Edie Brickell
Edie Arlisa Brickell (born March 10, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter renowned for her distinctive folk-rock style and introspective lyrics, emerging to prominence as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians in the late 1980s.[1] Brickell's breakthrough came with the band's 1988 debut album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, which featured the hit single "What I Am," peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning widespread acclaim for its eclectic blend of jazz, folk, and pop influences.[1] Following the band's initial success, she pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as Picture Perfect Morning (1994) and Edie Brickell (2013), while also forming the band Heavy MakeUp in the early 2000s.[1] Her collaborations have been particularly notable, including the Grammy-winning album Love Has Come for You (2013) with comedian and banjoist Steve Martin and their collaboration on the Broadway musical Bright Star (2016), as well as a duet with Willie Nelson on "Sing to Me, Willie" from his 2020 album First Rose of Spring.[1] In 2022, Brickell co-wrote the musical 38 Minutes, inspired by a false missile alert in Hawaii.[1] The band reunited for the album Hunter and the Dog Star in 2021. On a personal note, Brickell met musician Paul Simon during a 1988 appearance on Saturday Night Live, leading to their marriage on May 30, 1992; the couple, who share a 25-year age difference, have three children—sons Adrian (born 1992) and Gabriel (1998), and daughter Lulu (born 1995)—all of whom have pursued interests in music.[1] Raised in Oak Cliff, Texas, by her single mother after her parents' divorce when she was three, Brickell returned to the state with her family in 2021, maintaining a low-profile approach to her songwriting process.[1] She continues to perform with Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, and her work on Bright Star sees ongoing productions across theaters.[2]Early life and education
Family and upbringing
Edie Arlisa Brickell was born on March 10, 1966, in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, to parents Larry Jean Linden, who worked various jobs including as an office receptionist, and Paul Edward "Eddie" Brickell, a professional bowler in the National Bowling League.[3][4] Her parents divorced when she was three years old, after which she was raised primarily by her mother in a single-parent household alongside her older sister, Laura Strain.[5][3][6] Brickell's childhood unfolded in the working-class environment of Oak Cliff, marked by financial instability that led to frequent moves and an unorthodox family dynamic, though she later recalled it as "crazy, and a whole lot of fun."[5] She often visited her father at local bowling alleys, where the atmosphere contributed to her early sense of independence amid the neighborhood's vibrant, diverse cultural scene.[5][7] From a young age, Brickell was exposed to a rich array of music through family influences and the eclectic sounds of Dallas's local venues, including soul and R&B from her mother's favorites like Al Green and Ike and Tina Turner, as well as blues, country, and rock acts such as B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Otis Redding, and Aretha Franklin.[5][7] Notably shy and often seen as a "wallflower" during her formative years, she nonetheless displayed early creative inclinations unrelated to performance, such as receiving a guitar from her father at age nine and secretly recording her first original song—a country-style piece inspired by George Jones—on a cassette recorder because she was too timid to play it for him in person.[5][7][8]Education
Edie Brickell attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas, a renowned magnet school that nurtured creative talents. Graduating in 1984, she explored various performance disciplines there, though her primary emphasis was on visual arts, laying the groundwork for her artistic sensibilities.[9][10][11] In the mid-1980s, Brickell enrolled at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, becoming the first in her family to attend college. She studied there briefly during her late teens, balancing academics with growing interests in music, including songwriting inspired by coursework such as a World Religions class.[12] During her university period, Brickell gained early exposure to music by participating in informal performances and improvising vocals at local Dallas venues and clubs. These experiences marked her initial forays into singing and connected her with fellow musicians, leading to her discovery in the local scene.[7][12] This phase represented a crucial turning point, as Brickell chose to leave SMU after approximately a year and a half to dedicate herself fully to music, prioritizing her creative pursuits over formal education.[12]Musical career
