CATHY LEMONS is a legendary, blues singing firebird out of Dallas, Texas, who has mesmerized audiences with her “velvety and hypnotic voice, resonant of a female Howlin’ Wolf” (Fulltimeblues 2010) for over 25 years. A seasoned and expressive songwriter, Cathy brings profound authenticity to her craft, spinning inspiration from acts of faith, redemption, and love from all sides. Throughout her career, Cathy has proven herself to be a brave, road tested entertainer, who delivers emotional and electrifying performances night after night.
Inspired by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Lou Ann Barton, and Diana Jones, Cathy earned her stripes, performing across the Lone Star state. From her early days, Cathy’s natural gifts accorded her the honor of recording with the great American blues guitar player and bandleader, Anson Funderburgh. Soon after that, she was invited to share the stage with six time Grammy Award winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Cathy’s smoldering vocal stylings and charismatic stage presence landed her a gig, touring as John Lee Hooker’s send off singer in 1987. Over the years, Cathy has collaborated with many great names in blues, such as Tommy Castro, Steve Freund (Sunnyland Slim, Koko Taylor), David Maxwell (Bonnie Raitt), Kid Andersen, and more.
To date, Cathy Lemons has released seven studio albums, three of which are on the national label, Vizztone ("Lemonace,” "Black Crow," & Godless Land.”) Her critically acclaimed “Black Crow” was nominated for a “Welcome Back” Jimi Award from Blues411. The album made the 2014 Downbeat “Winners Pick” and was featured in Blues Matters’ “Top 10 Albums” in the U.K.
Since her relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area, Cathy has co-produced successful songwriter shows at legendary venues, such as Slim’s and The Great American Music Hall. She has also organized and promoted multiple successful benefits to help struggling Bay Area musicians. “Blues Gives Back” is her brain-child, an annual, star-studded show where 100% of the proceeds go to Freedom House, a safe house for trafficking survivors. Cathy has performed at The Fillmore in San Francisco, Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, Blues by the Bay in Eureka, The Empress Theater in Vallejo, Club Fox in Redwood City, Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco, The Metro Fountain Blues Festival in San Jose, Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol, The Sacramento Heritage Festival, The Jazzfest at Lake Mission Viejo, The Hot Licks festival in Granville, Ohio, and many more. She was a finalist for the 2018 International Songwriters Competition for her song “The River” from The Lucky Losers 2018 release, “Blind Spot.” She competed against 19k entrants and was a finalist of only 16 songwriters in the blues category.
CATHY LEMONS DISCOGRAPHY
"A burnished, scintillating disc and certainly one of the finest debuts from a contemporary female blues singer this year."
- HAL HOROWITZ, Blues Revue
"A wonderful, beautiful sonic film that bends the boundaries of genre description."
- JOHNNY FULLTIME, Fulltime Blues
Once you hear her, you will be a fan for life. This is music with a timeless quality that will have all the hitting power twenty years down the road that is does today."
- BILL WILSON, Reflections In Blue
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY ABOUT CATHY LEMONS
"After all, Cathy is the finest light skinned female Blues vocalist in the U.S.!"
- ANDY "BLUESBOY" GRIGG, Real Blues, August 2010
"She's lived a hard life, and the singing on her first solo album in many years lends credence to the typically suspect supposition that misfortune is a prerequisite for creating superior blues"
- FRANK JOHN-HADLEY, Downbeat Magazine, July 2014
"Lemons belongs on the roster of great Lone Star State singers!"
- GRANT BRITT, Blues Music Magazine, August 2014
VIDEO
Black Crow by Cathy Lemons (Official Video)
Cathy Lemons performing live at Slim's in 2013.