Biography
*Winner of Indiegirl Songwriting contest 2009
* Winner of POP "Critics Pick" and "Fenom" on FAMECAST Video ContestSeason 3 (2007)!
* Winner "Best Singer Songwriter in Austin 2007" By the Austin American Statesman 360 Poll
* Featured on John Platt's "Under the Radar" Series, (WFUV, NYC) (2006)
* Voted 2005 Best New Artist by Jody Denberg (KGSR, Austin, TX)
Wendy Colonna may live and work in Austin these days, but one listen to her soulful vocals and her south Louisiana roots are obvious. Colonna grew up in Lake Charles and her music is a spicy stick-to-your-ribs Gulf Coast gumbo of soul and blues and funk. The first time I heard Colonna I thought of another sultry southern country soul singer, the great Rita Coolidge. But Colonna is hardly a one-trick pony, and even a cursory listen to her albums Red and Where I Belong reveals a complex vocalist reminiscent of a bevy of important female artists: the brash bluesy thing of Bonny Raitt, the pop genius of Carole King, the raw emotion and huge pipes of Joan Osborne, and the soul shout of Queen Aretha. It�s this kind of talent that brought Colonna acclaim as KGSR Radio�s new artist of 2005 and brings out A-list Austin players like Guy Forsyth and Shelley King when she records.
Like her music, Colonna has lots of layers. A yoga instructor, Colonna is very spiritual and positive. But don�t think she� a pushover. After working with emotionally disturbed teenage boys in a wilderness setting, the athletically inclined chanteuse can kick box if she has to. She�s also supported herself as a waitress in one of Austin's finest gentlemen's clubs. Bottom line? Colonna is a survivor, even in a town like Austin that is chockfull of aspiring singers and songwriters.
Colonna has a huge, expressive voice that works equally well in a quiet coffee house, in front of Austin�s acclaimed Strings Attached, or with a full band as she is on her newest project, a double live album and DVD, "Old New Borrowed & Blue; Live at Antones."
Instrumentation
Wendy Colonna - vocals, guitar
Chad Pope- lead guitar, backing vocals
Harmoni Kelley- bass, backing vocals
Eldridge Goins - drums, percussion, backing vocals
Dave Madden -- keys, piano & organ
Discography
Old New Borrowed & Blue (Double Live Album/DVD) (2007)
Right Where I Belong (2006)
Red (2002)
Girls of Stone (2000)
Links
| http://www.wendycolonna.com |