Georgia-native Kelly Dees has always loved all kinds of music. She grew up singing and writing, learned to play piano, and played trumpet for several years in school. As she got older, she realized she had a true passion for the blues. After settling in Tampa, Florida in 1999, she started singing in local nightclubs, covering blues, jazz and R&B songs by some of her favorite artists. Her long list of musical influences includes Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, and Susan Tedeschi.
In 2004, working closely with producer Mike Conway of MCR Studio in Tampa, Kelly began writing and recording her first album, which would later be called Bettin’ Woman. Also the title of one of the first songs she wrote for the CD, Kelly felt that Bettin’ Woman was an especially appropriate title for this self-produced album, knowing that she was taking a risk. Now the gamble seems to be paying off.
Released in November 2006, Bettin’ Woman has received favorable reviews in Blues Revue, Suncoast Blues Society’s Twelve Bar Rag, and The Phoenix Blues Society’s Blues Bytes. One song from her album was also chosen to appear on a compilation CD for National Women in Blues (WiB), for which Kelly feels especially honored.
Bettin’ Woman is an all-original blues album, but it also appeals to fans of funk, jazz and R&B. There are even a couple of gospel-inspired songs on the full-length CD. Tom Hyslop of Blues Revue writes, “Dees' intelligent songwriting has an appealing modern edge.†Backing Kelly on her album are well-known musicians Richy Kicklighter, T.C. Carr, Kevin Wilder, and Dale Horton.
Kelly is now writing the songs that will appear on her follow-up album.
REVIEWS:
"...I really have been enjoying the diversity and the feel of this all original CD. It is a fine effort in every sense of the word. There seems to have been lots of love and dedication put into this musical project. I'll be a bettin' woman and guarantee you'll like this one!"
- Cheryl Mogul, WMNF, 88.5 FM Tampa
"...The band is talented, production values are high, and Dees' intelligent songwriting has an appealing modern edge. The elegant "Blues On A Tuesday," the chugging R&B cut "Slow," the optimistic blues "I'm Alright," the funky "Rewarded," and the gospel-edged shuffle "There'll Be A Day" are easy on the ears. Dees has talent..."
- Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue