Shelley King has been an ambassador of the Austin, Texas sound for twenty years. She is a self assured combination of singer and songwriter, who is both a successful solo artist and leader of a formidable band. King’s blend of blues, folk, country, rock and soul led her to be the first woman appointed by the Texas Legislature to represent the state as it’s Official Musician. She has won Austin Music Awards for Song of the Year and Best Roots Rock Band and released seven albums to rave reviews and radio chart success. King tours constantly performing almost nightly at intimate concerts, major venues and festivals across the nation. Her songs have been recorded by numerous national and international artists.
“Building a Fire”, her most recent CD and the second recorded with members of New Orleans favorite sons, the subdudes, has affirmed King’s place as master of her own style of Americana blues.
The Austin Chronicle says “Building a Fire assembles an audio dictionary of roots music. King's powerful, twanged alto takes care of the rest. The kickoff cut blends Louisiana zydeco with blues sensibility, the singer's no-holds-barred vocal mastery front and center... “Building a Fire” is filled with sinewy soul and King’s trademark brand of torrid gospel and blues, it’s her most confident work yet. One where the songs, band, and singer sound comfortable together, each filled with the kind of grace that’s scarce and delivering salvation.”