Sister Lucille

Alive

Endless Blues Records

Sister Lucille is a four-piece blues and roots rock band from Southwest Missouri. The band made the semifinals at Memphis’ 2015 International Blues Challenge; and was also voted “Most Promising New Artist” at the 31st Music Pioneer Awards, also held in Memphis, the following year.

The band is centered by the husband and wife duo of vocalist Kimberly Dill and Jamie Holden. Dill started her career in the early 1990’s as a country artist and opened for Kitty Wells and Jack Greene at both the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry. As her music evolved she found herself inspired by older Blues and Roots standards and was further encouraged by falling in love with guitarist/producer Holden. The band is completed by bassist Eric Guinn and drummer Kevin Lyons.

On “Alive” Sister Lucille receives further inspiration from their Memphis music family. Featured are special guests Reba Russell, vocal producer and background vocalist; Peter Climie, saxophones; Jared Dover, trumpet; Andrew Earle, trombone; Chris Stephenson, keyboards; and Eric Hughes, harmonica.  The album was recorded and engineered by Mike Wilson at the Ardent Studios in Memphis. Grammy award winner Jim Scott did the mixing, while another Grammy winner Richard Dodd handled the mastering. The album’s design is by Memphis’ Jen Taylor.

Holden and Dill are a great songwriting team. They wrote the opening track “Won’t Give It”, about the online world of dating, which currently is receiving considerable airplay. Also from them are the title track, “Alive”, about the beautiful state of California; and “Wanna Love You” featuring some blistering hot guitar from Holden. Six more songs were also written by Holden including the gypsy jazz “Devil’s Eyes”; “Fussin & Fightin’” about social media, and “Respect Your Woman” featuring Hughes on harmonica.

Sister Lucille also covers two classics: “W-O-M-A-N” recorded by Etta James in 1955; and Don Bryant’s “99 Pounds” recorded by Ann Peebles in 1993 on Memphis’ Hi Records. The latter is another song receiving air time.

The Sister Lucille Band also thanks Memphis son’s Mick Kolassa and Jeff Jensen for their friendship and inspiration. Better check out this great new band.

Richard Ludmerer