Karen Lovely

KAREN LOVELY
"LUCKY GIRL"
PRETTY PEAR RECORDS
BY © JANUARY 2009


Not knowing KAREN LOVELY personally, it would be tough to figure out why she named her debut CD "LUCKY GIRL". The reasons could be countless. However, I do know this - to be gifted with a voice like hers and the skills with which to use it - she surely is one lucky girl.

Accompanying KAREN on "LUCKY GIRL" are several different ensembles of musicians. They are: LEE SPATH on Drums; RICHARD COUSINS on Bass; JIM PUGH on Piano & Organ; ALAN MIRIKITANI on Guitar, Sax & Bass; ANTOINE SALLEY on Keytar; ANDY JUST on Harp; TOM STAMPER on Drums & Percussion; JEFF ADICOTT on Acoustic & Electric Bass; DAVE SCOGGIN on Piano & Organ; MICHAEL VANNICE on Baritone, Alto & Tenor Saxophones; JOE DIEHL on Guitar; BRENT NORTON on guitar, RICHARD BREDICE on Guitar; FRANK COTINOLA on Drums; ALAN DEREMO on Bass.

Along the lines of what Renee Zellweger said to Tom Cruise in the "JERRY MAGUIRE" movie, KAREN LOVELY "had me'" with "Early one morning.........", the opening words on the opening track. It took exactly that little of "TELL ME BABY" for me know this lady could sing the blues. Some powerful rhythm and great guitar leads by TOM, ALAN & BRENT also highlight this one.....which is just the first of many great tracks.

"YOU DON'T MOVE ME" will move you.....right on to the dance floor . And once you start, be careful not to trip on the changes. Just when you think your Cha-Cha's in full swing, MICHAEL'S horns will get you swinging in a whole different direction.

If you're going to do a cover of this man's work, you'd better have the chords to go along with the courage. On "BOOM BOOM", KAREN easily has what it takes. As a matter of fact, this version would probably put a smile on John Lee Hooker's face. From a soft, sexy, whisper to a powerful crescendo, Karen's vocal range on this one is absolutely masterful.

On "BLUES IS MY BUSINESS", as you hear KAREN sing the lyrics "Blues is my business and business is good" it's a no brainer knowing that with a voice like this, business is going to stay good. ALAN and DAVE, nail it on guitar and piano & organ. It seemed a shame that the groove the band was in on this one didn't go thirteen minutes instead of three.

KAREN is at her best on "ROCK ME". Let me tell you, the next time you're with whomever it is you want to get rocked by - put this track on, program it for replay - and I promise you.....you will get rocked all night long. The sultry vocals and saxophones on this one will have the slow dancers in their glory.

Other tracks on "LUCKY GIRL" are: "UNLUCKY GIRL", "TOO LITTLE TOO LATE", "I'M A LITTLE MIXED UP", "IT'S TOO LATE", "BOOGIE SOME" and "LUCKY GIRL" (HOOCHIE COOCHIE WOMAN).

According to KAREN LOVELY'S bio, prior to recording this CD, she took a fifteen year hiatus from the music business. It's this listeners hopes that there'll be no more of that. This woman belongs in music - particularly in the blues. Thankfully, I've been told a new project - with many originals - is currently in the works.

To learn more about the woman who will soon be a force to be reckoned with in the world of the blues, stop by http://www.karenlovely.com. While you're there, send her my regards and your money.....for a copy of "LUCKY GIRL", of course.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com - Mary4Music

So what do you do after you place second in the Blues Foundation's International
Blues Challenge? If you are singer Karen Lovely, you go into the studio and
record these 13 songs that mine the emotional core of a woman's awareness. To
accomplish that task, Lovely enlisted Dennis Walker (Robert Cray) to both produce
and supply 12 moving songs. Since her re-entry into the Northwest music scene in
2007 after a 20-year hiatus, Lovely and her band have been turning heads. Now,
with the release of Still the Rain, the rest of the world can hear this talented
new voice.

