BIOGRAPHY | MUSIC | PRESS | VIDEO | PHOTOS | TOUR DATES | BAND MEMBERS | FILES | CONTACT
MEET THE LUCKY LOSERS
SHORT BIO - THE LUCKY LOSERS
The Lucky Losers are San Francisco’s award-winning six-piece blues-soul band, led by fiery vocalist Cathy Lemons and harmonica master/vocalist Phil Berkowitz. Winners of six Independent Blues Awards, they deliver a powerful blend of blues, soul, and Americana with soaring vocals, gritty harmonica, and a dynamic full-band sound.
BIO - THE LUCKY LOSERS
Winners of six Independent Blues Awards, including Artist of the Year (Cathy Lemons) and Song of the Year (“Godless Land”), The Lucky Losers are San Francisco’s premier six-piece blues-soul band. Fronted by fiery Dallas-raised vocalist Cathy Lemons and New Jersey harmonica master/vocalist Phil Berkowitz, the group delivers a throwback mix of blues, soul, rock, gospel, and Americana with impassioned vocals and electrifying interplay.
Praised as “the finest female blues vocalist in the U.S.” (Real Blues) and “one of the West Coast’s most distinctive harp players” (Living Blues), Lemons and Berkowitz bring striking contrast and chemistry to the stage, backed by a powerhouse ensemble that amplifies their soulful originals and dynamic performances. Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz revive the vanishing art of the duet while pushing the American blues tradition forward.
Since 2015, The Lucky Losers have toured nationally across 46 states, released five critically acclaimed albums, and earned 6 national awards, 25 nominations, and two International Songwriting Competition finalist honors. Their discography includes A Winning Hand (2015), In Any Town (2016), Blind Spot (2018), Godless Land (2020), and Standin’ Pat (2022). Each has charted internationally and received praise from major outlets including Downbeat, Living Blues, Elmore, and Blues Music Magazine.
With a full band sound, raw authenticity, and undeniable chemistry, The Lucky Losers continue to captivate audiences and critics alike—cementing their reputation as one of the most compelling blues acts of their generation.
AWARDS | HONORS | CHARTS
Awards, Charts & Recognition
2023
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Contemporary Band — The Lucky Losers (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Contemporary CD — Standin’ Pat (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Contemporary Song — Standin’ Pat (Phil Berkowitz & Danny Caron) (Nominee)
2022
- Standin’ Pat — Australian Blues & Roots Chart (Most Played International Releases), #24 (Oct, Nov, Dec 2022)
- Standin’ Pat — NAAC (North American Community College Radio Chart), #11 (Oct, Nov, Dec 2022)
- Living Blues — Top Blues Albums — Standin’ Pat (#14 peak), 25 Most Played Albums (Oct, Nov, Dec 2022 & Jan 2023)
- Independent Blues Awards — Road Warrior — The Lucky Losers (Nominee)
- International Songwriting Competition — Blues Semi-Finalist — You Can’t Lose with a Winning Hand (from Standin’ Pat) — Cathy Lemons & Chris Burns
- International Songwriting Competition — Americana Semi-Finalist — Rich Strike (from Standin’ Pat) — Cathy Lemons
- Blues Music Magazine — Top 10 Albums of 2022 — Standin’ Pat (Dan Stevens)
- KALW Fog City Blues — Standin’ Pat, #6
- #1 KIOS — Standin’ Pat, Mike Jacops “Blues in the Afternoon” (Dec 2022, charted since Oct 2022)
- Roots Music Report — Top Blues Albums for 2022
- Roots Music Report — Top 50 Blues Chart — Standin’ Pat (Oct, Nov, Dec 2022 & Jan 2023)
- 5 singles from Standin’ Pat charted for a period of 10 weeks
2021
- Independent Blues Awards — Artist of the Year — Cathy Lemons (Winner)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best R&B Blues CD — Godless Land (Winner)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best R&B Blues Song — Godless Land (Winner)
- Independent Blues Awards — Song of the Year — Godless Land (Winner)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Female Artist — Cathy Lemons (Winner)
- Roots Music Report — Top Blues Albums for 2021
- Top Albums 2021 — Standin’ Pat | Roots Music Report
2020
- iTunes Top Blues U.S. — Top Blues Albums — Godless Land | #7
- Living Blues — Top 50 Blues Albums — Godless Land | #29 (all albums for the year 2020)
- Living Blues — Top 25 Most Played Albums — Godless Land | #2 and #7 (Aug & Sept 2020)
- Independent Blues Broadcasters (U.K.) — Top 40 Most Played Albums — Godless Land | #9
- International Songwriting Competition — Blues Finalist (Honorable Mention) — Godless Land (from Godless Land) — Cathy Lemons & Kid Andersen
- Making A Scene — Richard Ludmerer’s Top Indie Blues Releases — Godless Land
- Rick Keyes Music Caravan Blues Show — Top Contemporary Blues Releases (Dec 2020) — Godless Land | #17
- Roots Music Report — Top Blues Albums for the Year 2020 — Godless Land
- Bruce’s Top 20 from 2020 (Caldonia’s Crossroads) — “Catch Desire By The Tail” | #6
- #1 KIOS — Mike Jacops “Blues in the Afternoon” | Godless Land (Aug 2020)
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Awards, Charts & Recognition (continued)
2020 (continued)
- Roots Music Report — #5 Top Blues Albums — Godless Land (45 weeks on chart | 4 weeks Top 10)
- Roots Music Report — #2 Top Blues Single — Half A Nothing (12 weeks on chart | 4 weeks Top 10)
- Roots Music Report — #2 California Chart (Top Albums) — Godless Land (46 weeks on chart | 10 weeks Top 10)
- Roots Music Report — #1 Contemporary Blues Single Chart — Half A Nothing (8 weeks on chart | 6 weeks Top 10)
- 10 singles from Godless Land charted for a period of 26 weeks
2019
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul Artist — The Lucky Losers (Winner)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul CD — Blind Spot (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul R&B Song — Take The Long Road (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Rock Song — Alligator Baptism (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Contemporary Blues Song — The River (Nominee)
2018
- Living Blues — Top 25 Most Played Albums — Blind Spot | #10 (May 2018)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul Artist — The Lucky Losers (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul CD — In Any Town (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul R&B Song — It Ain’t Enough (Nominee)
- International Songwriting Competition — Blues Finalist — The River (from Blind Spot) — Cathy Lemons (16 Blues finalists out of 19k entrants)
- DownBeat Magazine — The Year’s Top Rated Albums — Blind Spot (Dec 2018)
- Making A Scene — Richard Ludmerer’s Top 40 Indie Blues Recordings — Blind Spot (listed at #1)
- The Aquarian, Mike Greenblatt’s Rant ’N’ Roll — The Best of 2018 — Blind Spot | #10
- #1 KIOS — Mike Jacops “Blues in the Afternoon” | Blind Spot (May 2018)
- Roots Music Report — #28 Top Blues Albums for the Year 2018 — Blind Spot
- Roots Music Report — #17 Top Contemporary Blues Albums for the Year 2018 — Blind Spot
- Roots Music Report — #9 Blues Album Chart — Blind Spot (26 weeks on chart | 4 weeks Top 10)
- Roots Music Report — #5 Contemporary Blues Album Chart — Blind Spot (32 weeks on chart | 19 weeks Top 10)
- Roots Music Report — #2 California Chart — Blind Spot (32 weeks on chart | 18 weeks Top 10)
2017
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul CD — In Any Town (Nominee)
- Independent Blues Awards — Best Blues/Soul Song — It Ain’t Enough (Nominee)
- International Songwriting Competition — Blues Semi-Finalist — In Any Town (from In Any Town) — Cathy Lemons
2016
- Living Blues — Top 25 Most Played Albums — In Any Town | #6 (July 2016)
- Top Albums 2016 — Richard Ludmerer’s Top 50 Indie Blues Albums — In Any Town | #28
- Roots Music Report — #28 Top Blues Rock Albums for the Year 2016 — I
MUSIC
ARRIVAL|2025
STANDIN’ PAT|2022
GODLESS LAND| 2020
BLIND SPOT | 2018
IN ANY TOWN | 2016
A WINNING HAND | 2015
PRESS
REVIEWS OF THE LUCKY LOSERS’ ALBUMS
ARRIVAL REVIEWS
“Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz describe themselves as The Lucky Losers, but the San Francisco-couple duo strike gold every time they enter the recording studio. And they do it again on this all-original offering. It’s a blend of blues that packs a punch, humorous funk, ’60s soul and more. …Music with a message. – Marty Gunther, Cincy Blues Society, Red Hot ’n Blues Reviews for November 2025
“The Lucky Losers hold little back. This is one of the more expressive, personal blues albums heard recently. The carefully crafted Arrival will surely gain considerable airplay and acclaim.”
