Amos Lee
Amos Lee | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Ryan Anthony Massaro |
Born | June 22, 1977 |
Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Genres | Folk, soul, jazz, Americana, roots rock, Country |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | |
Website | amoslee |
Amos Lee (born Ryan Anthony Massaro,[4] June 22, 1977)[5] is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock, and soul.[6]
Lee has recorded five albums on Blue Note Records and has toured as an opening act for Norah Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Van Morrison, John Prine, Dave Matthews Band, Adele, the Zac Brown Band, Jack Johnson, The Avett Brothers, and David Gray. His music has appeared on the soundtracks of numerous TV shows and movies. He has performed as a featured artist on the PBS series Bluegrass Underground, on several late night TV shows, and at a voter registration rally for Barack Obama. In 2011, his album Mission Bell debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.[7][8][9]
Early life and education
Lee was born Ryan Anthony Massaro in 1977 and was raised in Kensington, Philadelphia.[10][11] He moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey at age 11 and graduated from Cherry Hill High School East.[8][9][11] Lee attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a degree in English and a minor in education.[12] During his college years, he developed an interest in music after being inspired by Great Days: The John Prine Anthology.[9][12] During this period, he began playing the guitar and bass as part of a band and listening to the music of Donny Hathaway, Joni Mitchell, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers, and Otis Redding.[12][13][14]
Career
After returning to Philadelphia, Lee worked as a second grade teacher at the Mary McLeod Bethune School and as a bartender at local music venues. He performed at open mic events in the area and, through his manager Bill Eib's contacts with promoters, was hired as an opening act for
In 2003, Lee's manager Bill Eib sent a four-song demo CD to several record labels, and the representative at Blue Note Records was "immediately struck by his [Lee's] voice".[12] Afterwards, Norah Jones heard Lee's music while visiting the record company and invited Lee to be the opening act for her 2004 tour.[9]
The friendship between Lee's manager Bill Eib and
In 2006, Lee recorded his second album, Supply and Demand, which was produced by a friend of manager Bill Eib, Philadelphia musician and producer Barrie Maguire. An NPR Music reviewer described it as having "more complicated instrumentation and production" than his prior work.[19] The song "Shout Out Loud" was released as a single and peaked at No. 76 on the Billboard 200,[24] and another song, called "Sweet Pea", was used in an AT&T ad campaign.[21]
Lee's third studio album, Last Days at the Lodge was released in 2008 and re-emphasized "his grounding in folk and soul". The album peaked at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart and Lee performed at the Change Rocks voter registration rally for Barack Obama in Philadelphia that summer opening for Bruce Springsteen.[8][25][26]
In 2011, Lee released his fourth album on
Lee appeared at
Lee's longtime touring band consists of Jaron Olevksy (piano, keyboards), Zach Djanikian (guitar, mandolin, saxophone, background vocals), Jay White (bass, background vocals), Ryan Hommel (guitar, background vocals), David Streim (keyboards, trumpet) and James Williams (drums).[33]
Reception
Lee's "folksy, bluesy sound" has been compared to that of
Personal life
Amos Lee describes himself as being of mixed heritage; he admits he is not fully aware of his background.[38] He maintains a residence in West Philadelphia.
He took the stage name "Amos Lee" because he got sick of people mispronouncing his real name.[39]
He makes appearances on the Rights to Ricky Sanchez including recording the theme song and occasionally appears as the character of Tony Toni Tatone.
