SNL Vocalist To Take Stage At Chan's

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, platinum blonde "Beehive Queen" Christine Ohlman will rule the night as she takes to the stage at Chan's of Woonsocket with legendary rock guitarist Cliff Goodwin and members of the Rebel Montez Band. Ohlman is known for her powerful musicianship, raw emotion and her famous hair style which she created for herself in honor of Ronne Spector. 

Ohlman has been called "The Number One Secret Weapon in America's gal-singin sweepstakes" by the All Music Guide. She has 6 CD's to her credit, including her latest recording "The Deep End" which garnered five national Top Ten mentions in 2010.  

When she was a young girl, Ohlman knew that she wanted to be a vocalist. Ohlman said, "My parents and grandparents were remarkably kind in allowing me to put on a show at every family gathering. My earliest memories are of fashioning a long gown for myself out of my mother's slips and standing in front of the mirror for hours mouthing the words to soul records. 

"My first band was with my brother Vic Steffens who is a multi instrumentalist", said Ohlman. "I was 16 years old. Now my brother owns The Horizon Music Group in Connecticut and also mixed and engineered my latest album, The Deep  End."

A few years later, Ohlman joined a Connecticut based band called The Scratch Band with G.E. Smith. Smith went on to become the musical director for Saturday Night Live and called Ohlman and asked her to sing at a party in the Hamptons.

"It was a wonderful gig. I didn't know it was the wedding reception party for Lorne Michaels," she said. "The following week was to be the first show of the season for Saturday Night Live. Michaels came in to the studio and asked G.E., 'Where's the girl? Call her and tell her to come to work.' That was 20 years ago and I'm still there."  

She wrote the theme song for NBC's "30 Rock" television series, appeared at The Lincoln Center "American Songbook" with Sting, Lou Reed and Van Dyke Parks, sang at the Central Park Summerstage Tribute to Janis Joplin, where she fronted two bands — "Big Brother & The Holding Company" and "The Kozmic Blues Band." In 2010 and 2011, she headlined the New Orlean's Jazz & Heritage Fest's "Down on the Bayou" with Irma Thomas and others.   

Her charity of choice is the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic. Ohlman — along with BB King, Richard Thompson, New Orleans legends The Subdudes and Americana stalwart Paul Thorn — all contributed their music to a CD entitled "Get You a Healin" to raise funds for the organization. Also to benefit the organization and recorded down in New Orleans is "Down on the Bayou II" which has just been nominated for an IMA (Independent Music Award).  

Ohlman was about to walk out on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City with rock legend Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame when we spoke. She contributed 4 songs to his latest album which has a summer release date.  

Ohlman's musical collaborations include other artists such as Al Green, George Harrison and Grammy nominated recordings and live appearances like Bob Dylan's Madison Square Garden 30th Anniversary concert. Also in the works is a new album tentatively titled, "The Grown Up Thing" and a new project for The Alo Orchestra, the second volume of which was started back in the 1960s by The Rolling Stones producer, Andrew Loog Oldham. Ohlman added, " I am proud to be included and will be playing at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction gala in Cleveland in April 2012."  

Joining Ohlman at Chan's are members of the band Rebel Montez: Larry Donahue on drums, Michael Colbath on bass, and Massachusetts Guitar Legend Cliff Goodwin, who is known for his work with Joe Cocker and Robert Palmer. Goodwin also contributed to Ohlman's recording, "The Deep End."

Showtimes are at 8 and 10 p.m.