Biographies

There is a tendency to think of West Coast bluegrass as being softer, jazzier, and somehow “other” than traditional. This can be the case, but there is also a school of bluegrass in Northern California which has, from the beginning, been steeped in Monroe-based tradition—as well as welcoming to women and original songs.

Kathy Kallick (guitar, vocals) has been leading bands in this traditional brand of West Coast bluegrass since co-founding the internationally-acclaimed band, Good Ol’ Persons, in 1975. She continues to evolve as one of the music’s extraordinary composers and vocalists, now releasing her 17th album, recordings which include over 100 of her original songs. Along the way, she has:

- won a Grammy and two IBMA Awards for her part on True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe …
- had four title tracks and albums -- Call Me A Taxi, Walkin’ In My Shoes, Warmer Kind Of Blue, and Between the Hollow and the High-Rise -- each spend a year in the upper echelon of the national bluegrass charts …
- performed and recorded with the Frank Wakefield Band …
- written and recorded award-winning music for children and families …
- appeared on three high-profile Rounder collections of bluegrass songs by women, as well as noteworthy compilations of songs about baseball, trains, spiritual matters, families, broken hearts, Christmas, and mothers …
- toured throughout North America, Europe, and Japan  …
- received a Lifetime Membership from the California Bluegrass Association … and …

- collaborated with the country’s top acoustic musicians – including her fabulous current band:

Annie Staninec: fiddle, clawhammer banjo, vocals
Tom Bekeny: mandolin, fiddle, vocals
Greg Booth: dobro, banjo, vocals
Sharon Gilchrist: acoustic bass, mandolin, vocals