Press Kit - Kathleen and the Bridge Street Band

Kathleen
Bridge Street
Band
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“Lansing’s own Queen of the Blues…”
—Toni Alexander, Former President,
Capital Area Blues Society, Lansing, MI
“All the way from Michigan, the
little lady with the big voice.”
—Joyce Cobb, WEVL, Memphis, TN
“...[Kathleen] is a fine singer, with a warm, unerring voice with a seemingly
intuitive grasp of style, and without a shred of blues-mama affectation, either.
Her understated, almost regal delivery suggests a kinship with New Orleans soul
queen Irma Thomas, and that’s high praise.” —Chris Rietz, Lansing State Journal
Kathleen and The Bridge Street Band
“Lansing’s own Queen of the Blues,” kathleen walters has been captivating audiences in and around Lansing, Michigan since the
formation of her first band, Blues Xpress, in the late 90s. Later, as featured vocalist for Frog & the Beeftones, Kathleen opened for
national bands including Mark Hummel, and Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers. Kathleen has shared the stage with national blues
artist Larry McCray, Memphis mainstay The Daddy Mack Blues Band, and San Francisco’s Tommy Castro Band.
In 2006, after years of sitting in with other bands and watching her own songs gather dust, Kathleen formed The Blues Junkies
with Detroit native Steve Dely on guitar and Jon Herrmann (Steppin’ In It) on bass. The Blues Junkies quickly became a hometown
favorite, playing clubs and festivals throughout the Mid-Michigan area, and recording their first cd, No Way to Live which brought
attention to Kathleen’s songwriting ability. After the loss of the band’s lead guitar player to his hometown of Detroit, Kathleen
changed the lineup, adding Doug Fritch on guitar, Jon Gewirtz on sax and Tim Brouhard (Out of Favor Boys) on bass and harmonica.
Kathleen now graces the stage with the Bridge Street Band, pouring her heart out with each sultry ballad and vitalizing audiences with
hard-hitting blues and dance-your-shoes-off soul.
tim brouhard has been playing bass for 17 years. A pillar of the Kalamazoo blues scene, Tim has been playing in and around
Mid-Michigan for the past 10 years, and hosts the weekly blues jam at the Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo. Tim brings to the band
killer bass solos, vocals and some crazy blues harp! He can even be coerced into playing a bit o’ trombone. When he’s not gigging,
Tim provides music lessons on a variety of instruments at Marshall Music in Portage, MI.
doug fritch is a guitarist and bassist from Lansing, Michigan, experienced in a wide variety of musical styles including blues,
rock, country, soul/funk, jazz, and acoustic. Doug also plays with Summer of Sol, Brian Lorente & the Usual Suspects, and Betty
Baxter’s Satin Sounds. When he’s not playing, he heads up the teaching department at Music Manor in Lansing, where he has
provided instruction in guitar, bass, and music theory for hundreds of students since 1994.
Saxophonist jon gewirtz has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Brazil in various styles including classical, jazz,
funk, R&B, blues, and pop. In addition to playing with The Bridge Street Band, Jon also performs throughout Michigan with the R&B
band, Summer of Sol, and the salsa band, Orquesta Ritmo. He is also a member of Layers: Lansing Community College Faculty Jazz
Quartet and the Hillcats: Hillsdale College Faculty Jazz Sextet. Jon has also performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band, the Midland
Symphony Orchestra, and the Lansing Symphony Big Band. In addition to private saxophone lessons and conducting multiple jazz
bands, Jon teaches a variety of music classes at Lansing Community College, Olivet College, and Hillsdale College.
eric payne, a Lansing drummer for 25 years, has covered the drummers seat for many area bands including Smokehouse and
The Big Willy band. You can also find him playing with a local jazz group, and has credits on several cd releases.
kathleen and the bridge street band is known for mixing it up, never playing the same show
twice. If you love the blues, you’ll love this band! Like a sweet & spicy BBQ, their unique mix of traditional and contemporary
blues, sultry ballads, soul, swing and rock will make you put on your dancin’ shoes and keep you coming back for more!
kathleen walters
tim brouhard
doug fritch
jon gewirtz
eric payne
photos by jessica cowles
Gigs & Festivals
St. Louis Blues Festival, St. Louis, MI 2013; Old Town Blues Festival, Lansing, MI 2014;
Alpena Blues Festival, 2014; Kalamazoo Blues Festival, 2015; East Lansing Summer Concert Series,
2013, 14 & 15; Chilly, Blues & Brews @ the B.O.B. in Grand Rapids, 2015; Dark Horse Brewing Co.,
Marshall, MI 2015; The Gallery Brewery, Portland, MI 2015; Billy’s Lounge, Grand Rapids, MI 2014 & 15;
Moriarty’s Pub, Lansing, MI 2014-16; St. Peter Ox Roast, Eaton Rapids, MI 2015 & 16.
FOR BOOKING INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT KATHLEEN WALTERS: 517.285.0883
EMAIL: [email protected] • ONLINE: www.bridgestreetband.com