Katee Kross
Katee Kross | |
|---|---|
| File:Kateekross-maverickstage.jpg Katee Kross & The Amberjax at Millport Country Music Festival 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Katie O'Neil |
| Born | 28 February 1997 Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Origin | Scotland |
| Genres | Country, Folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, Vocals |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Associated acts | Katee Kross & The Amberjax |
| Website | kateekross |
Katie O'Neil (born 28 February 1997),[citation needed] who goes by the stage name Katee Kross, is a female Scottish singer-songwriter. She heads a band called Katee Kross & The Amberjax, which is described by Small Music Scene in 2018 as one of the leaders of the country music scene in Scotland..[1]
Early life and education
Music career
2016: Beautiful Dreamer
2017: Don't Fade to Grey
2018: Body & Soul
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Before she was 21 years old, Katee Kross had already worked with some big names in the music industry including Dougie MacLean, Barbara Dickson, Karine Polwart, James Grant, John Doyle, Findlay Napier, Tony McManus, JJ Gilmour, Sandi Thom, and Seasick Steve. In 2018 she independently released the third of her self penned and self funded albums and with appearances at major festivals across the UK including Country 2 Country (C2C Glasgow), Millport Country Music Festival, Dougie MacLean's Perthshire Amber Festival as well as gigs at venues such as King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Wembley Arena and Kelvingrove Bandstand supporting Seasick Steve[2].
Katee is a former student of Turnbull Highschool in Bishopbriggs, and Music Graduate of Reid Kerr West Clyde College in Paisley.
Katee Kross regularly performs with her band The Amberjax, a four piece band made up of lead guitarist Ross Barron, bassist Mark Hendry and drummer Graham Costello and the newest member Tommy McGuire, on rhythm guitar and vocals joined the band during the Summer of 2018.
The debut album from Katee Kross, Beautiful Dreamer (Independently Released in March 2016[3]) peaked at No.33 in the iTunes Album Charts on 26th March 2016[4] and charted in the Top 10 UK Country Albums on iTunes during it's week of release. It was featured on the CamGlen Radio Country Show[5] and is described by Katee as having an optimistic feel to it, always looking for the good in every situation.
Several tracks from this album including 'Brand New Page[6]' and 'Here and Now[7]' were featured during a live performance by Katee Kross & The Amberjax on STV Glasgow's The Riverside Show in 2015.
Don't fade to Grey is the second album from Katee Kross (Independently Released in March 2017[8]) peaked at No.24 in the iTunes Album Chart on 26th March 2017. It progresses on from Beautiful Dreamer and marks a more thoughtful look at the world with songs like "Hey there Mr" and "When you were King".
Body & Soul (Independently Released in October 2018[9]) peaked at No.26 in the iTunes Album Chart on 14th October 2018[10] is the third album from Katee Kross. It's music represents the hope that exists despite the terrible times and darkness that surrounds us collectively and as individuals. Described by Maverick Magazine as "staggering" in a four star review,[11] and by Country In My Veins as "Contemporary yet shaped in a traditional sound... New Country with an Old Soul"[12]
Body & Soul was Celtic Music Radio's 'Album of the Week' 6th October 2018[13]
 | This section may have too many subsection headers dividing up its content. (November 2018) |
Wembley Arena & Kelvingrove Bandstand Supporting Seasick Steve
Having shared her cover of the Seasick Steve song 'Purple Shadows' on Youtube[14], the video of the then 19 year old singer was seen by Seasick Steve's wife, and in October 2016 Katee Kross was invited to support Seasick Steve in front of 12,500 people at Wembley Arena[15][16] as part of the 10th anniversary of his first album[17] and lead to a further appearance supporting him in Glasgow at Kelvingrove Bandstand.
Following the appearance at Wembley Arena in 2017, both reality television competition shows The X-Factor and Britain's Got Talent approached Katee Kross about auditioning for the shows, even suggesting they would fast-track her to the televised auditions. She declined the offers, saying that she had attended similar competitions and felt they were rigged and had pre-selected who was going to win. She also said she would have to sing different genres every week and that she would rather rely on hard work.[18]
Dougie MacLean and The Perthshire Amber Festival
In March 2016 Katee opened for Dougie MacLean at the Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and joined him onstage to sing 'This Love will Carry' and then in November 2016 Katee once again supported him at the Thomas Muir Festival.[19]
This was highlights the strong musical relationship between Katee Kross and Dougie MacLean, and Katee has been invited annually to participate in Dougie MacLean's 'AmberFest' since the age of just 12 years old, and in November 2018 hosted the the 'Open Stage' on behalf of Dougie and participated in the closing the festival as part of 'The Farewell Bash' at Dunkeld House.
