Tag Archives: Tanya Tucker

Lee Sims Sings From Deep Within the Heart

lee_simsSince childhood, music has been in Lee Sim’s blood.  As early as age five, at the encouragement of his parents, Lee was singing.  “As a youngster I would listen to my Mom and Dad’s record collection of Johnny Cash, Jim Reeves, and Tennessee Ernie Ford …” Lee said.  “When I was eight years old my Dad would take me to local music jam sessions, and I experienced the thrill of performing live. It was an incredibly exhilarating and humbling experience.”

It didn’t take long for Lee to begin his performing career.  Lee’s first “real gig” was at a Junior High school talent show, and within a month he founded his own band and was performing professionally.   From his home base in Colorado, Lee and his grass-roots accompaniment, The Platte River Band, have performed across the United States and Canada.

Lee’s authoritative voice has also attracted the attention of radio commercial and television show producers. As a result, his voice has been a staple with Colorado radio listeners for decades.  Additionally, Lee has performed on a laundry list of demos for songwriters, attracting the attention of producers in Nashville, where he was a finalist on the You Can Be a Star! television show.  Lee’s credits also include performing with numerous Country Music stars including Waylon Jennings, Tanya Tucker, Buck Owens, and George Strait.

Lee has earned the distinction of being Nashville’s 3-time Golden Award Winner in 2001, Colorado’s Entertainer of the Year in 2001, and Colorado’s Country Music Hall of Fame Entertainer of the Year in 2003.

Lee’s latest album, Deep In The Heart of Me represents a culmination of Lee’s musical career and influences, with nine original songs, world-class musicians, and Nashville production.  It has already rocketed to the top of the music charts, hitting #1 on the New Music Weekly Chart (Blues on Parade) and #7 on the Roots Music Report’s Weekly Top 50 True Country Album Chart.

Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste talked with Lee.  He shares his memories of growing up in the performing spotlight under the encouragement of his parents, as well as his experiences performing along with some of country music’s greatest talent.  We also get a peek into what Lee has in store for the future, with some news of his upcoming projects slated for release later this year.

Listen to the interview here:

Download the interview here: Interview: Lee Sims 5/25/2016

Who’s Zat? Why, It’s John Roy Zat!

John Roy ZattFor San Francisco-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Roy Zat, the play on words to the question of “who’s zat?” carries significant meaning.  It also happens to be the title of his latest album, which, as Zat pointed out recently, is an exploration through his rich history in music.

Zat grew up listening to, and becoming influenced by the sounds of the British Invasion – Beatles, Stones, Donovan, Clapton, as well as the folk music of the likes of Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, Neil Young and others.  He found himself playing guitar in high school, and in college, impressed by the sound of American old time music, began taking up the fiddle.

After college, Zat took up a full-time life as a musician, playing with the likes of Asleep At The Wheel, Tanya Tucker, Kate Wolf, Nina Gerber, Queen Ida and Bill Kirchen, among others.  Taking a break from music to raise a family, and establish a financial career for himself, he would later return to music on a full-time basis.

John Roy Zat has released three albums, Solo, Collaborations, and his most recent album, Who’s Zat earlier this year.  Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste talked with Zat about his life and career.  He describes how music has shaped and molded his life and his own musical creation today.

Listen to the interview here:

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