First of all, let me introduce myself...my name is Kelli.  I am 24 and live in Georgia, a state full of great blues.  I am a loan officer by day and a booking agent/merchandise specialist for Mudcat by night.  My dream is to own a booking/management agency as well as own a blues bar.  Mudcat is helping me achieve my dream by teaching me the music business.

Mudcat is the best thing to come out of the Atlanta area.  They play a mixture of blues, country, swing, gospel, rock, etc.  The band is made up of Danny "Mudcat" Dudeck (lead vocals and guitar), Snave Evans (vocals and bass, guitar, harmonica, flute), Eskil Wetterqvist (drums and backup vocals), and Dan Dan the Washboard man (percussion).  Sometimes, Lori Beth Edgeman (former Mudcat member) and Lil' Joe Burton (trombone player who used to play with BB King and Junior Wells) grace the stage.  What a treat!  This is the most energetic group of people I have ever seen.  It is impossible to stay seated when they are performing.  They put off such a positive vibe and you can't help but to be happy while watching them.  Also, they love to get the audience involved in the show.  Danny is known for getting off the stage and dancing with a lucky girl or two, while playing his guitar behind his head.  He has also been known to grab some ladies and bring them onstage to dance and play the tambourine.  I have seen them perform at many different places, such as the Northside Tavern in Atlanta, GA (my favorite venue and Mudcat's home), Pappadeaux in Marietta, GA (every Tuesday), Chip's in Winder, GA, 550 Blues Club in Macon, GA, M'Vorneen's in Cartersville, GA, Funky Blues Shack in Destin, FL, Smokey Joe's in Charlotte, NC, and Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, AL.  I have recently been blessed with the opportunity to do some work for Mudcat.  I do a little bit of booking, merchandising, and other projects for them.  I also get to travel with the band whenever I can.  I have probably seen Mudcat play more than 150 times and I never get tired of it.  I can honestly say that when I see them perform, I pray that the night will never end.  If you make it out to a show, please stop by the merchandise table and say hello to me.  I encourage everyone to see this band play.  Visit their website, www.mudcatblues.com, and check out their schedule.

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How I Got Into Mudcat

I first saw Mudcat in February of 2002 at the High Museum of Arts in Atlanta, GA.  I had heard of them, but never heard their music and I wasn't sure I would like it because I've never been into blues music.  I decided to give them a chance and I'm glad I did.  I fell in love with them from the first strum of the guitar.  They played two shows at the museum and I stayed for both of them.  I met them afterwards, bought a CD, and had them autograph it.  They were the nicest group of people.  I liked them so much that I went to the Northside Tavern the next night to see them play.  I continued going to the Northside Tavern once a month for a few months, until they went on tour in Europe (which they do twice a year).  Unfortunately, I didn't go back for about a year, although I did listen to the CD I purchased regularly.  Once I finally got back to the Northside Tavern, I was surprised that they remembered me.  I became good friends with all of them and I feel so blessed to be a part of them.  I hope to be able to work with them for a long time because this is the nicest group of people I have met.  We always have a good time together.  Now, Danny feels the need to pull me onstage every once in a while to sing.  I sure hope that doesn't push people away!  :-)  I love to sing and they are helping me get over my fear of singing in front of people.  I love my boys more than words can describe.  If you come out to a show, you will fall in love with them also.