Fattie B. Enlists Vermont-Based Producers, Emcees, DJs & Musicians For ‘GUMBO’ Album Release Bash

DJ and rapper Fattie B of Belizbeha (aka Kyle Thompson) recruited an array of fellow Vermont-based musicians to take part in a “variety show extravaganza” celebrating the recent release of his latest studio album, GUMBO. The GUMBO Album Release Bash featuring performances by Fattie B. and members of Belizbeha, Dwight & Nicole, Craig Mitchell, Bob Wagner & Friends, Miriam Bernardo & Rob Morse, Mister Burns, DJ Kanga and many other special guests will take place at T-Rex Theater in Essex Junction, Vermont on Saturday, February 11.

Fattie B. served up an eclectic stew on GUMBO with contributions from the likes of Mitchell, Wagner (Kat Wright), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Dave “The Truth” Grippo & Joey Sommerville (Giant Country Horns), DJ Kanga, Dwight & Nicole (The Voice) and other area musicians, producers, emcees and DJs as well as his Belizbeha bandmates. The 25-track LP spans 90 minutes and multiple genres.

The story of GUMBO is one of hope and perseverance. Thompson found himself laid up in the hospital on Christmas in 2021 diagnosed with congestive heart failure. It was there he received a message from the family of 13-year-old Reese Payea. Reese, who met Thompson at a 2018 Belizbeha reunion show, was fighting a heart condition of his own. The youngster wanted Fattie B. to know he was thinking about him and the note hit a chord with the musician.

Thompson made positive changes in his life following the “message from the universe” and focused on what turned out to be GUMBO. Fattie B. reached out to a number of the talented musicians he had crossed paths with over the past 30 years to contribute to the project, which was released last Halloween. “Every song on this project is a genuine collaborative effort and brings together the most talented people that I know in the music industry in a unique way,” Thompson wrote in a note accompanying GUMBO on Bandcamp. “This project is so full of love and every single person that I reached out to in regards to being a part of it (especially when they heard the inspiration for it and the meaning behind it) jumped onboard with excitement and emotional energy.”

Tickets for the GUMBO Album Release Bash are on sale now via Eventbrite. Stream/purchase GUMBO below: