The Lucky Losers EPK BW for Print revised

The LUCKY LOSERS are a distinctive and soulful male female singing duo supported by a dynamic six piece band based in the San Francisco Bay Area and fronted by Cathy Lemons who has been called “the finest light-skinned female blues vocalist in the U.S.!” (Andy Grigg, REAL Blues), and Phil Berkowitz “a top-flight blues vocalist/ harmonica player” (Paul Freeman, San Jose Mercury News). Their style is a hybrid of the soul, blues, rock, gospel, and country music that emerged in the late 1960’s reminiscent of the sounds pioneered by Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Formed in 2014, The Lucky Losers have released two chart top-ping, critically acclaimed albums, “A Winning Hand” and “In Any Town,” both produced by Kid Andersen.

“Cathy Lemons’ strong and crystal clear voice and Phil Berkowitz’ rich

and mellow pipes blend together like a match made in heaven.”

Greg “Bluesdog” SzalonyBlues Blast Magazine

BIOCathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz have each worked professionally in blues for several decades. They joined forces on an impulse to compete in a regional International Blues Challenge competition in 2014. They fitting-ly won “The Wild Card” round, and they came close to winning in their regional finals. A solid band was then formed around Cathy and Phil with guitarist Marvin Greene (Mitch Woods), keyboardist Chris Burns (Maria Muldaur), drummer Robi Bean (Steve Freund), and bassist Tim Wagar (Terry Hanck).

In June of 2015 The Lucky Losers released an elegantly crafted debut album, “A Winning Hand,” which was engineered and produced by Kid Andersen at his renowned Greasland Studios in San Jose, California. Using as the central idea the male/female duet and also highlighting their exceptional songwriting skills, The Lucky Losers have taken off on a winning streak. Living Blues, Blues Matters, Blues Blast, Blues Bytes, El-more Magazine, Classicalite, and Bill Kopp’s Musoscribe all gave the album high praise. “A Winning Hand” peaked at #5 on the Roots Music Report’s “Top 50 Blues Albums” that summer and made the “Top Blues Albums of 2015” list. Nominated for a Blues411 “Jimi Award” in the “Best Traditional Blues Album” cate-gory, it also reached #1 on many radio stations, including the Blues Music Magazine’s sponsored “A Baker’s Dozen.” The Lucky Losers landed the cover of the French magazine “Blues and Co.” in November of 2015, and their song “Change in the Weather” was featured as a “Bluesbreaker” on Dan Akroyd’s internationally syndicated radio program “TheBluesMobile/Everything Blues.” Additionally, globally popular indie sites “The Alternate Root” and “Making a Scene” highlighted the album.

“In Any Town,” released in July of 2016 met with even greater critical success and received international press and radio play. The album peaked at #2 for RMR’s “Top Albums /California/All Genres,” (surpassing Bon-nie Raitt), #3 in “Top Blues Rock Albums,” #10 in “Top Blues Albums,” and #6 on the Living Blues Radio Charts. The Lucky Losers, also rose to #1 on many radio stations such as Italy’s “Rock ‘n’ Blues.” The #1 indie blues radio show on the internet, “Live at the Midnight Circus” played songs from “In Any Town” on virtual-ly every podcast from July to present and featured the new album with an hour long podcast interview on “Making a Scene.” Blues News Germany and Blues Matters (United Kingdom) ran magazine print features. The Lucky Losers have been travelling thousands of miles, crossing railrod tracks and rivers, taking their mu-sic to American towns and cities from the West Coast to the East. They bet it all and are on a winning streak.

Booking: Phil Berkowitz: 415-637-7937 The LUCKY LOSERS Email: theluckyloserswin@gmail

A LITTLE HISTORYCathy Lemons is a blues singing legend whose “velvety and hypnotic voice, resonant of a female Howlin’ Wolf” (Fulltimeblues 2010) has mesmerized audiences for over 2 decades.

