Presskit
for
Kate & Hollis

Kate & Hollis
125 Spinnaker Way
RR#1, Woodlawn
Ontario K0A 3M0
(613) 832-9235
Kate@KateAndHollis.com

Biography

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.

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 which is keeping them busy between performances.   more...

CD Reviews

Show Reviews

"It's not hard to like Kate and Hollis. They exude warmth. It's the same kind of feeling you get when you listen to their buttery smooth lyrics and their sweet acoustic styling. Their's is a mountain-roots-folk sound born out of a passion for the music and for each other. It's new. It's old. It's a contemporary take on traditional creations that get toes 'a tappin' and emotions rollin'. They describe their original material as music “pinned against old tradition.” Kate and Hollis are accomplished musicians, each in their own right. But there is a freshness about them. They are a new and sought after duo."
Karen Secord, Ottawa Valley News   more...

Mp3 Clips from "The Last Chore"

The Last Chore    mp3

Composed by Hollis
Hollis: lead vocal, banjo; Kate: vocal, guitar; Ken Kanwisher: upright bass

Sometimes An Angel    mp3

Composed by Kate
Kate: lead vocal, guitar; Hollis: vocal, resophonic guitar; Ken Kanwisher: upright bass

Wayfaring Stranger    mp3

Traditional, arranged by Hollis
Hollis: lead vocal, resophonic guitar; Kate: vocal, guitar; Ken Kanwisher: upright bass

Photographs

Workshops We Love to Present

Harmony Singing
Familiar songs to which both novice and experienced singers will learn to harmonize with confidence.

Old-time Clawhammer Banjo
Where does all that rhythm come from? This workshop introduces the basic skills of clawhammer or frailed banjo. Starting with the basic strum, we cover hammer-on's and pull-off's and finally top it all off with double thumbing.

Squareneck Resophonic Guitar (Dobro) Basics
Most folkies know about roundneck dobros from blues musicians where it is often played bottle-neck style. But the squareneck dobro with its clear distinctive sound is now stretching out beyond its bluegrass roots. This workshop explains how this instrument achieves its unique sound.

Applachian Ballads
This workshop follows several "Child Ballads" on the long journey from the British Isles to the Appalachians where multiple additional versions evolved.

Stage Technical Requirements

Kate & Hollis are an acoustic duo using the following instruments:

• One acoustic guitar (DI'd)
• One five-string banjo (mic'd, no DI)
• One resophonic guitar (mic'd no DI)
• One dulcimer (DI'd)

Vocal mics should be about five feet apart. Kate uses a DI on her guitar and dulcimer. Hollis uses a mic for both of his instruments (preferably a good condenser on a boom below his vocal mic). Kate prefers a tall stool. Hollis stands.

Copyright 2004-2007 Kate & Hollis