<HotBands> Give the slimmed down version for the readers...they need some background on where and how you got your start. I first saw you in the mid-80's, and I feel it's a sign of a successful band that can stay together for so many years and continue to produce great music and draw a big crowd. What do you contribute your success to?

<Duffy> I started singing as a little girl-first public performance age 8. I was leader of a folk guitar group from 6th grade into high school, where I then got involved in my first band. By 19 I had a group that I worked with while going through college. I met Chris Carlson in 1983 when I joined a group he was in called Cool Ray & the Shades. We then broke away to form Duffy Bishop & the Rhythm Dogs. All the players in that band were stellar players with diverse musical background

<HotBands> So when did you become Duffy Bishop & the Rhythm Dogs? I saw you when you had Oscar on drums. He and I were in jazz combo together in college. You also had Keith Lowe on bass at that time. Did you go to school in Seattle? Are you originally from Seattle?

<Duffy> Music has always propelled all our lives. Duffy Bishop & the Rhythm Dogs went from 84 to 91, then was disbanded so we could do the play Janis. After the play we formed The Duffy Bishop Band. I grew up in Woodland California, close to Sacramento. I believe Oscar is now married & raising a family In Wyoming .

<HotBands> Tell me about the Janis play too. How did you get the part, where did it take you, etc.

<Duffy> Susan Ross is the playwright who put Janis together. She was told about me & approached me about doing her play. I was greatly honored to do a show about Janis (Joplin).

<HotBands> How long did the play last? Where did you go, and were other band members involved in the play?

<Duffy> Chris was the musical director, Keith Lowe and Bruce Laven (keys) from the Rhythm Dogs were in the band. It ran 12 weeks, 8 weeks over its scheduled run. Sam Andrew from Big Brother and the Holding Company was a consultant. Janis' sister sued us to have the play shut down, claiming ownership of Janis' persona. She lost in court, and the play had closed by then.

<HotBands> I guess everyone in the (Pacific) Northwest has thought of you as a local because you have been such a major influence in the Seattle blues scene. When did you move to Portland, and why did you decide to settle there? Also, what is happening with Keith?

<Duffy> We moved to Portland 6 years ago and we love it. We have a great band down here, and our band line up is:

• Michael Partlow from Little Women - Drums
• Terry Evans and Phil Haxton from Johnny and the Distractions - Bass
• Dover Weinberg from Robert Cray and Albert Collins - Keys
• Bryan Dickerson from Glenn Miller - Saxes
• Greg Garrett from Soul Vaccination - Trumpet

We're traveling a lot this summer. We'll be in Seattle a few times (check www.duffybishop.com for our schedule). We're going to Texas, California, Montana etc.

<Duffy> Keith Lowe is living in Seattle and playing with Zoni Mash, Bill Frizell and Fiona Apple. We see Keith often, and Bruce Laven now plays with The Squirrels

<HotBands> Wow...that's pretty much an all star line up! Can you go into some details about your Seattle days, Seattle Women in Rhythm & Blues etc? Have you performed with Lily Wilde? It seemed that there was a competitive rivalry between you in the early 90's, and now she's performing in Portland too. Is that coincidence?

<Duffy> Lily & I are best friends. When I had breast cancer in 86, Lily filled in while I was in the hospital. We have performed many times together & she sang back ups on my CD. The Seattle Women in Rhythm & Blues were a whole lot of fun to perform with. I did a lot of shows with them until my own band dates were too many to do both.

<HotBands> How many CDs do you have out currently? How many from each incarnation?

<Duffy> We have 4 CDs out on Burnside Records. We're working on our 5th. We put out 2 recordings with The Rhythm Dogs, but they'd be hard to find. We're going to re-release them on CD later this year

<HotBands> You currently keep up a vigorous touring schedule. How do you see the internet playing into your musical future? Do you make most of your CD sales at live shows, or has the online aspect of the DB band kicked in?

<Duffy> We're not set up to sell on the net, so we send people to Amazon. We sell a lot at gigs, but Burnside has national and now European distribution, so we get sales that way too

<HotBands> Have you toured Europe? I'm not sure if we heard where the Janis tour took you.

<Duffy> We're going to Europe for the first time the beginning of next year. The play Janis was in Seattle. I did some dates with Big Brother (Janis' band), which took us to Japan.

<HotBands> How do you see the internet playing a role in your career?

<Duffy> I think it's a good marketing tool and a very democratic medium , but music is still about writing, recording and performing.

<HotBands> I have a question regarding the Seattle music scene as opposed to the Portland music scene. What differences do you see between the two, and do you see Portland gaining the stature that is world-renowned for Seattle?

<Duffy> Oh yea, there's a lot happening down here... a big jazz scene, and an avant garde thing going on here right now with some monster players making it happen.

<HotBands> Do you think there is a difference between the Seattle & Portland artists?

<Duffy> Not really. There are different scenes and different styles, but great players in both cities.

<HotBands> What are the immediate plans for The Duffy Bishop Band? Are there CDs in the making?

<Duffy> We're touring this summer and we're working on our 5th CD now, hopefully out for Christmas.

<HotBands> What type of advice would you give to singers/performers that are getting into the industry as a career?

<Duffy> It's a great time to begin a music career. There's so many ways to get your music out to people without having to rely on a major label deal. Keep at it.

<HotBands> Anything else you'd like to add for the readers?

<Duffy> We've been blessed with so making so many good friends thru our music. We have a great fan base that is always growing, and we'll keep creating new music for 'em. What could be more satisfying?

<HotBands> I want to thank you for taking the time for this interview, and look forward to catching you next show in the Seattle area.

<Duffy> Thanks Pat!

<HotBands> Thank you!

To find out more about The Duffy Bishop Band, CLICK HERE