Brad Creel | About Brad Creel

In 2008, Portland singer-songwriter Brad Creel released “Reveeled,” a collection of smart and funny acoustic folk tunes. Following that successful release, Brad Creel & the Reel Deel was born and over the next two years they performed with over thirty local artists, mostly at a monthly Americana Night at McMenamin’s White Eagle hosted by Brad and his band.

During this time, Brad penned a number of tunes telling stories about love, broken relationships, and his personal journey to sobriety. These songs showcase Brad’s singular ability to translate life’s more difficult moments into laugh-out-loud humor. With the Reel Deel performing this material, the group has created what can only be described as a unique country sound: “Johnny Cash meets John Prine meets the Flying Burrito Brothers”… or “Lava Lamp Country.”

“Lava Lamp Country” is a term describing Portland’s burgeoning country music scene, where the music brings back memories of the late 60’s to early 70’s country; a free spirited, amusing, and emotionally fluid sound.

In the spring of 2010 Brad began searching for a local studio to record his new material. Eventually he chose Klickitat Band Camp, a little known studio in Portland, but one most recording geeks consider the best equipped room in the area. The KBC studio is uniquely set up with a 16 track open reel deck and a 60’s Neve custom broadcast console, the same vintage gear used by many of the early classic rock/psych bands.

Klickitat Band Camp owner/engineer Shay Scott produced the CD. Special guests included local musicians Chris Funk (Decemberists, Black Prairie) on Dobro and pedal steel, Chris Kokesh (Misty River, Broken Top) on fiddle, and Thad Beckman (Tom Russell) on guitar.

In November of 2010, Brad Creel and the Reel Deel released “Probably Not” at Portland’s Alberta Rose Theatre, where an enthusiastic crowd came out to support the release of their record. Their music has been heard on KINK.FM, OPB, and other regional and national radio outlets. The band also plays a variety of shows, from all age family events like McMenamn’s Kennedy School to corporate gigs like Intel. Creel performs occasionally as a solo artist and as a duo with various band members.

The new CD is dedicated to Jim Creighton (1946-2010), who was Brad’s mentor and spiritual teacher for the past thirteen years. He encouraged Brad to vigorously pursue his passion for music. Jim passed away unexpectedly while Brad was recording the CD, so unfortunately he never heard the songs inspired by his teachings.

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