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [40] |
US Rock
[41] |
AUT
[42] |
FRA
[43] |
GER
[44] |
NL
[45] |
SWI [46] | ||||||||
Amos Lee |
|
113 | — | 72 | 112 | 75 | 13 | — | ||||||
Supply and Demand |
|
76 | 25 | — | — | — | 23 | — | ||||||
Last Days at the Lodge |
|
29 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Mission Bell |
|
1 | 1 | — | — | 98 | 39 | 61 | ||||||
Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song |
|
16 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Spirit |
|
30 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
My New Moon |
|
49 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Dreamland |
|
— | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
My Ideal: A Tribute to Chet Baker Sings |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Live albums
Title | Details | Peak chart positions | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
US [40] |
US Rock
[41] |
US Folk
[48] | ||
Live from the Artists Den[49] |
|
— | — | — |
Live at Red Rocks[50] (Amos Lee with The Colorado Symphony) |
|
103 | 16 | 4 |
Extended plays
Title[citation needed] | Details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
US [40] |
US Rock
[41] | ||
Amos Lee (EP) |
|
— | — |
Live from KCRW |
|
— | — |
As the Crow Flies |
|
67 | 16 |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Singles
As lead artist
Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight" | 2005 | 19 | Amos Lee |
"Shout Out Loud" | 2006 | 7 | Supply and Demand |
"Listen" | 2008 | 11 | Last Days at the Lodge |
"What's Been Going On" | 10 | ||
"Windows Are Rolled Down" | 2010 | 2 | Mission Bell |
"Flower" | 2011 | 16 | |
"The Man Who Wants You" | 2013 | 21 | Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song |
"Chill In the Air" | — | ||
"Vaporize" | 2016 | 14 | Spirit |
"No More Darkness, No More Light" | 2018 | 14 | My New Moon |
"Little Light" | 31 | ||
"Dying White Light" | — | ||
"Crooked" | — | ||
"Holiday Song" | 2019 | — | Non-album single |
"Worry No More" | 2021 | 6 | Dreamland |
"Beeline" | 2022 | — | Dreamland (Deluxe Edition) |
"Game Show" | — | ||
"My Funny Valentine (For Oskar and Eli)" | — | My Ideal: A Tribute to Chet Baker Sings | |
"Greenville" | 2023 | — | Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams |
"Fruits of My Labor" | — | ||
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
As featured artist
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"These Bones" (Bailen featuring Amos Lee) |
2024 | Non-album single |
Other charted songs
Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
---|---|---|---|
US | |||
2012 | "Day That I Die" (with Zac Brown Band)A |
104 | Uncaged |
- ADid not enter the Hot 100 but charted on Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.[53]
DVDs
- Live From Austin, Texas – (2008) New West[citation needed]
- Amos Lee: Live from the Artists Den – (2013)[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Republic News: Artist Spotlight - Amos Lee". Republic Records. June 3, 2016. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ "Amos Lee returns w. Deeply Personal New LP for Dualtone (8/31)". Jam Band News. May 14, 2018.
- ^ "Amos Lee - Honeysuckle Switches: The Songs of Lucinda Williams". Record Store Day. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ "Alumni News". Department of English Language and Literature. University of South Carolina. cas.sc.edu. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- ^ Hahne, Jeff (July 30, 2008). "Who is Amos Lee?". Creative Loafing. Archived from the original (Interview) on April 8, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ a b "Amos Lee - Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved December 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Wheeler, Brad (November 3, 2006). "Taking a back seat to the songs". Globe and Mail. Canada. p. 25.
- ^ a b c "Amos Lee At Studio 4A 'Lodge'". NPR Music. July 19, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Winter, Miller (October 4, 2006). "A Ready-Made Idol? Nope, Just a Folkie Happy to Play His Music". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ^ a b Hiltbrand, David (March 21, 2011) Amos Lee: Philadelphia's anonymous hit-maker Inquirer/Philly News
- ^ a b c d e Farber, Jim (March 1, 2005). "He Follows a Different Strummer". Daily News. New York. p. 38.