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Edie Brickell joined the New Bohemians, an existing Dallas-based group, in 1985 while attending Southern Methodist University, leading to the formation of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians.[13] The band quickly gained attention in the local club scene with their improvisational jam style, securing a deal with Geffen Records in 1986.[14] The band's debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, was released in 1988 and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart.[15] Certified double platinum by the RIAA, it featured the hit single "What I Am," which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] Their follow-up, Ghost of a Dog (1990), continued their exploratory sound but achieved more modest commercial success.[17] Following extensive touring for Ghost of a Dog, the band entered a hiatus as Brickell pursued solo work and family life after her marriage to Paul Simon.[18] They reunited in 2006 to release Stranger Things, followed by a period of intermittent activity and further reunions for live performances in 2009.[19] Subsequent albums include Rocket (2018), which marked a full-band return after a 12-year studio gap, and Hunter and the Dog Star (2021), showcasing their evolved collaborative dynamic.[20][2] The band experienced a profound loss with the death of co-founding bassist Brad Houser on July 24, 2023, following a stroke on July 17; Houser, a key creative force since the group's inception, was 62, and his passing prompted tributes highlighting his irreplaceable role in their sound.[21] Despite this, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians continue occasional performances, maintaining their commitment to live improvisation.[10] Known for an eclectic alternative rock style incorporating elements of folk, blues, jazz, and jam-band improvisation, the group influenced the 1980s and 1990s indie scenes by bridging hippie-era vibes with modern alt-rock accessibility.[22] Their debut success helped pioneer the adult alternative genre, emphasizing lyrical introspection and genre-blending experimentation.[23]Solo career
Edie Brickell's solo career began with the release of her debut album, Picture Perfect Morning, on August 16, 1994, via Geffen Records. The album marked a shift toward a more intimate folk-pop sound, blending acoustic elements with alternative rock influences, produced in part by David Bromberg and Paul Simon. The lead single, "Good Times," peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and gained additional exposure through its music video, which was featured as a multimedia sample on Microsoft's Windows 95 Companion CD-ROM.[24][25][26][27] Her second solo effort, Volcano, arrived on October 14, 2003, through Universal Records, showcasing a more introspective and tender exploration of personal themes within dreamy, wistful arrangements. Produced by Charlie Sexton, the album emphasized soft, supple textures and thoughtful lyrics, drawing comparisons to the nuanced styles of artists like Norah Jones and Sting, while retaining an organic edge reminiscent of her earlier band work. Released with limited commercial promotion, it reflected Brickell's desire to prioritize artistic expression over widespread market demands.[28][29][30] Brickell released her self-titled third solo album, Edie Brickell, on January 11, 2011, via RacecarLOTTA Records. Produced by Charlie Sexton, the folk-rock album featured tracks recorded between 2003 and 2010, continuing her introspective songwriting style.) The pursuit of a solo path was enabled by a hiatus from Edie Brickell & New Bohemians following their 1990 album, allowing Brickell to focus on individual creativity amid family life after marrying Paul Simon in 1992. Artistically, she sought simpler production values that contrasted the band's energetic, collaborative dynamics, enabling a more personal songwriting process where she could craft songs in solitude before envisioning ensemble accompaniment. This approach influenced her evolution as a songwriter, fostering introspective narratives and a sense of autonomy that carried into later works. In support of Volcano, Brickell undertook a concert tour in 2003, performing selections from the album alongside earlier material to connect directly with audiences.[31][29][32]The Gaddabouts
In 2010, Edie Brickell formed the short-lived jazz supergroup The Gaddabouts alongside veteran session musicians Steve Gadd on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, and Andy Fairweather Low on guitar.[33] The project originated from informal sessions Brickell began with Gadd around 2000, when he encouraged her to resume recording after a period focused on family, but it coalesced into a full band several years later with the addition of Palladino and Fairweather Low for a collaborative effort emphasizing musicianship over commercial pressures.[34] The group released two albums on 429 Records: their self-titled debut The Gaddabouts in January 2011, followed by the double-disc Look Out Now! in September 2012.[35] These recordings blended jazz, blues, rock, and soul influences, featuring a mix of original compositions and covers with spontaneous arrangements that highlighted the players' improvisational interplay and stellar grooves.[33] Guest appearances by artists such as saxophonist Ronnie Cuber and organist Larry Goldings added depth to the eclectic sound, underscoring the high-caliber session work central to the band's identity.[34] The Gaddabouts debuted live at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in April 2011 as part of a WFUV concert series, where their performances showcased the raw energy of live recording techniques used in the studio.[33] However, extensive touring proved challenging due to the members' demanding schedules from other commitments, limiting further live activity and leading the project to go inactive after the 2012 release.[34]Edie Brickell and Steve Martin
