Catbird Seat is an original acoustic band following contemporary and traditional forms of folk expression with heavy influences of rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and other great Americana genres blended to form an eclectic sound of adult alternative music. Their original “folk & roll” explores various themes from the alluring and simplistic, to the serious and inane. Catbird Seat is most famous for their original song "No Fat Chicks".

Catbird Seat consisits of Brett Norton, Bob Bedell, and Rob Griffin. Bob and Brett met in college in Knoxville, Tennessee during the early ‘80s, while both were honing their future talent playing in college bands. Bob met Rob traveling through Atlanta with one of those bands. Bob moved to Decatur in 1987 to join forces with Rob (stuck in college at the time) and Catbird Seat was formed in the FALL of that year. Catbird Seat played their first “real” show in 1988 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, opening for the Washington Squares. Around the same time, the boys made friends with Kristen Hall and Wendy Bucklew at a White Dot “open mic” and decided to combine forces for some local shows. Soon they were playing regularly at the White Dot, Five Points Pub, Trackside Tavern, and various dives around Georgia Tech. A fledgling, future studiomaster (Don McCollister) was wanting to record something...’Color Desire’ was born in Don’s friend’s, parents house (um…that didn’t last long). Shortly after starting the ‘Color Desire’ recording sessions the studio moved to Don’s parents living room. But in 1989, ‘Color Desire’ cassette was finally released. In a Place and Color Desire both received some really good press and airplay on local stations like 88.5, 89.3, and 96Rock. Good friend Eddie Owen shared his vocal talent on Crumble Down, as he did late night at Trackside (and later at Eddie’s Attic). Thanks in great part to Eddie and the Atlanta musicians, the late eighties Atlanta “acoustic scene” was VERY supportive and hypnotic, inspiring and unassuming. Musicians were always at each others shows supporting friends and jumping on stage to sing. Many great acts came out of the scene in Atlanta, and many others moved there to join in. Brett joined the band as bass and vocalist in support of the 1992 release of ‘One of these Days’ (w/ producer Jeff Bakos). Catbird Seat played the very first show at Eddie’s Attic in May of ‘92. This show consisted of a Donkey Act, with special trained donkeys brought in from Tijuana. Joining in to lend a musical hand were Travis Aaron McNabb (Sevin Simons), Sandy Garfinkel, Dave Ceppos, David Franklin, Annie Hyra, Kristian Bush, Mark Reynolds, Ashley Wilson, Mary Kate, and Simone Simonton. The album got a lot of airplay for the songs Somebody’s Friend, One of these Days, and the harp driven fav’ Right Down to my Toes. Simone stayed on as a popular member of Catbird Seat literally bringing folks to their knees with her awesome drum solos (Bob, Rob, and Brett would go have drinks while she jammed). With Simone and Brett as members Catbird Seat “the band” released 1994’s ‘Fairytales and Songs’ (with producers Don McCollister and Glenn Matullo) and it met with regional airway success with the songs We Run, Over Now, Fortunate Heart, and Fall’s Lullaby. Catbird Seat went to the trio lineup in 1995 when Simone (now with South 70) went on to play drums with the power-pop trio LIFT, fronted by Molly Bancroft, with Julie Clark on bass.

Catbird Seat has always played any show they could get including benefits, graduation parties, house parties, book stores, benefits, radio shows, car lots, gas stations, coffee shops, kitchens, parking lots, crashing stages of other musicians, benefits, restaurants, great listening rooms, large venues, dives, music festivals, theme parks, and even benefits. The reason Catbird Seat has to be so unselective in its choices of gigs is because the band is lame and the music sucks. Catbird Seat did shows with many great Atlanta-area acts like Reuben Anderson, Mark and Ashley, David Franklin, Dede Vogt, Michelle Malone, Blue Prayer, Right as Rain, Gerard McHugh, Vigilantes of Love, Insane Jane, Good Medicine, Kevn Kinney, Indigo Girls, Sandy Garfinkel, Caroline Aiken, Joyce and Jacque, Shawn Mullins, Matthew Kahler, Kristian Bush and Andrew Hyra, Big Fish Ensemble, Uncle Green, David Harris (Follow for Now), Don Conoscenti, a very young and energetic Josh Joplin, Cottleston Pie, and Durable Fig Leaf (Evon and Jaron). Catbird Seat also played with regional and national recording acts David Wilcox, America, Innocence Mission, Nikki Meets the Hibatchi, Vance Gilbert, Jon Svetky, the Martini Age, Smokin’ Dave and the Premo Dopes, Winter Hours, Carrie Newcomer, Mollys, Garnette Rogers, Darden Smith, Mike Garrigan, Athenaeum, Chicken Wire Gang, Eddie from Ohio, and many others during their extensive touring of the eastern US (top to bottom) in th early and mid ‘90s. The late ‘90s brought a baby makin’ and work hiatus for the band. Brett, Rob, and Bob did keep busy musically and professionally during this down time by working as male prostitutes.

2006 has brought a resurgence of new songs, live shows, new recordings and a website for Catbird Seat. As a teaser, we roughly recorded 7 songs at the Attic to get the word out. The ‘Live at Eddie’s Attic’ limited edition CDs are going quick at $5.00 plus shipping (email us if you need a copy). The long-awaited CD ‘Pleasant Truths’ (due for release in 2007) has been started at Orphan Studios with Rob Gal and Glenn Matullo in Atlanta. Our music has gone in a new direction, building on the strengths of our past and the experiences that we have acquired with time. We feel that we have never been stronger as a band, as musicians, and as friends despite the obtuse triangle that we have set up between us: Brett (Decatur, GA), Bob (Hillsborough, NC), Rob (Marietta, GA)…..thank the Lord for digital technology.