KYRS - Thin Air Community Radio in Spokane, WA

Here's what Midwest Record has to say about Susan James new album "Driving Toward The Sun"!

“Psst, over here. Wanna hear the country/folk/rock record you’ve been wanting Lucinda Williams to make since she made that white album that really turned you on to her? James beat her to it. Running hard to make up for lost time after taking an extended lap around the mommy track, James has another set of wonderful, deeply emotional songs on her hands. Aided by her smart guitar playing, we have here a gal that’s not only the whole package, she is one of the few that decided to go for it all and scored. Once again, great songs/killer band. This is the kind of music we were enjoying before everything went sideways. Well done.”

Susan James returned in 2011 with high praise for her latest CD “Highways, Ghosts, Hearts and Home”, which reached the top 15 in the JamBand Charts.

For her new 2013 album "Driving Toward The Sun", James has teamed up with producer Ryan Ulyate, who has worked in the past with Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and George Harrison. Ulyate is just one of the many talented people who James attracts to her projects. The new recordings include legendary L.A. drummer Don Heffington (Lone Justice) and guitarist Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Band, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals).

“…a singer/songwriter can make his or her rep on two things: excellent songwriting and an eye for small musical details. Fortunately for Susan James her fourth LP Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home has both…Even when James isn’t messing with the formula, she’s still a step above her contemporaries.”–Blurt Online.

While Susan has made a splash performing solo with just her voice and acoustic guitar, she can also be seen with her band and all the while expanding her lyrical and musical reach, all through her psychedelic, country-folk lens. Previous recordings have included folks like Tommy Stinson (Replacements) and D.J. Bonebrake (X). And live, Susan still performs with Mr. Bonebrake and other super-talented musicians who have a fondness for her unique style.

It is James, however, who stands as the guiding force behind her music and albums, creating what she calls “California Hybrid” music – melodic psychedelic country folk rock. The Southern California native was greatly influenced by all the great L.A. bands like the Beach Boys and the Byrds, but she also had family in Central California and the Bay Area so she was exposed to those regions’ music too.

The idea of becoming a musician dawned on James at the age of eight when two high school students came to her classroom and performed songs like “Love Potion #9” and “They Call The Wind Mariah.” This experience, says James, “was like a veil lifted from my eyes and at that very moment I knew what I wanted to do.” She later majored in Ethnomusicology at UCLA. Her studies helped to expose her to different styles of music, which she has incorporated into her own music from time to time. James, however, feels that it is important to write from her own perspective and the melting pot of cultures that she lives around today in Southern California.

After college, James embarked on a music career. While enjoying some success around California, her big break came in an unusual way. Following one of her regular gigs at the Palo Alto club St. Michael’s Alley, James was asked how much money she would need to record an album. She guessed $10,000. “I had no idea at the time because I’d never been in the studio before,” James admits. A week later, a fan shyly handed her a brown paper bag filled with $9,999. The man, who introduced himself as Burrell Smith (the early Apple computer whiz), explained that his accountant said that $10,000 would adversely affect his taxes. She used that money to finance her first album, "Life Between Two Worlds".

She has since released three other indie full-length albums- “Shocking Pink Banana Seat”, “Fantastic Voyage” (a double CD set of songs and instrumentals), and 2011?s “Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home”.

While always remaining accessible, Susan James’ uniqueness reminds us of a past review of her in the Los Angeles Times, “James’ long blond hair and folk-based songs have caused her to be compared to Joni Mitchell. The inventiveness of her eight-song set, however, showed that James is perhaps most like Mitchell because she is like no one else.”

Through the years, James has performed across America, Canada and Europe. She has toured as the opening act for Lindsey Buckingham, Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman, Ratdog and Richard Buckner as well as sharing the bill with folks like Son Volt, Richard Thompson, David Lindley, Daniel Lanois and Rufus Wainwright and quite a few more. Her music has been licensed for TV and Independent films, and she has guested on other friends’ albums such as The High Llamas (albums “Buzzle Bee” and “Beets, Maize & Corn”), and the late Mary Hansen’s (of Stereolab) “The Horizontalist”.

“In her 45-minute opening set, James shows that she is already a master at exploring the emotional and sonic possibilities of the minimalist format of voice and acoustic guitar …James long blond hair and folk-based songs have caused her to be compared to Joni Mitchell. The inventiveness of her eightsong set, however, showed that James is perhaps most like Mitchell because she is like no one else.” – Noel Davis, Los Angeles Times

“She writes like a consummate pro, has an engaging voice and uses it to

virtual perfection. A few of these tracks could be hits and they aren’t even

my favorites. Pick up on this. And if you don’t, remember the name. That’s

Susan James. She’ll be back. Im sure.” – Rock and Reprise, 2011

So how does James sum herself up?

“I’m still someone who loves a well-written song, but also loves experimenting and pushing the boundaries, she says. I’m still searching as an artist and musician and will probably continue to do so until the day I die.”

Please visit Susan's official web site at http://susanjamesmusic.com/

My friend Eric Taylor will be returning to Spokane to share in an intimate evening of music on Thursday, June 6th, performing in my personal studio. Limited seating is available (only 50 seats) with tickets priced at $20 per seat. Eric is touring in support of his brand new release titled "Studio 10", his first album of all new material since 2007's "Hollywood Pocketknife". For ticket availability, concert location, and complete details, please email me at crossroads@kyrs.org ... Eric's guest appearance is in support and promotion of his Spokane engagement.

STUDIO 10:

Recorded at the Red Shack Studio in Houston, STUDIO 10 brings to light 9 new songs penned by Eric Taylor and a cover of Tim Grimm’s “Cover These Bones.”

Songs: Eric Taylor’s compassionate storytelling and song theater at their finest, painting an always colorful cast of characters making it through this world. Some songs are tributes to friends who have passed – “Bill” (Bill Morrissey), “Francestown” (reminiscent of Dave van Ronk), “String Of Pearls.” Some songs from a woman’s perspective – “Molly’s Painted Pony,” “Adios.” Two songs – “Tully’s Titles” and “Tully” – to be featured in an upcoming documentary film about Jim Tully. And “Reno” and “Dark Corner Ice Water” – songs that showcase the intricate narrative quality and unique theater aspect of Eric Taylor’s writing that sets him apart. He is like no other.

