KCA Artists is very excited to announce the addition of Della Mae to our roster. The Seattle-based online music resource Hearthmusic.comsays, “Della Mae are a ridiculously polished all-grrrl nouveau bluegrass band based out of Boston. Each woman in the band is a lead player on her instrument, and their vocals and harmonies are tighter than the hangman’s noose. This is bluegrass music played with a love for its roots and great hope for its future. Bluegrass played with the knowledge that Bill Monroe’s vision fits just as well in a new century as it did in the last one. Bluegrass played with confidence, drive, and the pure energy that birthed the music in the first place.”
In music there are those artists who seem to transcend genre and defy categorization. From time to time you will hear a voice that will stop you dead in your tracks and shake your very foundation to the core. Mike Farris is that artist and he has that voice.
KCA Artists is proud to announce the addition of Mike Farris to our esteemed roster of talent. We could write volumes on his accomplishments, but we’ll leave it to you to check out his impressive story on his website and watch some amazing performances on his YouTube channel. Mike tours in any one of several configurations–from solo to the stripped down Cumberland Saints to the 9-piece Roseland Rhythm Revue–and he can tailor his show to fit your budget. Whatever configuration you present, the performance will be powerful and one that your audience will remember for years to come!
Recent career highlights:
• Featured performer for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame American Music Masters Concert celebrating Aretha Franklin on November 5th 2011.
• Appeared on Bluegrass Underground’s 2011 series premiere airing nationally on PBS in October.
• Special guest on Patty Griffin’s GRAMMY award-winning CD, “Downtown Church” and appeared with Patty on Austin City Limits.
• Highlight performances at Bonnaroo, ACL Fest, Telluride Bluegrass, Mountain Stage, Strawberry Festival, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and many more.
• 2009 GMA Dove Award Winner for ‘Best Traditional Album’
• Americana Music Association’s 2008 ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’
What people are saying about Mike Farris:
“Mike Farris is one of the finest singers I’ve ever heard in my life. In a world full of American Idol wannabes, Mike stands like a giant above them all.”
- Howard Kramer, Director of Curatorial at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame & Museum
“Farris surrounds himself with a heavenly soundtrack that slides effortlessly between Stax soul, New Orleans gospel and shuffling Southern blues, all of it punctuated with Farris’ smoldering vocals and clear message of redemption.”
- Harp Magazine
Review – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert honoring Aretha Franklin:
“The performer who would appear to have the least in common with Aretha Franklin was Mike Farris from Nashville, who said he was honored as a “country boy” to be invited to the party at all. And indeed, Farris looks like the bassist in an indie rock band until he opens his mouth. Then he’s a scorched-earth, Southern gospel singer who came out swinging with a version of the old spiritual “Mary Don’t You Weep” that had the capacity theater rocking.”
- The Detroit News
Keith Case & Associates, one of the premier talent agencies in North America, announces a new look and new name, “KCA Artists.” Renowned for representing artists in the genres of bluegrass, Americana, roots, folk, singer/songwriter and Indie Rock, agency owner Keith Case explains, “We’ve been known as ‘KCA’ for years. With this change, we are making it official and have created an updated image that reinforces the brand.”
As “KCA Artists,” the new image better reflects the company’s clientele. “In the early days, we were known for bluegrass music,” explains Case, “Today we run the gamut—we still have bluegrass clients, but we are also representing the very best talent in many different styles of music. The lines of these genres cross, yet the agency has remained solid, changing to reflect what our industry looks like today.”
Since 1970, Keith Case has represented the most distinguished artists in American roots music. Case started his professional career in Denver, CO, relocating to Nashville in 1982. As a talent agent, manager and promoter he has represented legendary singer/songwriters and musicians including the late John Hartford; the late Townes Van Zandt; Nashville Bluegrass Band; The Seldom Scene; Guy Clark; and Jesse Winchester; the latter still remaining on the roster today. Case was instrumental in breaking notable artists early in their careers, including Alison Krauss & Union Station, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Robert Earl Keen.
Today, KCA Artists represents well known artists in diverse genres for booking and management. The current roster is comprised of twenty-nine performers that include Suzy Bogguss, Sierra Hull & Highway 111, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Matraca Berg, The SteelDrivers, Billy Joe Shaver, Steep Canyon Rangers, Matrimony, Ralph Stanley, The Farewell Drifters, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice and the Fairfield Four.
The background of the eight member staff reflects the varied genres of music that the agency represents and includes agents Logan Bosemer, John Everhart and Lee Olsen. Claire Armbruster serves as general manager of the company and is also an artist manager. Marilee Chipoletti is contract administrator; and supporting the organization are two agent assistants Jessi Shores and Brian Solomon. “We feel that we have the strongest team in the agency’s history,” comments Case, “As the industry changes and evolves, we grow with it while remaining steadfast.”
To learn more about KCA Artists, visit the agency’s web site.
KCA Artists is very excited to announce the addition of Billy Joe Shaver to our roster! KCA Artists is exclusively representing the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-nominated artist.
Billy Joe Shaver has never been a household name, but his songs became country standards during the ’70s and his reputation among musicians and critics has remained legendary throughout the ensuing decades.
All Music Guide lists 23 albums, from 1973′s Old Five & Dimers Like Me through 2007′s Everybody’s Brother. Among his many classic songs are “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be a Diamond Some Day),” “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “Georgia on a Fast Train,” “Live Forever,” “Tramp on Your Street,” and “Try and Try Again.”
In 1999, Shaver was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2005, Billy Joe Shaver performed on CMT Outlaws. In 2006, he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He recently served as spiritual advisor to Texas independent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman and his 2007 album Everybody’s Brother was nominated for a GRAMMY. For his efforts, the Americana Music Association awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting.
Shaver is truly one of the most respected living figures in American music. His songs have been cut by Elvis, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and many others. Bob Dylan, who rarely covers other writers, often plays Billy Joe’s “Old Five And Dimers Like Me” in concert and Johnny Cash called him “my favorite songwriter.” The Washington Post noted, “when the country outlaws were collecting their holy writings, Billy Joe Shaver was carving out Exodus.”
They offered some sweet rewards posted for donors, from stickers and tee shirts to house concerts.
Sierra Hull performing in her music video for “Easy Come, Easy Go,” the latest from her album Daybreak.
