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Kyf Brewer

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki





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For other possible meanings see Subject's last name (disambiguation)
Kyf Brewer
BornRichard Keith Brewer
24 August 1954
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
💼 Occupation
Singer/Songwriter
📆 Years active  1970–present
Label(s)
  • Warner
  • MCA
  • Mercury/Polygram
  • Risk
  • Ryf

Richard Keith Brewer, (born 24 August 1954), known professionally as Kyf Brewer, is an American singer-songwriter. He is most widely known as the singer-songwriter for The Ravyns (1979-present), Company of Wolves (1989-1992), Barleyjuice (1998-present), and his solo work (1994-present).

Biography[edit]

Brewer began his career as part of Baltimore's pub rock scene in the early 1970s with bands such as Eliza Jane, Calico, and Steamboat Willie, which morphed into Climbadonkey, a six-man songwriting collective known for their hard-charging shows and five part vocals. Together, they recorded many demos, but their national fame would arrive after the country-rock craze had dimmed, bowing to the American punk and new wave movement that emerged in the late 1970s. Four members of Climbadonkey and Rob Fahey (formerly of Hollins Ferry) formed The Ravyns in 1979, birthing the writing team of Brewer & Fahey, who penned all of the band's original songs. The Ravyns toured and wrote relentlessly until gaining national attention with their song “Raised on the Radio”, the second single from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and are still closely associated with that film to date.

The Ravyns released three music videos - “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, “Raised on the Radio”, and “Rhythm of the Heart”, which won MTV’s Basement Tapes in 1985.

Brewer left the group in 1986, moving to New York City to pursue opportunities as a solo artist. There he met Frankie LaRocka (Bryan Adams, John Waite, Scandal), Jeff Kent, Steve Conte, (Michael Monroe, New York Dolls, Glen Burtnick) and his brother John Conte (Southside Johnny, Billy Joel, Joan Osborne). Brewer began attending weekly events held by Jeff Kent who regularly tapped Steve to play guitar on his recordings. The two brothers, along with Frankie and Kyf became Company of Wolves, and with the industry help of LaRocka and manager Larry Mazer (Kiss, Peter Frampton, Lamb of God) were quickly signed to Mercury/Polygram, releasing one album and two videos, “Call of the Wild” and “The Distance”.

“Call of the Wild” video had been shot in Doune, Scotland, and while there Brewer fell in love with the bagpipes and Celtic music, leading to his next band, Barleyjuice.

Barleyjuice released eight albums and is still active today.

Brewer also continues to work on solo releases.

Early Life[edit]

Kyf Brewer was born Richard Keith Brewer on 24 August 1954 in Baltimore Maryland. He and younger sister, Robin Brewer (1957-present) were the sole offspring of Ruth (nee Rutter; 1925–2011) and Donald Brewer (1925–1995). Both parents were musical, played piano, and sang in church when the family was young. Young Keith grew up surrounded by many styles of music besides traditional church music, including Broadway musicals and popular 40s, 50s and 60s radio.

When The Beatles and other British Invasion groups broke the American radio waves in 1964, Brewer, like multitudes of other young people, was influenced to pursue a career in rock’n’roll music.

Career[edit]

1960s[edit]

During his later school years, Kyf was constantly forming bands with anyone who shared his yearnings, whether they were gifted or just looked the role. Some of the earliest band names included Black Trillium, Joint Session, Eliza Jane, Baby Jane, and Clyde.

1970s[edit]

In 1971, Brewer & friends formed his first important band, Eliza Jane, the band with which he would first begin to perform his original songs in public - Kyf on drums and vocals, Dave Woodworth; guitar and vocals, Nolan Church; guitar and vocals, Fred Ritz; piano and vocals, and Dennis Wright; bass. Woodworth naturally pronounced Keith with an “f” sound on the end as opposed to a “th”, prompting Ritz to decide that it required a unique spelling, thereby creating what would become Brewer’s professional name, Kyf. Brewer returned the favor in one of his short stories titled “Jumpin’ Dave and the Number Why”, creating Woodworth’s moniker. Both names have stood the test of time.

