From PerformerMag.com
by Kathleen Wehle

Produced by Mike Bader, Kathy Neal, Ted Kynard and Bill Noonan
Recorded at Lazy Ridge Music in Concord, NC

Released Memorial Day Weekend, South85’s El Camino is a perfect country- fried bluesy rock album to add to the summer roadtrip soundtrack, especially for those cowgirls and belles wearied by love.

Inspired by country and Americana music as by acts like Marshall Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show and Gillian Welch, the band takes its name from the highway stretching from the heart of South Carolina out westward to Atlanta. For the bandmates, 85 is the road that always leads home in the northwest of South Carolina, AKA the Upstate. (more…)

From the Charlotte Observer
by Courtney Devoures

At the center of the South Carolina four-piece’s debut album are guitarist Kathy Neal’s clever lyrics, which range from poignant to humorous. Although not doggedly feminist, “El Camino” is a collection of songs for women who aren’t hiding their rough edges, much like the ladies who lead South 85. Not since Loretta Lynn has a singer embraced her Southern-ness so wholeheartedly as Tracy Wyatt, whose twangy accent frequently creates two syllables from one. (more…)

From Skirt Magazine
by Aleigh Acerni

Kathy Neal | Songwriter

By day she works for Microsoft, but by night, Kathy is serious about her music. Hooked from the moment she first picked up the guitar, she loves being able to set her poetry to music.

“When you write songs, it’s a humbling experience,” says Kathy, whose songs are often about a woman’s journey to empowerment and self-independence. “You hope that people will relate and get something out of it.” (more…)

The Carolina Entertainment Complex is proud to announce the First Marion Country Music Fest. Headliners for the 3 day event are: Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd; country music legend Hank Williams, Jr. the original Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson and country music’s latest shining star Sugarland. They’ll all be right here in Marion, South Carolina for three days of great music, good food, tons of fun… and, the best time you’ll ever have in South Carolina! (more…)