Jake Andrews

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Andrews began playing guitar at age 5, taught by his father, John Andrews of the 60's Roots Band Mother Earth. Since the age of 8 he has been trading licks with and opening for such masters as Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Jimmie Vaughan, starting at his hometown's legendary club Antone's. By his early teens he was wowing audiences and fellow musicians at such premier blues venues as B.B. King's in Memphis and Los Angeles and Slim's in San Francisco. He has performed at major festivals such as the San Francisco Blues Festival and Madison Blues Festival with Ray Charles. Andrews has been featured on CBS, Austin City Limits, Guitar Player, Texas Monthly and Vintage Guitar among numerous other publications.

By the age of 17, Andrews was signed with Jericho Records, a Warner Brothers/Sire subsidiary, and began working on his debut album in Los Angeles. In 1999, he released 'Time to Burn" with producer John Porter (Los Lonely Boys, BB King). Billboard Magazine stated, "Time to Burn's mix of guitar pyrotechnics, fiery vocals and powerful new songs confirms that Jake Andrews is already blazing new paths with the torch he's been passed." The first title single scored a Top Ten Rock Radio hit. Andrews earned the award of "Breakout Rock Group" in 1999 by R&R (Radio and Records). The record was supported with a national tour with artists including the Allman Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, Boz Scaggs and George Thorogood.

Livin' in the Grave, released in 2011, is the new recording and fourth solo release by Andrews. It is a mix of high intensity rock instrumentals, heavy guitar-driven riffs and powerful, soulful vocals. Songs include the hard-hitting title track anthem Livin' in the Grave, the droning epic Solid featuring seven-time Grammy-winning guitar legend Eric Johnson, the melodic ballad Easy to Come By, a high octane instrumental High Flyin' and the Zeppelin-inspired riffs of Love in Me. All of the songs are originals and were recorded in Austin, TX.

Solid is an instrumental track that Johnson first heard when he and Andrews played a show together at the House of Blues in Houston. When Andrews asked Johnson to make a guest appearance on his album, Johnson suggested he play on that track. The 8+ minute song is a hypnotic mix of Jake's driving riffs with Eric's incredible layering of rhythm and lead work on top.

Kelly Donnelly, Johnson's engineer at Saucer, recorded Solid as well as all of Jake's overdubs. He mixed the entire record at his studio, Studio Plush. Donnelly also engineered Eric's latest record Up Close on Capitol Records/EMI and mixed by the legendary engineer and producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Free, Rolling Stones).

The rhythm section on Livin' in the Grave includes bassist Chris Maresh (bassist with Johnson in his Alien Love Child project), drummer Bryan Austin (Santana, Monica) and keyboardists David Boyle (Bob Schneider, Alejandro Escoveda) and Arlan Oscar. Vocalist Brian Andrew Lee layered background vocals.

Andrews is featured on guitar on the solo album by Paul Jones released 2009. Paul Jones is known to many as the singer of the British Invasion band Manfred Mann. The Jones album also features the legendary Eric Clapton on guitar on two tracks. One reviewer says, "Andrews is going to awe guitar freaks....his mastery of tone is impressive and he easily slides between hard, roadhouse blues to classic funk...to soul". He is also featured on the upcoming follow-up Paul Jones solo release recorded early 2012. Be sure to look for it soon!

In 2006, Andrews joined Guitar Shorty on his Alligator Release "We the People" accompanying the legendary bluesman, and former brother-in-law to Jimi Hendrix, on the album. The album won "Album of the Year" at the WC Handy awards in May 2007. Andrews hit the road with Guitar Shorty in the summer and fall of 2006 for a full US and European tour.

In 2002 Andrews released his second self-titled solo album on the Texas Music Group label produced by Carla Olson (Joe Louis Walker, Otis Rush, Mick Taylor) and recorded at Willie Nelson's Perdernales Studio. In 2008 Andrews released a third solo album "Feelin' Good Again" full of original material and produced by Andrews and bassist Mike Sconce. Andrews enlisted drummer Alvino Bennett (Stevie Wonder, Bryan Ferry, Dave Mason) and Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp, Los Lonely Boys) on keys.