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2x12's story began on a slow night at Backstage Cafe' in Elizabethtown KY. In September of 2003. Recording Artist/Songwriter Gary Fights was hosting and performing at one of the Cafe's Open Mic Nights. Late in the evening after most of the crowd had thinned, Kim Swickard and her husband Mark walked into the Cafe' for the first time to check it out. Mark started talking about what a good singer Kim was and she had written a few songs. Gary, Mark, and the owners of the Cafe' coaxed her to get up and perform. One song she performed was "Eddy". The audience including Fights was very impressed. He and Kim sat down afterward and started discussing the possibility of performing together. Two weeks later Kim and Mark returned to the Cafe' and once again she and Gary discussed the idea of working together, then decided to give it a shot. They began practicing together weekly and discovered their vocal styles complemented each other quite well.
Gary was working on his second solo album, "Over The Edge" at the time and also talking to his former bandmate from Blue Rock Project, Gordon West about performing a show together for New Year's Eve' at Backstage Cafe', but with all that going on, the duo managed begin to hone their act and began putting together their debut ep titled " Gary Fights and Kim Swickard - 2 X 12". Choosing to name themselves 2 X 12 because there are three distinct "voices" in the act, Kim's, Gary's, and Gary's 12-string guitar. They began performing at the Open Mic's at Backstage to try out their material as a duo in public.
In Decenber 2003 2 X 12 released their EP along with Gary's Album at a CD Release Party and Concert at Backstage Cafe' making it their first "official" public performance. They also were working with Gordon West and Keri Riggs of KG Group and bassist Sonny Waddell to prepare for the New Year's Eve show. After the New Year's Eve show, the two duo's continued to work together forming a band called Rolling 7's with a new bassist Ian. That was short lived and Gordon, Keri, and Ian along with Matt Stillwell on guitar and Dave Hellman on drums formed the band Underground Angel. Kim was invited to provide background vocals with the new band and worked with them as well as with Gary for the next few months. Before seperating with Underground Angel.
Since their first show on December 6, 2003, 2x12 has performed several shows at Backstage Cafe' KY where it all began for them. They've also performed in several Songwriter's Showcases for the Heartland Songwriter's Association Of KY, and benefit concerts for The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, The Elizabethtown High School Band Boosters, and The Hardin County Heritage Counsil, the American Red Cross's Tsunami Relief Fund and more.
On July 31, 2004, 2x12 released their first full-length album titled: "We'll Play That Bridge When We Come To It". Which is an all acoustic collection of 15 songs (+ 1 hidden track) featuring four remakes of some of Gary's solo material, a remake of Kim's song "Eddy". Three instrumental pieces Gary was working on for his third solo album. Six previously unreleased songs written by Gary or Kim and one cover "Only A Woman" written by Central KY Songwriter Jonnie Ramsey.
As 2004 continued 2x12 continued playing in the area including some area festivals and at Backstage Cafe'. In October they performed a show along with Singer/Songwriter Sean Johnson and Comedian George Stamps and he show was Standing Room Only. The owners had to turn people away before the show began. In addition two of the next three shows they performed there were also sold out. Towards the end of the year bassist Sonny Waddell began sitting in with 2x12 and started coming to their practice sessions. They also began searching for a drummer/percussionist, wishing to further expand their sound. Brenda Dockins joined them in November playing drums and congas. Their first show as a band was at the sold out New Year's Eve Jam at Backstage Cafe' KY. Things weren't quite clicking between Brenda and the rest of the band and she left in January 2005. The trio continued practicing together as they searched for a new drummer. Kim and Gary during this time were also invited to be the opening act at the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief Benefit held in early February at the State Theater Complex in Elizabethtown KY which got them front page coverage in the local paper (see photo). In March their search for a drummer ended when Bob Oberg, a friend of Kim's husband from Ohio decided to move to Kentucky. He sat in with the band and was asked to join on the spot. After only two rehersals with the band they were invited for a paid audition at a local venue Phat Zoe's. After the show they were hired to perform every Sunday evening. Due to a problem with the management at Phat Zoe's, 2x12 stopped booking there, and began performing at WinkerB's Sports Grill & Bar for Bike Night on every other Wednesday.
Things were starting to move for the band when they were sidetracked by Gary Fights having a Heart Attack in May. In July the doctor gave Fights a release to perform again on a limited basis and the band started playing. WinkerB's began booking them again but on Tuesday Nights instead of Wednesday. During this time the band decided they wanted to further expand their sound wishing to add either (or) a lead guitar player or keyboard player and they began auditioning lead guitarists. In November they found the guitarist they were looking for in Mike Cable. He contacted Fights about sitting up an audition, and when he auditioned for them he blew them away. The band hired him on the spot. Then found out he also plays keyboards. At this time they also added one other member to the band. Karen Jaggers on Background Vocals. Her natural soprano voice fills out the vocal side of 2x12 the same way Mike Cable's lead guitar did the instrumental.
Unfortunately due to military obligations, Mike's time with the band was short lived and the band continued performing and recording without a full-time lead guitar player.
As a band, 2x12's sound is a mix of Blues & Classic Rock with a strong R&B flavor. Highlighted by Kim's soulful vocals and Gary's rock edge. Karen and Sonny both add to the mix, fleshing out the vocals. Gary, Sonny, Bob provide a powerful rhythm, laying the foundation for their sound. With Gary providing subtle leads to flesh out the sound.
They have been playing regular gigs in the Central Ky area, until they took a hiatus in February of 2006. During the hiatus they have been working on a new demo for the band with the hope of expanding beyond the Central Ky area, and have begun work on a new album. Also during this time Gary and Kim were writing material that doesn't really fit in with the band's format and they decided that they wished to "get back to their roots" even though things are going well with the band. They decided to start performing as an acoustic duo again as well as with the band. To avoid the confusion of having both the duo and the band share the same name, it was decided when Gary and Kim perform without the band they would perform as 2x12, and the band would have a new name... The eventually decided to name the band The Junell Street Band, taking the new name from the street where Fights lives and where the band came together.
For more info about bookings, merchandise, or setlist email: fightmasters1@msn.com or fightmasters@alltel.net
or call
Gary Fights
(270) 763-6459
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