Candye Kane
Candye Kane | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | Ventura, California, United States | November 13, 1965
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | Blues, jazz |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1986 – present |
Labels | Delta Groove |
Website | www |
Candye Kane (born November 13, 1965)[1] is an American singer, songwriter and performer best known in the blues and jazz genre.[2] She has been included in the books Rolling Stone Guide to Jazz and Blues, Elwood's Blues by Dan Aykroyd, The Blueshound Guide to Blues, Allmusic and other blues books and periodicals. She also had a brief career as a pornographic actress during porn's golden age.[3][4]
Early life
Kane was born in Ventura, California and raised in Highland Park, a Los Angeles suburb.[5]
Music career
Candye was accepted into the USC's music conservatory's junior opera program in 1976 but disliked opera and dropped out. She became part of the punk rock music scene of the early 1980s. She started country punk bands and befriended and shared the stage with musicians as diverse as Black Flag, Social Distortion, James Harman, The Circle Jerks, Los Lobos, The Blasters and Lone Justice.[6] In 1985, she caught the attention of CBS/Epic A&R Head, Larry Hanby. She was signed to a developmental deal and recorded her first demo with Grammy Winner Val Garay. Kane was initially marketed as a country singer but CBS dropped her when they found out about her controversial past.[7]
At 17 she got pregnant with her first son. When she turned 18 she turned to adult modeling and stripping to make some cash, appearing in videos and over 150 magazines from 1983 to 1985. Eventually she worked as a columnist for Gent magazine as well.
In 1986, Candye moved from Los Angeles to San Diego. She married bass player Thomas Yearsley (of rockabilly power trio The Paladins, with whom she had another son.
Ms. Kane majored in women's studies at Palomar Community College. She continued to write songs and accidentally discovered the brash blues stylings of Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown, Big Mama Thornton, Etta James and Bessie Smith.[8]
In 1991, Candye self-released Burlesque Swing, her first recording since A Town South of Bakersfield. In 1992 was signed by Clifford Antone to a record deal with Antones Records. Her first CD, Home Cookin', was produced by Cesar Rosas (of Los Lobos) and Dave Gonzales and Thomas Yearsley (of the Paladins). It was released in 1992 followed by Knock Out. She then signed with Discovery Records, releasing Diva La Grande, produced by Dave Alvin and Derek O'Brien. Next, she was signed by record mogul Seymour Stein to Sire Records during the height of the swing revival.[9]
Candye released Swango which was produced by Mike Vernon for Sire/London Records (her only major label debut to date.) This was followed by her Rounder/Bullseye release, The Toughest Girl Alive, produced by Scott Billington. Next she released four CDs on the German Label Ruf Records. Subsequent titles include Whole Lotta Love produced by Val Garay and White Trash Girl[10] produced in Austin by Ruf Records and Mark Kazanoff.[10] In 2007, she released Guitar'd and Feathered on the RUF records label. The CD was produced by former Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin. In 2009, she signed to Delta Groove records and released Superhero in June 2009.[11]
A stage play about Kane's life debuted at San Diego's Diversionary Theatre[12] in January 2009, directed by Javier Velasco. The play is called The Toughest Girl Alive and is based on Kane's memoir about her turbulent life.[8]
She was included on the 30 Essential Women of the Blues CD set released by the House of Blues record label and the Rock for Choice compilation. She appears with Lucinda Williams and Dwight Yoakam on Town South of Bakersfield on Enigma Records.
Songwriting
Kane has written songs such as "The Toughest Girl Alive" (used on the Hidden Palms series for the CW network);[13] "Who Do You Love" (nominated for an OUT music award); "200 Pounds of Fun" (featured in the motion picture, The Girl Next Door); "For Your Love" (included on an episode of The Chris Isaak Show); "Please Tell Me a Lie" (used in the motion picture Heavy, starring Deborah Harry);[14] "You Need a Great Big Woman" (used on the Oxygen Network series Strong Medicine); and "The Lord was a Woman" (recorded by comedienne Judy Tenuta).[15]
Current career and touring
Kane is now signed to Los Angeles's Delta Groove records. She tours worldwide more than 250 days a year. She has appeared in many prestigious festivals, including the Ascona Jazz Festival, Midem, Paléo Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, and Notodden Blues Festival. She has played for the President of Italy at the French Embassy in Rome and at the Cannes Film Festival.[16] Her music is often featured on B. B. King's Bluesville on XM radio.[17]
Awards
In 2011, Kane was nominated for two Blues Music Awards by the Blues Foundation, BB King Entertainer of the Year, and Best Contemporary Blues Female.
Kane was nominated for four Blues Music Awards,[18] for the BB King Entertainer of the Year Award, Best Contemporary Blues CD for Superhero, and Best Contemporary Blues Female of 2010.[19] She has won numerous awards, including the Best Blues Band award at the San Diego Music Awards seven times.
