Karen Hart's first performance was at the Rosemont Horizon and she has been ROCKIN' ever since. Karen started her own band, the
Karen Hart Band , performing at large festivals such as; The Taste of Chicago, Schaumburg Septemberfest, Bolingbrook Jubilee, Northlake Days, Naperville Last Fling, Carol Stream Fest, Woodridge Jubilee, Frankfort Fall Fest,
Batavia Windmill City Fest, Bartlett 4th of July Fest, Plainfield Fest, Bloomingdale Septemberfest, Taste of Polonia, Cantigny, Taste of Lombard, Monee Fall Faire,
Lisle Eyes to the Skies, Winfield Good Old Days, West Chicago Railroad Days, Berwyn Centennial Festival, Long Grove Festivals, Somonauk Summerfest, and Worth Days to name a few.
One of Karen's favorite moments was opening the Taste of Chicago featured on LIVE TV by NBC, CBS, FOX, CLTV and WGN TV.
Along with the Karen Hart Band , Karen started Just Pretending, which pays tribute to The Pretenders.
Previously, Karen performed with Cheap Dates, GUI, ZSharp, Battlefield (a Pat Benatar tribute band),
portrayed Linda McCartney in Band on the Run (a Paul McCartney Tribute band)
and portrayed Nancy Wilson in Heartless and Heart to Heartbreaker. Karen has also protrayed Christine McVie in Fleetwood Mach.
Karen has shared the stage with national acts such as the Gin Blossims, the Smithereens, Dennis DeYoung, the Ides of March, Davy Jones and the New Colony Six.
Karen Hart's high-energy and powerful vocals leave no doubt she can ROCK like few others.
Her love of music is evident in her performance and watching the fun she has on stage, you can't help but join in on it.
Greg Link is the quintessential lead guitar player, offering top-level professionalism while standing out as a unique talent in the Chicago land music scene.
He brings a dynamic, fun approach to the Karen Hart Band and Just Pretending creating an energy that brings audiences to their feet wanting more.
Greg Link really likes to play guitar and studied guitar with Stu Pearce for 13 years. Since the early 70’s he has played in original, corporate, wedding, Classic Rock, Blues, 50's and 60's and dance bands for decades.
Always fortunate enough to play with other good musicians and work steadily, he continues to enjoy the instrument and still strives to be the best he can for audiences nationwide.
Marty Kerlin is the backbone of the Karen Hart Band and Just Pretending's rhythm section; his abilities are unparalleled when emulating the sounds and bass passages of The Pretenders, one of his favorite bands. He also knows most any other song the band can throw at him!
Marty Kerlin got his start on the bass guitar back in his hometown of Phoenix, AZ in the 1970's. After relocating to the suburbs of Washington, DC, he spent many years playing rock/pop covers,
then ultimately focusing on all-original projects in the Washington/Baltimore area and then later in Chicago.
After taking time off for work and family, Marty is back rockin' the scene and is super excited to be playing some of his favorite music for everyone to enjoy!
Toby Nickels is the driving force behind the Karen Hart Band and Just Pretending
bringing an exciting and solid foundation.
Toby began his music journey on the piano but soon switched to drums, composition and production. He has performed in and worked with a wide variety of musical groups, both live and in studio,
coverering a range of styles, from rock to jazz, metal to hip hop, folk and punk. He enjoys performing the Pretenders material, which are very drum driven songs.