With a little help from her friends, Oakland’s Wendy Burch Steel is celebrating the release of her first album, Open Wings, and it’s a doozy. Bluegrass Breakdown calls it “a soaring debut album from a talent who will continue to fascinate!” The latest issue of Americana Gazette says, “Keep ‘em coming, Wendy, we’ll be listening!” Her friends ain’t too shabby, either. Joining her for tonight’s show are Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, Melody Walker, Nell Robinson, Richard Brandenberg, Markie Sanders, Evan Morgan, Larry Chung, Annie Staninec, John Schott, and the T Sisters – an all-star cast of phenomenal musicians.

Wendy grew up in upstate New York and learned to sing harmony from her father and her four brothers and sisters. She performed in bands in the 1980s, published two books of poetry in the 90s, and circled back to music in the Bay Area, seeking out Laurie Lewis for songwriting and vocal coaching. Laurie liked what she heard and decided to produce Wendy’s album. “Her voice is a joy to listen to,” Laurie says, “and her songs speak from the heart. She has been one of the Bay Area’s hidden gems for too long.” The Northern California Bluegrass Society agrees. They recently nominated Wendy for Best Female Vocalist.

A great new talent, a gathering of superb musicians, and a remarkable new album to celebrate – sounds like a party worth attending!

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Listen to a track from Wendy Burch Steel: