Biography
 

Introducing Kate & Hollis

Kate and Hollis are a husband and wife duo who perform original and traditional folk/roots music with a toe tapping bluegrass edge. Their show is energetic, warm and inviting. They share their stories with well written songs that range from historical to fanciful. Their music is presented with sweet, tight harmonies and sparkling instrumentals on guitar, dobro and banjo. They have been busy performing on a regular basis as a duo and as a quartet with special guests Emory Lester, a four time Canadian mandolin champion from Barrie, Ontario and Ken Kanwisher on stand up bass from Ottawa, Ontario.

Having met in the fall of 2004 their musical chemistry was an instant magical combination. Their personal chemistry kicked in as well and they were engaged three weeks later and married August 13, 2005. They have since opened a recording studio in their home called Constant Sound Studio in the Heart of Constance Bay, Ontario.

In 2005 they recorded their first Cd "The Last Chore" and in 2007 "Sugar Babe". Both Cd's give you thirteen songs, two are traditional and eleven are originals.

Kate

Kate received her first guitar at the age of nine and never looked back. "It was worn out in a matter of months." Growing up in a small Eastern Ontario town called Smiths Falls her home life was filled with music. Her father is an old-time jazz and blues buff and believed a home should be filled with the sounds of music rather than the sounds from a TV. He was also a jazz and boogie woogie piano play for many years.

Kate's early musical influences were Joni Mitchell, Emmy Lou Harris and Ellen MacElwain. She discovered a passion for Bluegrass (Newgrass) and Appalachian mountain ballads from such talented artists as Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss. Her strong song writing skills and guitar playing support her love of harmony singing. "I had a desire to sing, play and write for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t imagine spending a day without doing something related to music. It is in my soul as naturally as breathing."

Hollis

Enchanted by family friend, Pete Seeger, Hollis at the age of twelve, purchased his first five string banjo. A twelve string guitar quickly followed. "It was an old Stella that didn't have a bridge; so I carved a new one out of maple with a pocket knife, it worked pretty well!"

As a masterful wordsmith, Hollis' songs reflect life's common hardships as well as its many humorous moments. Early influences were Pete Seeger, Huddie Ledbetter, Phil Ochs, and Merle Travis. Current influences are Mark Knopfler, Jerry Douglas, Django Reinhardt, and Lenny Breau.

Copyright 2004-2007 Kate & Hollis