Edie Brickell and Steve Martin's musical partnership began in the early 2010s when they connected at a social gathering, where Brickell expressed admiration for Martin's bluegrass recordings, leading to informal songwriting sessions.[36] Their collaboration culminated in the 2013 album Love Has Come for You, which featured Martin's banjo playing alongside Brickell's distinctive vocals in a blend of bluegrass and folk styles, earning them a Grammy Award for Best American Roots Song for the title track.[37] This project marked the start of their joint exploration into Americana-rooted music, with Martin providing instrumental foundations and Brickell contributing lyrical depth drawn from personal experiences.[38] Building on their success, Brickell and Martin co-created the Broadway musical Bright Star, which premiered at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2014 before transferring to Broadway in 2016, where it received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical.[39] Brickell co-wrote the lyrics for the production, which weaves themes of love, redemption, and second chances against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, spanning the 1920s and 1940s.[40] The show's bluegrass-infused score highlighted their synergy, with Martin's comedic sensibilities complementing Brickell's emotional storytelling.[41] In 2015, they released the follow-up album So Familiar, which expanded on their bluegrass sound and included songs that originated from Bright Star workshops, accompanied by live performances that showcased their onstage chemistry.[37] Their partnership continued to evolve through these endeavors, with Martin encouraging Brickell to venture into bluegrass territories beyond her rock and pop roots, fostering a creative dialogue that blended humor, narrative, and acoustic instrumentation.[42] In 2025, regional revivals of Bright Star gained momentum, including its Grand Valley debut in Grand Junction, Colorado, in November as a fundraiser for the Avalon Theatre, and September performances at venues such as the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta, Georgia, and Fauquier Community Theatre in Virginia.[43][44][45]Heavy MakeUp
Heavy MakeUp is an improvisational trio formed by Edie Brickell alongside trumpeter CJ Camerieri and multi-instrumentalist Trever Hagen, emerging from collaborative sessions that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.[46] The project originated with email exchanges of short musical snippets between Brickell and her collaborators, evolving into a formal collaboration after their work on the 2022 track "More & More" for the album CARM by composer Christopher Cerrone.[46] This led to three intensive days of jamming in New York, where the trio captured raw, spontaneous material that formed the basis of their debut self-titled album, released on September 8, 2023, via Thirty Tigers.[46] The recording process emphasized low-pressure creativity, with the group editing hours of improvisation into 11 tracks blending atmospheric electronics, brass elements, and kinetic rhythms inspired by Brickell's desire for "fresh, different" sounds reminiscent of her early musical explorations.[46] Building on this foundation, Heavy MakeUp released their follow-up album, Here It Comes, on June 28, 2024, also through Thirty Tigers, featuring another 11 tracks drawn from over 100 improvised pieces.[47] The sessions for this record took place live in a barn, preserving the trio's unscripted chemistry through minimal post-production, such as EQ adjustments to enhance vocal clarity while retaining the organic buzz of the environment.[47] The music incorporates trip-hop grooves, psychedelic textures, and improvisational structures, reflecting the group's shared curiosities in sonic experimentation without rigid genre constraints.[48] The project's formation was sparked by Brickell's invitation to Camerieri and Hagen for writing sessions in 2022, which unexpectedly coalesced into a band driven by joyful, pressure-free jamming rather than predefined goals.[49] As a side endeavor following Brickell's reunions with Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Heavy MakeUp represents her ongoing experimentation with collaborative improvisation in the 2020s, allowing her to explore raw, emergent compositions outside more structured formats.[46] Heavy MakeUp has embraced live performance to channel their improvisational energy, including a four-night residency at The Sun Rose in Los Angeles in October 2024 and opening slots for Bruce Hornsby's Noisemakers tour.[50] The trio made their national television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 27, 2024, performing material from Here It Comes and highlighting their dynamic interplay of voice, synths, and brass.[51] These appearances underscore the band's role as a platform for Brickell's post-reunion creative freedom, with plans for additional albums drawn from their extensive backlog of improvised material.[47]Personal life