C2C Glasgow (SSE Hydro Acoustic Stage)
Katee Kross alongside Ross Barron of The Amberjax played the SSE Hydro Acoustic Stage as part of Country 2 Country festival in 2018; maxing the capacity of the stage and forcing people to queue to see their set, and was described by The Modern Record as a "imaginative and entertaining performer" whose "direct and heartfelt songwriting has already set her on a path to stardom"[20]
This appearance lead to being invited to headline at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow for the first time in front of a sold out crowd for the launch of the single 'Count to 10' with support from Riley and Redwood Ridge.
25th Celtic Connections 2018
Katee, along with fellow singer-songwriters Mick Hargan and Panic Anchor (Andy McBride) took their 'Songwriter Circle' performance to Broadcast in Glasgow as part of the 25th Celtic Connections Festival completing their UK tour.
Catherine McGrath 'Talk of this Town' Tour 2018
Katee Kross & The Amberjax supported Catherine McGrath during her 'Talk of this Town' tour in 2018 to sold out crowds in both Liverpool at the 'Art's Club Loft' and in Glasgow at 'St. Luke's & The Winged Ox'[21]. Described by flyctory.com as having a 'dominant and powerful voice'[22].
Spree Music Festival 2014 & Barbara Dickson
In October 2014 Katee won a finalist spot at the Spree Music Festival 'Danny Kyle Open Stage'.[23]. This lead to several support slots for Katee Kross with Scottish singer Barbara Dickson OBE in the following months.
Millport Country Music Festival 2018
In September 2018, Katee Kross & The Amberjax opened Millport Country Music Festival, Scotland's largest independent country music festival on the small island of Cumbrae attracting more than 8k people to the small island as part of the event. The band shared the stage on Friday 7th September with UK country artists including Gary Quinn, Jess and The Bandits, Orfila, Ashton Lane and The Remedy Club.
Katee also appeared on the Maverick Acoustic Venue stage over the course of the festival and continued to show her dedication to working with unsigned, independent and upcoming artists by hosting the first ever Millport Emerging Talent Showcase sponsored by Maverick Magazine.
Killin Music Festival
On Saturday 16th June 2018, Katee Kross & The Amberjax took to the main stage as part of the third annual Killin Music Festival in Perthshire.
Supporting Sandi Thom
In both 2017 and 2018, Katee Kross & The Amberjax have supported fellow Scottish singer-songwriter Sandi Thom at home gigs in Glasgow.
TV, Radio & Media Appearances
| This section may have too many subsection headers dividing up its content. (November 2018) |
STV Glasgow
Katee Kross & The Amberjax performed several tracks from their debut album 'Beautiful Dreamer' including 'Brand New Page[24]' and 'Here and Now[25]' during a live performance on STV Glasgow's The Riverside Show in 2015.
The band also performed on the 'Green Room Stage' for STV Glasgow Children's Appeal in October 2018.
Here and Now (Broadcasting Scotland)
In 2018 Katee hosted her own online music show with independent broadcaster 'Broadcasting Scotland'. Named after one of the tracks from her debut album, 'Here and Now' was an opportunity for upcoming musicians in Scotland to be interviewed by Katee Kross and to showcase their music and explain their process and passion.
Artists that appeared on 'Here and Now' include:
- Raintown
- Tommy McGuire
- Zoe Tait (The Ladybugg)
- Graeme Campbell
- Hollie Robinson
- Andrew Huggan
- Craig White
- Scott Ashworth
- Norman Lamont
- Gary Anderson
Kerry's Gold Country - Keep It Country TV (Sky 376)
Irish reality TV & Country singer, Kerry Fearon interviewed Katee Kross while visiting the Bishopbriggs School of Music in 2018 for her Country Music show on Keep It Country TV as well as recording exclusive live performances of several of the tracks from Katee's three albums.
The video of the track Bluebird, filmed as part of the BlackRoom Sessions[26], was featured on the show multiple times throughout 2018 on the lead up to the launch of the album 'Body & Soul'.
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal - BBC Sessions HebCelt 2017
Katee Kross and Amberjax guitarist Ross Barron recorded a BBC Session as part of HebCelt Festival 2017 which was featured on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.[27][28]
Live Session with UK Country Show on Cumbrae Community Radio
As part of the live launch of the Millport Country Music Festival 2018, Katee and Amberjax guitarist, Ross Barron, conducted an interview and recorded a live session in the studios of Community Radio for Scott Watson's UK Country Show[29]
As of November 2018, Katee Kross & The Amberjax remain the only artist to have been played on every episode of the weekly radio broadcast.