Musicians: Eric Taylor (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass), David Webb (keyboards), James Gilmer (percussion), Rock Romano (supporting vocals, electric bass), Susan Lindfors Taylor (supporting vocals)

Produced by Eric Taylor and Susan Lindfors Taylor

Arranged by Eric Taylor

Engineered by Rock Romano

Eric Taylor:

Eric Taylor is a sage musician, a lyrical genius and a master of the guitar. If you're familiar with the intricate Texas singer/ songwriter jigsaw puzzle, you probably already know a lot about Taylor. If you're not familiar with Taylor by name, you've probably heard his songs performed by people such as Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett. He has created a multitude of fans and devotees that are legends themselves in the singer/songwriter realm, artists who have long considered Taylor to be a teacher and a lantern bearer whose time is long overdue.

Taylor grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and started playing soul music in his early years, steeping himself in the rich cultural heritage of the black South. "I've written poetry all my life," Taylor recounts. "When I learned how to play guitar, it was a natural progression to write songs." After high school, a brief stint at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, just "didn't work out," according to Taylor.

"Music lured me away," says Taylor. "I thought I'd make my way to California like everybody else back then but I ran out of money and ended up in Houston." It's a good thing he never made it to California, because the musical environment in Houston during the '70s was just what Taylor needed to inspire him.

Taylor learned intricate blues guitar stylings from music legends Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb and Mississippi Fred McDowell while working at the Family Hand club. Later, he developed his own unique guitar picking style, that would be imitated by many of his contemporaries from the early Houston days, such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and Nanci Griffith. "There were no lines drawn in the sand between musical genres in Houston back in those days," Taylor remembers. "You were just a musician. I believe so many great writers came out of that scene because you could learn from others. Isn't that the point of this whole thing?"

In 1977 Taylor was a winner of the "New Folk" competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Shameless Love, his first album, came out in 1981, and after a hiatus of almost 14 years, he returned with the self-titled Eric Taylor, released in 1995. His eponymous release was chosen as the 1996 Kerrville Folk Festival Album of the Year. Three years later he released Resurrect, and it was subsequently named one of the "100 essential records of all time" by Buddy magazine. Taylor has headlined the prestigious Newport Folk Festival, played National Public Radio's "Mountain Stage" and has appeared on both "Late Night With David Letterman" with Nanci Griffith and "Austin City Limits" with Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and Robert Earl Keen.

"To say that Eric Taylor is one of the finest writers of our time, would be an understatement," Nanci Griffith says. "If you miss an opportunity to hear Eric Taylor, you have missed a chance to hear a voice I consider the William Faulkner of songwriting in our current time." Griffith has recorded several of Taylor's songs, including "Deadwood," "Storms," "Dollar Matinee" and "Ghost in the Music," which they wrote together. Lyle Lovett, who has recorded Taylor's "Memphis Midnight/Memphis Morning," “Whooping Crane,” “Understand You,” and with whom Taylor co-wrote the immensely popular "Fat Babies," compares Taylor's narrative voice to that of Bruce Springsteen. Iain Matthews claims, "Once you become a Taylor fanatic, it gives one immense joy and pride to be able to enlighten others to the man's work."

2001 brought forth Scuffletown, and shortly following its release, Taylor was a featured artist on "Austin City Limit's" and NPR's "Morning Edition." The Kerrville Tapes (2003) is his first live album, recorded during three years of appearances at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival.

In 2004, heeding repeated requests by fans and media, Taylor re-mastered the vinyl Shameless Love and reissued it as a CD with 2 never-released-before bonus tracks.

In the spring of 2005, Taylor returned to Rock Romano's Red Shack in Houston to record his 5th studio album, The Great Divide. Garnering rave reviews at home and abroad, The Great Divide quickly reached #3 on the Euro Americana Chart and in 2006 was named one of the Top Releases Most Played by Folk Radio.

Hollywood Pocketknife, released in 2007, is a 10-song collection that shows Taylor in his prime as a writer and performer, with his exquisite narrative style, his keen, studied observation of the human spirit, and his intricate, roots-driven guitar work. Produced by Taylor, Hollywood Pocketknife also features a stellar cast of musicians, including Eric Demmer (saxophone), David Webb (keyboard, Hammond organ), Mathias Schneider (lap steel), James Gilmer (percussion), Vince Bell (vocals), Steven Fromholz (vocals), and Susan Lindfors (vocals).

In January 2008, Eric Taylor and Hollywood Pocketknife were nominated for FolkWax's Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

In early 2011 Taylor decided to bring together some of his oldest friends and favorite musicians for a live recording. In May 2011 we recorded 2 nights live at The Red Shack studio in Houston, Texas. There was a film crew and live studio audience. Nanci Griffith flew in from Nashville to sing, Lyle Lovett came in to sing, Denice Franke and Susan Lindfors Taylor came in to sing, Marco Python Fecchio flew in from Milan, Italy to play electric guitar, and James Gilmer came in to play percussion. We captured 2 magical nights of music and friendship and Houston history. The performances are stunning, and this Live At The Red Shack CD is unlike anything out there. It's a combination live record / retrospective record / celebration of friends. Named One Of The Top 10 Albums Of The Year (Texas Music magazine) and Best Of 2012 – Live Album (Third Coast Music magazine).

A mesmerizing performer, Taylor has toured extensively in the United States and Europe, playing notable venues such as Club Passim, The Bottom Line, Caffe Lena, The Bluebird Cafe, Eddie's Attic, The Ark, CSPS, Freight & Salvage, The Green Note (London), Paradiso (Amsterdam), Theatre Kikker (Utrecht), The Real Music Club (Belfast), Hotel du Nord (Paris), Grey's Pub (Brighton), and The Bein Inn (Perth). Festival appearances include Kerrville, Newport Folk Festival, Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Boston Folk Festival, Glasgow Americana Festival (Scotland), Take Root (The Netherlands), and Roots of Heaven Festival (The Netherlands).

He has taught at the Kerrville Song School, and has conducted songwriting workshops at the Fulston Manor Performing Arts Centre (Sittingbourne, England), CARAD (Rhayader, Wales), Puget’s Sound Productions (Washington) and the Plowshares Coffeehouse (Pennsylvania).

Please visit Eric's official website at http://www.bluerubymusic.com

Kristine W has released seven albums, three of them through major labels, plus an early recording she sells to fans through her website. Weitz has achieved 16 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the United States. She has many fans within the dance music community.

She was crowned Miss Washington in 1981 and won a non-finalist talent award at the 1982 Miss America pageant earning her a college scholarship. She was also the preliminary swimsuit winner.

