Beckie Menzie & Randy Raatz "Sky High" (Davis / Dyer) / Universal Music Group (License through Harry Fox Agency) Beckie Menzie: Vocals & Piano Randy Raatz: Guitars Ron Hilger: Bass Tim Hibben: Drums Engineered, Mixed & Mastered By: Randy Raatz Cover Art: Jimi Bush Beckie Menzie (Concert Artist / Songwriter / Musical Director) An award winning concert artist, Beckie has appeared at some of the nation’s top nightclubs and concert venues including the legendary Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Birdland in New York, Chicago’s Auditorium Theater and Park West, as well as at concert halls and art series across the country. Hailed by Chicago’s WGN Radio as “one of the city’s finest cabaret performers,” Beckie is a three time winner of Chicago’s After Dark Award for Outstanding Cabaret Artist. A staple of the Windy City music scene, Beckie has performed regularly at Davenports, Maxim’s, Gentry On State, and the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs musical events, where she frequently serves as musical director. Currently she co-hosts an open-mic at Petterinos with Denise McGowan Tracy called Monday Night Live, as well as one at Davenports. As one of cabaret’s most in demand entertainers, Beckie was featured in Michael Feinstein’s “Now & Then” Series for her Carnegie Hall debut. She has been a featured performer at many of the Mabel Mercer Cabaret Conventions in New York, The Hamptons and in Chicago, as well as many performances for the Chicago Humanities Festival, where she has served as a performer, director and musical director. Beckie has two acclaimed solo CD’s, Real Emotional Girl and Heart & Soul, that have received national airplay. Both are an eclectic mix of classic ballads, standard jazz favorites as well as her own original songs. Beckie is also an award-winning songwriter. Cabaret Scenes Magazine called Real Emotional Girl “one of the year’s finest recordings.” Randy Raatz (Composer, Producer & Guitarist) Guitar playing at its very best, Raatz floats between rock, jazz and fusion with a talent, passion and taste that is immediately captivating. Raatz' mastery of the instrument continues to win praise from critics, who have likened his compositions and skill to those of George Benson, Jeff Healy, Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew. Currently playing in "Randy Raatz Band", "The 7th Year", "AudioMonkeys" & "Greg Anthony & Blacktop" . Past bands Michael Riser, Cliff Johnson, Sex With God, The Sex Kittens, Ransom, Raatz Kaatz & Ortega - Raatz. Also many appearances on various styles of music as a studio player. Ron Hilger (Bass) Ron and Randy met via an Illinois Entertainer bassist available ad posted by Ron around 1993 and have been the best of friends & musical partners ever since. On Randy's first national guitar virtuoso release Ron talked Randy into starting the first song & title track "Steel Snowflakes (1994)" with a bass solo. Ron has since then played on about 90% of everything that Randy has recorded. Tim "Soul Dog" Hibben (Drums) Randy & Tim met while both playing in "The Michael Riser Band" and immediately became great friends and musical collaborators. "Soul Dog" has since then played on several Raatz recordings. "Soul Dog" currently also plays drums for "The Crash Tones" & "Power By Might".