- Jim Hynes, Rock & Blues Muse, Nov 2025
“The bright faultless song arrangements, as well as Kid Andersen’s final production values, result in a high-quality recording that will totally satisfy most listeners, making them love and enjoy each of the eleven fantastic songs of this more than interesting album…. Cathy Lemons’ voice is superb and full of nuances, while Phil Berkowitz’s harmonica sounds elegant and just right.” - Vincent Zumel, La Hora Del Blues
“Arrival” is the new breakthrough album from the Lucky Loser’s as Lemon’s states it’s, the most personal music I’ve ever written” there is a line in “I Believe Her (Because I Am Her)” includes the line “who don’t believe me, my own mother”, making it the most personal song Lemons has ever sung. She adds that “Pig Iron Tough” was a result of a childhood lost as she moved 15 times before the age of 17. For the Lucky Losers they have “Arrived”.
- Richard Ludmerer
Contributing Editor/Making A Scene
“’I Believer Her (Because I Am Her”),’ a gripping statement on childhood sexual abuse, was written by Lemons, who experienced it herself as a youth...the lyrics and her vocal performance are searing in their intensity…. Hopefully, Cathy Lemons and Phil Berkowitz can keep it together long enough to entertain blues fans with even more of their wonderful music. Arrival is their best effort, their most personal and their most entertaining, with stellar performances by all involved.”
VIDEO GALLERY
Tour Video
They conjure a blues of a different hue, one full of
surprises and elemental forces. The bandleaders have animated musical intelligence in abundance.
”Down in Memphis Town” may be the outstanding song, with ten more originals almost as good. “Standin’ Pat” is definitely a strong contender for “best blues album of the year.”
— Frank John Hadley | Longtime Critic Downbeat| October 25, 2022
The Making of 2022 Album: Standin’ Pat
VIDEO FOR GODLESS LAND & Greaseland
YOU LEFT IT BEHIND OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR BLIND SPOT
“You Left It Behind,” a tongue-in-cheek look at forgetfulness and the trials of being on the road, with a swing feel. Cathy Lemons tells us:
“This is the first song Phil and I ever wrote together with our writing partner Danny Caron! It’s a funny song about forgetting things–and we do forget things–but you would too if you were traveling ten thousand miles across country in a big cargo van with all your belongings and a bunch of musicians in the back seat. Everything in this song is based on real-life events. ”
2019 LIVE PERFORMANCES
Performing in San Francisco prestigious Fillmore Heritage Festival (formerly known as Yoshi’s) in January of 2019, and also the small, intimate venue at Racho Nicasio in Nicasio, CA where the band is essentially a trio.
LIVE AT SKYLINE STUDIOS
San Francisco's finest male/female duet fronted band, The Lucky Losers perform various tracks from their critically acclaimed second album, "In Any Town". Watch "Jackson," "I Can't Change Ya", "So High".
PHOTO GALLERY
Click to enlarge and download.
BAND MEMBERS
CATHY LEMONS
VOCALS
CATHY LEMONS is a legendary, blues singing firebird out of Dallas, Texas, who has mesmerized audiences with her “velvety and hypnotic voice, resonant of a female Howlin’ Wolf” (Fulltimeblues 2010) for 30 years. A seasoned and expressive songwriter, Cathy brings profound authenticity to her craft and delivers emotional and electrifying performances. She has collaborated with many great names in blues, such as Tommy Castro, Kid Andersen, Anson Funderburgh, and the great John Lee Hooker.
