Kellie - Vocals
Fly - Vocals and Key Boards
Mark - Guitar
Kevin - Drums and Vocals
Cal - Bass
Graham - Percussion and Vocals
Eric - Graphic Designer
Influences
So vast, wide, and diverse that to simply name one would discount others...
Sounds Like
We play covers from the Prince, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Lita Ford, Janice Joplin, Gretchen Wilson, Ike and Tina turner, Parlament Funkadelic, Ohio Players, Morris Day and the Time, Chic, Michael Jackson, Black Crows, Sam and Dave, Elvis, Delbert McClinton, Wilson Picket, John Mellencamp, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Commodores, Wild Cherry, KC and the Sunshine Band, Taste of Honey, and many more....
thecatdaddies, all one word, began circa 1999 in Atlanta, GA. The cover band was initially a 5 piece that consisted of two sets of Brothers and a friend. Kent and Kevin West were from Gainesville, FL, Cal and Graham Kinard from Greenwood, SC. When the guys started out, it was a hobby of sorts. Everyone had successful careers, but wanted something unique and fun to do with their free time. Cal played Bass Guitar, Graham played a set of bongos, Kevin played guitar, and Kent sang.
The band realized there was something missing; the acoustic quartet wanted an electric sound. It was decided that an electric guitar, keyboards, and full drums were needed to complete the lineup. The band procured those services from various Atlanta artists and had a successful run over the next 6 years. The resume includes: An opening performance for Ted Nuggent and Lynyrd Skynyrd on the side stage at Lakewood Amphitheatre (formerly HiFi Buys Amphitheatre); a Carnival cruise to Cozumel, Mexico with The Swinging Medallions; River Street in Savannah, GA on St. Patrick’s Day; the Egyptian room at Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA; and a charity benefit at the world renown Smith’s Olde Bar also in Atlanta.
As time passed, member’s lives changed and the band was forced into a hiatus. Cal and Graham were tasked with carrying the torch and procuring the services of the current lineup. Cal then chimed in and said, “we were faced with a monumental task. The entire band we once knew was gone, and all that remained was the two of us.” One night while out on the town in Atlanta, Cal and Graham happened upon Fly. Fly, a recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member Parliament-Funkadelic, immediately added a professional touch to the aspiring musicians.
The band needed a drummer. “We knew we needed a solid drummer”, Cal reflects, “Graham has done a fine job playing percussion (bongos, congas, shakers, bells, blocks, etc.), but we needed a solid rhythm section to build upon. That is when we called Kevin Cox.” Kevin Cox, an accomplished musician also from Greenwood, SC, has played with The Swinging Medallions and local bands to Greenwood such as Three Miles and Tune Smith.
After Kevin joined the lineup, Kellie Fortner joined as the lead singer. Kellie, a graduate of Lander University with a degree in Mass Communication and Theatre, brought a lifetime of musical and stage experience to the group. Initially her Father and Uncle were members of a gospel group from Lugoff, SC. Kellie would sing and perform with her family in various musical and stage performances in and around the Greenwood and Laurens. In addition to her musical background, she is an accomplished actress in the Atlanta area.
Mark is the most recent addition to thecatdaddies. He has been playing guitar for 25 years and runs with successful local bands in the area such as Fish Tank. Mark brings those silky smooth guitar leads that make thecatdaddies the fun energetic group that exists today.
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