Backed by the rolling guitar shuffle of Alan Mirikitani, Lovely's CD opens
with"Blues Ain't Far Behind." Delivered with poise and control, Lovely belts out
the ultimage outcome of relationship lies, that "the blues ain't far behind."
Walker and Mirikitani have found weather as the winning metaphor for all aspects
of love. Mirikitani's Cray-like guitar tone jabs at Lovely's "Sunny Weather"
assertions. The title cut has Lovely telling the tumultuous life that leads her
main character to leave as floodwaters rise. As Lovely captures the feel of the
story, Walker's atmoshpheric production drips with Spanish moss and humid bayous.

Lovely's warm vocal inflections carry the message that comes when one realizes
that "Other Plans" are in the heart of her man. Her voice and Michael Vannice's
tenor saxophone meld perfectly in their call and response. Ditto "Ask Your Heart"
where Lovely's breathy delivery captures this song's intimacy. The record closes
with "So Willing" another ballad where Lovely turns everyday human emotions into
the blues. Her vocal style isn't American Idol screamin' - it's poignantly
vocalizing her words so that pain and joy are lifted from the heart.

But Lovely's no one trick vocalist. When she uncovers a smoldering fire on "Never
Felt No Blues Like This Before," it's not hard to feel the forceful connection
jump off the CD. Liiewise the Texas shuffle of "I've Had Enough," her robust take
on leavin' this broken down life. Lovely's own "Knock Knock" weaves her blues
tones with Pugh's sparse piano accents and Vannice's late night tenor sax.

With a vulnerability or volatility in her interpretations, Lovely is a first class
vocalist that the blues world will be hearing more of in the future.

-Art Tipaldi, Senior Editor, Blues Revue - Blues Revue

Karen Lovely, (06/10/10)
Karen Lovely Still the Rain Rating: 9

Perhaps it was her showcase in Memphis at the International Blues Competition last January. Or maybe it the cool night breeze blowing in the car window that created the proper listening setting. Whatever it was, Karen Lovely's second album, Still the Rain totally captured my ear. In a seemingly endless cycle of average Blues CDs, Lovely's new album is the brightest spot on the horizon and a good bet to make many a top Blues album list this year.

Like many recording vocalists, Lovely does not necessarily have the "perfect" voice. However she is self aware enough to choose selections that complement her strengths, and she pursues them with vigor. Lovely edges away from the well trodden "shouter" and the overused octave gospel slides: instead she mixes a speaking-singing style that is empowered by strong supporting instrumentation. And credit must be given to a band that underplays so tastefully to use space and serve the song. On the track "Other Plans" Lovely presents the listener with a "simmering" Blues replete with a soft, lilting sax line played by Michael Vannice.

The unrushed tempo of the songs, the mile-wide textures and intelligent, sensitive lyrics come together to present a near perfect independent Blues release that belies the maturity of an artist releasing her second album. "Full Time Job" is a solid Blues song with a lush piano arrangement that for whatever reason reminds me of those priceless early Charlie Rich Sun Recordings. "Glad You're Gone" opens with a B. B. King-like guitar intro that is at once comfortable yet fresh and new.

Lovely is fortunate to front the Dawwg House Rhythm Section consisting of Lee Spath on drums, bass player Richard Cousins, Jim Pugh on piano and B3, and Alan Mirikitani on guitar. The songs of producer Dennis Walker and co-writer, co-producer Alan Mirikitani give Lovely the vehicles that separate this album from the majority of contemporary Blues albums.

Still the Rain is a magnificent album that burns ever so slowly embodying a perfect balance of showcase, songwriting, and professional musicianship. Imagine a subtle Diane Schuur fronting a mid-period Ray Charles in a very intimate, very dark night club setting. Radio programmers will find that the up tempo "Cold Man Cold" is a nice entry to an album.

Rick Galusha is a contributing editor to BluesWax.Rick can be reached at www.blueswax@visnat.com Perhaps it was her showcase in Memphis at the International Blues Competition last January. Or maybe it the cool night breeze blowing in the car window that created the proper listening setting. Whatever it was, Karen Lovely's second album, Still the Rain totally captured my ear. In a seemingly endless cycle of average Blues CDs, Lovely's new album is the brightest spot on the horizon and a good bet to make many a top Blues album list this year.