To date, Cathy Lemons has released three studio albums: “Dark Road,” ”Lemonace" and "Black Crow". Her critically acclaimed “Black Crow” was nominated for a “Welcome Back” Jimi Award from Blues411. The album made the 2014 Downbeat “Winners Pick” and was featured in Blues Matters’ “Top 10 Albums” in the U.K. Her song “The River” was a finalist in the 2018 International Songwriting Competition in the blues category.
“Godless Land” was a Finalist in 2020 The International Songwriting Competition. Cathy won both “Song of the Year” & “Best R&B/Blues Song” from the Independent Blues Awards in 2021, as well as “Artist of the Year”.
PHIL BERKOWITZ
VOCALS & HARMONICA
New Jersey native, PHIL BERKOWITZ, "has earned renown as one of the West Coast’s most distinctive harp players, as well as for his sharp, resonant tenor." (Living Blues/ 2018). For over 20 years Phil has brought his energetic and refined musical style to American audiences.
Phil has collaborated and/or toured with a wide range of esteemed musicians, such as 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC) winner Sean Carney, 2014 IBC winner for “Best Guitar” Ben Rice, Duke Robillard, Billy Branch, and most notable, Charles Brown’s former bandleader and guitarist, Danny Caron with whom he currently co-writes his songs. Phil has released three critically acclaimed albums: “High Time”/ 2000, “Louis’ Blues”/ 2005, and “All Night Party” /2009.
CHRIS BURNS
KEYBOARDS
Simon Govan Smith
GUITAR
JOE KYLE
BASS
ROBI BEAN
DRUMS
UPCOMING DATES
The Lucky Losers have previously performed at the following venues, concert series, and festivals.
BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups
St. Louis, MO | 2020
The Sapphire Room
Boise, ID | 2019-2020
Red, White & Blues Festival
Las Cruces, NM | 2019
Capitol Oyster Bar
Montgomery, AL | 2015 — 2019
Fillmore Heritage Center
San Francisco, CA | 2019
Biscuits & Blues
San Francisco, CA | 2014-2018
The Poor House Studio Showroom
San Jose, CA | 2015 — 2019
Rancho Nicasio
Nicasio, CA | 2018-2020
Club Fox
Redwood City, CA | 2015-2021
Buddy Guy’s Legends
Chicago, IL | 2018
Blind Willie’s
Atlanta, GA | 2017-2019
Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza
Columbus, OH | 2018-2020
The Slippery Noodle
Indianapolis, IN | 2018
Sunday Blues Cruz Festival
Amarillo, TX | 2019
Bob Sykes BBQ Festival
Bessemer, AL | 2019The Rockin’ Blues ‘N Brews Festival
Vacaville, CA | 2018
Down Home Blues Festival
Camden, SC | 2018
BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups
St. Louis, MO | 2017 — 2019
Apple Blossom Festival
Sebastopol, CA| 2017
“Bourbon & Blues” Music Series
The Momo, Sacramento, CA | 2017 — 2019
Freight & Salvage
Berkeley, CA | 2015 & 2017
Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues
Minneapolis, MN | 2017
Tuesday Night Blues
Eau Claire, WI | 2016 & 2017
Lafayette’s Music Room
Memphis, TN | 2016, 2017, 2018
San Felipe Blues and Arts Fiesta
Baja, Mexico | 2017
Englewood’s on Dearborn
Dearborn, FL | 2017
Riverfront Festival
Libby, MT | 2016
Ribberfest Blues Festival
Madison WI | 2016Blues by the Sea
Kiawah Island, NC | 2016
Point Richmond Music Concert Series
Richmond, CA | 2016
Omaha Summer Arts Festival
Omaha, NE | 2016, 2019
Knuckleheads
Kansas City, MO | 2015
Rum Boogie Cafe
Memphis, TN | 2015
Bradfordville Blues Club
Tallahassee, FL | 2015
Burlingame Jazz and Arts Festival
Burlingame, CA| 2015
City Winery
Napa, CA | 2015
Empress Theater
Vallejo, CA | 2015
Placerville Art & Wine Festival
Placerville, CA | 2015
Roseville Downtown Concert Series
Roseville, CA | 2015
CONTACT
BOOKING
Phil Berkowitz
Proud Member of The Blues Foundation,
PRESS
Mark Pucci Media
PR for ARRIVAL
MoMojo RECORDS
FILES