Loose Gravel Productions presents CATAHOULA Release Party Showcase for their latest CD "Second Sight"

WHAT/WHO: Catahoula, a Cajun-flavored swamp rock band, celebrates Mardi Gras with the release of their second CD, "Second Sight".

WHEN: Saturday, Feb 18th, 2012 - Doors Open @ 7:00 PM, Band goes on at 7:30 Reception to follow

WHERE: The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601 (818-980-2555)

EDITORS/PRODUCERS: Music Connection Magazine called them, "A Cajun-flavored seven-piece swamp rock band, blending the vocal warmth of Crosby, Stills & Nash with Dr. John's penchant for bringing home the boogie".

An eclectic group of performers, all the band members have had long individual musical careers, with extremely varied musical influences. They have chosen to pool their diverse talents to form what is now Catahoula. The sound of Catahoula encompasses all of their experiences and styles — New Orleans blues, folk harmonies, jazz, and old fashioned 1960’s rock and roll.

Often compared to Fleetwood Mac and Little Feat, Catahoula has performed at The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Troubadour, The Mint, BB King’s, Molly Malone’s, Genghis Cohen, and many others.

Band members include: New Orleans native, lead singer and songwriter Bruce Bermudez, a former member of the seminal 1960’s folk group, The New Christie Minstrels. Also an accomplished sculptor and painter, his works include the "Jimi Rocks" tribute to Jimi Hendrix guitar of the Sunset Boulevard "Guitar Town" public art project sponsored by Gibson Guitars. He formed Catahoula with his wife, singer and actress Pamela Clay, who when not singing with Catahoula, performs at clubs in Los Angeles with her all French revue of the songs of Edith Piaf. Actor Floyd Van Buskirk from A Mighty Wind and Balls of Fury. His TV appearances include NCIS, Hart of Dixie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911, Greek, How I Met Your Mother, etc. Lindsay Gillis on lead guitar and "Six String Orchestra", Jon O’Hara, (son of the jazz trumpet player Betty O’Hara) on bass guitar, Coco Rousel from Paris, France on drums and Bob Schoonover on guitar.

Bruce Bermudez — Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Songwriter
Lead singer and songwriter Bruce Bermudez was born and raised in New Orleans, where he started singing rock n roll and blues in the New Orleans French Quarter. His soulful singing voice drew the attention of the seminal 1960’s folk group, The New Christie Minstrels and Bruce spent the 60’s touring the world including performances for Queen Elizabeth at the London Palladium, and for the President Lyndon Johnson at the White House. Since his days with the Christies, Bruce has pursued a more decidedly rock sound, but is still influenced by the multi-voice harmonies of the folk era. In addition to being a singer, songwriter and musician, Bermudez is also an accomplished sculptor, painter and graphic artist. His works include the "Jimi Rocks" tribute to Jimi Hendrix guitar of the Sunset Boulevard "Guitar Town" public art project, sponsored by Gibson Guitars. Bruce is married to the Catahoula’s other lead singer, Pamela Clay.

Pamela Clay — Vocals, Percussion
Originally from Oklahoma, her career began at age 17, performing in bars in Lawrence, Kansas, singing Aretha Franklin tunes with an oldies band. She then moved to France, where she toured as lead vocalist for a 10-piece French rock band called "Attila". On her return to the U.S., she joined the Washington, D.C hard rock funk band, "Dragonfly".

Also an actress, Pamela has appeared in many stage productions in Los Angeles, as well as numerous television shows. When not singing with Catahoula, she performs at clubs in Los Angeles with her cabaret act, performing old standards as well as her all French revue of the songs of Edith Piaf.

Floyd Van Buskirk — Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Floyd was born in Texas but moved to California almost immediately. While living in Northern California, Floyd studied music, and then moved to Seattle to become an actor. As an accomplished actor, he was featured the comedies A Mighty Wind and Balls of Fury. His TV appearances include NCIS, Hart of Dixie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911, Greek, How I Met Your Mother, etc.

Lindsay Gillis — Electric Guitar, Six String Orchestra
Lindsay is a native of Los Angeles, and is a survivor of numerous local bands. He is an established studio musician with a couple of dozen album credits to his name.

Jon O’Hara — Bass
Also a native of Los Angeles, Jon is not only a musician, but has also enjoyed a successful career in music journalism, including a stint as an editor at Hits Magazine. Jon comes from a musical family. His mother was Betty O'Hara, a famous jazz trumpet player, singer and composer, a pioneer in the male-dominated world of jazz. His father was Barrett O’Hara, bass trombonist who appeared on many albums over the years and is pictured as a band member on a Frank Sinatra album. Jon’s father joined Catahoula for a track on the CD Second Sight. It was to be his last recording.

Coco Rousel — Drums
Coco was born in Paris, France, and worked extensively with such groups as Heldon & Clearlight Symphony Orchestra, among others, before moving to the US in 1976, where he joined the Arista recording group Happy the Man.

Bob Schoonover — Electric Guitar
Bob is from Akron, Ohio, the home of Devo and Chrissie Hynde. He got his first guitar when he was nine, and has been playing ever since. Bob played in a series of small, experimental rock bands, in the 60’s and 70’s, before moving to California where he played guitar on several recordings with local L.A. band The Towels.