Like many recording vocalists, Lovely does not necessarily have the "perfect" voice. However she is self aware enough to choose selections that complement her strengths, and she pursues them with vigor. Lovely edges away from the well trodden "shouter" and the overused octave gospel slides: instead she mixes a speaking-singing style that is empowered by strong supporting instrumentation. And credit must be given to a band that underplays so tastefully to use space and serve the song. On the track "Other Plans" Lovely presents the listener with a "simmering" Blues replete with a soft, lilting sax line played by Michael Vannice.

The unrushed tempo of the songs, the mile-wide textures and intelligent, sensitive lyrics come together to present a near perfect independent Blues release that belies the maturity of an artist releasing her second album. "Full Time Job" is a solid Blues song with a lush piano arrangement that for whatever reason reminds me of those priceless early Charlie Rich Sun Recordings. "Glad You're Gone" opens with a B. B. King-like guitar intro that is at once comfortable yet fresh and new.

Lovely is fortunate to front the Dawwg House Rhythm Section consisting of Lee Spath on drums, bass player Richard Cousins, Jim Pugh on piano and B3, and Alan Mirikitani on guitar. The songs of producer Dennis Walker and co-writer, co-producer Alan Mirikitani give Lovely the vehicles that separate this album from the majority of contemporary Blues albums.

Still the Rain is a magnificent album that burns ever so slowly embodying a perfect balance of showcase, songwriting, and professional musicianship. Imagine a subtle Diane Schuur fronting a mid-period Ray Charles in a very intimate, very dark night club setting. Radio programmers will find that the up tempo "Cold Man Cold" is a nice entry to an album.

Rick Galusha is a contributing editor to BluesWax.Rick can be reached at www.blueswax@visnat.com - BluesWax Magazine

Karen Lovely. Yes, it’s a real name, and don’t forget it. She may not have very high visibility yet. But if there’s any justice (which is always questionable, of course) she’ll soon be achieving a stronger presence on the music world.

Lovely’s performance at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc. Tuesday night was one of the most unexpected pleasures of recent memory. Oregon-based, she arrived with little advance notice, backed by a four piece band that interacted with almost symbiotic musical togetherness, enthusiastically riding the surging crests of her passionate interpretations of the blues.

And not just the blues. Although almost everything she sang was rooted in various combinations of blues changes, the program of songs – mostly written by Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani – ranged through an expansive array of emotions. Lovely’s voice, moving with ease from darkly intimate intensity to earthshaking high passion, brought each tune to life, finding both the inner heart and the expressive story within songs ranging from the shadowy “Still the Rain” to the classic drive of “I’ve Had Enough” and “Knock Knock.”

Lovely’s style begins from sources within such classic blues singers as Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. And, like Janis Joplin before her, she has translated those influences into an utterly gripping contemporary style of her own.

Her set, which ran non-stop for nearly two hours, was superbly supported by a band that could do no wrong. Pianist Michael Vannice also doubled on tenor saxophone with a gutsy drive recalling the blues vitality of the Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts of the ‘40s. Guitarist Leonard Griffie stepped up with solid backing, as well as soloing to counter Lovely’s far-ranging excursions. And the rhythm team of bassist Bobby D and drummer Teri Coté added an irresistibly propulsive engine of rhythm to the proceedings.

They were joined on a final few tunes by the dynamic tenor saxophone playing of Albert Wing, veteran of gigs with Frank Zappa and Larry Carlton, among others. Soaring through the high harmonics of his instrument, Wing countered Lovely’s singing with his own compelling, blues-driven instrumental vocalizations.

But ultimately, it was Lovely who claimed and deserved the spotlight, maintaining her high performance level from beginning to end. And if there was any tiny flaw in her set, it was the need to balance her stunning musicality with a bit more spoken interaction with her listeners. It would have been good, for example, to have her tell us something about the composers and the backgrounds of some of the tunes she sang. But that’s a minor carp in the broader context of what Lovely had to offer in the spellbinding adventure of each of her interpretations.

