Cathryn Cofell’s poetry and essays have been published in hundreds of journals and anthologies, and appear in five books, most recently Kamikaze Commotion (Parallel Press). Her latest project is Lip, her poems to the music of Obvious Dog. Cathryn is a frequent keynote, radio guest, instructor and arts advocate, including stints as advisor to the former Governor Tommy Thomspon for creation of a state poet laureate and as founding chair of the WI Poet Laureate Commission. She currently serves on the advisory board for Verse Wisconsin and promotes poetry events in Northeast WI.
The original Obvious Dog (Bill Orth and Bruce Dethlefsen) have performed their own blues and jazz throughout Wisconsin since 2001. Cathryn Cofell added her poetic twist in 2009. Both Bruce (Wisconsin’s current Poet Laureate) and Cathryn are highly-published, award-winning poets and regional performance favorites, frequently requested for public radio and TV, readings, workshops and keynotes. Since the debut of the CD Lip in 2010, Obvious Dog has performed to packed houses throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.