Revving engines and shooting sparks cause the sort of major ignition that drives the music of Ashland, Oregon, rockers AnnieMac. These eclectic, talented musicians draw on old-school R&B riffs, deep soul, and emotion-inspired lyrics for hard-edged originals and highly danceable covers. Often compared to The Band, Little Feat, and The Allman Brothers Band, AnnieMac delivers guitar rock that speaks to the heart.

Born in San Francisco’s Bay Area, AnnieMac’s first lineup played regular, high-profile venues and opened for such artists as Tommy Castro. Since reforming in Oregon’s ruggedly beautiful Rogue River Valley in 2006, AnnieMac has built a loyal fan base by headlining music festivals and dance clubs. They Opened very successfully for Three Dog Night last summer at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, Oregon.

The band’s latest incarnation was the product of serendipity. Singer Annie McIntyre and guitarist Joe Diehl were both from Mill Valley, California, and—unbeknownst to them—currently living in Ashland. They had played together a few times in the Bay Area in the 1990s, but they hadn’t seen in each other in years. One evening, while walking down Ashland’s hip Main Street, Joe did a double take.

“I looked and looked at this woman on the other side of the road, and just kept thinking, ‘That looks like Annie’,” says the classically handsome, green-eyed guitarist. “Finally I called out to her and that’s when we started talking about this.”

McIntyre, a dark-haired, artfully attired and incessantly curious woman, was craving to be onstage again. Diehl wanted to start something with high energy and contrast … a band with a sultry, rich female voice to complement his masculine style. Each disappointed at the lack of roots rock & soul music in the otherwise culturally happening Southern Oregon region, they decided to remedy the situation. Diehl called on his favorite local musicians and within a month AnnieMac was rehearsing and refining their sound.

Since then, these accomplished musicians have made a splash, securing regular gigs at regional festivals, private parties, and local pubs and dance halls. They spent much of the summer of 2007 in Northern California’s RadioStar Studio, recording 13 of their tastiest original songs. They continue to gig and will be touring in support of the CD Ignition upon its release in summer 2008.

Members of AnnieMac:
Annie McIntyre — Lead Vocals
Joe Diehl — Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals
Allen Crutcher — Keyboard
Jim Sitter — Drums
John Lingafelter— Bass
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