*** The News Feed ***
Here it is August. Time to let you know what has been happening. May, June and July were absolutely crazy busy months but very fulfilling and personally validating. Having a concert at the Community Theatre in Billtown featuring Steve and Dickey Adams, My debut at “Briggs Farm” with Kimbo, Dave Thompson and Michi and The Cronies. (Mark, Jack, Doug, Bill and Michi. What can I say? It’s like I won the lottery to have the continued support and friendship of so many great folks inside and outside of the music scene.
It has been a difficult decision to make but I have decided to scale back on my performance schedule and enjoy some of my “retirement” giving me an opportunity to develop some of my new interests and continue my personal journey or life long learning.
The Ann Kerstetter Band has been such a wonderful adventure for me. I have so much admiration and gratefulness to all the amazing musicians that helped me to come back to music and to fulfill dreams I never dreamed would come to fruition. Andy Seal, Steve Mitchell, Greg Burgess, Sean Farley, Alex Callenberger, Charlie Moore and Jeremy Hummel Thank You all for everything you are all fantastic! You gave me so much… Thank your forever!
I will continue to perform with my “Cronies” and I wish to collaborate and perform with many of the other wonderful musicians and singers I have met during the last 5 years. I hope you will continue to check in to see where and when I might show up. As the song says, “ I just want to take care of Annie the rest of my life.”
As I had mentioned in my last News feed, Nick V. is working on a new page, which will reflect some of the changes and a ton of pics of the great folks and places in which I have recently performed.
That’s it for now. Love to you All!
As Always,
Ann
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The months just seem to fly by. I’m excited to have met so many of you folks at local music events and also performing with new musicians too. Thanks to all of you who have come out to support “The Cronies” as well as some of my other projects. It is so much fun to stretch my vocal wings so to speak.
I look forward to this summer that will be offering me new venues and events. On May 21st I am so excited to be presenting an evening of varied music styles along with originals at “The Williamsport Community Theatre League” with of a dynamite band featuring Steve and Dick Adams, Alex Callenberger, Jack Lawton and Bill Stetz.
Then the Blues season starts and The AK band will head out to Spyglass Ridge Winery. On May 29th.
The AK Band will also be performing a live radio spot on WVIA homegrown concerts. June 14th.
Sunday June 27th will find me back out at Spyglass for a Benefit for Breast Cancer. I am so grateful to all the musicians and my IBC Blues buddies that have offered to come lend a hand for a great cause. Please check the calendar for more information.
I also look forward to making my first appearance at Briggs Farm Festival with my buddies Kimbo Richley, Dave Thompson and Michi Egger, Fri. July 9th.
There are just too many dates to mention here so As I mentioned please keep checking back for other dates. Myspace and Facebook will also have my updated schedule. And one last thing, Keep checking back as my wonderfully wild webmaster Nick Veronick will be given the website a complete new look with lots of bells and whistles.
As Always,
Ann
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2010 Starts Out With A BangHaving “Duke Street Diary” make the semifinals of the Blues Foundations 2010 Best Self Produced CD was a thrill and a testament to the quality of the musicians that performed on the CD. Central PA may not be the blues capital of the world but we have world-class musicians that bring their best to each performance.
January 2010 also saw the premiere of “Ann Kerstetter and the All-Star Band of Cronies” a new music project featuring musical standouts: Mark Tomeo on guitar (Rubber Rodeo, Neon Cactus), Bill Stetz on bass (Adams
Stetz and Haynes, Queen Bee and the Green Hornet band), Jack Lawton on drums (Crosstown Bus), and Doug Riley playing the sax and piano (The Ann Kerstetter Band, Buzz Jones Big Bands, Crosstown Bus). The Cronies offer a wider variety of music guaranteed to get you on your feet.
I hope you will continue to support both “The Ann Kerstetter Band" and “The Cronies”.
To keep updated on where you can see either band why not get on our mailing contact list by simply writing to annkerstetter@annkerstetter.com or reina@ptd.net...
As Always,
Ann
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Breaking News!
I am so excited to announce that "The Blues Foundation" has just announced the 12 Semi-Finalists for 2010 Best Self Produced CD. The following twelve CDs have advanced to the second round of the 2010 Best Self Produced CD contest. And what a thrill to see "Duke Street Diary" has made the list.
