BETSY'S BIG DAY
Betsy Petrie - Vocals
Toby Petrie - Keys, Vocals
Kurt Kummerfeldt - Bass, Vocals
Doug Morgan - Drums
Michael Carapella - Guitar
Kellie Anderson - Vocals, Percussion
THE BAND was formed in DeKalb, Illinois (you know-- where barbed wire was invented), an average midwestern town surrounded by corn fields. Toby Petrie, a driven songwriter, and school chum Kurt Kummerfeldt, a student of jazz and classical music at Northern Illinois University, got together with local singer Betsy to do a couple of local gigs and "see what happened". They immediately became the talk of the local circuit, releasing a single and a self-produced video.
The trio ventured to Los Angeles where they honed their chops with a succession of talented musicians in numerous local bands. Eventually they met up with guitarist Michael Carapella and drummer Doug Morgan who were playing with the band Glass House; the combination grooved.
Kellie Anderson was discovered at a vocal workshop by Betsy, who asked her to sit in on percussion and harmonies. Kellie has since become a key element of BBD's rich sound.
Betsy's Big Day chooses to follow their own creative musical instincts rather that conform to what is currently in heavy rotation on MTV... or anywhere else, for that matter. The Betsy sound is expressive and articulate vocals charged with compelling three part harmonies. Joe Benson, 95.5 KLOS describes Betsy's Big Day as "absolutely the most unique, engrossing and talented band in Southern California today."
In its latest incarnation, the band has built a following in the somewhat ill-fated clubland of Los Angeles. After shopping demos and surviving a disappointing publishing deal, BBD decided to release their own CD in the summer of '94, entirely funded by their friends and fans. Veteran producer Greg Ladanyi (Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne) offered to mix the CD after catching their live show; the band eagerly agreed. The disc has currently sold out, but cassette tapes are still available.