Still Rockin'

Pittsburgh native, folk, pop, indie, and self-described humorous, poetic, political, funky, musician Brad Yoder has been a common face at student orientation on the Main Campus of Butler County Community College for the past six years.


With over 10 years experience of live shows, Yoder's energetic spirit of unique tunes tallies over 150 performances each year. He has opened for fellow musicians such as Erin McKeown, Vigilantes of Love, and Ellis Paul, which contributed to being voted as one of the top three "Best Acoustic/Solo Artist" each year since 2002 and said to be "Ruling the art scene" by Pittsburgh Magazine.


You would never know Brad finds it challenging to book a gig. "Usually it's tedious," he said, "It's worth the effort, though, in order to have gigs to go out and play, because they're really fun, and rewarding."


Yoder has sold over 6,500 album copies, including debut album Best of Sunday Heart (1997), Talk to Total Strangers (1999), Used (2002), and Someday and Never (2007). His recordings have been included in CBS shows like NUMB3RS and Dawson's Creek 5th season DVD. Brad was an active participant of the Pittsburgh Regional History Center 9-11 Memorial Exhibit.


Although Brad is not the focus of the freshman orientation process at BC3, he doesn't seem to mind. "Brad always does a great job, he plays acoustically so it's not too over powering for the event and the type of music that Brad plays has the widest variety of interest to all age groups, to meet the diversity needs of the audience," said Sherri Osborne, BC3's Assistant Director of Student Activities, who first booked Yoder in August 2004.


"I enjoy playing in situations where the music I make enhances a situation, but isn't necessarily the sole focus of the people there," said Yoder. "I enjoy playing for orientation… It's a low-key sort of gig."


Although Brad doesn't mind being the background, he doesn't mind being the focus of a gig either. A frequent visitor of local coffee shops and cafés, Brad can be found with his guitar or saxophone in-hand.


Brad recorded his first song on cassette (do you remember what those are?) in 1992. And even though he says choosing our favorite song is like being asked to choose your favorite child, Brad's top three are "Love is All I Have For You," "Excellent Trouble," and "Skyler" (an early song, from 1991).


When Yoder isn't preparing for a set or planning his next appearance, you can find him eating fresh fruit, listening to other artists such as Catherine Feeny or, of all things, creating more music!

"I feel very lucky to be doing what I do, and still writing new things I'm excited about, and playing for audiences, where people between the ages of five and 70 come out, and enjoy my songs, buy CDs & t-shirts, dance around," Yoder said.


Even though Brad is typically found in or around he Pittsburgh, there have been sightings in Philadelphia, Poughkeepsie, New York, Connecticut, Virginia, New York, and Minnesota. And as for upcoming BC3 new student orientations, Osborne promises we'll see more of Brad Yoder in the future.

More about Brad can be found on his website at www.bradyoder.com.