As an up and coming performer in Dallas, Texas, she recorded with the legendary Anson Funderburgh and shared the stage with Texas blues greats such as Stevie Ray Vaughan. She has worked with some of the great names in blues: John Lee Hooker (she toured as his send-off singer in 1987), Tommy Castro, Steve Freund (Sunnyland Slim), and others.

Cathy has released three solo albums, two of which are on Bob Margolin’s national label Vizztone. Her critically acclaimed “Black Crow” was nominated for a “Welcome Back” Jimi Award from Blues411. The album made the 2013 Downbeat “Winners Pick”and garnered a 4 star review, and it was featured in Blues Matters from the U.K. where it made the “Top 10 Blues Albums.”

Cathy has co-produced successful songwriter shows in ven-ues such as Slim’s and The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. She has co-produced successful benefits to help struggling Bay Area musicians. As a solo performer, Cathy has performed at the famous Fillmore in San Francisco, Blues by the Bay in Eureka, Metro Fountain Blues Festival in San Jose, Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol, Sacramento Heritage Festival, The Jazzfest at Lake Mission Viejo, the Hot Licks festival in Gran-ville, Ohio, and more.

Phil Berkowitz has brought his unique and energetic style to audiences for over 20 years. He has three critically acclaimed solo albums out containing original and musically diverse ma-terial that range from West Coast Swing, Chicago Blues, New Orleans R&B, Soul, and Country Blues.

Phil is a New Jersey native, who has worked with an amazing roster of musicians such as 2011 IBC winner Sean Carney with whom he toured for five years, 2014 IBC winner for “Best Guitar-ist” Ben Rice, Duke Robillard, Billy Branch, and most notable, Charles Brown’s former bandleader and guitarist, Danny Caron. Phil has been co-writing with Danny for seven years. He has also played in many esteemed venues such as The Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, Biscuits & Blues and Yoshi’s in San Francisco, Club Fox in Redwood City, and so many others. In 2013 he produced a successful tour with fellow harmonica players called “North Meets South: Blues Harmonica Summit.”

From a national perspective, Phil has toured many times and has played at The House of Blues in Chicago, Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, Humphries in San Diego, Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle. Phil has been featured at The Soulshine Festival in Ohio, The Eureka Springs Blues Festival, and the Choo-Choo Ch’ Boo-gie Festival. In 2011 Phil founded “West Coast Blues for a Cure” (a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for cancer research) and produced two shows that featured stars Irma Thomas, Elvin Bishop, Junior Watson, Rick Estrin, and others.

The outstanding “A Winning Hand,” released June 1 2015 on West Tone Records was engi-neered and produced by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios. Guests include multiple Blues Music Award winner Kid Andersen, Grammy Winner Steve Freund, and 2014 International Blues Challenge winner for “Best Guitar” Ben Rice.

With their second album “In Any Town,” released July 15 2016, The Lucky Losers have evolved their confessional 60’s r&b sound and broadened it into Americana themes as timeless as their songwriting. Guest artists include 2016 Blues Music Award Winner for Saxophone, Terry Hanck, Memphis guitar star, Jeff Jensen, the legendary Frank Goldwasser (A.K.A. Paris Slim), and of course the great Kid Andersen.


331 Club/ WAArmando’s /MOBB’s Jazz, Blues, & Soups /MOBB’s Lawnside BBQ /MOBirdland Jazz / CABiscuits and Blues /CABlues Tavern /ALBradfordville Blues Club /FLABurlingame Jazz and Art Festival /CACapitol Oyster Bar /ALCherry Blossom Festival /CACity Winery /CAClub Fox /CACorte Madera Concert Series /CAEmpress Theatre /CAFenix /CAFreight & Salvage Coffeehouse /CAGreat American Music Hall /CAHalf Moon Bay Brewing Co. /CAHat City Kitchen /NJHowiee’s On Front /TNHuey’s Midtown /TNKnuckleheads Saloon /MoLegends Bar & Grill /CALittle Lou’s BBQ /CA

