By the time the core group of Dimeslots arrived on campus in the Fall of 1979, Katson Blues Band had just started performing on campus. Deeme had met keyboardist Shep Williams the previous Spring in Ewell Hall (Shep can relate the “meet cute” story) and when she returned in the Fall, they reconnected and the band started coming together, growing in popularity on campus where they packed the Pub, sometimes venturing off campus to play bars and outdoor events, offering an eclectic mix of blues, hard rock and psychedelia, with the occasional swing tune or new wave cover. 

 

A Dave Brubeck instrumental might flow into Creedence tune, then a Dead jam, only to erupt into a frenetic blast of Blondie or X (the band sound aptly described as “James Brown on acid”). Musical cross-pollination was a given in a college town, and Katson Blues might share the stage with Big Dog members (George Long (harmonica), Travis Slocumb (guitar), Reid Harrison (bass)) or others. Not surprisingly, as the Dimeslots grew in size and popularity, many of us, and even more of our friends, became loyal friends and followers of Deeme and her band. This extended well-after the college years, as Deeme ended up being the wedding band for at least a few of our friends, and when she and Shep landed in the DC-area after college, the parties and shows kept coming.

 

With the decision to leave Williamsburg and head to D.C., Katson Blues reformed: rhythm guitarist Dave Kirk (RIP) decided to ditch music for law school, Bill Cusmano replaced bassist Everett Boyd, and Mike Marzullo took over on drums for the departing Jeff Matthews. Eventually the Law also seduced Bill Cusmano, and Bo Eckard (RIP) - Mike and guitarist Dana Heiberg’s Westminster childhood friend - joined on bass. Katson Blues arrived on the D.C. music scene and quickly found gigs aplenty in the DC-VA-MD clubs and summer festivals. 

 

Eventually, Katson Blues Band became The Essentials and the band members started writing original music and adding more pop and alternative songs to the repertoire. With this came multiple changes in the line-up over the years (shout out to late-era Essentials guitarist Tom Ricciuti and drummer Jimmy Campbell), but what remained constant was the band’s excellent musicianship, high energy shows and dedication to songcraft. In 1990, the Essentials released “Beguiled,” produced by legendary guitarist John Jennings (RIP). 

 

In 1998, in advance of the Dimeslots 15-year reunion show, Ed called Deeme to ask if KBB would consider reuniting and playing a show together at the W&M Homecoming that year.  Deeme was open to it and made her best efforts to gather her band for a reunion of their own. It didn't quite work out that year (Dana was about to have a baby!), but Deeme said that she and Shep would be willing to join the Dimeslots for the gig and THAT is how the DeemeSlots began. Since 1998, Deeme has joined the Dimeslots for almost every show, practice and social occasion. Deeme has always said the best part of Dimeslots is its Big Tent. And Shep makes it whenever he can!

 

Around 1994, Essentials disbanded, but Deeme, Shep and Bo continued on with Evan Pollack on drums as Deeme Katson Band, releasing the ep “Coming Attraction” in 1996, produced by John Alagia, Doug Derryberry and Tim Alagia.   In the last few decades (!), Deeme has played and recorded with Groovy (founded by DC-area treasure Ronnie Newmyer), Jon Carroll, Broto Roy and Jon Steinman and The Lifters. Deeme has also performed in a trio with Shep Williams and drummer Ronnie Smith doing a low-fi alternative cabaret (described by an audience member as “mellow, but intense!”), with a songlist of new original tunes and simpatico covers.

 

Currently, she performs regularly in the "Bandhouse Gigs" and ”Newmyer Flyer” series, including tributes to the Band, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Burt Bacharach, the Pretenders, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison and more series, featuring the DC-area's finest musicians uniting to play epic memorial shows at top venues in the area. 

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Deeme currently lives in Arlington and is employed with Williams Legal Group, the law firm of the esteemed Harvey “Shep” Williams (DC Trial Attorney of the Year, 2017).