caption, page 6:

 

The King Bees

 

 

Putnam native

to perform in her

hometown over

the holidays

By Ron P. Coderre

The Putnam area will be rocking to the music of The King Bees over the New Year’s holiday week.  The King Bees featuring Putnam native Penny “Queen Bee” Zamagni and National Blue Ridge Heritage Artist Rob “Hound Dog” Baskerville, will be performing at two local entertainment and dining venues.

Zamagni and Baskerville have been stingin’ and swingin’ the blues since 1987.  The pair met in and are based out of the mountains of North Carolina near Boone.  Since they’ve been together they’ve played Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Lincoln Center New York City as well as the Mississippi juke joints.

The King Bees are scheduled for two shows in Putnam over the holidays.  They’ll perform at the Stomping Grounds in the Heart of Putnam’s Antique District Dec. 29, where they’ll be joined by noted local drummer Wayne Gasiorek.

On Dec. 31 The Bees will be performing a New Year’s Eve show at The Crossings Restaurant and Brew Pub in the former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Station in Union Square.  On the eve of 2016 they’ll be joined by another noted drummer Ned Peabody of the talented Peabody musical family.  

Other surprise guest performers may also be in store.  Shows will begin at 8 p.m. both evenings.

Over the decades The King Bees have toured and recorded with the best and most culturally significant Blues artists including Carey Bell, Nappy Brown and Jerry McCain, as well as with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, the renowned Bo Diddley.  Zamagni and Baskerville were featured on B.B. King’s 80th Birthday Tour.

In the mid-1980s the “Queen Bee” and “Hound Dog” made a decision to explore the Deep-South to apprentice with the real-deal Blues folk who created the most wonderful of American music.  Big Jack Johnson, Frank Frost, McCain, Chicago Bob Nelson and many others took The King Bees under their wings, nurturing and guiding them toward “the sound.”  

The goal of The King Bees today and in the past has been to promote, support and pay homage to the great artists who generously shared music and wisdom with them and the world.

The King Bees were signed to Amsterdam’s Tramp Records in the mid-1990s.  They’ve recorded several CD’s for the acclaimed international label.  Numerous European tours aided the duo in garnering many friends and followers in Blues and American Roots.  In 2003 they produced the New River Blues Festival, which continues as the North Carolina mountain’s only Blues festival.

The Charlotte Observer said, “Queen Bee Zamagni belts it out with the best, backed by a superb band highlighted by the burning riffs of Hound Dog Baskerville.”

And Blue Suede News said, “The King Bees have delighted audiences for years.  Queen Bee’s vocals are expressive and strong; Baskerville’s guitar playing is right on, from cool slide to sizzling licks.”

On past trips to Putnam, The King Bees have performed in front of enthusiastic full-house audiences at The Chickering Café and J.D. Cooper’s Restaurant.

“We’re proud to be performing in Putnam.  It’s always fun to return to northeastern Connecticut to meet with old friends and entertain.  We hope to share some very special music with our audiences,” said Queen Bee Penny Zamagni.