Lou’s Fish Shacks /CAMadison Ribberfest /INMcGovern’s Bar /CAMuddy Waters Bar & Grill /WIOld Point Bar /LAOmaha Summer Arts Festival /NEBROyster Point Yacht Club /CAPacheco Plaza Summer Series /CAPhilipsburg Brewery /MTCalistoga Summer Concert Series /CAPlacerville Art & Wine Festival /CARibberfest Blues Festival /INRiverfront Blues Festival /MTRockfish Grill & Anacortes Brewery /WARoseville’s Downtown Tuesday Nights /CARum Boogie Café /TNRuthie’s BBQ /NJSebastapol Apple Blossom Festival /CAShakespeare’s Pub & Grill /TXSlim’s /CAStoney’s Rockin Rodeo /TXTake 5 Jazz Club /CATeddy’s Juke Joint /LAThe Big Chill /ARThe Big Easy /TXThe Big Easy /CA

The Carlos Club /CAThe Center for Southern Folklore /TNThe Chapel /CAThe Cheeseboard /CAThe Grand Dell /CAThe Ivy Room /CAThe Jazz Depot /Oklahoma /OKThe Mojo Lounge /CAThe Pocket /CAThe Poor House Bistro /CAThe Q-Spot /OkThe Rellik Tavern /CAThe Roadhouse /WAThe Saloon /CAThe Smoking Pig /CAThe Standby /CAThe Warehouse Cafe /CAThe World Famous Turf Club /CATroon Vineyard /WATuesday Night Blues /WITupelo /CAValley Brewing Co./CAWarren’s Rec Room /ARWildcatter Saloon /TXZoo Bar/ NE

WHERE THE LUCKY LOSERS HAVE PLAYED

“Two veteran California blues artists have teamed up to bring back the blues duet. Their appeal is so packed with honest emotion that you can practically see them. Phil Ber-

kowitz (vocals, harmonica) and Cathy Lemons (vocals) can expect a devoted following ....When Lemons opens up and lets it rip, every word is immediate and engaging. Berkowitz responds with vitality: no-frills singing and supple, assertive harmonica. Both are strong

storytellers, Lemons writing solo songs of hard living, and Berkowitz penning smart, phil-osophical tunes with collaborator Danny Caron. Their debut album will appeal to fans of

blues, jazz and New Orleans funk.” Annie Dinerman, Elmore, July 28 2015

“The tracks that cross ‘In Any Town’ are balanced between tunes from the pen of the pair that make up The Lucky Losers. On her cuts, Cathy Lemons slows the groove to simmer on ‘It Ain’t Enough’ and wanders through the title track as she nods to the ghosts walking beside her with each step. Phil Berkowitz co-writes

with Danny Caron over the electric bristle of ‘Devil’s Dream’ as he wanders out on a hot summer night. The Lucky Losers work magic on ‘In Any Town’ as they make cover tunes their own, singing of ‘Small Town Talk’ on a Bobby Charles hit, as they

take sides heading into ‘Jackson’ on a Johnny and June tune.” Danny McClosksky, July 28 2016, The Alternate Root

QUOTES FOR ALBUMS “A WINNING HAND”

“This album is full of great performances. It’s a winner; no losers here. This is highly enjoyable listening.” Richard Ludmere, June 23 2015, Making a Scene

“When an exception comes along, it’s all that more remarkable. They capture the fun and excitement of a bluesy band in a dimly lit bar. And at its core, that’s what modern blues is about. That Berkowitz is a skilled blues harpist only adds to the enjoyment.” Bill Kopp, Musoscribe, August 31 2015

“An old school soul explosion!” Elwood’s Bluesbreakers/TheBluesmobile, July 30 2015

“There is not a bum note on this recording. While Lemons and Berkowitz may call themselves ‘The Lucky Losers,’ they have provided listeners a royal flush with ‘A Winning Hand.’” Ron Weinstock, Jazz & Blues Report, September / October 2015/ Issue 362

“It’s as if Delaney & Bonnie took over Stax Records!” Mike Greenblatt, Classicalite, Aug 7 2015

