10 Olivia Performers We Miss The Most
| 03/16/21
Cris Williamson
Photo: Jill Cruse
Website: criswilliamson.com
Cris Williamson was a driving force in the creation and development of Olivia Records, and continues to be an honored and important part of Olivia. Her 1975 album, The Changer and the Changed, is one of the best-selling independent releases of all time. Cris has released 32 albums so far in her illustrious career and is currently working on her 33rd.
Karen Williams
Photot: Bobby Miller
Website: hahainstitute.com
Karen Williams has the unique distinction of being the nation's first openly lesbian black comic to include specifically lesbian material in her act. Her solo comedy special "I Need a Snack" filmed live in Hollywood was a LOGO TV staple and brought Karen national attention. Karen Williams is the Founder and CEO of the International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts ~ known as HaHA Institute ~ whose mission is to share the healing power of humor to encourage the highest activation of human potential for compassion, wisdom, and life force.
Teresa Trull
Photo: MJ Stephenson
Website: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Trull
Teresa Trull is a fiery haired vocal dynamo who combines a gutsy blues/rock style, topnotch songwriting talents and sharp producing instincts in her many high energy projects. She has made five of her own recordings, including two successful duo pairings both with Barbara Higbie and with Cris Williamson.
Be Steadwell
Photo: Katherine Steadwell
Website: besteadwell.com
Be Steadwell is a musician, filmmaker, storyteller from Washington DC. In her live performances, she utilizes looping, vocal layering and beat boxing to compose her songs on stage. Be's original music features earnest lyricism, and affirming LGBTQ content.
Suzanne Westenhoefer
Photo: Adam Bouska
Website: suzannew.com
After more than 25 years of groundbreaking, stereotype-shattering, and brutally honest comedy, Suzanne Westenhoefer’s not about to start pulling punches now. The kid from Amish Country who began her comedy career on a dare is celebrating a quarter century of out, open, no-holds-barred comedy.
KT Tunstall
Photo: Piper Ferguson
Website: kttunstall.com
Since scoring a worldwide smash in 2004 with her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, which sold over 5 million copies, KT Tunstall has remained at the forefront of UK singer-songwriters. In 2019 she toured with an all-female band across the UK, Europe, US and joined Olivia Travel at their Hard Rock Los Cabos resort.
Dana Goldberg
Photo: Tony Donaldson
Website: danagoldberg.com
Raised by a wild pack of Jews, otherwise known as her mother and two siblings, veteran comedian Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. Combining her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts, Goldberg has raised over 30 million dollars for non-profits around the country in the fight for marriage equality, LGBT rights, women’s health, and HIV and AIDS education and prevention.
Amythyst Kiah
Photo: Anna Hedges
Website: https://amythystkiah.com/
Born in Chattanooga and now based in Johnson City, Amythyst Kiah’s commanding stage presence is matched by her raw and powerful vocals — a deeply moving, hypnotic sound that stirs echoes of a distant and restless past. Our Native Daughters, her recent collaboration with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago), has delivered a full-length album produced by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, Songs of Our Native Daughters (out now on Smithsonian Folkways). NPR described the opening track, "Black Myself", written by Amythyst, as “the simmering defiance of self-respect in the face of racism.”
Elvira Kurt
Photo: Hill Peppard
Website: gigglescomedyagency.com/Elvira-Kurt
A Toronto native and alumna of Second City, Elvira Kurt is an accomplished comedian who has hosted her own TV program in Canada, has starred in an acclaimed Comedy Central half-hour special, has earned multiple nominations as College Comedian of the Year, and has countless other TV credits as a comic, actress, host, writer — often on gay-lesbian shows. Elvira’s toured North America as one of the hottest college acts around, nominated as both US College Comedian and Entertainer of the Year.
Photo: Courtesy Christie James
Website: www.smilesandsounds.com
DJ Christie James started her career in the US Navy where she worked as a journalist which eventually lead her to radio, then DJing, and well, the rest is history. While stationed in Italy she spun at everything from a Reggae Pub in Sardina to a white party in Greece. Her favorite recording artists range from Prince and Rihanna to Meshell Ndegeocello and John Mayer. When not spinning with Heart of Gold DJs or on an Olivia cruise or resort, you can find her on air at iHeart80s at 103.7 FM and Pride Radio.
Mouths of Babes
Photo: LeahAndMark.com
Website: mouthsofbabesmusic.com
With more than a dozen albums and over a thousand shows between them, Ty Greenstein and Ingrid Elizabeth of Mouths of Babes are no strangers to the contemporary folk-Americana music scene. For years, their respective bands Girlyman and Coyote Grace captivated thousands of loyal fans as they crisscrossed the country, rocked festival main stages, and toured with the likes of Indigo Girls and Dar Williams.
