Rodney Branigan

Americana Folk Roots with virtuoso presentation, with a touch of clean comedy thrown in for good measure. Rodney's style is trademarked as 'Full Contact Folk Music'

Music in the Branigan family dates back to 1950s America; when his great uncle was in the Texas wireless band the KYOB Cowboys; Lefty Frizzell's session band. Later again in the 80s, Rodney's cousin was the worlds biggest selling female artist!

When Rodney was 10 his dad introduced him to the guitar and his early childhood influence was Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a restless and creative spirit, Rodney soon found out that any time he got grounded for causing a ruckus, he got to play his guitar without any interruptions. So, he found all sorts of creative ways to get himself grounded and reunited with his guitar. So much so, that music-obsessed Rodney penned a letter to his boyhood girlfriend, letting her know, gently, that he needed more time to practice!

Not long after, Rodney was making his way through music venues across Texas, astonishing the crowds with his particular blend of country music. To hone his performance chops Rodney starts a Jimi Hendrix tribute band, and corrals the only flamenco guitarist in town, Moses Morin, to be his partner on another side project.

Equally gifted in science and maths, Rodney eschewed the field of engineering and opted to hit the road, touring in his RV with his trusty companion, a German Shepherd named "Asta".

While on the road, Rodney was discovered by "Mischa" Hedges, the son of late guitar pioneer Michal Hedges. "Mischa" recognized his father's influence in Rodney's playing and made a video of the talented Texan.

Rodney's touring circle expanded, as he started getting more and more invitations to perform in venues like the Whiskey a Go Go and The Cat Club in LA, where he met bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Steve Vai, Sons of Apollo) and the two became friends. This led to Rodney opening for Billy at the NAMM show, where a chance meeting with Yamaha Guitars landed Rodney an endorsement deal with the global music giant.

Shortly after, Rodney found himself at another expo, the Music Messe in Germany, where an introduction to Marco Mendoza, led to another key brand partnership, this time with D'Addario Strings, which gave Rodney new avenues to expand his acoustic guitar sound.

A talented songwriter, Rodney was offered a position at EMI in Nashville, co-writing with Dave Loggins, who penned hit tunes for Reba McEntire, Billy Ray Cyrus, Don Williams, Kenny Loggins, and many others.

Sooner or later the road started calling Rodney back, he is booked to headline a festival across the pond, at Hampton Court Palace UK...and never left! Besides crisscrossing the island, Rodney is booked on tours in Asia, Africa, and Europe. A short tour of China allows him to perform in the Forbidden City, having fun jamming with artists from Mongolia (that turns into an international record deal opportunity, which Rodney politely declines).

Landing in India, Rodney is the first international artist to perform at Naila Bagh Palace in Jaipur, where he collaborates with Rajasthani folk musicians, Kutle Khan (Kutle Khan Project) and Reis Khan (Barmer Boys). In Mumbai, Rodney is invited to perform at various festivals, including an opening slot for Pentagram, India's biggest rock band. Rodney has had many happy returns to India, touring with Mixtape and Krunk, playing the main stage at Sulafest, collaborating with Indian award-winning music producer & guitarist Randolph Correia, and many other experiences. Rodney is ready to recreate as soon as conditions allow. So, India: "Look out he'll be back as soon as he can!"

In 2016 Rodney was invited to the most prestigious guitar festival in Europe; 'Les Nuits de la Guitare de Patrimonio' where he opens for legendary French singer and guitarist, Francis Cabrel. The impressed festival director dubs Rodney 'The Discovery of Patrimonio'.

In 2018 Rodney catches the attention of Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis who offers Rodney to headline the Glastonbury Extravaganza (the very next day!) at Glastonbury Abbey. It is a double bill alongside Tom Odell. The response is immediate and Rodney lands a spot on the coveted, at the Glastonbury Festival Acoustic Stage. Rodney performs to a seam-splitting and fully crowded tent and the show goes down like a storm.