Enough about me, let's talk about my new album!

I guess the reason I find it so incredibly hard to blog means it is something I really should do. For the person tripping along who happened to click through and doesn't know me, I will tell you a bit about myself now. I'm a singer/songwriter/piano player who loves to perform blues, old soul, New Orleans R&B and the occasional classic pop song (Burt Bacharach comes to mind here.)

I was on a record label (MCA) back in the 90's with a Louisiana band called Evangeline. We had a good run before we eventually sputtered out. I've been lucky enough to tour internationally at a pretty high level -2 tours as part of the opening act for Jimmy Buffett & many festivals and club dates from Stephens Talkhouse in Long Island (and Miami) to Tipitina's in New Orleans.

Speaking of NOLA, I lived there for years and even though I am not there now, it is "home" to me and always will be. New Orleans piano players have always been my idols- Fess, Dr. John, Huey Piano Smith, Art Neville, Eddie Bo and of course, Fats. I'm also a fan of southern songwriters. You know, the kind that make you feel like you've just read a Eudora Welty or a Tennessee Williams short story. Allen Toussaint, Lucinda Williams, Dan Penn, Sam Phillips, Lyle Lovett, people like that. One of my favorite songwriters ever is a guy named Bobby Charles. He wrote some very recognizable songs like See You Later Alligator, Small Town Talk and Walking To New Orleans and boy, he is Louisiana through & through. Bobby's songs have so much heart in them and not one extra syllable. He is a master at keeping it simple.

I'm married to a Cuban drummer named Juan Perez who has got the New Orleans drumming thing down like Brown. We decided to do a whole CD of Bobby Charles songs and release it ourselves. The result is "I'm That Way" which is also the title of one of the cuts. We had a great time recording it, though sadly, the owner of the studio who was also a very dear friend, died unexpectedly just as we were wrapping up the recording process. I guess it will always be a bittersweet memory for us. His name was Billy Delk and he was a helluva guy and a right good organ player too. The B-3 part he played on "Spent All My Money Lovin You" was the last he ever recorded. He is greatly missed by many people, especially us.

Anyway, I sent a copy of "I'm That Way" to Bobby Charles in Abbeville, LA and he has called me no less than 8 times since, to tell me how much he loves it. What an endorsement! Bobby is committed to helping me find a label to put this thing out on, but I'm not waiting around. I have put it up on CD Baby and also have it for sale on my website, bethmckee.com. I have received several inquiries form blues radio stations and publications in the US and abroad and I have faithfully sent out copies for review. Additionally, I am trying to take advantage of all the social media opportunities that are available to try and get the word out about it. It is something I am proud of and want to share. Also, Juan and I would like to take the band out on the road and play these wonderful songs for lotsa folks, so here's hopin' we can get something going.

Well, that's about it. Thanks for stopping by and if you ever see me out there, come on up and tell me "hey."
Beth