Kate Lissauer, currently resident in England, is a highly regarded exponent of American old-time country music. Kate has been performing and teaching for many years, and brings her knowledge and love of mountain, bluegrass and folk music to life through her passionate instrumental and vocal style.
Kate's musical history includes playing with one of Maryland's champion string bands, Rev. Chip and the Moonbrides, a busy performance, step-dance and square dance band, touring as a member of the legendary Steptones Appalacian cloggers, who helped to bring American step-dancing to the UK, and working as a member of Scotland's Celtic-American fusion, The Caledonia Ramblers.
Kate began her career as a champion fiddler in her home state of Maryland, and is also an expert clawhammer and old-time three-finger banjo picker, a guitarist, and an excellent singer. Her solo performances range through a great variety of music, including old ballads upon which she has placed her own stamp, blues and gospel songs, hard-driving fiddle tunes, and one of her trademarks - fiddle-backed songs.
She presently performs as a solo artist and with her band, Buffalo Gals, and her appearances include folk clubs and folk festivals, international music and dance festivals, and concerts of American Country music and Bluegrass.
Kate is also highly regarded and in demand as a teacher, regularly presenting classes at festivals and residential workshops such as Sore Fingers Summer Schools, Friends of American Old-Time Music and Dance, and Fiddles at Witney.
Workshops presently available include all levels of Appalacian fiddle, clawhammer banjo, fingerpicking banjo, singing with an instrument, and square dance.
School workshops are available for primary, secondary and special needs schools. They are an entertaining introduction to American traditional music and dance which include plenty of interaction and participation.
Kate is one of the few callers resident in the UK who present square dances in the traditional, authentic style, and has been spreading her love of great old-time square dancing at festivals and parties for years.
Her infectious patter becomes a part of the music, and ensures that no one will miss a move. Her style of teaching involves everyone, including those who have never danced.
Kate works as a caller with her own band, Buffalo Gals, or with any resident band.
Beautiful, Talented, Charismatic.
What a brilliant evening you did last night at Bodmin.
We are so pleased to have been there and so pleased to have you as a friend.
Well worth driving two hundred miles for.
Walk Chalk Chicken's a fantastic album! Great singing,playing, arrangements and harmonies (esp. with Woody - ye can't beat sibling harmonies). Listened to it many times now - still maintain County Farm Blues is your signature track!
I'm always very pleased to find another five-stringer here, and your tunes sound just great. Perhaps I'll run into you next time I hit the UK.
Most Sincerely,
Curtis
----- Curtis Eller's American Circus
www.curtiseller.com
