Artist Information Biography Coining the phrase "Barbecue Music" to describe her first CD release Powerful Stuff, multi-talented musician, composer, singer and songwriter Kate Russell says, "It's the kind of fun, dancing, rocking music you want to hear while you're socializing at a barbecue." A native of Australia whose years in the U.S. have not affected her irresistibly charming accent one bit, Russell is eager to clue Stateside country fans in on a little secret: that barbecues and the contemporary kind of music she makes are just as popular Down Under as they are in the United States. Russell draws upon a unique array of influences in creating her distinctive musical sound. She uses the phrase "Keith Urban meets Bonnie Raitt" to best describe her blend of Aussie style, soulful vocals, insightful and emotional songwriting and accomplished musicianship. Yet her remarkable lower register vocal timbre has the unmistakable stamp of an even earlier inspiration, Karen Carpenter. Powerful Stuff was produced in Los Angeles with Rich Mouser, who has worked with artists like Oleander, Tears For Fears, Dream Theatre, and did tracks for the American Pie 2 soundtrack, with additional production by Clyde Brooks in Nashville. Brooks, who has worked with Curb and Polygram with such artists as Ronna Reeves and Perfect Stranger, is an accomplished Nashville studio drummer with over 6,000 sessions to his credit, including dates with Dolly Parton, Dwight Yoakum, George Jones and Little Richard. "Kate is an artist who brings soul and lyrical imagery to everything that she sings," Brooks says. "She is an eclectic singer/songwriter who approaches her artistry from a standpoint of integrity.  It has been a pleasure to work with her both musically and personally." kate pic 2The Sydney-born Russell, who credits her parents for passing their deep love of  music on to her, began singing at age five and was soon harmonizing with her grandmother, who sang what Russell calls "light opera." She started piano lessons around seven, and by the time she was in her teens was playing and singing at local hotels and restaurants.  Russell remembers playing for the first time in a club in the western suburbs of Sydney. "The next time I played there, it was standing room only," she says. "This was one of the first times I realized that I could someday make music for a living." She carried her passions and growing ambition to the United States, studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. A former marathon runner who once competed in qualifying races for the Olympic trials, and a tri-athlete as well, Russell spent many harsh Beantown winters dedicated to training. "After my runs, I would have sweat frozen to my body," she says. A few years later, studying for her degree in Music Composition at a college in North Texas, she performed Top 40  songs in a band between exams. Russell then moved to San Pedro, California, a small town outside of L.A. where she taught as an adjunct professor at a college, and where she currently gives private vocal and piano instruction. While establishing herself on the West Coast, she also took her upbeat style overseas to entertain troops on a Department of Defense tour of the Pacific Rim, including Hawaii, Southeast Asia and Guam. kate pic3Drawing an analogy between songwriting and another longtime passion of hers, surfing (which she once considered turning into a professional career), Russell says, "Surfing is a composition all on its own. It's about watching a wave and designing how you're going to ride it. There's nothing quite like the freedom of surfing on a day that's clear - the sun, the water. It's a peaceful place to be." "I'm really excited about people's reactions to the songs on Powerful Stuff, and I'm looking forward to getting out there and performing, which is something I've always been totally at home with," she says. "I think I'm writing the best songs of my life. I've reached a place that I want to be with my writing, and I'd like to branch out and write songs for other people, too. I also wouldn't mind doing film scores. I enjoy doing any composing, from a simple three-minute song to a symphonic piece. I've never believed in setting limits for myself, and I can't wait to share all I have with the world." Kate's music is a cross between country and rock so she can perform at country,rock, roots festivals and venues. She is an expatriate Australian who moved to the USA to go to college and now lives in California. She began singing at age 5 and took piano lessons at age seven and grew up listening to all kinds of music due to her Dad's influence. After graduating from college she played in  bars in Texas, then moved out to LA to teach at a college. Her cd Powerful Stuff was produced in LA and Nashville by Kate Russell, Rich Mouser (Tears For Fears, Oleander) and Clyde Brooks (Polygram and Curb artists). A quote from Clyde Brooks. "Kate is an artist who brings soul and lyrical imagery to everything she sings". Her music has been described as a cross between Bonnie Raitt and Keith Urban "Country barbecue music." Kate performed at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival recently and opened for Leon Russell, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Great White, The Blasters etc. She has done radio tours in the midwest and will be doing more in Texas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee. Instrumentation Kate Russell- vocals/keyboards  John De Patie - guitar Gil Domingue- guitar Chris Roy- bass George Dum- drums Discography Cd- Powerful Stuff - 4 singles released playing on major,secondary and tertiary radio stations in the USA  nationally. Also she has radio play in Germany, France ,The Netherlands,Poland,Austria, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Scotland,the UK, Australia and New Zealand Video - Powerful Stuff  played regionally on 44 stations- some national. Kate has a new Cd entitled "Kicking Down The Door". Links http://www.katerussellonline.com