O.B. Bryant was born in Vienna, GA, I would guess sometime in the early to mid 40's (judging by his dates of military service). Like most blues singers he started singing in the church as a youngster. He cites Al Green and Bobby Bland as major influences.
Shortly after moving to Atlanta and beginning his career in 1965 with several local R&B units, he was drafted and sent to Vietnam in 1966. Upon his return from the war the demands of providing for a family took precedence over music and he went to work for the Post Office for the next three decades. Once his kids were grown and he had retired from the USPS it was finally time to return to his first love.
I can't find any mention as to keeping his hand in the local scene on a weekend warrior basis, but as polished as he is, it seems likely. This was his first record, made in 1998 on the tiny Million Dollar Showcase Records. The packaging is minimal but the production and the band are quite good and Bryant is a very fine singer, I imagine he is fun to see. All of these tracks are apparently his own compositions and they are good songs! He has been working the south in classic southern soul reviews with the likes of Otis Clay, Latimore, Denise LaSalle and Clarence Carter. I'm keeping an eye out for him down here.
