Biography

Sometimes what you see is exactly what you get.  Seated at a piano, hands poised, mouth to the microphone, Phil Putnam is doing what he does best.  It’s simple, very simple. 

A man, a piano, and a song.

For the past six years, Phil Putnam has held the attention of artists and listeners alike as one of the most poignant, fresh, intuitive Singer/Songwriters in today’s music industry.  With stunning lyrical depth and a trademark blend of piano-rock, pop, and ambient alternative sounds, Putnam has earned a reputation for delivering records and live performances that challenge, inquire, and encourage in the vein of artists such as Coldplay, Billy Joel, Elton John, Tori Amos, Rufus Wainwright, Jeff Buckley, Paul Simon, and countless others. 

Born and raised in Sacramento, CA, Phil began singing in high school and took up piano in college.  While studying music at Simpson University he began to combine his life-long talent for writing with his newfound success on the piano, discovering and defining his skill at turning a simple melody into an engaging, encompassing musical experience.  Not long after he hit his stride as a songwriter, he released his debut album, “Healer,” in Fall of 2001 and founded his record label, Box of Wood Music.

In typical Phil-fashion, it’s been non-stop ever since as he has continued to write, produce, record, and perform alongside today’s most prolific musical talents. Putnam penned and produced his second studio project, “Long Story Short [EP],” in the Fall of 2002 during a stay at the Contemporary Music Center on Martha’s Vineyard.  With the guidance of industry veterans Tom Willett and Warren Pettit Phil sharpened his skills, polished his chops, and returned to California in early 2003 to begin work on his third album, “All the Courage Required.”  Undoubtedly his coming of age record, Putnam released “All the Courage Required” in July 2004 to rave reviews and acclaim for an artist who had discovered his unique musical presence with uncommon elegance and vulnerability.

With three releases under his belt and whole lot to say, Putnam took a break from the studio and hit the road.  Countless venues offered their stages to him and his songs, providing opportunity for him to connect with his audience and communicate his work in the direct, intimate setting of live performance.  It was in the midst of this 2-year string of live performances that Phil began writing what has become his fourth studio release, “Best of Intentions.”

Releasing on November 7th, 2006, “Best of Intentions” is Putnam’s most advanced album to date.  When asked to describe this new project, he jokingly responded, ‘It’s like All the Courage Required’ on steroids.”  Not too far off the mark, however.  “Best of Intentions” honors the signature style of “Courage” while letting it be the starting point of Phil’s latest musical explorations.  The result is a confident, complete, sonically rich and innovative record.

Though the course of six years and four albums have taken Phil Putnam through a journey of change and influence beyond explanation and have placed his songs firmly in the lives of countless fans and friends, the central force of it all still comes down to the same simple facts.

A man, a piano, and a song.