New York is perhaps the most musically diverse place on the planet. Buffalo isn't the first city you'd expect to base a band that calls itself a rhythm and bluegrass group. But, here it is, in all it's twangy, traditional and banjo-pickin' glory -- Redheaded Stepchild's fourth CD "Folks Round Here."

This group is led by Kathryn Koch (pronounced 'cook') with her powerful, sweet yet husky voice and her bluesy harmonica. For yet another odd twist, she plays alto saxophone as well.

She's joined by others who make this group a tight-fitting agent of synergy and artistic creativity.

David Nanni lends his expertise on guitars, mandolin and vocals. Theodore Chubbuck Jr is the percussionist/(brushes-only) drummer. On bass is band photographer Rebecca Mercurio and most notable guest artists are Billy Constable on banjo and Kevin Schramm on Dobro.

The opening tune "One Day Before I Die" makes it sound like bluegrass was born with this Buffalo band -- no offense to the late great Bill Monroe of Rosine, Ky. This up-tempo song features Billy's three-finger style banjo and Kat's big, bluegrassy voice.

"East Jackson Blues" (CD's best) is another up-tempo tune in the style of the old "train" songs. David plays a mean acoustic slide guitar and Kat's harmonica puffs and wails while her voice gets really growly in spots. With Rebecca's perfect bass beat, they make the train run. (And, while it might SEEM outta place, the alto sax solo is really cool!)

Following that is "GiGi," a sultry, mid-tempo featuring Kevin Schramm's accordion. This is perhaps Kat's best vocal effort -- unfortunately, the instrument level was just a bit too high and she's covered up a little.

But, now, for something totally different. "Under the Moon" has a Latin flavor with Theo's congas, Kat's sax and sultry vocals and some great, vivid imagery in the lyrics:

In the smoky hour of killing time
A young girl walked in from the broken street
And all the old men in the corner stared
Their eyes gazed out from behind their drinks
Pretty's a liability in certain neighborhoods
Nice girls don't stay out late
A simple drink, a look can be misunderstood
And dangerous

Too many nights to wrap around a mouth completely blameless
But her dress was just too much, insolent and shameless I'd lead him on

...I come here for the emptiness and it fills me...it fills me...

Into the cold air of a city buttoned down against the winter
No one to hear the cry, no hero to avenge her...

...Now I lower my eyes as I lift my lonely glass
Look down to the end of the bar but there's no one
looking back
I might be dangerous
They say I'm dangerous...danger's just what I'm looking for.

Right on the heels of that sensual tune comes the traditional "Ruben Train," heavy on sax and that impeccable rhythm section. By now, it's easy to figure out this CD makes you either feel something or move - or both.

The most fun tune is the up-tempo old-time banjo-and twang-driven "Lilybugs," which begins with actual sounds of dawgs a-barkin' (Lilybug and Oliver are dogs who get to contribute to the CDs great down-home flavor.) It sounds like Billy's doing the old clawhammer style.

An excellent example of blues and bluegrass is evident on "Blue Yodel." Kat's fluid country yodeling and Kevin's lonesome dobro make a perfect combo for this cheatin'-heart lost love country blues.

This here's an excellent CD. This group should do well touring in areas where bluegrass is king. They've got all the right stuff and folks roun' here (wherever 'here' might be) could very well start a-yearnin' for a heapin' helpin o' that Redhaid Stepchile. Yup!

The Buffalo News- Buffalo, NY by Jeff Miers  

Sweet Stepchild O'Mine
Redheaded Stepchild has entered its seventh year with the release of a stunning document of its developing songwriting acumen and estimable instrumental chops.
The CD "folks 'round here" is the band's second studio release and it delivers on the promise of its debut, "Time Will Tell", an album that won accolades from Buffalo to North Carolina.
Years of touring and the solidifying of the band's lineup- in addition to founders Kathryn Koch (vocals) and David Nanni (guitar), drummer Ted Chubbuck, Jr. and bassist Rebecca Mercurio are now an integral part of the Stepchild sound- have apparently left their mark. The album "folks" is a remarkable, home-cooked affair, highlighted (not surprisingly) by Koch's robust, soulful vocals and off-the-hook harmonica playing. But it's the songs that shine brightest this time around, and the writing team of Koch and Nanni is responsible for 10 of the 13 tracks, the other three being reworkings of traditional tunes treated to lively new arrangements.
The band to spend the next three months touring.
First, it will treat the folks 'round here to a release party at 11 tonight in Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St. And you'd be well advised to pick up a copy of this wonderful new album while you're at the show.
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Artvoice Buffalo, NY (show preview) by April Way

IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT TWANG
Redheaded Stepchild has been touring extensively for the past few years, making deep inroads into the south and west. They're definitely not the pampered, whiny, no-green-m & m's- in-the-dressing-room type of touring band- rather, they're more the truck-stop, back road, gin mill, nose-to-the-grindstone variety. In other words, this band works their collective asses off.
Check out their march dates, for example: Lexington, VA, Huntington, WV, Dayton, OH, Nashville, TN, Savannah, Charlotte, Knoxville, Atlanta, and Live Oak, FL (where the band plays the Suwannee Springfest with the likes of Earl Scruggs, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and the Larry Keel Experience). Not bad.
You do, however, get one more chance to hear the band's unique and fiery brand of swingy, upbeat, Americana "bluesgrass" music before they hit the road again. On Friday, February 28, Redheaded Stepchild celebrates the release of its brand new CD, folks 'round here at Nietzsche's. The CD is mostly a collection of stories from their neighborhood, the places they've been across America, and from the people they've met along the way.
folks 'round here was recorded, mixed, and mastered by the band both at home and on the road, and it beautifully captures their unabashed, high energy live sound.
The band will be on the road until June, so don't miss your only opportunity to get a fix before the summer. One more thing: when you come to the show, don't forget your dancing shoes, because you're going to need them.
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Hickory Focus- Hickory, NC (CD review- full article) 

Here's a treat for any fan of Americana, blues, and just plain ole great music. Buffalo, NY natives Redheaded Stepchild's debut release, "Time Will Tell", is sure to be a treasured addition to any music lover's library. The album is, at once supremely powerful and delicately classy, a combination that is terribly difficult for any group to achieve.
As with their live shows, Kathryn Koch delivers vocals that are stunning. Perhaps one of the most engaging vocalists in the Americana tradition, Kathryn managed to capture a great deal of the energy and raw power of her vocals, a hallmark of Redheaded Stepchild live shows, on this release. Koch is also able to sink deep into jazzy blues and deliver silky vocals. Just another example of the diversity that makes this band work. Oh, and did I mention her tremendous ability on the sax and her wonderful harp playing?
The rest of the band is comprised of musicians of equal ability and stunning diversity. David Nanni is a terrific guitarist in both the blues and bluegrass traditions and a wonderfully talented songwriter who had a tremendous musical vocabulary. Filling out the quartet are Rebecca Mercurio on upright bass and Ted Chubbuck on drums. The Stepchild rhythm section is wonderfully tight and drive each tune with precision.
Now let me get back to the CD. It's one of those releases where you can't pick any one track as "the big one" or pigeon hole the entire thing into a specific genre. Each track is very unique and demonstrates the abilities and strengths within the group. The single greatest attribute I can narrow down is that "Time Will Tell" captures a good bit of the energy of their live shows and that is impressive enough. There's nothing like high-octane bluegrass!
We'll leave things here...once you've seen this band live you'll know more than I can possibly explain here.

Buffalo News- Buffalo, NY (live show review excerpt) by Robyn Conniff