Sherry says, "Bob Shank,Of Shank's tavern in Marietta, Pa, was THE one who gave me my nickname,or 'Blues name ', -if you will-I played at Shank's with the original Cat Island Blues band-and

I have performed for Bob at the Open mic nights and Blues jams I have hosted for him since Feb.of 2001-Bob took a chance on me, and let me start one of the longest running jams in the area, when it wasn't popular to do so.  As of February,2004, there have been over 115 different musicians on the bandstand. "

(for bio/info of Sherry's  early-days -{1972-2000}please see my the old site at: www.geocities.com/gallerygirl45/bluelady.html)

 

Sharing her soul and heartfelt vocals since 1973. Sherry has performed from NYC to New Orleans,Philadelphia,Baltimore, Mississippi,and all over the South/Central PA. area. She was the lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist for the Cat Island Blues Band, (named after the Mississippi Gulf Island where her mother's family originated from) which she formed with guitarist Carol Jones,and became the first band with two women fronting, to open the Chameleon Blues Festival of 1994-on the bill with Roomful of Blues,Tinsley Ellis,Clarence Spady,Deanna Bogart,Linwood Taylor,and the late great Queen Bee,and the Blue Hornets. The Cat Island Band (with personnel changes)stayed in the forefront of the Blues scene in the area-the most dynamic era of this band was with the addition of stellar guitarist Guy Debau,(of the Blame,Smokin' Section, The Barons, and Honolulu Slim and the Diamonds. ) Guy was, and is the premier Blues guitarist in the region. This combination of passionate, fiery lead vocals and killer guitar playing was the stuff legends are made of. This band was in the area clubs for a continous five years. After the economy closed many of the local Blues venues-Sherry played solo gigs for a while -and then, in 2000,once again teamed up with Guy specifically to work as the house band at the Full Moon Saloon in Baltimore,with old friend Barry Morgan on bass, and the late Rob Ciaccio on drums. This band became the River Devils(again going thru personnel changes)who backed Sherry as she began the weekly jams at Shanks' tavern. In June of 2003,Sherry  began to free-lance and play with a variety of musicians. All during this time Sherry was fortunate to have met and played with some of the Blues world's finest players such as, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin,Big Jack Johnson,Tom Larsen,Leroy Foster,and others. One of her last public performances was with Bob Margolin and Big Joe Maher in Baltimore.

 -July of 2004-doing a duo gig with Crazy Joe Naumann on harp.She also performed at the Marietta Blues festival on October 3rd,2004, with Carol Jones ,Dale Martin,and also  with Guy Debau and his band.

She is also playing some gigs with her old friend Carol Jones and  Bassist /Clarinettist Dale Martin. She has also been a featured perfomer with Guy Debau and  Honolulu Slim. Sherry is also looking into the possibility of recording an album of Billie Holiday songs with a Piano soloist. Stay tuned!!!!

 

 

SYD BARRETT JACK BRUCE