1. Billtown Blues Association - Ann Kerstetter, 'Duke Street Diary'
2. Black Swamp Blues Society - Bill Halsey, 'Hot Dry Work'
3. Blues Society of Tulsa - Little Joe McLerran, 'Believe I'll Make a Change'
4. Blues sur Seine - Mountain Men, 'Spring Time Coming'
5. Colorado Blues Society - The Informants, Crime Scene Queen
6. Diamond State Blues Society - The Porkroll Project, 'Shake It Twice'
7. Kentuckiana Blues Society - One Shot Johnny, 'Times Like These'
8. Maine Blues Society - Pat Pepin, I'n It For the Long Hall'
9. Polish Blues Association - Boogie Boys, 'Hey You!'
10. Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society - Laurie Morvan Band, 'Fire It Up!'
11.Southern Fried Blues Society - Rick Tobey, 'Chicken Road'
12. Spa City Blues Society - Virgil Brawley, 'Bottle Tree'
The judges will review and listen to each disc before whittling this impressive list down to just five discs for the final round of judging. The winner will be announcing January 23, 2010 at band finals of the International Blues Challenge.
As Always,
Ann
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Hey Everybody, Holas a todos...
It’s great to be home in the USA. I had the most amazing month in Spain. My performances were special and it was awesome to have such great reactions to the Duke St. album, but the most gratifying for me was the reviews and responses that I received for “No Me Toques Asi.”
I look forward to a great November and December performing here in PA!
Thanks to all the DJs out there spinning the disc! The CD is receiving positive reviews, so check out the press page for the latest updates. The CD is available for purchase here on this website (go to the store page) or at CDBaby.com and Digstation.com
As Always,
Ann
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Duke St. Diary Available CD Baby
Attention all, "Duke St. Diary" is now available through CD Baby using the following link..
As Always,
Ann
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Attention!
Need Your Copy of Duke St. NOW?
CD Baby is currently being updated to add more services, so downloads of "Duke St. Diary", as well as the CD itself may not be immediately available on the site for a few days. But they are currently available at Digstation.com
So....to get your copy of Duke St. Diary now you can either e-mail Annkerstetter@annkerstetter.com and in the subject line type "I Want My Duke NOW!" or pick up the CD from one of the fine retailers listed here.
As Always,
Ann
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Duke St. Diary
I feel as if I have just delivered a new baby after nine months of hard work by all involved. The baby has arrived. I named it “Duke St. Diary” and it has been a true labor of love.
The talent and professionalism of Steve Adams, Greg Burgess, Alex Callenberger, Sean Farley, Jeremy Hummel, Charlie Moore, Steve Mitchell and Andy Seal during the production of this project never ceased to amaze me.
We have a special night planned on Aug. 22. When we will officially release “Duke Street Diary” on the Hiawatha Paddle Boat. For tickets and more information go to RideHiawatha.com
As Always,
Ann
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Here we go...
It seems each month brings more and more good news for the band and me. We were so happy to learn that “Classics” had been reviewed by Tom Hyslop in the June/July issue of “Blues Revue” Magazine. I know it’s a bit self-serving but I would like to share the review.
"An uptown beat pulses through Classics, a wonderfully produced self release from Pennsylvania's Ann Kerstetter Band that covers deep soul (William Bell's Stax classic "You Don't Miss Your Water"), the Beatles ("Don't Let Me Down"), and roadhouse R&B (Delbert McClinton's "Every Time I Roll The Die") but favors jumping blues and boogie("Louella","Boogie Woogie Blues") and elegant ballads ("Dangerous Mood","God Bless the Child"). Kerstetter is a fabulous singer with personality, wide emotional range, and a welcome lack of affectation. And the arrangements provided by the band (Sean Farley on guitar, Greg Burgess on piano, Andy Seal on bass, and Steve Mitchell on drums) are praiseworthy."
Each day I have to pinch myself and give thanks for this amazing chance I have been given to sing again. I am so lucky and happy to be doing what gives me such joy and that you folks seem to enjoy it as much as I do.
The summer months have much in store for me and the guys. We will be performing at the Spyglass Blues Festival on May 30th at 1 p.m. You can check out the entire line up and performance times @ SpyglassRidgeWinery.com.
July will find me back in Grand Cayman where I will get into the local groove with some of my jazz buddies “Intransit” with Caribbean sax standout Gary Ebanks, and maybe a bit with my blues buddies Chris & Tom and Red, White and Blues.
August features some really great adventures for this ol’ gal. Starting out with an invitation to perform at this year’s Belvedere Blues Bash in Williamsport. Dr. Bob C is a great patron of the blues and hosts the most amazing day of music. Last year’s bash featured, The Nighthawks , EG Kight, Smokin’ Joe Kubeck and B’nois King. This year’s line-up will be a thriller too. Now that alone got my heart pumpin’. So when I was given the opportunity to perform prior to the performances of two of my all time favorite performers, Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal I just smiled and shook my head one more time. They will kick off their "BonTaj Roulet" Tour at the Williamsport Community Arts Theater on August 6th. And the Ann Kerstetter Band featuring Andy Seal, Alex Callenberger, Jeremy Hummel and Charlie Moore will help get you warmed up for a great night of music.
Finally, our August 22nd is the release party on the Hiawatha River Boat in Williamsport for the new CD “Duke St. Diary”. So please keep checkin’ back for more on what’s happening because as the Fab Four sang, “It just …keeps getting better …everyday!”
As Always,
Ann
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March 2009
Another month has passed and with each day my adventures continue to mount. We have been busy in the studio completing “Duke St. Diary”. The expertise of both Andy Seal and Richard Rupert on Duke Street has enabled me to fully express myself in my songs. Andy and I have collaborated on many of the tunes on the CD and I have finally written my first song in Spanish. “No me toqués más así”. It seems that as spring approaches there has also been a spring of creativity in me too. So I think I will take advantage of it before finalizing the project. If you’d like to hear some of the demos just take a listen at: www.myspace.com/annkerstetter or www.sonicbids.com/TheAnnKerstettterBand.
I would like to send a very special thanks to Al Lundy of Highway Blues on KZUM 89.3 Lincoln, NE. Al contacted me back in December wanting to feature “Duke St. Diary” on his show in early March. When we realized we were not going to wrap it up as we had anticipated, Al was happy to feature “Classics” on his show along with a great on air interview.
Also thanks to Doc Greg "Doc" Lefebre "Doc's Juke Joint" Jazz901.org Rochester, NY for his review of “Classics”.
Fondly,
Ann
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February 2009
Memories From Memphis
I have so much to tell you all. Unfortunately we were not selected to the IBC finals however, given the honor of performing on Beale St. at the IBC one already feels like a winner. I believe our collective talent was duly recognized and noted.
Steve, Greg, Andy, Sean and I were as one. I have never, and I really mean it when I say never, felt the power within me that I felt performing as part of the collective unit with the guys as I did on the stage at Alfred’s’. I was so happy that there were folks from home in the crowd to witness it as well. I can't put it into words what it was … I guess I'd have to say that it was Mojo.
For me personally, there was more to come. Friday afternoon I was able to sing with Ms. Pat Pepin in a jam at "Handy's Blues Hall". Pat had just returned from a stint on the Blues Cruise which also included EG.Kight. Then quite by accident on Saturday afternoon I was offered the great privilege to perform on the stage at BB Kings with Ms. Joyce Hernderson "The Diva of Beale St." and her band the Blues Machine.
http://www.freewebs.com/joycehendersonandherbluesmachine/
The Blues Machine Features Leroy Hodges on bass and Howard Grimmes on drums, now for those of you who may not know these names, I guarantee you've heard them as they were making Southern soul history at Stax records as Stax premier rhythm section. And if you ever listened to an Al Greens song Leroy and Howard are the backbone of all those great hits by the Rev. Green. In addition to Leroy and Howard the band also included Freddie Harris on Guitar and Big Chris Stephenson B-3.
Least I forget the other thrill of that day was meeting blues master Mr. Carl Drew…87 years young and still playin' and singin' the blues. Please check this out on YouTube from 2008. You can hear the entire band that I was honored to perform with at BB’s. By the way that's my lady Joyce singing with Carl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MVQhv6_YnI
I think you get the idea Memphis was very memorable for me. And I thank the BBA and all of you who have supported the Band and me in this last year of preparation.
Now please don't ask me if I got to Graceland or even saw "the ducks" at the Peabody. Because I didn't, I only saw the three-square block area around Beale St. Which for this trip was just fine with me.
I will be going back to see more and hear more from this great American city. Where they say…
NO BLACK, NO WHITE, JUST BLUES!!!!!
Fondly,
Ann
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Well, it's here! Time for the IBC in Memphis!
Thanks to all of you who helped make our final "Motorin' to Memphis" such a success. The amount of personal and financial support for the band over the past 11 months has been incredible. I would like to mention just a few personal notes of thanks.
First, I’d like to thank Alex Callenberger who stepped in as our guitarist at a moment’s notice when Sean Farley's "Machete Incident" gave us all a scare. Alex is a consummate professional. You will hear more of Alex's guitar work on "Duke St. Diary." I just wish we could take both Alex and Sean to Memphis with us. What a bill that would be!
Secondly, I’d like to thank Charlie Moore, my harp man. Words can't express the gratitude I feel for your personal generosity and sincere support. I love you, man.
I’d also like to thank all the local businesses and media that supported us during the year: Sunbury Motors for providing us with "the wheels" to make the drive to Memphis, The Bull Frog Brewery and Front St. Station for giving us the venues to host the benefits, and Wayne Laepple of The Daily Item and "Diamond' Dave Thompson of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette for their never-ending accolades for the band.