Leaving Vibrato, driving down Beverly Glen, a tune came to mind, directly inspired – despite its stylistic differences – by what I’d just heard. The tune was Cole Porter’s “It’s De-Lovely,” and it’s not a blues. But both the name and the lyrics – “It’s de-lightful, it’s de-licious, it’s delovely” – apply perfectly to the singing of Karen Lovely. Remember the name. - International Review of Music

Even before Koko Taylor’s passing, the number of outstanding female blues singers was alarmingly small. Things are looking up, though, due to the emergence of Karen Lovely. She placed second in the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis and saw her debut album, Lucky Girl (Pretty Pear), jump to #1 on XM satellite radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville program. With her energetic vocals and a studio band’s expert musicianship matched to superior material and production, Lovely’s newest album, Still The Rain (Pretty Pear), stands out just as much.
Lovely also subverts the stereotype typically pinned on blues mamas. “I love belting it out,” she said while at home in southern Oregon. “But I’m finding I have much more to offer as a vocalist by exploring more subtle nuances and using my lower register—and, really, how many times can you hit people over the head with powerhousing? I have Dennis Walker and Alan Mirikitani to thank for seeing that potential in me and helping me to develop it.” Walker, a three-time Grammy winner for his service to Robert Cray and B.B. King, produced the album and co-wrote almost all of the songs with Mirikitani. “Karen is a huge talent,” he said. “She came
so prepared to the studio and sang every tracking vocal like it was for absolute real—and it was. Al and I wrote 35 or 40 songs before we got the ones she liked, and they fit her like a glove.” Lovely returned the praise: “Dennis is a master
at establishing mood both musically and lyrically. You can hear the floorboards creak and the radiators hiss in his lyrics.” For his producing, Lovely called Walker “a
reductionist, a distiller, a minimalist” and added that “he leaves space in order to draw the listener in [so] what’s not there is as important as what is.” Walker emphasized that “it’s all about the vocal” and going with first or second takes that “catch the fire, the newness, the enthusiasm in the players.” A native of coastal Massachusetts, Lovely first sang the blues—along with jazz, folk and pop—professionally in 1987, when she resided in London. After moving to the Pacific Northwest, she worked outside music for many years. Why’d she start singing again? “It was a combination of things: a devastating major life change and a realization that it was now or never. Every day that went by without me doing the thing I loved was another day lost. So I joined a choir and started doing a once-a-month singer showcase. Then I started sitting in with a blues band every Monday night and developed a following. The club owner offered me my own night, and that was it.” - Frank-John Hadley - DownBeat Magazine

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.

"We began recording in August 2009. 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."

- James Kurt Byrum - Blues Festival Guide

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.

"We began recording in August 2009. 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."

- James Kurt Byrum - Blues Festival Guide

“I don’t know what you have in the water up there in Oregon, but could you bottle it up and share it with the rest of us?”
That was a statement made by Phoenix Blues Society President Kyle Deibler, backstage at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, after witnessing a flawless set by the Karen Lovely Band at the International Blues Challenge Finals. A performance that landed her second place overall out of more than 120 bands converging on Memphis from 39 countries from around the world. Kyle’s remark also was taking in reflection that this was the second year in a row that the representative of the Portland-based Cascade Blues Association had taken the second place honors, following the Ty Curtis Band’s same results one year ago on the very same stage.

It all began in Memphis on Thursday night, January 21st, as the band was one of ten bands assigned to the first two nights of semi-finals at the New Daisy Theater, a cavernous room and the largest on Beale Street. After one night, word began to circulate about the band from Oregon with the front vocalist who could sing the lights out.

Night number two, the room was packed for Karen’s set. Part of the reason being that she was the final act on stage in a room where the winners from all 19 venues would be announced and an all-star jam was to follow. But there were six rooms altogether where the results were to be announced and more than just this one jam. Many were there just out of curiosity about this band from Oregon. And the people lining in front of the stage was impressive: Blues Foundation Executive Director Jay Sieleman, Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer, Rolling Stone magazine senior writer David Fricke, performers Candye Kane, Zac Harman and Hawkeye Herman were amongst the multitudes of high-profile blues music industry people in the room.

Karen gave her all for that set. And when the results of each venue were read through, the emcee held the New Daisy’s winner to the very end. When the Karen Lovely Band was named, the whole room erupted in applause!
On Saturday night, Karen drew the sixth set out of eleven finalist competing in the band competition. (A separate show was held in the afternoon involving eight solo/duo finalists.) And when she took the stage she was the model of comfort in her delivery as the band worked through four numbers during their fifteen-minute set at the Orpheum that once again brought those in attendance to their feet in appreciation. It wasn’t until the final performance of the night that the celebrity judges scored an act higher as Mississippi-based Grady Champion came out geared to capture everybody’s attention which he did by jumping from the stage and doing a crowd walk while blowing his harmonica and never missing a beat.