The group made their first four-song studio recording, submitting to as many major labels as possible. Though overlooked by most, their proudest bit of memorabilia was a rejection letter they received from Apple Records, telling them their sound was unique, but the band was unfortunately not what the label wanted at the moment.

Brewer began his professional career as part of Baltimore’s original rock scene in the early 1970s with bands such as Eliza Jane, Calico, and Steamboat Willie, which became Climbadonkey. The group consisted of Kyf, guitarists Bobby Hird, Doug Robinson and Fred Tepper, along with bassist Lee Townsend and drummer John Tracey.

With Climbadonkey, Kyf moved from drums to piano due to a neck injury.

Romanced by a handful of accredited producers and labels, they recorded many demos, but their national fame would arrive after the country-rock craze had dimmed, bowing to the American punk and new wave movement that emerged in the late 1970s.

Nearing the end of the 70s, after years of performing multiple shows a week, the members of Climbadonkey were fatigued and considered disbanding. Kyf had been invited to record a few demos with another writer, Rob Fahey, (formerly of Hollins Ferry) and the two eventually decided to form a new band.

Four members of Climbadonkey merged with Rob Fahey to form The Ravyns (after Baltimore’s Loch Raven and Edgar Allen Poe’s Baltimore history, changing one letter in the style of early rock bands such as the Byrds) in 1979, birthing the writing team of Brewer & Fahey, who penned all of the band’s original songs. Much to the surprise of their local following, Climbadonkey became The Ravyns, working up an entirely different show of new wave and original songs, donning skinny ties, and soon becoming the most popular “new wave” band on the Baltimore circuit.

1980s[edit]

The 80s brought burgeoning success to The Ravyns - so much so that the popular band Crack The Sky, undergoing personnel difficulties, invited Bobby Hird and John Tracey to join their band. Since Crack The Sky was experiencing much more radio play and bigger gigs, the two were lured away. After a brief hiatus, the Ravyns employed guitarist David Bell and drummer Tim Steele to join them. This became the fivesome that would become the most well recognized recording lineup.

The Ravyns toured and wrote relentlessly until gaining national attention with their song “Raised on the Radio”, the second single from the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and are still closely associated with that film to date. The film was a shining success, and because the song praised radio, it received heavy rotation at stations across the country.

The success of “Raised on the Radio” got the band recognized and signed by MCA Records through a vanity label called RDM, run by Roger Davies, who had brought much success to MCA with Olivia Newton-John and Tina Turner. Though The Ravyns had signed with a major label, Kyf became disappointed that the producer, Peter Coleman, chose only two of his songs to be recorded for the ten-song debut album. He subsequently wrote two more, “Wraparound”, and “Rhythm of the Heart” in the studio, and co-wrote “Lose You” with Fahey.

The Ravyns released three music videos - “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, “Raised on the Radio”, and “Rhythm of the Heart”, which won MTV’s Basement Tapes in 1985. Legal objections rose a day later over the fact that although the band had been dropped from their label by this third video, Basement Tapes rules stated that any winning band could have had no previous ties with major labels. Upon realizing this, MTV rescinded the band’s victory and announced them as runners-up the following day.

The band continued to tour and record together until 1986, when Brewer, becoming more and more restless, resigned and moved to New York City at the behest of then-manager Lauren Karasyk, who offered him her couch while working to mold him into a solo artist, introducing him to many of NYC’s industry magnates. One of these people would be drummer Frankie LaRocka (Bryan Adams, John Waite, Scandal), who became a huge fan of Kyf’s songwriting and vocals. Another important influence was songwriter Jeff Kent, who was hosting a weekly blues jam at the time called Under Acme, wherein Brewer met Steve Conte, (Michael Monroe, New York Dolls, Glen Burtnick) and his brother John Conte (Southside Johnny, Billy Joel, Joan Osborne). Brewer began showing up weekly at these jams and writing with Kent, who regularly tapped Steve to play guitar on his recordings. The two brothers, along with Frankie and Kyf soon became Company of Wolves, and with the industry help of LaRocka and power manager Larry Mazer (Kiss, Peter Frampton, Lamb of God) were signed to Mercury/Polygram as their label.

