Founded in 2011 by Katrice Donaldson and Wendell Bigsby-Church, Everyday People has
powered its way through Nashville and the greater Southern and Eastern coast regions,
spreading good times, great music, and positive vibes.
“The furthest we’ve travelled so far is to New York. We drove fourteen hours. You really get
to know each other then, so you better like each other for a road trip that long!” Katrice
jokes.
In truth, the band shares a strong family bond – inclusive of all the ups and downs that
come with family life. The band counts this bond as one of the reasons their audience loves
their show, and keeps coming back. Add to this the fact that Wendell is the son of none
other than the legendary Jimmy Church, and there’s no wonder word of the Nashville-
based band spread all the way up north.
Katrice met Wendell while singing together at church. After landing a gig singing backup
for Clarence Dobbins, Wendell then asked Katrice to join him. The two later founded
Everyday People together and soon brought on Dobbins’ drummer, to play with the band
and help find other people to join them.
“From 2011 until now, we’ve changed out a few people,” Katrice admits. “But I think now
we have the core players in place.”
While the players have changed, Everyday People’s overall sound has remained fairly
consistent while covering a wide range. The band blends Wendell’s soulful vocals with
Katrice’s sometimes gentle and sometimes fierce range of singing. Their lineup includes
reggae, country, gospel, rhythm and blues, and old school soul.
“We try to touch everybody,” Katrice says. “We hope when people walk away from our
shows, they like at least one song.” While the band would rather not be boxed into any one
genre or sound, Katrice adds, “We all love the Motown sound, and R&B… I was raised by my
grandparents so there lays my love for old school music.”
This love for the oldies likely led Katrice along the path that took her to meet and work
alongside Kirk Franklin, while singing with a choir. “He said great things about the group –
very nice individual,” she gushes. “It was great to meet him – and the others we’ve met.
They’ve all been loving, open and unapproachable.”
Those “others” have included many other big names in the music industry that Wendell
opened up for over the years, like Arethra Franklin, James Brown, and Lil Richard.
But no matter where they play, and who they play with, Everyday People has fun on stage
and transfers that energy to the crowd. Sometimes the crowd has a little too much fun in
fact, as Katrice recalls not one but two incidents of fans doused in drinks by excited
listeners on the floor above.
“Sometimes the fans get a little drunk,” she laughs. “We’ve had some dance on the tables.
We are an audience-participation band, so we often have audience members come up and
dance with us, too.”
The band also plays more low-key shows at classy bars and weddings. They view music as
healing, and love to travel and bring that positive message with them.
“As Wendell says, when you come to ours shows we want you to stay in the moment. Don’t
worry about yesterday or today. We want you to have a good time and enjoy your time
with us,” Katrice tells us.
Check out the band’s website and Facebook page to see what they’ve been up to or to hire
them for your next event
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