brian Howe ("Bad Company", "Can't Get Enough", "Good Lovin' Gone Bad", "Feel Like Makin' Love") and toured the US and the rest of the world with them for a number of years. TA grew tired of life on the road and moved back to Bradenton where he played with a number of local bands before joining Pete Tamburin's Rye Road in early 2011.
KIRK BRITTO:
Kirk has been playing since he was 7 and has been trained in Jazz, Rock & Progressive drum styles. Kirk started his professional career with TAO from 1995-2001. TAO toured throughout Florida and was one of the states most popular local acts, headlining venues such as the State Theatre and Outer Limits. TAO broke up in 2002 and in 2003 Kirk joined the popular metal band STuK.
STuK played such venues as Hard Rock Café, House of Blues, Orpheum, The Ritz, The Garage, and the State Theatre. STuK’s music has been played on 98 Rock and 105 The Buzz as well as a number of other stations throughout Florida. In 2010, Kirk joined Pete Tamburin’s Rye Road, where his energetic drumming and huge drum sound, quickly became the foundation of the band’s new sound.
MACK BLACK:
Mack Black was born and raised in Louisville, Ky and moved to FL in the late 80s. He has performed a number local Florida bands with styles ranging from Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Country, Reggae, Ska , Dance, and Oldies. Mack's solid, creative playing can be heard on a 4 string and 5 string active electric bass, fretless bass , funk slap bass and upright bass. Mack also plays guitar, harmonica, and sings harmony.
Mack joined Pete Tamburin's Rye Road in early 2011 and has solidified a rock-solid rhythm section with the creative and high-energy drums of Kirk Britto. Mack's simultaneous bass and harmonica playing are always a crowd favorite.
TIM MEYER:
Tim grew up in the Midwest and has been learning keyboard riffs on his own since he was 15 from the likes of Winwood, Hopkins, Preston, Emerson, Butler, and many keyboard players in several different genres. Tim studied piano with a concert pianist and music at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and he has played both classical and jazz during his music career.
Tim toured with a number of Midwest bands and performed with 60s legend Tommy James. In 1979, Tim toured Europe for the USO with The Jerry Lakes Show. Tim has done session work with a number of artists and has toured with The Strangeways, Nineth Degree, Vine Street, Stuck in Shermer, and a number of other bands. Tim began performing with Rye Road in the fall of 2007.
