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VOODOO KITCHIN serve up a smokin' plate of blues!

By: Joni "Woman" Mayberry, Kansas City Blues Society

 Last September, I caught the tail end of a hot set of Blues on the East Stage at the Spirit fest, but didn't know who the band was since they weren't listed in the program. As fate would have it, I got a second chance to hear this mystery band and I will never forget them or their name: VOODOO KITCHIN.

This tight trio is fronted by Billy Royce, a Kansas native whose fingers fly with the clean articulation and fluidity of an artist who knows his medium (the guitar) intimately. Together with Chel T. Rich on skins and Matt Erwin thumping the bass, this trio is a triple threat cooking up a main course of smokin' Stevie Ray Vaughn and essential Jimi Hendrix.

On Saturday December 9th, I made my way down to Harleywoods at 5908 Outlook in Mission, Ks. formerly known to most of us as Beamer's Garage. I, along with 400 other fans, including on-air personality Skid Roadie from KCFX 101 The Fox who kindly gave me his seat, caught the hottest set of firey blues I have heard in a long, long time. It was so firey in fact that Royce ignited his guitar, put the flames out and finished out the final song to the roar of the crowd. Although the band's set lasted a full hour, the time seemed to fly by as they worked their spell through SRV tunes like "Pride and Joy", "Mary Had a Little Lamb", "Couldn't Stand the Weather" and more. The spicy Jimi Hendrix songs included "Foxey Lady","Killin' Floor" and "Manic Depression" which left the crowd hungry for a second helping!

Billy Royce honed his craft by the age of eighteen in the bars of Dodge City, Ks. and for the past five years toured with Jimmie Van Zant (from the Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special family) before forming his own band: VOODOO KITCHIN. He plays a bright red left-handed Stratocaster right handedly and was the recent winner of the Kansas City "Fender signature guitar licks and legends contest". In addition to being a guitar virtuoso, his repoire with the audience is that of a consument professional as he draws you in and takes you on a roller coaster ride up and down, twisting and turning and leaving you out of breath ready to go again!

Take my word for it, these guys know how to satisfy your hunger for blues on the rock side of the genre. I promise you won't be disappointed or go away hungry, but you better take your own antacid and dress appropriately because the fire they create will leave you blowin' smoke rings. For more information on where you can get your chance to experience Billy and the VOODOO KITCHIN contact their agent/manager Steve Hartwick with AudiostarZ management at  audiostarz@hotmail.com and tell him I sent you. This is one tasty plate of smokin' blues you won't soon forget!