Kate Markowitz – Vocals

WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST GIG?
My very first paying gig was singing backup for a girl I met at college, in her cover band. I was 18. My first solo gig was singing and playing my Wurlitzer in a bar in Beverly Hills four nights a week, in my early 20s.

WHEN DID YOU START WORKING WITH JAMES?
April 1990. I first met him when I was hired to sing backup for a show in Japan, celebrating Earth Day with American, Japanese and Brazilian artists.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST TOUR?
Summer of 1990. First show: Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

WHAT ONE SPECIAL ITEM DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE ON TOUR?
You’re not seriously asking me for one item, are you?! OK, my Jerry Harvey (JH Audio) custom in-ear monitors.

WHAT’S YOUR PRE-SHOW ROUTINE?
I vocalize with Arnold’s “Vocalese” app and get ready (in the usual way girls do), thinking about the show and transforming myself into the performing part of me.

WHY DO YOU ENJOY TOURING WITH JAMES?
James still loves his audience and they love him back, and I get to be a small part of that.

_{Photos: Michael Lutch, Elissa Kline Photography}