Other recent honors include Best Blues CD of 2005 at the San Diego Music Awards; the Trophees France International Award 2004 for Best International Blues Chanteuse and Artist of the Year. She unseated Jewel for Artist of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards and won the California Music Award for Best Swing-Cabaret Artist. In May 2007, Kane won an award for Best Original Blues composition by the West Coast Songwriters Association for her song, "I'm My Own Worst Enemy".[20] In 2012, Miss Kane received a special Courage in Music Award at the San Diego Music Awards ceremonies.[21]
In 2014, Kane was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the 'Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year' category.[22]
Personal life
Kane has two grown sons, one of whom, Evan Caleb, played drums in her road band.[6] She appears often at gay pride festivals worldwide and identifies openly as a bisexual.[23] Kane has become an activist and philanthropist in recent years. In August 2009, she appeared in Dublin, Ireland for the World Congress for Downs Syndrome with her United by Music charity.[16][24]
In March 2008, Kane revealed on her website that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was undergoing treatment. The tumor was found to be a neuroendocrine tumor and was successfully resected on April 18, 2008 at UCSD Medical Center/Thornton Hospital.[25]
Discography
- Coming Out Swingin' (2013)[26]
- Sister Vagabond (2011)
- Superhero (2009)
- Blues Caravan with Dani Wilde and Deborah Coleman (2008 RUF)
- Rich Mans War compilation (2008 RUF)
- Guitar'd and Feathered (2007)
- White Trash Girl (2005)
- Best of Doo Wop II (Rhino 2004)
- Diva La Grande (2004 RUF reissue)
- Whole Lotta Love (2003)
- The Toughest Girl Alive (2000)
- Hard Headed Woman – A Tribute to Wanda Jackson (Bloodshot 2000)
- Any Womans Blues (2000)
- 30 Essential Women of the Blues (1999)
- Swango (Sire/London 1998)
- Diva La Grande ( Antones/ Discovery 1997)
- Rock For Choice compilation (Enigma 1996)
- Knockout (1995 Antones)
- Texas Rocks! (1995 Antones)
- Home Cookin' (1994 Antones)
- Burlesque Swing (1987 self release)
- A Town South of Bakersfield Part II (1986 Enigma)
Selected filmography
- Boobsville Cabaret (1998) (V)
- Best Of Breasts 3 (1995) (V)
- Blue Vanities S-579 (1995) (V)
- Candy's Back (1995) (V)
- Blue Vanities 221 (1994) (V)
- Candye Kane (1992) (V)
- Ten Years of Big Busts (1989) (V)
- Bra Breakers Vol. 1 (1988) (V)
- Legends of Lust 2: Christy Canyon (1987) (V)
- Let Me Tell Ya Bout Fat Chicks (1987) (V)
- Best of Big Busty (1986) (V)
- Between My Breasts 3 (1986) (V)
- Bouncin' in the U.S.A. (1986) (V)
- Big Melons 5 (1985) (V)
- 2 Tons Of Fun (1985) (V)
- Huge Bras 4 (1985) (V)
- Big Busty 17 (1986) (V)
- Big Busty 14 (1986) (V)
- Big Melons 3 (1985) (V)
- I Want It All (1984) (V)
- Big Busty 5 (1984) (V)
- Candy Girls 4 (1984) (V)
- Huge Bras 2 (1983) (V)
- Big Busty 3 (1983) (V)
See also
References
- ^ "Meet". Candye Kane. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ Although she has also recorded country western songs and is mentioned in several guides to California Country music.
- ^ Candye Kane: A Blues Singer With a Past | Tonic – Inspiring News Stories & Social Good. Tonic.com (June 30, 2008).
- ^ Candye Kane Big Tit Pictures, Movies and Biography!. Lanasbigboobs.com (November 13, 1965).
- ^ "Candye Kane Big Tit Pictures, Movies and Biography!". Lanasbigboobs.com. November 13, 1965. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Administrator (March 7, 2011). "Candye Kane Blues Music Award Nominee — American Blues News". Ameriblues.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Candye Kane". San Diego Reader. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Carone, Angela (January 20, 2011). "Candye Kane Is The Toughest Girl Alive". KPBS.org. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Swango by Candye Kane". MTV. August 18, 1998. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Horowitz, Hal (June 7, 2005). "White Trash Girl - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ Horowitz, Hal (June 16, 2009). "Superhero - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Diversionary Theatre > Fresh, fun and fabulous". Diversionary.org. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Hidden Palms Sezon 01 odc. 7 Część 4 PL". YouTube. January 11, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Heavy (1995) Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Candye Kane". Bluesprofiles.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ a b Anderson, Diane (October 5, 2011). "Bisexual Blues Singer Candye Kane Brings Sexy Back". Advocate.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ Marshall, Matt (January 20, 2012). "Candye Kane Battling Cancer a Second Time". Americanbluesscene.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "The Blues Foundation". Blues.org. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ "The Blues Foundation". Blues.org. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ "JUNE047.0" (PDF). Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "Surprises, upsets at San Diego Music Awards Page 1 of 3". UTSanDiego.com. August 14, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ "2014 Blues Music Awards Nominees and Winners". Blues.about.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ Wheeler, Brad (July 12, 2007), "Candye Kane's bodacious blues", Globe and Mail, Canada, retrieved July 16, 2007
- ^ "The Delta Groove Family: Candye Kane". Deltagrooveproductions.com. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
- ^ Candye Kane – News, March 27, 2008, retrieved April 5, 2008
- ^ Jurek, Thom (June 24, 2013). "Coming Out Swingin' - Candye Kane : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
External links
- 1965 births
- American pornographic film actresses
- Bisexual musicians
- Bisexual pornographic film actresses
- Converts to Judaism
- LGBT musicians from the United States
- LGBT singers
- LGBT songwriters
- Pancreatic cancer survivors
- Living people
- American female country singers
- American country singer-songwriters
- People from the Greater Los Angeles Area
- Singers from California
- Pornographic film actors from California
- People with cancer