Vicki Blankenship is that rare artist that comes along from the shadows of nowhere and blows away everybody that hears her perform. Her voice can hit a high pure pitch and then growl into the depths of rock and roll in the next breath. It is that great diversity that have many comparing her to the great Janis Joplin or the haunting images of Stevie Nicks. But sometimes the country girl shines through in comparison to the spunk of Mary Chapin Carpenter and the pure vocals of Patsy Cline. She is a writer of great depth not only in songs but poetry and blogs. She gets right to the heart of things with an insightful mind that examines truth and presents it in a simple, honest, touching, direct, and a most poignant manner. She is complex and has a deep inner drive. She is a self confessed workaholic in need of more play time.
Vicki's songs move people, her life inspires people, and her blogs inform people. Meeting her in person is an energy charge. Hearing her perform live will glue you to the edge of your seat, hanging on to every lyric. But by the end of the night you will be dancing if you get to experience the energy she throws from the stage when performing with her full band. Her songs will hit you dead in the heart and stick to your mind.
Vicki is also joined on stage at times by some very talented musicians as she tours around. Here are a few that have shared stage with Vicki. Les Scarborough (guitar), Steve Mays (bass guitar), Gabe Pline (drums), Leslie Berry (keyboards), Cindy Adler (bass guitar), Jen Lowe (percussion), Melissa Massey (drums/percussion), Kit Holmes (keyboards), Vange Durst (guitar), Rich Kulsar (drums and percussion), Allison Tartalia (keyboards), Phyllis Free (drums and percussion) and many more. Her performances whether solo, duo, trio, or full band are always energy driven and captivate the audience.
Influences
Vicki's influences are wide and it shows as she writes in many genres of music. She grew up with a great grandfather that was a banjo player and was surrounded by blue grass and country music, and also a grandfather who was a jazz and big band drummer. She then staked claim on loving the rock and roll era of the 60's and 70's while attending Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, VA and with the disco era and the dance music infusion while attending Elon University in North Carolina. So her songs show a fusion of different genres of music but her lyrics are from her heart only.
Vicki self professes to listen to mostly Indie artists now although some of her favorite label signed artists and bands are Carol King, Etta James, Patsy Cline, Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, Heart, Sting, Billy Joel, Crosby-Stills-Nash and Young, America, Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Billie Holiday, Bruce Springsteen, and Melissa Etheridge who she also admires for her fight against cancer and raising awareness and money to fight the disease. Visit Indiegrrl
The Baby that stole my heart.
Kiva rules the travel van.
Sounds Like
My New Touring Guitar the Takamine EG333C Limited Edition
My Yamaha Guitar which is a great sounding recording guitar.
My Ovation Celebrity Viper Guitar which is my favorite to play when doing live performances with my band.
Members of The Posse Band
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Les Scarborough Lead Guitar
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Gabe Pline Drummer
New band family member Little Miss Grace Pline and proud parents Gabe and Melissa. Grace is going to be the future percussionist of the group.
Singer songwriter Vicki Blankenship put out her debut CD in 2003 and started to pursue her music career full time in 2004 and followed up with her second CD release "Horizons" in January 2005. Her third CD project was just released in July 2009 called "Blue Flame Trance" and is getting great reviews as her best CD project to date.
All of her CDs have garnered critical praise and have been featured on various radio shows in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia, including Sirius Satelite Radio. Winner of several songwriting awards and honors, Vicki toured coast-to-coast in 2004, 2005, and 2006 promoting both CDs and appearing in over 300 different venues, festivals, and conferences as both a performer and guest speaker. She hopes to hit the road again in 2010. She has appeared in some of the most notable top acoustic venues including Eddie's Attic in Decatur, GA, Main Street Cafe in Homestead, FL, The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN, World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA, The Knitting Factory in New York City, Club Passim in Cambridge, MA and The EMP in Seattle, WA. Her list of festival and conference appearances include impressive showcases at the Rockrgrrl Conference, National Folk Alliance Conference, The Ohio LBA Festival, The Virginia Women's Festival, The Southern Women's Festival, MACRoCK Conference, Festival For Change, Swiftwaters Women's Music in the Mountains Festival, Provincetown, MA Women's Week and numerous Indie Music For Life events in 11 different states.
At times she is joined on stage by the very talented musicians, Cindy Adler, Les Scarborough, Gabe Pline, Steve Mays, Leslie Berry, Carol Statella, Vange Durst, Rich Kulsar, Jen Lowe, Melissa Massey, Phyllis Free, Steve Wolfe, Allison Tartalia, Kit Holmes, Patty Mitchell and more playing duo, trio, and full band performances that were always high energy shows that featured her wide range of vocal talents and musical arrangements.
HOT OFF THE PRESS is her third CD project called "Blue Flame Trance" which is long over due. Get your copy at www.spottedkivaproductions.com
Vicki wears another hat as President or "Mom" as many members call her of Indiegrrl Women in the Arts, Inc. and works tirelessly to create networking, educational, and showcasing opportunities for that non profit supporting women in the arts.
Vicki Blankenship performing live at the Women's Radio Guerrilla Showcase at the 2009 Indiegrrl Women in the Arts Conference in Nashville, TN.
Hi Vicki.. Thanks for taking the time to listen! Great stuff you have, I love your style.. I really love"Never let go" and "Moonbeam" You have an amazing voice!! I hope you have a great week!! Have fun, Josh
My BRAND NEW record, "Thinking With My Heart" is OUT NOW! Take a sneak peak at my page and order it at iTunes at this link: http://www.itunes.com/jennatorres And, I'm also at Facebook. I'd love to stay connected with you there too! Go here: http://www.facebook.com/jennatorresmusic
The new music sounds great!! So sorry I will miss the indiegrrl conference again!!! Sending much love to you and all the best with the new CD! I have to get me a copy real soon!
Glad y'all like the photos and videos. I hope to pop into more Indie Grrl Events soon. I have a heavy schedule myself, but I'll make a point to see my favorite "Grrls" again soon....including the hairy one with four legs and polka dots!!!
My new single "I Can't Kiss Me" just became available at ITUNES and you can watch the video at YOUTUBE. The full album comes out on Aug 11th! Check out both on my page!
What a blast this weekend at the Indie Grrl Fest!!! Glad I got to sit down with old friends and some new ones. Thanks for having me up, and I still can't help but love all the Indie Grrls I meet. I'll be going through photos, videos, etc. today (IN AIR CONDITIONING) and getting ready. For the artists, email me at jwduncan_associates@yahoo.com if you want some photos. I got many of you on stage while I played MC!
Thanks Vicki for inviting me to MC and Open mic last weekend at the Indie Grrl Fest in Jonica Gap. And of course for feeding me some down home cookin' Virginia style. I know you worked your arse off, it seemed to go well, and hopefully raised lot's of money. I've got the digital photos posted, and got Broda's name right the second time around in the slide show. I'm still editing video and pulling out the better clips.
Hello, Welcome, Thank you for the add and the new friendship. When you get a chance check out our site and songs on our playlist. We are now working on our 2nd album, it's all Original Southern Rock Music. It will be finish this month. Please leave us a comment and let us know what you think. Thank you for your time and have a blessed day.. KEEP ON ROCKIN......SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND VETS....
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Thanks for puttin on an amazing event this past Saturday in Spencer,VA....I so wish we could have had a better turnout...it was really great to finally have my chance to see you perform live...the new songs have me excited about your new cd....can't wait to hear more!!!
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