She spent several years performing in Las Vegas lounges before being "discovered." "Kristine W and the Sting," her band in the late '80s and into the '90s, performed at the Silver Slipper Casino, at The Mint Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Hilton and Studio 54 at the MGM Grand. She was signed to RCA Records in the U.S. and she began work on an album which would be a collaboration with Rollo Armstrong and Rob D. Her first single, "One More Try", was issued two years later, in 1996, with remixes by Junior Vasquez, Rollo, Sister Bliss, David Morales, and Stonebridge. This single not only hit #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, it also crossed over to pop radio, reaching #78 on the Billboard Hot 100 singleschart. When her album, Land Of The Living was released, Kristine held a free concert at the Virgin Megastore in New York City.

The second single was the title track from the album, and featured remixes by Junior Vasquez, Rollo, Sister Bliss, Dekkard, Lisa Marie Experience, and Deep Dish. This single also reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In 1997, instead of releasing a third single from the album, Champion issued new remixes of "Feel What You Want" by Vasquez, Dekkard, Maddlads, and Rollo. An additional unreleased remix was produced by Jonathan Peters which was one of the most popular tracks at his Friday night DJ residency. Junior Vasquez was also asked to produce remixes her songs "Don't Wanna Think" and "Sweet Mercy Me", which weren't released commercially but instead distributed to select DJs, making them regional club hits in the New York metro area, particularly at Vasquez' weekly parties.

Her follow up album Stronger would not be released until 2000. Despite the fact that four years had passed since her last album, the first single from the album, the title track, reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart on the strength of remixes by Johnny Vicious, Junior Vasquez and Rollo. The single featured an additional remix of her song "Clubland" by Thunderpuss. The second single, "Lovin' You" also reached #1 on the Club Play chart, with remixes by Hex Hector, Junior Vasquez, and Johnny Vicious.

According to the biography posted on her official website, Kristine spent two years battling leukemia before going back into the studio to record her third album. Prior to the album's release, a remix produced by Hani of the song "Letting Go" (the original version of which appeared on the album) was given to select DJs making it another of Kristine's unreleased remix hits. The album, Fly Again was released in October 2003 by Tommy Boy Records Silver Label, and the lead single, prouduced and remixed by The Scumfrog and featuring mixes by Vasquez and Ralphi Rosario, gave her yet another #1 Club Play single. The second single, "Save My Soul" was remixed by a virtual who's-who of popular remixers, including Junior Vasquez, Mike Cruz, Gabriel & Dresden, Orange Factory, and Cypher. It too reached #1 on the Club Play chart, and marked Kristine's return to radio, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart.

The third single, "The Wonder Of It All", was remixed by DJ Offer Nissim, DJ Escape, Gomi, Ivan Pavlin, and Mr Mig. The #1 success of "The Wonder Of It All" gave Kristine the all-time record for the longest string of consecutive #1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play hits in the history of the chart. It reached #21 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart.

The fourth single, "I'll Be Your Light" interrupted Kristine's streak of consecutive #1's, peaking at only #2 on the Club Play chart. However, it is an achievement as few artists have had all of their singles become Top 20 or better. With Tony Moran being the exception, the single was not remixed by as many big-name remixers as Kristine W's past singles. Still, the song was another radio crossover hit for her, reaching #17 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart, making it her highest charting single on that chart to date, and her first foray into that chart's Top 20. The CD single was released as an enhanced CD with DJ mixing software to enabling fans to create their own remixes.

Kristine's third studio album, Fly Again peaked at #12 on the Top Electronic Albums chart, her first album to register on a Billboard albums chart. Likewise, her single "Walk Away", produced by Tony Moran, gained popularity on Rhythmic format radio stations and ultimately charted at #1 on the Club Play chart and at #7 on the Dance Airplay chart, providing Kristine her tenth number-one dance single.

She toured as part of an ensemble called "DJs Are Alive", a live performance and DJ-mixing ensemble that includes The Scumfrog, DJ Skribble, Static Revenger, and D:Fuse.

In 2004, she surpassed Madonna and Janet Jackson’s record of seven #1 songs in a row. The next year, Kristine broke her own record with the release of “Wonder of It All”, her ninth consecutive #1. Today, Kristine is tied with Mariah Carey for third-most chart toppers, with a total of fifteen number one songs.

Kristine announced in October 2007 on her official website that she was in the studio working on her fourth full length studio album, The Power of Music, and on January 1, 2008, the album's second single (a cover of the Diana Ross disco hit "The Boss") was leaked to a select group of online distributors. Three mixes, done by Paul Goodyear, Love to Inifinity, and Tracy Young, were released as a special "preview" to the physical single release on February 12, 2008. It became Kristine's 11th number one hit on the Billboard Club Play chart in March 2008.

On November 11, 2008, Kristine released her first Christmas album, Hey Mr. Christmas. It includes two self-penned holiday songs, "Mr. Christmas" and "Everyday’s a Holiday", as well as several classics and a special "live and unplugged" version of her #1 Club Play hit "The Wonder of It All," featuring Jim Brickman. An exclusive remix of the song "Hard Candy Christmas" "The Resolution Mix" was available as a download through Kristine's online store.

"Never", the third single from The Power of Music, was released on November 24, 2008. The CD included 13 remixes from 7th Heaven, Love to Infinity, Ruff and Torte, DJ Escape/Johnny Vicious, Peter Canellis/Kamil, Nick Harvey, Brothers Behind the Light/M2, and The Perry Twins (other remixes are available through Kristine's website as part of the digital album purchase.) "Never" became Kristine's 12th number #1 Billboard Magazine Hot Dance Club Play hit.

Released in both digital and physical formats, "Love Is the Look" appeared March 10, 2009. The album's fourth single became part of a Valentine's Day promotion by K-Y brand and Masterbeat.com that offered three free Kristine W remixes by Ralphi Rosario through Masterbeat.com's website. Three additional (and previously unavailable) remixes of the song can also be downloaded through the artist's website; Remixers included Love to Infinity, Ralphi Rosario, Deepswing, Mr Mig, Massi & De Leon and Tod Miner. The April 25 issue of Billboard lists the track as Kristine's 13th number one Hot Dance Club Play hit.

On April 27, 2009, Kristine announced via MySpace that her album The Power of Music would be released on June 16, featuring all four number one Billboard Magazine Hot Dance Club Play hits plus a remake of her first number one dance hit "Feel What You Want."

"Be Alright", Kristine's fifth single from The Power of Music was released on June 16, 2009, featuring 14 remixes (an exclusive digital download only remix is available through Kristine W's website and iTunes.) The September 5, 2009 issue of Billboard cited it as Kristine W's 14th number one on the magazine's Hot Dance Club Play Songs chart, and she then announced that the album's sixth single and title track would be remixed by such audio engineers as The Wideboys, Tony Moran, Sweet Team, Groove Police, and Virgo Brothers (it was eventually released on December 29 as a follow-up to her long awaited double DVD set Ultimate Music Video Collection, which, issued fourteen days earlier, contained a decade of video hits.)

Billboard named Kristine W as one of its Dance/Club Play Artists of the Decade (2000 - 2009), ranking at number 3 behind Madonna and Beyoncé, respectively. Kristine also holds the world’s record for most consecutive #1 Billboard Club Hits.

On August 6, 2010 Kristine launched her new website created by the team at Red Barn Muse Creative Group. In Fall, Kristine unveiled her newest project, STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST: a double CD jazz album she recorded with some of the most respected musicians in the industry. Her first single from her debut jazz double CD was released exclusively for download on her website in early July 2010. She toured the country promoting STRAIGHT UP WITH A TWIST in late 2010 and early 2011.

Kristine returned to the dance floor with a vengeance of groove and flair, giving it— to quote the title hook of her infectious new single--“Everything That I Got” on her latest full length album "New & Number Ones." "Everything That I Got" was released on August 14, 2012 on Fly Again Music, Kristine's own record label. Bimbo Jones created one of four distinct remixes that was released for “Everything That I Got.” The others are by two of the album’s other producers, Subgroover (from The Netherlands) and Grammy nominated Swedish producer StoneBridge (Taio Cruz, Cher, Britney Spears); and Twisted Dee (Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears) with Joe Magic. The 16 track maxi-single is available via iTunes, Bandcamp and a physical CD is available exclusively on www.KristineW.com A bonus previously unreleased song: "Shower The People (Dark Funk Carano Mix)" is available on Bandcamp.com with the purchase of the full digital single. Two weeks later, Kristine released a 3-songed EP of full-length remixes. On September 25, Kristine released her first remix album, "New & Number Ones," which featured nine brand new songs and six remixes from the albums "Land of the Living," "Stronger," and "Fly Again." The CD version features 15 tracks while the iTunes version features two additional remixes of "Feel What You Want" (Jamie J Sanchez Club Mix and Dave Saronson Club Mix). Three days after the release of "New & Number Ones," an EP was released of 'electro remixes' by Baggi Begovic that contained six remixes.

Please visit Kristine's official web site at www.kristinew.com

• “Gooding remains one of the most remarkable players

anywhere.” – Wichita Eagle

• “Gooding blends a myriad of styles that he has come to

manipulate so well, and has created a sonically superior

work of art.” – Infinity Press

• “Shouldn’t he be playing in an arena or stadium

somewhere, in front of thousands of screaming fans?

Someday soon, I’m willing to bet…he – and his band – will

knock your heads askew.” – The Daily Oklahoman

• “Pushing on boundaries when not simply smashing

through them, Gooding masterfully combines acoustic

and electric textures into a collection of tracks that holds

together amazingly well…pure craftsmanship.” – AMG

Gooding is soul-stirring, animated Rock 'n' Roll from the plains. With 800 shows

in 157 cities under their belt, this LA-based/Kansas-bred power trio is by far one

of the hardest-working bands in America.

Guitarist/Singer and namesake "Gooding" and his band of brothers, Jesse Rich

and Billy Driver, have been touring nonstop for 8 yrs. Their live shows are infused

with the confident energy and heart-on-your-sleeve emotion that only comes from

3 childhood friends living out their dream on the road.

Playing to passionate audiences, lead guitarist/singer Gooding tears up the

stage, leaving sticks and strings all over. One of his signature moments on stage

is playing two guitars at once. Gooding's relentless touring and honest interaction

with their fans has enabled them to build their following brick-by-brick over the

years.

Gooding's music has been placed on the DVDs of Iron Man 2, Walk the Line, Ice

Age 2, as well as in commercials for Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler. Their efforts

have now caught the attention of sponsors, including Credit Union of America

and U.S. Bank, who have teamed with Gooding to make stops on their tour to

perform their music for high schools, and then have a discussion with students

about financial literacy.

Says Gooding, "Billy, Jesse and I have paid our dues with stolen gear, vans

breaking down and catching fire, cooking ramen in the coffee pot at Motel 6, all

night drives through black ice and tornados, shows with broken bones, no sleep,

and no clean clothes. Each and every setback only made us more of a family. A

real band was made to play live on the road, and this extended family was made

to have their mettle tested to get through anything together. Our efforts have

allowed us to slowly and naturally become who we are, and amass a catalog of

music and dedicated fans that are the core of everything we do."

Complete information can be found at their official web site http://www.goodingmusic.com/

Reviews

"Kelli Rae Powell's sass recalls jazz and country, and her lyrics are kind of adorable." - The Onion A.V. Club, Madison, WI

"Kelli is a talented folkstress, a great performer and a wonderful entertainer. Particularly suited for all the ones who have relationship problems." - The Deli Magazine, NYC

"Kelli Rae Powell applies her sweet voice to mellifluous ukulele plucks and brushed drums..." - TimeOut NY

"Powell has that kind of star power, white-knuckle intensity and raw charisma that you only see once every ten years or so." - Lucid Culture, NYC

Bio

Kelli Rae Powell is the tiny ukulele-wielding, redheaded stepchild of Billie Holiday and Johnny Cash. Whether she's growling out wry ruminations or purring her way through a love song, she delivers the kind of consistently literate lyrics that once prompted Tommy Ramone to call her a poet.

The Iowa-bred performer arrived in New York City in 2000, and after making a name for herself in the city's underground ukulele cabaret scene, released 2006's "The Scandalous Accounts of My Youth," and 2009's "New Words For Old Lullabies" (both on Firecracker Records). She has been listed as a "Rising Star: Folk" in iTunes Essentials, alongside Bon Iver, Joanna Newsom and The Weepies, and New York City's Deli Magazine wrote that her talents place her at the "tip of the NYC ukulele solo singer songwriter movement."

"Live At Jalopy"

Powell's 2013 CD release, "Live At Jalopy," produced by Terry Radigan and recorded at Jalopy Theatre and School of Music in Red Hook, Brooklyn, showcases a confident artist at the height of her game. Her set list includes new songs and fresh versions of Powell's most popular songs from her previous recordings, making this album either a perfect introduction to her work, or a must-have for Powell's completist fans. On this recording, Powell was joined by long-time band members Jim McNamara on upright bass, Shaky Dave Pollack (M Shanghai String Band) on harmonica, and Joe Brent (Regina Spektor, Erin McKeown) on mandolin and violin, plus Matthew Brookshire on guest vocals. The album was mastered by Richard Morris Mastering (The Felice Brothers, Spirit Family Reunion).

