Matt Johnson
// drums
Matt began drumming at the age of 13 thinking in the back of his mind that somehow being a great drummer would help him get some attention from the ladies. After his first gig, he realized singers and guitarists were the ones getting all the attention. Too late, he was hooked on drums.
Early on Matt began to hone his craft by playing for hours on end, much to the dismay of his parents, and with the guidance/tutelage from fellow percussionist and band director Chris Irwin, he began playing concert, marching, swing, and jazz percussion throughout school and formed his first band, Breaking Point, at age 16. Influenced by players such as Dave Weckl, Ginger Baker, Mick Fleetwood, and Steve Gadd, Matt adds his own sonic variety and musical styling to the Blue Scratch Project.
Jay Dean
// bass
Over the years, Jay has played a variety of musical styles in as many different bands, holding down the bottom for classic rock, hard rock, blues, country, jazz, and even some musical theater. This has lead him to an appreciation of and desire to play all types of music. Okay, well, maybe not polka…. He enjoys working with the hardware, modifying and repairing his own gear. It’s been rumored that this is actually because he gets high from the solder fumes but that cannot be verified. He is also easily distracted by bright shiny objects.
He eventually grew to miss the blues and the R&B that he grew up on and chose to join a like-minded group of folks to start the Blue Scratch musical project.
Jeorgia Robison
// guitars
For Jeorgia, music and in particular the blues, remains the universal language. Two beers and Clapton will allow you to talk with anyone, respectable or not.
Jeorgia has recorded an album of faith based blues and classic rock CD known as Blues from the Back Pew. If you are nice, she might share a copy. Through her CD and the blues in general, Jeorgia has opened a musical view on her life as yet another square peg shoved into a damnable round hole.
Then Jay Dean proselytized Jeorgia about the local music scene. Aided by copious portions of most excellent beer, Jeorgia saw the light. With Jay's guidance Jeorgia was converted from a church player to a bar band player. Jeorgia remains a church player, having never forgotten about that huge ass party in Canaan and provides a living example of Saturday night blues/Sunday morning gospel.
Kimberly T
// vocals
Kimberly was born and raised in Massachusetts and came from a very musical family. She started singing in church from a very young age and has always had a passion for music. To put it plainly, singing is a part of her soul.
In high school while she was qualifying for All-State choir and playing the female lead in a Gilbert & Sullivan musical, she sang with a rock band called Adrenalin. The band recorded originals in the studio and played out locally, winning local talent shows and having lots of teenage fun.
Then life happened; college, marriage, family, and a move to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Kimberly will tell you that being a mother is her greatest joy and inspiration and wouldn't trade the memory of singing her kids to sleep for any amount of fame or fortune.
The joys and sorrows of life's experience enable her to sing from the heart and truly sing the Blues. She will happily belt out songs from any genre, and lists Etta James, Cher, Pat Benetar, and Jennifer Nettles as influences.
The kids are grown and she is thrilled to be back to her first love, singing, and excited to be performing with the talented members of Blue Scratch!
