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 28 years since the first night 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 plan on returning there on a tour next 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 a new Kelly's Lot album for an early 2024 release. Stay tuned, we are just getting started after 29 years.
Live Show Review from Tri-Community News Plus
…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….
Kelly's Lot - Original #blues #Americana
LIVE SHOW REVIEW
REVIEW BY MICHAEL DOHERTY from Ireland's 32 . - “I get to do what I want,” vocalist Kelly Zirbes said playfully at one point during last night’s epic Kelly’s Lot set at Ireland’s 32. And if blues fans get their way, she’ll get to do a lot more of it, for this band seems stronger than ever. And perhaps also having more fun than ever, if last night’s show is any indication. Their energy and joy led the crowd to have a great deal of fun too, and that’s what it’s all about. After all, as Kelly sings in “Why Don’t We,” “Life’s too short/And that’ll never change.” Their set included a lot of great original material, as well as some favorite covers such as delicious renditions of “Route 66” and “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” Guitarist Perry Robertson got a chance to sing lead on a fun cover of “La Grange.” And Matt Lomeo joined the band on harmonica for a bit. This band seriously jammed, especially in the final hour of the set. Yeah, the set was more than three hours long, played straight through, no breaks. If you are in the Los Angeles area and have not yet seen this band (though you’ve had nearly thirty years to do so), I highly recommend checking them out. And if you live outside of Los Angeles, the good news is that the band is planning on touring again in the near future.
More Reviews
"With 16 albums, national and international touring, Kelly's Lot is again presenting their music in a stripped down format. Their latest release, 'Where and When' is an acoustic, classic and traditional Blues release recorded live to tape and features original songs by Kelly and Perry with covers by Howlin' Wolf, Ma Rainey, Lovie Austin and Robert Johnson. Bringing their Folk and Roots/Rock to the Blues keeps Kelly's Lot faithful to their style and passion they have presented for 28 years.
"Do yourself a big favor, pour a nice glass of wine, beer or whiskey (water is also allowed!), and play this album with a candle lit and the headphones on." - BluesSpotting Magazine
"What a beautiful acoustic blues show by Kelly's Lot. Kelly Zirbes brings a wonderful and refreshing senstivity to blues singing. We don't use that word so much in the blues, but all the great ones had it in their unique ways. When Kelly sings the blues there is a sense of story and conversation. One of the things I love about Bessie Smith is that it feels like you are right there in her kitchen gabbing with her. Well, of course, Kelly has her own wonderfully melodic voice and style, and she does not pretend to be anyone but herself, but that feeling of keeping company and conversing, so important in the blues, is very much present. She is talking with you. Thanks Kelly." - Michael Gilona. - Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center.
"Hurricane walks a smart and fairly fine line between the traditional traits of more rootsy styles and the easy accessibility of a pop mindset. Not pop in sound, pop in that the song has an immediacy, an accessibility, an addictiveness which isn’t often found in the more discerning genres of folk, blues and Americana which the band looks to for its core sounds. And it is that ability to write music which sounds like an old favourite right from the first play whilst never compromising to modern musical fad or current sonic fashion which makes Hurricane such a smart move. Considering the lyrics come on like a cry for help, the song is buoyant and boogie-some, warm and welcoming. Perhaps this highlights the problem with a lot of the roots genres, they are too busy trying to act earnest and worldly that they forget to entertain and engage. Hurricane is the best of both worlds. It has integrity by the bucketload, has lyrical smarts and the playing is exquisite, but often the listener just wants something to boogie around to, to enjoy and have fun too. Hurricane gives you all of that too….and then some." - https://dancing-about-architecture.com
"An adventurous offering from a bold group with an undaunted leader." - Reviews
Check out our song 'Foolish Try' in the 'Ghostbusters; Afterlife' https://youtu.be/OzPlBtQdvxI