“Vocally, The Lucky Losers bring distinct textures to center the songs. Cathy Lemons crawls up on with a slinky seduction that offers street grit with a sly wink while Phil Berkowitz is the gentleman crooner easing away troubles with a cool reserve to his lounge stylings.” Danny McCloskey, July 1 2015, The Alternate Root

“The Lucky Losers appear to have struck gold…. ‘A Winning Hand’ is an impressive debut.” Graham Clark, Blues Bytes, July 2015

QUOTES FOR ALBUMS “IN ANY TOWN”

“A throwback to the hybrid of soul, blues, rock, gospel, and country that emerged in the late 1960’s … impassioned vocals …electrifying interplay… powerful harmonica… dramatic, heavy blues rock…. such a compelling listen… haunting soulful….Roots music listeners who take a chance on the Lucky losers will sure-ly hit the jackpot.”Robert H. Cataliotti, Oct/Nov 2016, Living Blues, Issue 245, Vol 47, #5

“Our duo lovers, Cathy Lemons plays off her counter mate with a magnificent voice-- strong and fluid, sometimes gritty, sometimes coaxing, but still expressive as hell, while Phil Berkowitz accompanies with simplicity and conviction, whether it be with singing or harp….a cool album, pleasant, swinging in the strong bluesy style, perfectly produced and performed by a duo that are becoming more and more interesting.Tonton Erick, October 2016, Blues & Co (France)

“Not since the pairing of Johnny Cash and June Carter has the music world seen a duet that is this well suited for one another. San Francisco based Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz do a blend of blues, coun-try, R&B and soul that is smooth as silk while, on the other hand, as gravelly as a back country road, when that is what is called for. ‘In Any Town’ is a timeless masterpiece, reminiscent of the day when duets worked their magic, voices blending in perfect harmony. Deeply rooted in blues and R&B, this recording brings back glimpses of the sophistication heard in ages past.” Bill Wilson, July 27 2016, Reflections in Blue

“A lot of singers have had the mantle put on them but Cathy Lemons really sounds like she should/could be Bonnie Raitt’s long lost duet partner she never sang with....The Losers are back with a dark end of the street sounding set that fuses contemporary blues and soul into the tastiest mix you could hope to find….This is a must for the boomer that would still like to buy records that mean something and are full of feel-ing. Hot stuff!” Chris Specter, July 11 2016, Midwest Record

“In sum, a very successful album ... that should enter the category of the Singer-Songwriter genre, with a band that is beyond any doubt great. A wonderful well rounded album.” October 2016, Blues News Germany


PRESS

LINKSWebsite:http://theluckylosers.com

Video:http://youtu.be/jwki41EDNs4 (“Jackson”) http://youtu.be/TdgL4__xhcQ (Allen Toussaint Trib-ute Highlights)

Facebook Band Page:http://facebook.com/theluckylosersband

CD Baby:http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/theluckylosershttp://www.cdbaby.com/cd/theluckylosersfeaturingc

Instagram:http://instagram.com/theluckylosersband

Twitter:http://twitter.com/luckyloserswin

Souncloud:http://soundcloud.com/theluckyloserswin

Cathy Lemons Personal Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/cathy.lemons1

Phil Berkowitz Personal Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/phil.berkowitz.9

• Chris Burns: Keys• Endre Tarczy: Bass• Robi Bean: Drums

• Cathy Lemons:Vocalist• Phil Berkowitz: Vocalist/Harmonica• Marvin Greene: Guitar

BAND INFORMATION

The Lucky Losers are proud members of The Blues Foundation

CONTACT

BOOKING INQUIRIES: Phil Berkowitz: 415-637-7937 (cell)Email: [email protected]

PUBLICITY:Frank Roszak (“Keeping The Blues Alive” Recipient)818-679-7636 (office)Email: [email protected]

SOCIAL MEDIA: Cathy Lemons: 415-574-5657 (cell)[email protected] Gartenberg: [email protected]

EVENT PLANNING: [email protected]

Documents

The Lucky Losers EPK BW for Print revised