When named the second place winners, Karen and the band (Joe Diehl on guitar, Bob DiChiro bass, Alan Crutcher on keys and Teri Cote on drums) beamed with delight and joy at their success. It will mean invites to large festivals and other important gigs for the band in the next year (which was being reported an invite to Columbus, Ohio for next year’s Blues For A Cure show, not part of the regular Blues Foundation prize package).
Karen Lovely and Janiva Magness.
While standing backstage as Jay Sieleman wrote out the second place winner’s prize check, Karen heard a voice tell her, “That set was wonderful.”

“Thank you,” Karen said, not knowing who made the comment. Turning around she was face-to-face with Janiva Magness, the 2009 Blues Music Awards winner of Entertainer of the Year. “Janiva Magness!,” she screamed. “I love you.”

It was all another part of what will certainly be an unforgettable weekend in Memphis, Tennesse for the Karen Lovely Band. And hopefully a kick-off to a career that will soon take the blues world by storm. - Buko Magazine

“I don’t know what you have in the water up there in Oregon, but could you bottle it up and share it with the rest of us?”
That was a statement made by Phoenix Blues Society President Kyle Deibler, backstage at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, after witnessing a flawless set by the Karen Lovely Band at the International Blues Challenge Finals. A performance that landed her second place overall out of more than 120 bands converging on Memphis from 39 countries from around the world. Kyle’s remark also was taking in reflection that this was the second year in a row that the representative of the Portland-based Cascade Blues Association had taken the second place honors, following the Ty Curtis Band’s same results one year ago on the very same stage.

It all began in Memphis on Thursday night, January 21st, as the band was one of ten bands assigned to the first two nights of semi-finals at the New Daisy Theater, a cavernous room and the largest on Beale Street. After one night, word began to circulate about the band from Oregon with the front vocalist who could sing the lights out.

Night number two, the room was packed for Karen’s set. Part of the reason being that she was the final act on stage in a room where the winners from all 19 venues would be announced and an all-star jam was to follow. But there were six rooms altogether where the results were to be announced and more than just this one jam. Many were there just out of curiosity about this band from Oregon. And the people lining in front of the stage was impressive: Blues Foundation Executive Director Jay Sieleman, Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer, Rolling Stone magazine senior writer David Fricke, performers Candye Kane, Zac Harman and Hawkeye Herman were amongst the multitudes of high-profile blues music industry people in the room.

Karen gave her all for that set. And when the results of each venue were read through, the emcee held the New Daisy’s winner to the very end. When the Karen Lovely Band was named, the whole room erupted in applause!
On Saturday night, Karen drew the sixth set out of eleven finalist competing in the band competition. (A separate show was held in the afternoon involving eight solo/duo finalists.) And when she took the stage she was the model of comfort in her delivery as the band worked through four numbers during their fifteen-minute set at the Orpheum that once again brought those in attendance to their feet in appreciation. It wasn’t until the final performance of the night that the celebrity judges scored an act higher as Mississippi-based Grady Champion came out geared to capture everybody’s attention which he did by jumping from the stage and doing a crowd walk while blowing his harmonica and never missing a beat.

When named the second place winners, Karen and the band (Joe Diehl on guitar, Bob DiChiro bass, Alan Crutcher on keys and Teri Cote on drums) beamed with delight and joy at their success. It will mean invites to large festivals and other important gigs for the band in the next year (which was being reported an invite to Columbus, Ohio for next year’s Blues For A Cure show, not part of the regular Blues Foundation prize package).
Karen Lovely and Janiva Magness.
While standing backstage as Jay Sieleman wrote out the second place winner’s prize check, Karen heard a voice tell her, “That set was wonderful.”

“Thank you,” Karen said, not knowing who made the comment. Turning around she was face-to-face with Janiva Magness, the 2009 Blues Music Awards winner of Entertainer of the Year. “Janiva Magness!,” she screamed. “I love you.”

It was all another part of what will certainly be an unforgettable weekend in Memphis, Tennesse for the Karen Lovely Band. And hopefully a kick-off to a career that will soon take the blues world by storm. - Buko Magazine