“With wit and humility, Annie and Rod captivated our audience right from the first song, all the way to the standing ovation and encore.” – Elaine Mahon, Sandhill Stage, Gainesville, FL
The full-ish story
For shorter bios and elevator pitch see their EPK
Over the years, Annie and Rod have done it all; from hard rock to musical theater. The 80’s and 90’s found them dividing their time between original projects and cover bands. “Foolish Mortals” (their longest-running and hardest-working cover band with a set list that included everything from The Pretenders and Sheryl Crow to Led Zepplin & Aerosmith) performed nearly every weekend in bars and pubs around the Detroit area. In the later 90’s, Annie picked up the guitar again and started writing.
The transition to “folk” was gradual but eventually they shifted to acoustic instruments, away from the bars and into the coffee shops. It was through the open mic scene they found a new community and discovered a world of listening rooms. At this point they were already seasoned performers and before long they developed a new fan base of people who WANTED to hear their original songs.
Their first album (no you can’t buy it) was recorded in a small bedroom at their home in Ann Arbor on a second-hand version of ProTools™. Just the two of them playing a mix of electric and acoustic instruments but no drums save for the sampled drums on two tracks. For their second attempt at making an album they went into a professional recording studio with a full band and a slew of guest back up singers and players. It’s fair to say they went overboard on the overdubs. Another album no longer in print. By 2003, they found a home at Big Sky Recording in Ann Arbor where they would record 6 of their next 7 albums. (2009’s My Blue Garden was recorded and co-produced by Glenn Brown in East Lansing.)
As with many singer/songwriters whose instrumentation is primarily acoustic the word “folk” covers a broad sonic range of genres and influences – what comes out is a hybrid sound all their own. Genuine and playful; effortless and endearing; this duo has been delighting audiences in quality music venues, house concerts, coffeehouses, and festivals throughout their home state of Michigan and beyond.
“When I look around the room at an Annie and Rod Capps performance, I see a lot of smiling faces with eyes riveted to the stage…there is a magic that energizes an audience. I can’t wait to bring them back to our concert series!” – Tim Piazza, Concerts at the Cabin, Evansville, Indiana
Jason Dennie – Mandolin and Harmony
Since 2006, Jason Dennie, has played an essential role in the Annie & Rod Capps band. It’s no surprise he’s one Michigan’s most sought after award-winning instrumentalists and their sound consistently benefits from his decades of experience across genres. A true collaborator, Jason has been deeply involved with the arrangements, contributing his wildly creative mandolin and instinctive harmony. With Jason, the Capps’ songs and shows are always kicked up a notch. In addition, to his skills on mandolin, Jason is a phenomenal finger-style guitarist and a wonderful singer/songwriter. (http://jasondennie.com)
Dan “Ozzie” Andrews – Bass
A more recent addition to their live concerts and recent recording, Dan Ozzie Andrews brings with him a degree in jazz bass and vast experience in all musical styles. Though Annie & Rod have known Dan for over 20 years, the stars aligned finally when they crossed paths again in 2012, while he was performing with, Cold Tone Harvest, and he’s been adding the rock solid and creative low-end to their songs ever since.