More Info

Visit www.kelliraepowell.com

Wishing all of the father's a day of heartfelt recognition! Expect more than a few twists and turns during this very special program acknowledging all of the father's around the globe. In the mean time enjoy Richie Havens "Here Comes The Sun" video which I have posted below for your viewing pleasure.

Thom Chacon has traversed the world playing his songs, eschewing modern trappings for the more organic mode of harmonica, the strum of his acoustic, his laid-back delivery and his poetry. He’s toured all over the world to the kind of powerful reception that even he himself is astounded by. On the west coast, he opened for singer/songwriter Jason Mraz. In India, opening for superstar Lucky Ali, the reception was as strong as it was in Thailand, and as strong as it was within the confines of Folsom Prison where he also performed. “That Folsom Prison gig was a life-changing experience,” he remembers. “I left the prison that day knowing I would make a change in my life.”

2012 finds this dark cowboy balladeer trekking across the States with Los Lonely Boys, bringing audiences songs from Featherweight Fighter, as well as his forthcoming CD Thom Chacon, which will be released March 26, 2013 on Pie Records. More to come.

Visit Thom's official web site at http://www.thomchacon.com/

BERNIE WORRELL ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES DEBUT ALBUM

New band featuring original Parliament/Funkadelic

and Talking Heads keyboardist eyes upcoming debut release.

(NEW JERSEY) The Bernie Worrell Orchestra is back to work after funkin' up the South-by-Southwest music festival in Austin, TX. Led by original Parliament/Funkadelic keyboardist, co-songwriter and co-producer Bernie Worrell, the BWO knocked out thousands of SXSW attendees with three hot, sweaty shows. Now, with a couple weeks off before resuming their Spring tour, they're back into the studio preparing a platter of original "Dr. WOO"-style funk.

The Bernie Worrell Orchestra debuted in June 2011, playing new music that mines "late-1960s/early 1970s psychedelic rock and R&B... the foundation of funk," according to drummer/bandleader Evan Taylor. Worrell, Taylor and the rest of the BWO view their music as a continuation of Worrell's solo work, and endeavor to make the new songs fit seamlessly into their set, which is derived mainly from Worrell's nine solo albums. Taylor ascribes this to a laid-back studio ethos and band chemistry.

"We set up recording gear at my house in quiet suburban NJ and record our songs," he explains. "This is the ideal environment for Bernie to record in. He is able to relax, have a laugh with the guys in the band, and develop his new material at his own pace." It also enables Bernie and the band members - whom he views as collaborators, to play off of each other and contribute ideas. Together they have successfully produced real funk music.

The first single from the as-yet-untitled disc, "So Uptight (Move On)," demonstrates Taylor's point. It features Bernie's signature clavinet playing, sunny falsetto backup vocals, and old school party chants. The track also captures the free-flowing, mind-expanding funk Worrell created with the original Parliament/Funkadelic, where everyone's voices combine to create fun, vibrant music. While Worrell's vocals and spoken-word lines feature prominently in the tune, Taylor says "It's a complete collaboration between all members of the band. Bernie's personality really comes through, but the band co-wrote it; the horn section wrote the horn arrangements, and we recorded and mixed it all in-house. I produced the rest of it while Bernie was on the road with Steve Kimock. It demonstrates the band's ability to carry out Bernie's vision."

Two other new tracks, "BWO Is Landing" and "Get Your Hands Off" are already available for download at www.bernieworrellorchestra.com. They're also streaming at Soundcloud (see links below).

As a key member of the original Parliament/Funkadelic, Bernie Worrell designed the legendary group's unmistakable spaced-out keyboard sound. That intergalactic, synth-drenched whomp propelled such original P-Funk classics as "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)" and most notably "Flash Light," where he used the Minimoog to create the innovative famous bass line. Worrell's otherworldly funk, songwriting and production with the group earned him the nickname "The Wizard of WOO" - and a place, along with the rest of the original Parliament/Funkadelic, in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Worrell was also instrumental within Talking Heads, appearing on the landmark album Speaking in Tongues and in the Jonathan Demme concert film Stop Making Sense. In the 2004 documentaryStranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth, David Byrne credits Worrell and his musical contributions with injecting fun into Talking Heads' music and performances. Worrell's influence continues to permeate modern music with the likes of Dr. Dre and The Coup sampling his work.

The Bernie Worrell Orchestra is Bernie Worrell (keyboards), Andrew Kimball (guitar), Kyle Cadena (guitar), Scott Hogan (bass), Glen Fittin (percussion), Evan Taylor (drums/bandleader), Shlomi Cohen (alto sax), Ofer Assaf (tenor sax), Justin Mullens (trumpet). For more information, visitwww.bernieworrellorchestra.com.

Preview two tracks from Bernie Worrell Orchestra's (bernieworrellorchestra.com) upcoming debut album:

"BWO Is Landing" - http://soundcloud.com/bernieworrell/b-w-o-is-landing

"Get Your Hands Off" - http://soundcloud.com/bernieworrell/b-w-o-get-your-hands-off

THE BERNIE WORRELL ORCHESTRA - SPRING 2013 TOUR DATES

March 13 Blurt Magazine Day Party - The Ginger Man @ SXSW - Austin, TX

March 14 SXSW Showcase - Flamingo Cantina @ SXSW - Austin, TX

March 15 Last Concert Café - Houston, TX

March 16 Pop Montreal Day Party - Liberty @ SXSW - Austin, TX

March 17 Revolution Music Room - Little Rock, AR

April 02 Iowa City Yacht Club - Iowa City, IA

April 04 Buck's T4 - Gallatin Gateway, MT

April 06 Sun Valley Resort - Sun Valley, ID

April 08 Qxiotes - Denver, CO

April 09 Zoo Bar - Lincoln, NE

April 10 Skyway Theatre, Studio B - Minneapolis, MN

April 11 21st Saloon - Omaha, NE

April 12 27 Live - Evanston, IL

April 13 Rock Island Brewing Co. - Rock Island, IL

April 14 Woodlands Tavern - Columbia, OH

April 16 Blue Wisp - Cincinnati, OH

April 17 Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, OH

April 18 Founder's Brewing Co. - Grand Rapids, MI

April 19 The Riverside Music Festival - Cambridge Springs, PA

April 20 River Street Jazz Café - Plains, PA

April 26 Dante's Bar - Frostburg, MD

April 27 123 Pleasant Street - Morgantown, WVA

May 03 Indiana Theater - Indiana PA

May 04 Building 24 - Wyomissing, PA

May 17 The Mighty High Mountain Festival - Tuxedo Park, NY

May 25 Strange Creek Festival - Greenfield, MA

July 25 Sounds of the City Series/NJPAC - Newark, NJ

August 3 Backwoods Pond Fest - Peru, NY

September 14 5th Annual Local & Legend Music Festival - Budd Lake, NJ

It’s rare that a sophomore effort trumps a bands’ debut, be they indie or major label. Such however is the case with upstate New York’s ESQUELA and their downright homey follow-up to The Owl Has Landed, entitled Are We Rolling? Recorded, engineered & produced lovingly by Americana legend Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel (Ryan Adams, Bottlerockets, Mojo Nixon) Are We Rolling? treats the listener to a band in refreshingly loose cohesion, raising the bar.

