Kerri Simpson

Kerri Simpson
OriginMelbourne, Victoria
GenresBlues
Years active1982–present

Kerri Simpson is a blues singer from Melbourne.[1] Her band Opelousas,[2] a trio with Allison Ferrier and Anthony 'Shorty' Shortte, won Music Victoria Awards in 2024 for best blues work,[3] and best blues album in 2019 with Opelousified.[4] Simpson's album Confessin' the Blues was nominated for a 1999 ARIA Award for Best Blues & Roots Album.[5] In 2005 Simpson won Chain Australia Blues Music Awards for best female vocals.

Predominantly a blues musician, she has also performed country with 'Kerri Simpson and the Prodigal Sons', gospel with the Gospel Belles and Ska with The Ska Vendors. Gospel Belles were formed in 2006 and consists of singers Kerri Simpson, Kelly Auty, Marisa Quigley and Diana Wolfe.[6] The Ska Vendors is a Ska band fronted by Melbourne Ska Orchestra's Steve Montgomery alongside Simpson, Steve Phillips, Chris Rogers, Johnny Holmes, Dean Hilson, Russell Roberts, Michael Havir and Pat Powell.[7]

  1. ^ Thow, Penny (23 October 2003), "Aria nominations for Wagga singers", Hobart Mercury
  2. ^ "And This One's Introduced By... Kerri Simpson introduces the songs from Opelousified by Opelousas". 3CR Community Radio. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Winners – Music Victoria Awards". Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Past Winners & Nominees – Music Victoria Awards". Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  5. ^ "ARIA Nominees", Billboard, 16 October 1999
  6. ^ Sonti, C (18 June 2014), "Belles coming to town", Seymour Telegraph
  7. ^ Benoit, Charles (20 August 2015), ""The universe has conspired to pull us together" – An interview with The Ska Vendors", Reggae Steady Ska