Finally, I’d like to thank all of you for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. You will all be with me on that stage in Memphis. The love I have felt during this experience will stay in my heart for the rest of my life, no matter the outcome in Memphis, because I have already won the greatest prize of all, your love and friendship.
Fondly,
Ann
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January 2009
News Flash!I thought you might all like to have a "sneak listen" to some songs from the new CD "Duke St. Diary". You can check them out at http://www.myspace/annkerstetter. These two songs are not in their final production state but you can get an idea of what we've been up to in the studio. My "Messin' Down in Texas" featuring Alex Callenberger on guitar..... and Andy Seal's heartfelt composition "Cryin Out The Blues" featuring Sean Farley on guitar.
One other note.....no pun intended, please try to come out to our Memphis Send Off Show!
Saturday January 31 8-10:30 p.m.
Jeremiah's Listening Room @ Bullfrog Brewery
Williamsport, PA.
Admission $10
Thursday Jan.23 Russell Luzio of "Blues with Russell" in La Verne California, notified me that he would be airing the entire "Classics" CD! You can listen to rebroadcast of the show at www.blueswithrussell.com!
Happy New year to all!!
Here we go .... the Memphis IBC Countdown. We are excited that so many folks are coming down to see us perform on Beale St. at the IBC in Memphis. For those of you who won't have the opportunity .... I hope you can come out for our local "Send Off" at Jeremiah's at the Bullfrog Brewery in Williamsport on Saturday January 31st at 8 p.m. We will perform our Memphis show as well as some of our material from the new CD "Duke St. Diary" There will be prizes and surprises. Sure hope you can make it.
More great news this week. Our CD "Classics" is getting national and international airplay. I was notified in November that Midnite Blues Radio in Paris France had selected "Boogie Woogie Blues" for their playlist. This past week I also received an email and notification that the Finnish Blues Society and Blues News would like to include the band and CD in an upcoming article about new blues talent. And finally Al Lundy from Lincoln Nebraska KZUM "Highway Blues" called and will be featuring a show case for the new Duke St. CD in early March. Life is good! Hope the New Year will be good to you too.
Fondly,
Ann
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December 2008
I don’t know how things could get better but somehow they do. I had a wonderful surprise when on Nov. 16th at “Fall into the Blues” in Williamsport, “The Georgia Songbird” EG Kight, performed 3 songs with me and the band. EG enjoyed our cover of her “If you ever touch me” and suggested that we do it on the new CD.
We were also pleased to hear that our CD “Classics” was selected to represent the Billtown Blues Association as the best self produced CD for 2008. And speaking of CDs’ “Duke Street Diary” our second effort is progressing nicely and should be ready for Memphis. I am very excited about the new songs and can’t wait for you all to hear them.
I plan on taking a short break to be with my family for the Holidays. I hope that all of you will have the same opportunity to relax and enjoy the season. Feliz Navidad and …… Keep supportin’ live music!
Fondly,
Ann
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November 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
November will be a very busy month for myself and the band... we are still in the studio recording "Duke St. Diary", which we hope to finish prior to the winter holiday season. We will also be headlining this years Billtown Blues Associations "Fall Into The Blues" Nov. 16th at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport. Check the Billtown link for more information and listing of other featured artists.
Sunday Nov. 2nd
"Motorin' To Memphis" @ Front St. Station, Northumberland
7-10 p.m - Special guest Memphis bound VE. Paul
Adm. $10 - Food & Beverage available, prizes and surprises
Fondly,
Ann
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October 2008
Finally we have a home page
I want to thank my very talented former student Nick Veronick for getting this page off the ground for me. Nick is currently a sophomore at the Pennsylvania College of technology and you can see by this page he is doing just fine! Hats off to you Nick!
Big Steps Forward
The last months since the Billtown Challenge and the Billtown Festival have been anything but boring. We completed our first CD “Classics’ and are very happy how it is being received by the public. The road to the IBC in Memphis is a busy one. I still can’t believe all we accomplished last spring while I was still teaching full time. So much of the credit goes to my incredible musicians Andy, Greg, Steve and Sean. I could never have done it without their support and contributions.
In two weeks we will go back to GreenValley Studio to start recording our second CD “Duke St. Diary” I am so excited about this project because it will be a CD of our original material and two covers from my muses Ann Rabson and EG.Kight.
For more information on upcoming gigs and more Ann Kerstetter Band news please keep checking back here and as always you can get our complete schedule at www.myspace.com/annkerstetter
Fondly,
Ann