Please visit the official web site at http://www.esquelatheband.com

Glenn started his musical journey as a session drummer through-out the 70's and 80's. He recorded and toured with artists like Automatic Man, Coke Escovedo, Etta James, Dave Mason, Juice Newton, Duncan Sheik and The Untouchables ... just to name a few. He refers to the Eddie Money Band as his "day job" with over 100 tour dates a year, however his passion remains playing his guitar and singing his songs. Glenn is a natural storyteller and entertainer. He often opens the show while on tour with Eddie Money and has branched out with two solo CDs: 2011's "Southern Poets, Trains and Troubadours" and his newest release "Early California". Glenn's music features folk roots, reggae, country and pop influences identified in artists like Tom Petty, John Hiatt, John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan.

Glenn is very proud of his newest release "Early California". Here's what Glenn has to say about it in his own words ...

"Early California is my homeland manifesto. These songs are memoirs, photos from my family album. They are songs about real life and common places, everyday people with familiar faces. These songs are about reflecting and looking back at the changes in my old neighborhood and at the changes I see in myself. These are the songs I play for my family and friends. Everybody has a California, a place where they feel comfortable. Welcome to mine."

Glenn and I will be talking about his new release, in detail, as well as his twenty year tenure with the hardest working man in show biz ... Mr. Eddie Money.

Please visit Glenn's official web site at http://glennsymmonds.com/index/

Coming off of Independence Day week will find Mr. Crossroads taking a little bit of time off. My brother in radio, and host of The Vinyl Hour, Ned Bowen, has agreed to provide me with a little respite ... thank you brother! I'm thinking that this will be one "Bang Up" show as Ned is clearly one of our "top shelf" programmer's here at Thin Air Community Radio. Please enjoy the show! In the mean time, in the spirit of independence, I have posted a video of Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen performing his classic song "Independence Day", please enjoy as well!

You can catch Ned every Thursday evening, hosting The Vinyl Hour, between 8-10 p.m. Pacific Time, right here @ KYRS!

Thanks again Ned!

Sheri Miller was born in Long Island, New York, in an extremely musical and creative home. Her mother was an opera singer and classical pianist, while her uncle was a recording engineer and musician. Sheri began taking classical piano lessons at age seven, but even then rebelled by composing her own original songs, rather than practicing her classical pieces. She began teaching herself guitar and piano, composing dozens of songs by age ten, and singing along with Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Billie Holiday, The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

While Sheri was singing in local Philly blues bands, writing songs secretly in her bedroom, and getting a degree in English and Poetry at UPenn, an incredible coincidence happened to Sheri. She began dreaming of a Casio Keyboard over many months, to help her write songs in her bedroom, instead of walking 20 minutes downtown to the jazz piano practice room. One dreamy Sunday morning, after an especially vivid keyboard dream, Sheri took an alternate scenic path to the library, instead of her usual straight path. She passed a 1-day church sale. To her amazement, she saw and bought the exact same buzzing Casio keyboard she had dreamt of the night before, for $20. This "gentle" push and "tiny miracle" naturally opened and gently nudged Sheri to composing songs on her new keyboard everyday, awakening her artistry. She says "Since then I believe coincidences are just visible lines in our destiny."

Sheri further polished her artistry and songwriting voice in New York. During the evenings, Sheri was hard at work, paying her musical dues, working incessantly as a solo musician in the big city; fearlessly singing her heart out, banging on her electric sunburst 1969 Guild guitar. She played 4-hour covers gigs in bars and hotels, sometimes 5 nights a week. In the daytime, Sheri played keyboards and sang in a rock band for babies, as a music teacher. In between these hours, when not working hard to pay her rent as a musician, Sheri passionately wrote pages of lyrics and poetry on guitar and piano, dozens of songs.

Upon releasing her critically-acclaimed debut EP "Mantra," Sheri was named one of Music Connection's "Hot 100 Unsigned Artists," and was played on radio stations KCRW, KEAO, WAXQ among others. "Mantra" featured an underground hit, "Right Here, Right Now", that Sheri began selling sheet music for, as brides requested it to be covered at their weddings. Sheri was then asked to join a 4-part vocal harmony group in Nashville, The Delilahs, which soon signed to Sony Music. Sheri began co-writing with legendary songwriters and artists J.D. Souther (The Eagles), Al Anderson (NRBQ), Jill Sobule, Shawn Mullins, Marcus Hummon and Kim Richey, as well as other Grammy-Award winning songwriters.

Upon leaving the group, Sheri soon released her critically-acclaimed EP "Winning Hand," produced, mixed and engineered by Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel), that featured musicians Will Lee on bass, Charley Drayton on drums and Gerry Leonard on guitars.

On the dovetail of "Winning Hand" Sheri was given another wonderful opportunity. She recorded a new song, " I Could Love You Still", produced by Will Lee (Dave Letterman Orchestra). It featured Steve Cropper on electric guitar, Paul Shaffer on B3 organ, (playing James Brown's organ), Will on bass, Shawn Pelton on drums, Tabitha Fair and Will on background vocals, and was mixed by Frank Filipetti. Sheri released this highly anticipated new song in 2012, followed by the video release, created by Sandrine Lee, in early 2013. Sheri is excited to release a series of more singles soon.

Please visit her official website at www.sherimiller.com

Ever since the release of his debut album Blaudzun in 2008, the Dutch Johannes Sigmond goes by the name of Blaudzun. He surprised music fans and critics, and received rave reviews, which he even surpassed with his second album Seadrift Soundmachine (2010). The widely acclaimed album and subsequent live shows caused his definite breakthrough in the Netherlands. His music has been likened to indie pop and folk rock and is aesthetically compared to Arcade Fire as well as to Ryan Adams and Antony & The Johnsons. The various comparisons show that it is difficult to stick a label on this man.

In January 2012 Blaudzun released Heavy Flowers (V2 Benelux) his most dynamic LP to date, in which his remarkable voice, haunting melodies and dramatic string arrangements coincides with a love for folk and art rock. With this third collection of songs Blaudzun again surpasses his previous work.