1990s[edit]

Company of Wolves’ eponymous release in 1990 received high acclaim in the trades and the group produced two music videos for MTV, “Call of the Wild”, and “The Distance”. The group toured vigorously around the US. Much of their following resided in Europe and Asia, though they never toured outside of the US. Polygram pushed them into the studio to record a second album, and subsequently released them from the label before it was completed due to a changing regime of executives within the company.

Frustrated by the corporate blunders controlling his career after two major label contracts, Brewer amicably chose to go independent rather than work with the Wolves to find another record company.

After returning to Baltimore, Brewer and “Jumpin’” Dave Woodworth began collaborating once again. The two wrote and released two albums of material in the 90s, Me & My Big Mouth, and Salvador Deli under Kyf’s name. Kyf signed briefly with indie label, Risk Records, who worked Me & My Big Mouth to national radio stations, allowing him and Dave to put together a band and tour for a short period. Songs from the two solo records were used widely in various TV shows and films at the time.

Brewer also appeared in small roles in TV shows, Homicide: Life on the Street, and Hack, and the John Waters feature film, Serial Mom, during these years.

He and wife Kay had also taken an interest in bagpipes during a honeymoon in Scotland, and upon returning to the states, sought out someone to teach them. Finding a Scottish shop-owner with desires to front a pipe band, they soon learned the bagpipes and marched in many holiday parades. This led to meeting Keith Swanson, another early student of the pipes, who would team up with Brewer to record one album for the Loch Rannoch Pipes and Drums called Spats & Sporrans. Swanson would go on working with Kyf to form a Celtic-rock band, Barleyjuice for the sole purpose of playing rocked up traditionals for St. Patrick’s Day gigs.

2000s[edit]

In the 2000s Barleyjuice would go from a four-piece band rocking up traditional Scottish and Irish songs for St Patrick’s Day gigs to a five-piece Celtic-rock festival favorite, releasing six albums, featuring both traditional and original songs by Brewer and Swanson. Much of the good-weather months were spent touring Irish and Scottish festivals across the country. In the winter months they would write and record. Barleyjuice also toured Scotland and Ireland, bringing a busload of lucky fans along.

During his time in NYC, Kyf had reunited with childhood friend, Donna Quante, herself an Emmy winning camerawoman who had retired to Alaska to pursue her love of huskies and dogsledding. She tapped Kyf to write a song for a docu-film, which turned into many, enough to appear in more of her films and inspiring the album, Songs For Mushers.

In 2002, Kyf recorded a third solo album, Bright Jewels, recruiting “Jumpin’” Dave Woodworth and singer/songwriter/producer Cliff Hillis. This album followed the earlier two in getting many usages in TV shows and movies.

Brewer also produced the self-titled album for Raining Hearts, a Celtic band that included his daughters, Scotlyn, CoCo, and Claire, along with Kieran Corson. Raining Hearts opened a number of Barleyjuice shows for a short time.

2010s[edit]

Within these years, past works from Company of Wolves, Climbadonkey and The Ravyns would be released, and a number of live reunions with each of these bands would occur, but Brewer’s main focus remained set on building the Barleyjuice empire. With no major label behind them, they enjoyed all the creative freedom, and kept all of the trappings as well.

Scotlyn, CoCo and Claire had transgressed from Celtic to modern rock and Kyf produced their band Dirty Purple’s eponymous debut. With Scotlyn as lead singer and sometime keyboard player, CoCo on bass, Kieran on lead guitar, Claire on second guitar, and Ashley Ferrante on drums, Dirty Purple would go on to record a second album, Settle, before  disbanding in 2018.

Barleyjuice released two more studio albums in 2016 and 2019 respectively, This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things, and The Old Speakeasy, along with a favorites album, Best Of The Barley and a live album, Live Juice.

Kyf recorded a fourth solo album, Sunny Bites, and shot a video for the song, High On Love.

Within these years, past works from Company of Wolves, Climbadonkey and The Ravyns would be released, and a number of live reunions with each of these bands would occur, but Brewer’s main focus remained set on finding continued success with  Barleyjuice. Scotlyn, CoCo and Claire had transgressed from Celtic to modern rock and Kyf produced their band Dirty Purple’s eponymous debut. With Scotlyn as lead singer and keyboard player, CoCo on bass, Kieran on lead guitar, Claire on second guitar, and Ashley Ferrante on drums, Dirty Purple would go on to record a second album, Settle, before disbanding in 2018.

