Him & Her performs as a duo, trio and band playing, Bluesy, Jazzy, Folksy originals and timeless covers featuring singer-songwriter Brenda Freed on vocals, guitar & keys, Michael D’Eath (“DEE-uth”) on diatonic & chromatic harmonica, Jonathan Lee on lead guitar & keys, and Andy Pepper on drums. Couple Michael’s tasty harmonica playing with Brenda’s soulful & versatile voice and you get a powerful sound that delights house concert, theater and festival audiences. The duo becomes a trio with Jonathan Lee on lead guitar. Him & Her plays as a full band adding keys, percussion and harmony vocals. Him & Her devotes their creative energies to performing, recording, songwriting, musical arrangement, and teaching, as well as having a good time with live audiences whether playing a club, house concert, small theater or festival.

Brenda has been performing original music in Texas, the Midwest, England and Ireland since she pedaled 9,000 miles on her bicycle from Iowa to Texas in 1991. An unexpected stop at the Kerrville Folk Festival (KFF) led to pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter. By 2001 she had released a tape (remember those?) and 3 CDs, and formed Texas Hot Flash, including Michael. Michael grew up in England and moved to Texas as a teenager to pursue a career in high technology. Twenty years later, he started performing with harmonica as his primary instrument. Brenda and Michael met at KFF in 1999 and were married in 2000. In 2005, Texas Hot Flash won an Austin Music Award, released 3 CDs, performed throughout Central Texas, Southern California, and the Midwest where they opened for the Charlie Daniels Band. With these successful roots, Him & Her has created a special musical chemistry and performed throughout the Texas Hill Country, the U.S and Europe. In 2015, Him & Her came full circle when they performed at the KFF.

Him & Her has released 3 CDs: “Him & Her On Solid Ground” (2013), “Him & Her In The Groove” (2016), and “Him & Her Do Texas Women” (2018) – a collection of songs, celebrating female Texas songwriters: Shelley King, Karen Abrahams, Toby Solomon, Rosie Flores & Rachel Gladstone, Marghi Allen, Terri Hendrix, Kim Miller, Cindy Walker, Susan Gibson, Kerry Polk, Ruthie Foster and Brenda Freed’s co-write with Teresa Kenas, Nancy Beaudette & Jean Synodinos.

“Another super enjoyable and excellent release from Him & Her, highlighting outstanding Texas songwriters.” Lilli Kuzma, host of Folk Festival on WDCB Public Radio

In addition to their lives as performing musicians, Brenda & Michael have spent their time in other music-related endeavors, and serving non-profit organizations. Brenda has an MA in Music Education & Music Therapy, and taught K-12 music, then pioneered the Music Therapy program at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, while performing in bands on the side. She currently teaches Effortless Singing and Effortless Harmony Singing voice workshops at conferences and festivals. She also teaches voice, guitar, piano and ukulele privately via Skype and in her studio in Blanco, TX, and has a line of Effortless Music Instruction products. From 2005-10, Brenda served on the board of Youth Taking Charge (501c3), administering camps for ‘at risk’ youth and providing music therapy activities. From 2003-13, she created and hosted the Young Artist Performance Incubator (YAPI) in the Texas Hill Country, a monthly community service open mic for age 18 and under. Since 2013, Brenda has hosted YAPI as an annual program of the KFF Foundation. For these and her other music-related businesses and activities visit Brenda’s website.

Michael teaches harmonica when the opportunity arises, including at the Harmonica Workshop held at KFF, which he also helps organize. From 2005-2013, he served as Vice Chair then Chairman of the KFF Foundation (501c3), and since then has served as Secretary then President of the Society for the Preservation & Advancement of the Harmonica (SPAH – a 501c3). Both non-profits have vibrant, growing youth programs. Michael is also a recording and sound engineer at their solar-powered Moondance Studios in Albert, TX. Him & Her combines teaching (harmonica, voice and vocal harmony) and performance at festivals or other performance/workshop situations.

Him & Her would love to play for you, and teach a harmonica, voice and/or vocal harmony workshop while they’re in town!

“Him & Her cover multiple genres with style, tight melodies, clever lyrics and great harp playing. From Traditional folk, to blues and good ole’ Texas Swing, Him & Her will keep your toes a tappin’ and put a smile on your face.” Tom Tranchilla, Songwriter’s Studio, KPFT, Houston, TX

“Freed and D’Eath have released a recording of original Texas music which is a solid demonstration of both vocal and instrumental talent. Brenda’s voice is pleasing, her lyrics are crisp and thoughtful, and D’Eath doesn’t commit the crime most prevalent among amateur harp players. He is a pro.” Sam Kindrick, Action Magazine, San Antonio, TX