Bryan was born in Las Vegas, NV in 1956. Bryan’s Dad was in the Air Force so he moved around as a kid. His early school years were in Alabama and Mississippi and then later the Washington, DC area. His mom encouraged him to play piano and then later his interest switched to drums.

He attended Berklee College of Music for one semester. He moved to Birmingham in 1978 and started playing in local bands like Angelo Toad, Riverchase and High Roller. He joined the Mortals in 1982 and played live and recorded with them until the group split up in 1984. He then joined up with Rick Kurtz and Bird Crain to form (Mike and the Maximums) with Mike Duke a former member of Wet Willie (Duke is an amazing songwriter/singer and had songs recorded by Huey Lewis & the News).

Bryan moved to Nashville in 1987 to find more opportunities for live concert and session work. Some of the folks he has played with include Will and the Bushmen, Robert Plant, Delbert McClinton, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Buddy and Julie Miller, Shelby Lynne, Among the Oak & Ash, Iris Dement, Phil Madeira, Tony Joe White, Topper Price, John Prine and Emmylou Harris.

He has also contributed to soundtracks for films like “Please Kill Mr. Know It All” and “Muscle Shoals.”

Bryan is still touring with Emmylou and continues to be in demand as a live and session musician.

Bryan resides in Nashville where he is happily married to Sylvia his eternally patient wife.

Red Dirt Boys is the name Emmylou Harris gave to her back up band made up of Chris Donohue, Will Kimbrough, Phil Madeira, and Bryan Owings. When we approached Emmylou and asked her if we could use the name on our upcoming record she said, “Only if I can sing on it”. We are proud to work with her, and to have recorded with many fine artists.

Plenty Enough – Red Dirt Boys

I Would If I Could – Red Dirt Boys

All Saints Day – Red Dirt Boys

Religion – Red Dirt Boys

Sunbeam and a Plough – Red Dirt Boys

Nothing But Hard Rain – Red Dirt Boys

Jelly Roll – Red Dirt Boys

All Covered Up – Red Dirt Boys

Miss Sally – Red Dirt Boys

Jesse – Red Dirt Boys

Cook That Down – Red Dirt Boys

Halilullah Amen @ The Frog Pond – Red Dirt Boys