Barleyjuice released two more studio albums in 2016 and 2019 respectively, This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things, and The Old Speakeasy, along with a favorites album, Best Of The Barley and a live album, Live Juice.

Kyf recorded a fourth solo album, Sunny Bites, and shot a video for the song, High On Love.

2020s[edit]

Two of Barleyjuice’s key players, Alice Marie (fiddle), and Keith Swanson amicably retired from the band. Drummer John Tracey, a lifelong friend, soon followed to take an IT job. There certainly was no money in staying in Barleyjuice that year. Brewer seriously considered dissolving Barleyjuice, but John had urged him to carry on with the name because it meant something to so many fans. Tragically, John passed from lung cancer in October 2021.

Brewer recruited three new members to join him and longtime bassist, Eric Worthington. The band presently includes Chris Shepherd - mandolin, guitar, vocals; Billy Dominick - original fiddler, vocals; and daughter Claire “Remi” Brewer on drums.

Kyf is presently working on his first book.

Personal Life[edit]

Brewer has been married three times, the first time briefly in 1983 to Leigh Breen. The marriage lasted a year and the two divorced.

In 1989, Brewer met his second wife, Kay Kline, working in marketing for his label, Polygram. They raised three daughters - Scotlyn Marie Brewer (1994), Donnie CoCo Brewer (1996), and Claire Brewer (1998) before divorcing in 2012.

Brewer married Beth Bartlebaugh-Ivey on New Years Eve 2018 in the Baltimore Hard Rock. The event was attended by members of all of Kyf’s former bands, including Bobby Hird, Fred Tepper, Lee Townsend, Tim Steele, Steve Conte, Keith Swanson, Eric Worthington, Alice Marie, Graham Ford, Jumpin’ Dave Woodworth, and Rob Fahey - who performed with his band.

Discography[edit]

As Kyf Brewer:

  • Me & My Big Mouth (1994)
  • Salvador Deli (1998)
  • Bright Jewels (2002)
  • Songs for Mushers (2006)
  • Sunny Bites (2016)

As a member of The Ravyns:

  • The Ravyns (1984)
  • Remnants (1999)
  • Live at Maxwells 1983 (2003)
  • History Repeats Itself (2014)

As a member of Company of Wolves:

  • Company of Wolves (1990)
  • Shakers & Tambourines (1995)
  • Steryl Spycase (2001)

As a member of Barleyjuice:

  • Barleyjuice (2001)
  • Another Round (2002)
  • Six Yanks (2006)
  • Bonny Prince Barley (2007)
  • The Barleyjuice Irish Collection (2008)
  • Skulduggery Street (2009)
  • This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things (2013)
  • Live Juice (2017)
  • Best of the Barley (2017)
  • The Old Speakeasy (2019)

As a member of the Loch Rannoch Pipe Band:

  • Spats & Sporrans (1997)

As a member of Climbadonkey:

  • Climbadonkey (2011)

As executive producer:

  • Raining Hearts - Raining Hearts (2008)
  • Dirty Purple - Dirty Purple (2013)

Filmography[edit]

  • Serial Mom (1994) - Flea Market Dealer
  • Homicide: Life on the Street (1994) - "Black and Blue" Season 2, Episode 3, Officer Jerry Ryan'
  • Hack (2002) - "All Night Long" Season 1, Episode 10, Jules

Narration[edit]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

Spotify[1]

Polygram Records[2]

Billboard Magazine[3] Hardroxx.com[4]

Booktrib.com[5]

Philadelphia Magazine[6]

  1. ↑ Harris, Craig. "Kyf Brewer Spotify". Spotify.
  2. ↑ "Polygram Records".
  3. ↑ "Billboard Magazine". Billboard Magazine.
  4. ↑ McGowan, Brian. [www.hardroxx.com "hardroxx.com"] Check |url= value (help).
  5. ↑ [www.booktrib.com "David Baldacci's Amos Decker Series"] Check |url= value (help).
  6. ↑ "Philadelphia Magazine". Philadelphia Magazine. 1996.


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