- ^ a b c d e f Graham, Renee (February 27, 2005) "Former Teacher Gets a Lesson in the Big Time", The Boston Globe page N5
- ^ a b Gitlin, Lauren (March 10, 2005). "10 Artists to Watch: Amos Lee". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
- ^ a b Lindquist, David (October 21, 2005) No bells or whistles; Amos Lee, on his first tour as a headliner, aims to serve the song above all, The Indianapolis Star page=34
- ^ (June 26, 2005) Watch this Face: Amos Lee, Independent on Sunday (London) page 15
- ^ a b PBS New Hour, Mission Bell Amos Lee enriches his songwriting with star power, April 28, 2011. Saskia De Melker, Retrieved July 2011
- ^ "Philadelphian Amos Lee's Country-Fried Soul". NPR Music. March 18, 2005. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ (March 4, 2005) The Ticket; CD Reviews, The Irish Times, page 13
- ^ a b Blaustein, Claire (October 18, 2006). "A Moment of Peace on the Long Road". NPR Music. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ (June 10, 2006) Top Heatseekers, Billboard (magazine)
- ^ a b c d Mansfield, Brian (February 25, 2011). "On the verge: Amos Lee goes from chalkboard to 'Billboard'". USA Today. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ Green, Andy (February 17, 2011) Unlikely Billboard Champion Amos Lee Performs New Song, Violin, On 'Letterman Rolling Stone Retrieved December 3, 2011
- ^ Yahr, Emily (August 5, 2013). "TV highlights: Shark Week, and 'The Bachelorette' finale". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Supply and Demand, Amos Lee". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ "Amos Lee: Last Days At The Lodge". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ "Philly Native Singer-Songwriter Amos Lee Performs at the Merriam Theater". Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. December 21, 2010. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
- ^ Burger, David (February 2, 2011) Amos Lee's new album debuts at No. 1, The Salt Lake Tribune, Retrieved July 9, 2011
- ^ Richards, Chris (July 4, 2013). "Wale hits No. 1 with 'The Gifted' (Posted 2013-07-04 01:21:36); D.C. rapper debuts in the top spot on the Billboard albums chart". Washington Post.
- ^ "Amos Lee gets cozy with indie rockers, folk heros, and country legends". The Key. 2010. Archived from the original on September 11, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
- ^ Staff writer (March 22, 2013). "Win: John Denver tribute album". Milton Keynes Citizen.
- ^ Poulsen, Drew (June 5, 2013) amos-lee-sets-date-for-mountains-of-sorrow-rivers-of-song-album Billboard, accessed Aug 6, 2013
- ^ Staff writer (July 18, 2013). "Farm Aid 2013 Is Sold Out". Agriculture Week.
- ^ "Amos Lee Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
- ^ Darvas, Lori (August 8, 2008). "Spanning decades; Amos Lee's music draws two generation". The Indianapolis Star. Indiana. p. 21.
- ^ Ben Ratliff; Chinen, Nate; Pareles, Jon (January 24, 2011). "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ Moody, Nekesa (February 1, 2001). "Review: Amos Lee Spirit Breaks, but Songs Fly". ABC News. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
- ^ "Parenthood Soundtrack". Parenthoodtvsoundtrack.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
- ^ "Amos Lee's Background: Touchy Subject". Hampton Roads. October 17, 2006. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ John Moe (October 18, 2021). "Amos Lee Gets Deep, Gets Dark, Makes Jokes". Depresh Mode (Podcast). Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Amos Lee Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Amos Lee Chart History – Rock Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ "austriancharts.at – Austria Top 40" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "lescharts.com – French charts portal" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts – German Albums" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum – Amos Lee". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Amos Lee Album & Song Chart History – Rock Albums". Billboard.
- ^ "Amos Lee: Live from the Artists Den". Artists Den.
- ^ "Amos Lee Live At Red Rocks With The Colorado Symphony". Amazon. January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Amos Lee Reveals EP of Unreleased Tracks". The Jazz Line. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
- ^ "Amos Lee Chart History - Triple A Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
- ^ "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Week of July 28, 2012". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
External links
- Official website
- Amos Lee at AllMusic
- Amos Lee discography at Discogs
- Amos Lee discography at MusicBrainz
- Amos Lee at NPR Music