In
the title song on her album, "The Long Refrain," Kathy Tugman expresses
her thankfulness for all the singers "who will face the fact of the world."
Kathy's albums do just that and more as she searches for a way through the world
and sings of the spirit that allows us to love and remember. Listening to Kathy's
records will give you a good idea of who she is and what is important to her.
(The Executive Producer says that the lady is partial to kindness, a good hook
and real solid rhythm sections, and she has got them all.)
You will also hear a satisfying variety of music on Kathy's albums, all in what
is essentially a pop style but one that recognizes and draws on the broad range
of music that goes to make up that style. There are piano vocals, guitar pop,
country, blues and bluegrass, and that doesn't even get to the love for family,
the preservation of the past and the power of the spirit.
Kathy lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she and her crackerjack band have
performed at the Riverbend Festival, at Miller Plaza and other venues around
town. Her college training was, not surprisingly, in music, and she has continued
that education diligently on her own as she has absorbed a very broad range
of influences. As she has expanded the secular reach of her original material
found on her albums, she has maintained her ties to religious music, both as
a choral singer and as a conductor of a hand bell choir. These two sides of
Kathy's musical self meet in the spirituality and sensibility she brings to
her albums. Her music can swing and rock, without losingtouch with that search
for a loving but clear-eyed response to the world we know everyday.
Jo
Whitaker is a presence on both sides of the microphone. In addition to drumming
and percussion (about which, more in a moment), Jo is the engineer who makes
the recording sessions go, the ear that tunes the mixes and the accomplished
musical personality who knows how to get from musicians what is needed in the
way that they do it best. His knack at arranging songs is as deft as his handling
of a recording session.
In the music, Jo is the backbone, his drumming coming
through in a uniquely progressive backbeat, one attuned to the traditional measures
of rock, to the freer forms of progressive rock and of jazz, and to ethnic rhythms,
not to mention gospel and country. Jo comes by this range honestly, having played
flute and piano before settling on the drums, and having played with all kinds
of musicians playing all kinds of popular music as well as more difficult and
experimental sounds.
When Kathy plays, in the studio or live, she knows that
the fundamentals will be there and that, whatever musical tack she may take,
Jo will make sure that, when the song is done, everything is held together as
the last overtone fades away. Jo says that he has, at times, been known as the
"Tub Doctor." ("He does get a clean sound," the Executive
Producer has been said to have commented.) We would say that this musical physician
and maestro of the studio is more than board-certified - he's a master of his
specialties.
Eddie
Gwaltney is one of the most versatile musicians we know. ("Protean,"
is the word that the Executive Producer uses.) On Kathy's records, Eddie is
the bass player in the fine rhythm section, but he has also played guitar (acoustic
and electric, rhythm and lead), piano, accordion, harmonica, and several types
of African drum, and has sung harmony vocals. He contributes to the arrangements
of the songs in every way and has co-written two, including the main piano part
of "All Y'all." When a new instrument is needed, everyone's first
response is, "Get Eddie to play it."
As a musician, Eddie has appeared on the same bill with
Tom Petty, Lynard Skynard, Taj Mahal, Chubby Checker (that's right), the Association
and Keb' Mo'. Eddie had also worked as a musical therapist and been a music
director in professional theatre and in churches and schools. He has written
the music for numerous stage plays, films and commercials. Somehow, he also
manages to teach music and music theory to middle school students.
Kathy feels very fortunate and flattered that Eddie finds
the time to play in her band and appears to enjoy it, too. She was overjoyed
recently when she heard that Eddie had received a classic Guild 12-string guitar
for Father's Day. "Just think how this will sound on the new record!"
she said. We can't wait.
