Lubbock, Texas, the birthplace of Buddy Holly, has been harvesting a good crop of talent for many generations. The birthplace of Delbert McClinton, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock and Joe Ely (collectively known as The Flatlanders), Mac Davis, Terry Allen, Lloyd Maines and his daughter Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, makes you wonder if it’s in the water. Colin Gilmore, born the son of Jimmie Dale Gilmore and raised in Lubbuck, was surrounded by acoustic guitars and harmonies from birth. Stories of falling asleep to late night singing and waking up on the front porch with the singing now at low keel, the sunrise imminent are shared by all. Not only were these folks born in the same small city, but they’re close friends who still get together to play their guitars and sing songs. You can hear the “Lubbock Twang” in Colin’s vocals and witness his Southern charm in his lyrics.

A packed house at Schuba’s (Chicago) for the release of her release, “Big Charade” was a great start to a great year and a glimpse into the future of Julia Klee. …”Every once in awhile, we see a live show that’s so transcendental in its scope, that takes the live venue and transforms it into a singular experience, where the voices of the crowd drops away, and the artist becomes a singular focus.”… -The Real Big Rock Candy Mountain- Being featured on Chicago’s key radio stations, WLUW & WXRT and highlighted in The Chicago Tribune & Time Out Chicago, the word was out. …”She’s got pipes that rival Neko Case and Kelly Hogan.”… -Timeout Chicago- Prior to her full length debut- “Big Charade”, Julia made waves in the Chicago music scene as the female counterpart of critically acclaimed songwriter, Joe Pug. In 2009 she was invited to sing with Pug and his band at Lollapalooza and several sold out shows at Schuba’s, The Hideout and also the album “Messenger”. Then, after being invited to sing on the record, “The Best of Times,” with Austin native Colin Gilmore, amongst country greats Willie Nelson, Rhett Miller, Shawn Colvin and The Flatlanders put her on the map and into the studio to make her own record. “Big Charade”, is a brilliantly crafted collection of piano driven songs with a cast of alt-country musicians that have a tour history ranging from The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash, Head of Femur, Merle Haggard and ZZ Top.