“"Once you hear her, you will be a fan for life. This is music with a timeless quality that will have all the hitting power twenty years down the road that it does today. "
— REFLECTIONS IN BLUE | BILL WILSON
CATHY LEMONS is a legendary, blues singing firebird out of Dallas, Texas, who has mesmerized audiences with her “velvety and hypnotic voice, resonant of a female Howlin’ Wolf” (Fulltimeblues 2010) for over 30 years. A seasoned and expressive songwriter, Cathy brings profound authenticity to her craft, spinning inspiration from acts of faith, redemption, and love from all sides. Throughout her career, Cathy has proven herself to be a brave, road tested entertainer, who delivers emotional and electrifying performances night after night.
Inspired by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Lou Ann Barton, & Big Mama Thornton, Cathy earned her stripes, performing across the Lone Star state. From her early days, Cathy’s natural gifts accorded her the honor of recording with the great American blues guitar player and bandleader, Anson Funderburgh. Soon after that, she was invited to share the stage with six time Grammy Award winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Cathy’s smoldering vocal stylings and charismatic stage presence landed her a gig, touring as John Lee Hooker’s send off singer in 1987. Over the years, Cathy has collaborated with many great names in blues, such as Tommy Castro, Steve Freund (Sunnyland Slim, Koko Taylor), David Maxwell (Bonnie Raitt), Kid Andersen, Dave Workman, & more.
To date, Cathy Lemons has released eight studio albums, four of which are on the national label, Vizztone ("Lemonace,” "Black Crow," Godless Land” “Standin’ Pat”) Her critically acclaimed “Black Crow” was nominated for a “Welcome Back” Jimi Award from Blues411. The album made the 2014 Downbeat “Winners Pick” and was featured in Blues Matters’ “Top 10 Albums” in the U.K. In 2021 “Godless Land” won “Song of the Year” and Cathy Lemons won “Artist of the year” from the Independent Blues Awards.
Since her relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area from Dallas, Texas, Cathy has co-produced successful songwriter shows at legendary venues, such as Slim’s and The Great American Music Hall. She has also organized and promoted multiple successful benefits to help struggling Bay Area musicians. “Blues Gives Back” is her brain-child, an annual, star-studded show where 100% of the proceeds go to Freedom House (now closed due to Covid), a safe house for trafficking survivors.
With her band, The Lucky Losers (along with co-founder Phil Berkowitz), Cathy has travelled to 46 states in the U.S. performing in festivals & venues big & small. You can hear Cathy Lemons sing at The Saloon in San Francisco where she performs regularly unless she is touring.
She won Finalist/ HONORABLE MENTION in the 2020 International Songwriters Competition for her song “Godless Land,” which was co-written with Kid Andersen (blues category). Also, in 2018 Cathy Lemons’ song, “The River,” from The Lucky Losers release, “Blind Spot” made the ISC FINALS - 1% of songwriters make the finals in this world renowned competition with as many as 26k entries.
Learn more about THE LUCKY LOSERS