Please visit Blaudzun's official web site at http://blaudzun.com/en/home

Time to play a little hooky and share in the fruits of family and friends. Dale is a "seasoned pro at covering my show" ... expect yet another fine 2 hrs. of "good radio"! In the mean time enjoy this video, which I have posted below, of the song "Slide", from one of Dale's favorite bands ... Luna ... enjoy, and ... Thanks again Dale!

After taking last Sunday off, thanks again, Dale for covering the show!

"I'm cocked, locked, loaded, and ready to rock n' roll"! Expect highwire acts and barrel rolls a-plenty for this show! In the mean time please enjoy this video of Darrell Scott's video of "It A Great Day To Be Alive" ... just one of my memorabile, past guest ... experience!

Just added ... Detailed information is forthcoming ... Please stay tuned!

In the mean time, please enjoy this recent video of Jen performing her fathers, the late Harry Chapin's, song "Tangled Up Puppet", recorded at The Harry Chapin, 70th Birthday Bash on December 1, 2012.

Imani Uzuri’s travels reveal her bold heart and global soul in The Gypsy Diaries

The mysterious figure on the moonlit railway platform, the passerby on the dusty road are not strangers; they are friends and fellow travelers. And to “stunning” (New York Magazine) vocalist and globally-inspired composer Imani Uzuri, they spark melodies and musical connections. With the beautiful growl of a blueswoman and the sweetness of a nightingale, Uzuri finds the deep ties that bind her rural Carolina roots to Eastern Europe and North Africa, that bind the purr of sitar strings and the ripple of Japanese folk flute to African-American traditions and the international arts underground.

Born of worldly travels and spiritual travails, Uzuri’s rich acoustic songs on her sophomore album, The Gypsy Diaries, find fresh settings for unifying human experiences: the loss of loved ones, the joy of discovering, the alienation and shifts of moving, meeting, and departing.

Imani grew up dreaming of travel, reading adventure novels and poetry under the pecan trees during her childhood in rural North Carolina. Visions of other lands and other worlds entwined with her musical roots and formed the foundation of Uzuri’s intensely focused approach to evoking places and moments with her powerful yet subtle voice. The old Spirituals, the gospel music she sang and heard in her small country church with her extended family, in particular from her maternal grandmother, sunk in deep.

“I feel like my Granny’s sensibility shaped me. She had an off-key joyful voice, and every morning she would wake up and start the day singing,” Uzuri remembers fondly. “Her music was about praising and gratitude. She taught me that the intention of singing is to express.”

Uzuri honors her foremother, who passed as Uzuri began working on the album, in a profound, bittersweet tribute on “Soul Still Sings.” She takes the lessons her grandmother imparted to heart with in her keen storytelling: Her compelling voice sketches conjured trysts on train platforms (“Meet Me at the Station”) and prayers on a mountaintop (“I Sing the Blues”).

While following the inspiration to explore the world’s musical landscape, she fell in love with artists like Mailian diva Oumou Sangare’s beckoning, soaring voice, with the praise and ecstasy she heard in Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s music. In their music she heard that long-felt connection between roots and the world’s roads come to life.

Along with her personal musical travels, Uzuri also began exploring the world, traveling to Japan, Brazil, Russia, Ethiopia, Hungary, Mexico to perform. On her travels, she sang favorite Spirituals to newfound friends in Moroccan casbahs, visited sacred islands and busy street corners, wondered at resonant churches. As she wandered, Uzuri was fascinated by the fertile tension between separation and connection. And by a feeling of unexpected familiarity that ran through it all: “I heard this euphony of sound pouring out of St. Basil’s on Red Square,” Uzuri recalls. “I went in and sound was washing over me. It felt familiar; I understood the intentionality, the vibration. Everyone who was listening felt it.”

Uzuri’s open, curious ear has made her an eclectic artist and bandleader who loves to collaborate with stellar multicultural musicians and unexpected instruments which are featured prominently on The Gypsy Diaries: Neel Murgai (sitar, daf), co-producer Christian Ver Halen on acoustic guitar, Marika Hughes (cello), Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese shinobue flute, western flute), and Todd Isler on world percussion. Yet the mosaic approach feels seamless, drawn together by Uzuri’s compelling and versatile voice.

Joy and sadness play throughout The Gypsy Diaries. The playful mirth of the Caribbean-inflected “You Know Me You Love Me” alternates with the reflective, stirring “Beautiful.” The blues-inflected sounds of a modern-day field holler, “Gathering”, and a swaying call of lovingkindness, “Dream Child,” contrast with the fierce assertions of “Whisperings (We Are Whole).”

The Gypsy Diaries is a celebration of the connection of the journey, the isolation of travel—the railways, transitional spaces, roads and crossroads—intersected with a tangible unity Uzuri felt with the Ethiopian villagers she met, with the Roma musicians she jammed with, with the flowers vendor
on the Turkish street.

Uzuri says “Ultimately, this album is about finding one’s place through the traveling, the communion, the loneliness, victories, sadness, losses, euphorias, revelations, transformations coming to understand that we are always here: home.”

BIO:

Rave reviews are pouring in for Imani Uzuri’s new album, The Gypsy Diaries, from Ebony to All About Jazz to Time Out New York. Carol Cooper of the Village Voice praises, “With a voice that would sound equally at home on an opera stage or a disco 12-inch, Uzuri is a constant surprise on record, seamlessly combining jazz, classical, country and blues motifs into highly personalized compositions.”

Ms. Uzuri also recently composed and performed her orchestral premiere, Placeless, commissioned by Kaufman Music Center’s Ecstatic Music Festival at Merkin Concert Hall on March 16th. She was also recently a featured soloist in John Cage’s “Apartment House 1776? at the Avant Music Festival where her “gorgeously chesty ruminations” were singled out by music critic Steve Smith for The New York Times.

Imani’s critically acclaimed solo debut album, Her Holy Water: A Black Girl’s Rock Opera (2007), was heralded as “one of the best of the decade” by Bold As Love. Eclectic, “provocative and emotionally charged” (New York Post), the album featured lush vocals, strings, and sultry orchestration and according to OkayPlayer “creates a dramatic musical narrative worthy of its lofty title.” Cultural critic and Black Rock Coalition co-founder Greg Tate declared: “Put your hand where it hurts and this sound may heal you…there is no way you can hear such music and not be transformed.”

Uzuri has performed at numerous international venues and festival from Morocco to Moscow including recent performances at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, Joe’s Pub, Festival Son d’Hiver, Central Park Summer Stage, The Kitchen, Winter Jazz Festival, The Apollo Theater, Whitney Museum and at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art).

She has collaborated with a diversity of noted artists across various artistic disciplines including Herbie Hancock, Wangechi Mutu, Robert Ashley, Carrie Mae Weems, John Legend, Sanford Biggers, Peter Gabriel and Vijay Iyer.

Her recent television appearances include Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as a special guest performer with Talib Kweli, Hi Tek and The Roots and as a feature in her own commercial for BET’s Black History Month campaign. She is currently composing a new musical GIRL Shakes Lose Her Skin inspired by the works of Philadelphia Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez.

“[Uzuri] never fails to mesmerize audiences with her
narcotic blend of…ethereal sounds”~Time Out New York http://www.imaniuzuri.com

Imani Uzuri Videos:
“Dream Child” from Imani Uzuri’s The Gypsy Diaries

LIVE performance video of “Beautiful” from The Gypsy Diaries

“You will definitely want to check out vocalist Imani Uzuri. Sticking to music associated with the rural south, she teams up with a group of kindred souls to grab into the red clay of the earth and let it ooze through her fingertips.” George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly

“the stellar new sophomore album by singer-songwriter Imani Uzuri, is all about journeys: both the shock of the new and the self-reflection that happens when you set off for someplace different.” Ebony

“an inspiring soulful presence” James Nadal, All About Jazz

“a great voice” Howard Mandel, Jazz Beyond Jazz

“The opening sitar sounds on the first track, ‘Beautiful,’ followed by the bluesy, gospel vocals of Imani Uzuri, offers a glimmer of what brilliant–and varied–delicacies are found on The Gypsy Diaries. The multi-influential work encompasses Indian, blues, gospel, Afro-pop, Eastern European, and East Asian elements that bring a sense of class, soul, and dignity to the world of music. This is world music at its best!” Matthew Forss, Inside World Music

“You could file what Uzuri does under soul music, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A world traveler and musical omnivore, she blends global styles seamlessly but impactfully. Given the instrumentation on the album – Christian Ver Halen’s acoustic guitar and bass, Todd Isler’s versatile percussion, Neel Murgai’s sitar (!), Kaoru Watanabe’s flute, Tarrah Reynolds’ violin and Marika Hughes’ cello – the songs often build to an unexpected, epic grandeur.” Alan Young, Lucid Culture

“Bounce-Worthy vocalist Imani Uzuri hails from North Carolina, but it is evident in her music that she carries many different corners of the world around in her heart. There’s a bit of West African energy in there, touches of the Caribbean, some Eastern European strength, but what unifies it all is her deep, strong and bluesy voice. On her freshly released album, The Gypsy Diaries, Uzuri takes the listener trekking with her through different places, spaces, feelings and encounters. … This is music that makes you stop and question life, that makes you want to pack up your bags and journey down that road less traveled and take that moment to talk to that person sitting on the corner and hear their life story.” Soul Bounce

“Ms. Uzuri creates a tapestry of genre-smashing music that bridges nations….a brave, bold voice.” Candace L. , Okayplayer

“Imani brings a clear artistic vision and a powerful voice to the continued exploration of her musical, spiritual and emotional wanderings.” Rob Fields, Bold As Love

“[Imani's] voice, slightly husky and warm like Joan Armatrading’s, can reach the cheap seats of the theater. She has power and intimacy rolled into one, a rare combination indeed. Her album The Gypsy Diaries crosses genre boundaries without missing a beat. A bit of jazz, some blues, grains of folk and gospel, hints of soul, but first and foremost she is a story teller.” Hans Werksman, Here Comes The Flood

“deeply soulful…transports listeners through time and space” Jennifer Williams, Ms. Magazine

“Powerful. Voice. World. Woman. Those are the words that come to mind as one listens to Imani Uzuri’s latest masterpiece, The Gypsy Diaries. The Gypsy Diaries is a beautifully composed album that takes you through Persian sands, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, and the fields of Mississippi.” Victoria Shantrell, Soulhead

"Deborah Crooks is a vibrant artist carrying on the San Francisco tradition of powerful female singer/songwriters with literate lyrics and progressive musical attitudes; well respected within the music scene and increasingly so outside of it."

I was born in Watsonville, CA, and grew up listening to showtunes, Tom Petty, disco, Led Zeppelin, Roxy Music, The Eurythmics, reggae, ska, punk, Bonnie Raitt and the Police. After earning a degree in Environmental Studies from UCSC, I moved to Colorado where I covered sports, studied writing in the Jack Keroauc School of Disembodied Poetics and got turned on to the power and possibility of songwriting via seeing many great female songwriters including Michelle Shocked, Shawn Colvin and Ani diFranco. I'm admittedly somewhat of a mutt regarding influences, but I continually gravitate towards literate, roots-based songwriters who can rock ala Lucinda Williams, Patti Griffin, Alejandro Escovedo and Buddy & Julie Miller.

Over the past 10 years, I've recorded two EPs (a track from The Roberta Donnay-produced EP '5 Acres' was included on the RockerGirl Discoveries compilation CD) and two full-length CDs, Adding Water To Ashes (2008). 2010 saw the release of two EPs, which were repackaged into one CD '2010,' (made possible by a Bay Bridged Grant). I've also traveled to India four times to study yoga and returned to California to make the San Francisco Bay Area my home. I'm currently working on a third full-length CD of original music.

I love to play, and regularly collaborate in the studio and onstage. Additional projects include a 5-song CD with Alex Walsh, ‘The Crooks/Walsh Blues, (2009)', touring the Northwest as part "Indie Abundance^TM Music, Money & Mindfulness" with two other artists, touring the Southwest with fellow songwriter and yogini Jean Mazzei on The Great Idea Tour, co-hosting the local chapter of Songsalive! as well as the High Street Station Open Mic, and participating in an ongoing Bay Area Song Collective. I've also written with Pop Tuna's B.Z. Lewis, resulting in the tracks "You Are Home" (chosen for both the Java with Jahvalin Indie Artist CD 2005 and the Indie Music for Life), "The More I Know" (2005) and "All This Love," (2006); with Stefan Gustafsson (Luminous Family Trust) and regularly contribute content to Deborah Slater Dance Theater in San Francisco.

I've also spoken about community and creativity at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and MacWorld in San Francisco, led writing groups in India, and continue to write for websites, blogs and print publications on a variety of topics.

Please email me at DeborahRCrooks@gmail.com for more information and to book me for private events, house concerts, and writing gigs.

Please visit Deborah's official website at www.deborahcrooks.com