Levee Town

Levee Town is a high energy group that can give you the soul and intensity of a slow in the alley blues and then take you the opposite way with the drive and velocity of an up tempo boggie. Jan and Jacque provide a solid yet flexible base for Brandon and Jimmie to express their inspiration. Those of us who have been lucky enough to have seen their growth over the years still see it today as they push themselves. They are not afraid subtlety, and Jan and Jacque make it easy for them.
Not all their time is spent on the road or practicing. They are doing their part to cultivate the next generation of musicians. Brandon teaches at King City Music, Jan teaches works the counter at Explorer's, and Jimmie teaches private and group lessons in Lawrence at the American Music Academy. Paul "Dr Bone" Scofield - Kansas City Blues Society Blues News

Kansas City based Levee Town has a true Delta Blues sound. Their deep and soulful guitar riffs combined with a perfict chemistry of funky bass and down and dirty harmonica wail brings this band together with a rhythm that is clearly beyond their years. Staff Writer Heather Moll - The Platte County Sun Gazette

Where does a Kansas City band go if it wants to broaden its fan base? We can look to Levee Town over the next few months for signs of their success as they seek to become a regional or national act.
In 2004, Levee Town way busy generationg their own style of music, steeped in traditional blues, to differentiate themselves and broaden their appeal. Just who are these guys, anyway? Let's start with the basics, the foundation, the guys who can count at the same pace that won't let the house fall down. Drummer Jan faircloth, as steady a backdrop as you can find, keeps the exuberance at a manageable level, while obviously enjoying the talents of those around him. A nicer guy you will not find in this city.
A major portion of the vocals are provided by Jacque Garoutte who lays down the bass line while he delivers the blues with some of the gravel reminiscent of some of our favorite delta singers with a gospel passion thrown in for good measure. All this backdrop for the other two guys who provide the fireworks, like bottle rockets or M80's, exploding on the music. Jimmie Meade on harp, playing sometimes like a philosopher lost in thought and sometimes like a good humored "wow this is all so cool" Bright with the highlights, cool with the blue side of the blues. Jimmie can also deliver deep vocals when called upon.
Then there is some guy named Brandon Hudspeth who also plays somethimes.....just kidding. Brandon , if a poll were taken, would be on the top of many peoples list of Kansas City guitar bluesman. Brandon is also asked to shoulder a good part of the vocals, and as he ages will only mellow and improve. A super talent, instantly recognized as such even by novice blues listeners, Brandon's style is to show contrasting, slow burning chords, to be followed by shooting rockets, flamming into the sky. An audience is spellbound when Branden gets is groove on. Trust me, I've seen it happen time and again.
Bruce Hibbs President Kansas City Blues Society. - Kansas City Blues Society Blues News

Some of our BST members may remember the band, Levee Town, who played a set at the benefit for the late Ace Moreland at the Kitchen Pass in Joplin, MO last February. This reporter decided to catch the complete act when they returned to the Kitchen Pass on July 25th.
Even though Levee Town is based out of Kansas City, they have big time Northeastern Oklahoma roots. Brandon Hudspeth, guitar/vocals, hails from Claremore and Jacque Garoutte, bass/vocals, was born and raised in the Miami area. Garoutte grew up listening and watching the late Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gains from Miami and played with the late Ace Moreland. Jimmie Meade, harminica/vocals, along with drummer Jan Faircloth round out their tight dynamic rhythm section.
As 300 plus paid costomers found out, Levee Town does get down. they do not subscribe to the usual one hour on stage, 20-minute break routine. These wonderfulperformers played and entertained the crowd for 2 hours straight with great dance music, followed by a 45-minute intermission and ended with anouther 1 1/2 hour set. Needless to say, they kept the audience fired up with their energetic show. This is a normal performance for this up and coming band. Packing plentey of Northeastern Oklahoma rhythm and blues roots, they come out blazing with some hot jump blues. Catch them if you can, sometime next spring and summer.
Fred Morrow "writer" - Blues Society of Tulsa Blues News

Caught Levee Town at the Osage Casino here in Tulsa last week-end. I'm telling you they made these OKIES really jump. We don't get good blues music around here too often, so gettin to hear them was really cool. Try to book here more often. Waiting for their new CD also. - Ken Meister - Tulsa

I can not wait till Levee Town grases the great state of Texas with the Blues funk they be bring! P. S. Jimmie is hot!!!!!!!! - Sarah Tex Jenkins - Texas

Hey u guys really know how 2 play the blues saw u at ducktil dawn blues fest in rentiesville. Lookin forward 2 seeing u at blues fest in Tulsa next year. - Brad Johnson - Oklahoma

Hey, you guys rocked the Anglesea Blues Festival on Saturday! Best band by far all weekend! CD jams! Thanks for the sigs on the CD. Next time you guys come east, Let us know, We'll road trip to see ya' again if we have to! Rock On! - Jim Kaz New Jersey