new single with mo beeks
Kelly's Lot was formed in 1994 by Kelly Zirbes, a folk singer/songwriter with a heart for the blues. With 15 CDs and lots of touring in the USA and Europe, the band celebrates 30 years since the first year the band hit the stage at the Roxy in Hollywood. Kelly Z met guitar player and soundman, Perry Robertson in 1996, who soon after produced ‘Kelly’s Lot - Live at the Troubadour’. Within a year he joined the band, started writing songs with Kelly Z and added the southern rock and Texas influences that have helped shape the Kelly's Lot sound. In the last 15 years they have played and toured as a Duo, Trio and a 5 piece band, while adding horns, keys and harmonica at different times. Some of the larger festivals they have played are Waterfront Blues Festival, Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Festival, Nuits de Sologne and Lavaudieu Music Festival. Their songs have been heard in movies and television and covered by other artists. Perry has recorded and produced most of the band’s music including the 2019 release 'Can't Take My Soul’ which brought the Duo back to it's Folk/Rock roots. They recorded 2 more albums during the 2020/21 pandemic. ‘ANOTHER SKY’ which features a variety of Americana genres including the folk song 'Foolish Try' which was placed in the new Ghostbusters movie Afterlife. And ‘WHERE AND WHEN’ which took the Duo back to the Blues in a LIVE and acoustic fashion. Kelly and Perry hit the road in August of 2023 and brought their Americana music to folks in France and Croatia and have already been booked to return this year. Kelly Z recently released a single with keyboard player/singer Mo Beeks called 'I Gotta Sing The Blues' and is busy with Perry writing and recording 2 new Kelly's Lot albums for a 2024 release. Stay tuned, we are just getting started after 30 years.
European connections
Live In OxnARD
live show review
…From slow and sultry to upbeat, singer Kelly Zirbes commanded the Yodeler like it was the Hollywood Palladium. At the risk of looking up from their steak dinner and drinks, the audience was captivated by Kelly’s persona and spunk on stage. A qualified singer for sure, her lovely voice could turn from gravy to gravel in a heartbeat. The band’s well-bodied set list covering all tempos gave her plenty of room to shine vocally. With songs like “Reason For The Blues” and “Revolving Door,” Kelly Zirbes’s songwriting skills are promoted well with her multi-instrumental band, “Kelly’s Lot.” Bassist Matt McFadden was one of four brilliant guitarists in “Kelly’s Lot,” with Vid Kotarski, Paddy Marsh, and Perry Robertson rounding out the army of guitars, blending percussion and melody into a steady backbone of a rhythm section. Swapping guitars throughout the performance, the band performed on many different types of six-strings, from acoustic to electric, adding a colorful touch musically and visually. The dynamic group was well received by the audience, who will most likely have sore palms from applauding….