William Reedy
William Reedy, Folk Artist
A Brief Musical Bio
1952 Born to Louis Reedy and the former Elaine O'Brien. Named after Elaine's brother, William Henry O'Brien who died in action at Normandy in World War II.
1968 First public performance in a high school fine arts program. Later that year played in the first ever public performance by the Reedy Brothers with older brother John.
1972 Formed a folk duo known as "Some People's Kids" with Chicago guitarist Laura DeLise, played engagements in Dekalb, Illinois and on the north side of Chicago.
1975 Began studying with Elgin Symphony Orchestra composer and bassist Jeff Czech.
1978 Formed a short-lived quartet known as "High Time" with brother John, wife Rebecca (nee Kott) and drummer Marc Duran. Recorded at Q&R studios in Evanston and played dates at the fabled "Ann Arky's" on the north side of Chicago.
1980
To
1990 Played guitar and bass with "Mojophonix" a quartet featuring John Reedy with percussionists Juliana Felicetti and James Williams. Played numerous dates with John as the Reedy Brothers. Began playing with Chicago area musician Kathryn Gauthier while both were living at Jack O'Callahan's renowned community, "Artists in Residence." While living at O'Callahan's had the opportunity for numerous jams with jazz trumpeter Malachi Thompson.
1990
To
2000 Played numerous dates with brother John as the Reedy Brothers. Played numerous dates with Kathryn Gauthier as a bassist and guitarist. Played at the Andersonville Garden Walk.
2001 Began work on a solo recording project at Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago. Played dates with Kathryn Gauthier & John Reedy. Began an ongoing association with the Thresholds Music Camp, forming a singing group known as the Red Leaf Stompers, who appear on 3 Music Camp CDs produced by Mark Furlong.
2002 Continued working on solo recording, made public appearances with Kathryn Gauthier. Continued working with the Red Leaf Stompers at the annual Thresholds Music Camp.
2003 Released "Solo Acoustic," available on CDBaby.com and debuted the material in a performance at the Wild Oats Organic Harvest Festival in Evanston, Illinois. Continued working with the Red Leaf Stompers at the annual Thresholds Music Camp.
2004 Played engagements at Tommy Nevins' Irish Pub (Nevins Live) in
Evanston. Played at the Lincoln Park Summer Art Faire in Chicago. Joined the Chicago Songwriters Collective and participated in their showcase at the Fox Valley Folk Festival, sitting in with two of their featured entertainers; also performed on two festival stages. Sat in with Kathryn Gauthier at the Glenwood Arts Festival. Played a well-received return engagement at the Organic Harvest Festival. In the Illinois Entertainer, Mike O'Cull wrote, "On his aptly titled Solo Acoustic, folk performer William Reedy turns in performances of folk classics and originals done with nothing but his voice and acoustic guitar...his picking is the best part of the disc."
2005 Played engagements at the Red Line Tap in Chicago. Performed at the K.I.D.S. Zone festival in Chicago, IL. Opened website, www.williamreedy.com and used it to participate in the CDBaby hurricane relief sales campaign, which raised over $165,000 for the American Red Cross. Continued working with the Red Leaf Stompers. Performed at the Glenwood Arts Festival.
2006 WHPK radio deejay Halle Morrison introduces William Reedy to college radio, spinning "Yummy and Shavon" in her broadcast, "Vehicle." WR appears at the Palmer Square Boulevard Arts Festival and returns to the K.I.D.S. Zone festival. Continued working on a studio recording at Early Recording in Evanston.
2007 Released "Stop and Smell the Roses" on CDBaby.com and debuted the material in appearances at the Heartland Cafe, Bill's Blues, the K.I.D.S. Zone festival and other venues. Began appearing with Marty Schwartz on fiddle, Linda Collins on vocals, Terry Davis on banjo and vocals, plus Deborah McBride and later Bob Huston on bass and vocals, billed as "William Reedy and Friends."