ENKINDLER

One thing is for certain, Karen Lovely is the real deal. Straight off the heels of their success at the 26th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, the Karen Lovely Band is turning heads wherever they perform. With Karen’s powerhouse voice and a “shoulders back” confidence, she has no thoughts of ever turning back. “Going to the IBCs was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We were honored to represent the Cascade Blues Association, and thrilled to make the finals. Being a finalist had us over the moon!” she exclaims.

To put it in perspective, the challenge started with 1600 bands from 90 countries and 43 states. One hundred and eleven of those bands won their regional competition allowing them to compete at the semi-finals. Of those, eleven made it to the finals, and when it was all over they took 2nd place.

Karen found success early in her career, but took a twenty year hiatus to raise her children and earn her degree. “I never lost my love of music, I would just sing to an audience that consisted mainly of my children.” Her influences include Etta James, Big Mama, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bessie Smith, and Tina Turner, women with character. Her first release “Lucky Girl” was the #1 on XM Radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville. She debuted at #13 on the Living Blues Chart and hit #1 on Blues City Radio.

After surviving a horrific break-up with her husband and two near death experiences, it would seem that the only way out was up. She would say, “This is why I love the Blues…it’s real, no judgments. It’s life affirming!” Her star has steadily risen over the last six years and it appears that there are no limits to her blues elevation.

Her latest release due out in March 2010 is produced by Dennis Walker. ”Dennis is the perfect fit for me. I have always admired him as a songwriter. He is my mentor and has become a good friend. He is not just a songwriter, but a story teller.” Dennis is a multi Grammy & Handy (BMA) award winning producer & songwriter. He has produced Robert Cray, Bettye LaVette, B.B. King, Joe Louis Walker, The Mavericks, and Maria Muldaur. There is no doubt about it, Dennis Walker has found a new voice for timeless story telling.

“The record is a mix of contemporary & traditional blues, with an R&B/soul feel. Each of the songs tells a love story, a knock-down dragged out~ain’t but one kind of blues, love story”, she says. She is a force of nature stirring the melodies of love, loss, self respect and determination through the vulnerable substrate of the blues. Four of the songs off this next record were performed at the IBC, including the original tunes “Blues Ain’t Far Behind”, “Knock Knock” (which got a standing ovation at each performance) and “I’ve Had Enough.” The record showcases what she can do vocally. Some songs she can really belt out, others are down in the basement, soulful blues ballads. Her voice is as full as the blues she is singing.

In the song “Still the Rain”, written by Al Mirikitani, Karen identifies with the plight of a battered woman. It’s about a woman who opens up the front door of her house during a Louisiana thunderstorm and allows the flood waters to wash her drunken abuser away. The song is soulful and swampy, taking you to a place where you can see the characters breath on the window pane: creating images that remains imprinted upon your soul as she delivers competent blues notes. “The song hit a chord with me.” she says, “I have always been an advocate for women and children against violence.”  In an ironic twist, her new CD includes the song, “I gave you what you wanted” by Ike Turner.

Her band consist of  Karen on vocals, Joe Diehl on guitar, Bob DiChiro on bass, Teri Cote on drums and Allen Crutcher on keys. Other musicians on the new recording include: Lee Spath (drums), Alan Mirkitani (guitar), Michael Vannice(sax) and Richard Cousins and Jim Pugh from the Robert Cray Band. “With original songs written by Dennis Walker, Alan Mirikitani, Ike Turner, Karen Lovely and bandmate Allen Crutcher, this woman is poised to take the Blues world by storm.”

admin Blog This!, Published Articles