Elaine's Monday Mix on Heat FM
Katee Kross radio special including interview plus music from Catching Fireflies, Kerry Fearon & Ashton Lane[30]
Live Lunchtime Session on CamGlen Radio
Interview and live music with Katee Kross on CamGlen Radio on 7th March 2018.[31]
Diana Schad on Pulse 984FM
Live session and interview with Diana Schad 'The Night Nurse' on Pulse 984FM.[32]
Awards and recognition
- Spree Music Festival 2014 open stage finalist[33]
- Hollyrood Rocks 2015 finalist[34]
- Celtic Music Radio's Album of the Week (Body & Soul)[35]
- Celtic Music Radio's Album of the Week (Beautiful Dreamer)[36]
Charity work
Katee is a young ambassador for Dress for Success Scotland[37], which is a non-profit organisation based in Hamilton and whose aim is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire & development tools to help them thrive in work & life.
Katee Kross & The Amberjax wrote and recorded a theme song to commemorate Rossvale Football Club's 40th anniversary in 2015 at the request of the club. The song is still used by the team as their anthem and all proceeds from the release went to Cancer Research.
Other ventures
Katee (Katie O'Neil) with Ross Barron of The Amberjax, co-wrote and released a Grade 1 Guitar instruction book through IndieAuthor's World[38] titled 'Guitar Buddy' with a nod to the family dog 'Buddy'. The book was designed by the young authors to be a fun and interactive way to learn guitar with helpful tips from your 'guitar buddy'.
Discography
Albums
- Beautiful Dreamer (2016)
- Don't Fade to Grey (2017)
- Body & Soul (2018)
Singles
- "Rossvale Revolution" (Independently Released in 2015 to commemorate Rossvale Football Club's 40th anniversary, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research)
- "The Hammer" (Independently Released December 2015 - Features on the album 'Beautiful Dreamer')[39]
- "Bluebird" (Independently Released December 2017 - Features on the album 'Body & Soul')
- "Count to 10" (Independently Released 2018 - Features on the album 'Body & Soul')
References
- ↑ https://smallmusicscene.com/2018/10/15/small-record-reviews-1-northern-sun-sessions/
- ↑ The Daily Record 'Scottish teenager makes Wembley debut'
- ↑ "Beautiful Dreamer - Katee Kross".
- ↑ Beautiful Dreamer Chart Information from WhaleReport.com
- ↑ CamGlen Radio Country Show Live Session with Katee Kross
- ↑ https://youtube.com/GImnlinBSP8
- ↑ https://youtube.com/M3n5lSAbnTI
- ↑ "Don't Fade to Grey - Katee Kross".
- ↑ "Body & Soul - Katee Kross".
- ↑ http://www.whalereport.com/app/analysis/artist/Katee%2520Kross
- ↑ "Katee Kross launches new album 'Body & Soul' at sold-out hometown gig". 2018-10-19.
- ↑ "New Country with an Old Soul". 2018-10-14.
- ↑ "Album of the Week 6th October 2018. Body & Soul by Katee Kross". 2018-10-06.
- ↑ Purple Shadows cover by Katee Kross
- ↑ "Scottish teenager to make Wembley debut after YouTube wins over Seasick Steve". 2016-10-11.
- ↑ "Bishopbriggs teenager's YouTube rendition leads to Wembley duet with Seasick Steve".
- ↑ "Katee Kross' own brand of country pop is in tune with famous fans". 2017-07-08.
- ↑ Crooks, Lauren (23 July 2017). "Britain's Got Talent & X Factor Judges Wanted to Fast Track Katee Kross to Finals". The Daily Record. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- ↑ Spotlight Interview with Katee Kross on Connect-Ent.org
- ↑ The Modern Record Live Review of Katee Kross at C2C SSE Hydro
- ↑ "Catherine McGrath. Last night of the Talk of This Town Tour".
- ↑ "Catherine McGrath at Arts Club Loft Liverpool". 2018-09-23.
- ↑ "Finalists of the DKOS at the Spree Saturday 18th October". 2014-10-18.
- ↑ Brand New Page live on STV Glasgow
- ↑ Here and Now live on STV Glasgow
- ↑ Music Video of the song Bluebird
- ↑ BBC Radio nan Gàidheal Programme Listing
- ↑ Katee Kross Live Session on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
- ↑ Live Session on UK Country Show with Scott Watson as part of Millport Country Music Festival 2018
- ↑ "Elaine's Monday Mix Heat FM 24th September 2018 Katee Kross Radio Special".
- ↑ CamGlen Radio Live Songwriter Session with Katee Kross
- ↑ "Katee Kross live in session at Pulse 98.4fm with Diana Schad/Night Nurse".
- ↑ "Finalists of the DKOS at the Spree Saturday 18th October". 2014-10-18.
- ↑ "Holyrood Rocks 2015". 17 November 2015.
- ↑ Celtic Music Radio's Album of the Week (Body & Soul)
- ↑ Celtic Music Radio's Album of the Week (Beautiful Dreamer)
- ↑ £6k raised at Dress for Success ladies lunch and fashion show
- ↑ "Indie Authors World Guitar Buddy, Katie O'Neil & Ross Barron".
- ↑ "Katee's on track for success".
External Links
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