Marriage and family
Edie Brickell met Paul Simon in November 1988 during a taping of Saturday Night Live, where Simon was present as a longtime friend of SNL creator Lorne Michaels, standing behind one of the cameras, and Brickell's band, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, performed their hit single "What I Am."[52] The pair connected backstage, sparking a romance that led to their marriage nearly four years later.[52] Brickell and Simon wed on May 30, 1992, in a private ceremony attended only by close family and friends.[1] It marked Brickell's first marriage and Simon's third. The couple has maintained a stable partnership for over three decades, navigating the challenges of their respective music careers while prioritizing family.[1] Together, they have three children: son Adrian Edward Simon (born December 1992), a musician; daughter Lulu Belle Simon (born March 1995), who has contributed to musical theater; and son Gabriel Elijah Simon (born May 1998), also a musician.[53] All three have pursued interests in music and the arts. Brickell and Simon raised their family primarily in Connecticut, with a longtime residence in New Canaan.[54] Throughout this period, Brickell balanced motherhood with her creative pursuits, continuing to write and record music even as she focused on nurturing their children.[7]Residence and philanthropy
Edie Brickell and her husband Paul Simon resided in New Canaan, Connecticut, from 2002 until 2022, when they sold their 32-acre estate for $10.8 million after owning it for two decades.[55][54] The couple, who married in 1992, prioritized a low-profile lifestyle in the affluent suburb, focusing on family privacy away from public scrutiny.[1] In 2022, they relocated to Wimberley, Texas, a small town near Austin, embracing a quieter existence that aligns with Brickell's Dallas roots.[56] The family also maintains a home in Maui, Hawaii, where they occasionally retreat.[57] Brickell has engaged in philanthropy through direct support for music education initiatives tied to her Texas heritage, notably by headlining benefit concerts with Edie Brickell & New Bohemians for La Rondalla, a free after-school program in Dallas's Oak Cliff neighborhood that provides guitar, bass, and drum lessons to underserved youth aged 7 to 18.[58][59] In 2017, the band donated 100% of proceeds from a Kessler Theater performance to the program, which closed in 2018 despite such efforts but highlighted Brickell's commitment to fostering musical opportunities for children.[60][20] Alongside Simon, Brickell contributed $1 million to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts in 2017, directing funds toward recovery in Houston and surrounding areas affected by the storm that devastated her home state.[61][62] She has volunteered as a meal delivery driver for Meals on Wheels of New Canaan, supporting local seniors during her time in Connecticut.[63] In 2022, the couple supported Ukraine amid the Russian invasion by purchasing and donating Airbnb stays to provide direct aid to displaced residents.[64] Additionally, Brickell performed at Farm Aid 2020, contributing to the organization's mission of aiding family farmers.[65]Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
Edie Brickell has received one Grammy Award and three nominations throughout her career, primarily in recognition of her collaborative work with Steve Martin. These honors highlight her contributions to American roots music and musical theater, spanning bluegrass-infused albums and Broadway productions.[66] At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Brickell and Martin earned their first Grammy nominations for the album Love Has Come for You, a bluegrass project featuring the Steep Canyon Rangers that blended Martin's banjo expertise with Brickell's songwriting. They won Best American Roots Song for the title track "Love Has Come for You," written by Brickell and Martin, marking the inaugural year of the category and celebrating its lyrical depth on themes of love and renewal. The album itself was nominated for Best Americana Album, acknowledging its rootsy instrumentation and collaborative spirit, though it did not win.[67][68] In 2017, at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Brickell received her third nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for Bright Star, a Broadway musical she co-wrote with Martin. The production, inspired by Southern Gothic storytelling, featured original songs that earned praise for their emotional resonance but did not secure the win. This nomination underscored Brickell's versatility in transitioning from folk-rock roots to theatrical composition.[69][70]| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 (56th) | Best American Roots Song | "Love Has Come for You" (with Steve Martin) | Won |
| 2014 (56th) | Best Americana Album | Love Has Come for You (with Steve Martin) | Nominated |
| 2017 (59th) | Best Musical Theater Album | Bright Star (with Steve Martin) | Nominated |