Debi grew up in Greensboro in the foothills of North Carolina, USA, surrounded by Delta and Piedmont blues, old-time country and gospel music. She came to Melbourne in the late 80's and discovered that blues music was alive and well in this great city and ended up staying. Becoming the manager of iconic Melbourne blues bar Muddy Waters in the 90's introduced her to a brilliant bunch of blues players including James Bridges from Collard Greens and Gravy, Skip Sail, Steve Plater, Alex Burns, Jeff Lang and CW Stoneking, who would all become her friends, teachers and musical mentors. She joined blues outfit Dirty Rivers, toured all over Victoria and were the darlings of the Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix for some years. As a solo artist she played at many major festivals including Port Fairy, Queenscliff, Apollo Bay and the Frankston Guitar Festival. She also formed a 40 piece choir called South of the River which showcased original African American gospel.
As Debi's musical dream was becoming her actual life, she was hit with breast cancer, but she turned it into a healing and creative force. She produced her CD "Ain't Got the Blues" which would win her three Victorian/Tas Blues Awards for Best Debut CD, Best Female Vocalist and with her blues icons, Collard Greens and Gravy, she tied for Best CD. By the time she left Melbourne for North Queensland, where she now permanently resides, she was a singer/songwriter/storyteller and slide player with serious chops. Debi now performs all over North Queensland at gigs and festivals, and is frequently heard on blues radio in Cairns. The MBAS warmly welcomes Debi back to Melbourne to perform after almost two decades away – this is a show not to be missed!
Tuesday 16th March 2021