Andalusia’s own Katherine Dean has taken over the lead vocals position of Kirk Jay and Kuntry Funk band while Bay Minette, Ala., native Kirk Jay has been in Los Angeles, Cali., performing on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Dean joined the band last year after meeting one of the band members in the Troy University vocal group POPulus.

“Jack reached out to me because they were looking for a female vocalist to sing background and eventually sing some lead,” Dean said. “So I went to Montgomery and auditioned and really clicked with all of the guys.”

Since joining the group, Dean has been performing twice every weekend and had the chance to perform with the band at BB King’s Blues Club in Montgomery.

“It is a really fun scene at BB King’s Blues Club,” Dean said. “We just purely have fun and play a lot of country and funk. The guys really just play whatever the crowd wants.”

Dean said that the best part about performing at the blues club is interacting with the employees there.

“The people who were there are so pleasant,” Dean said. “They can really make or break a venue, but every time we play there they make it a great experience.”

Jay has been back and forth between Montgomery and Los Angeles, so Dean has taken up the lead role when he’s been gone.

“He has been back home for a couple months,” Dean said. “We were still doing gigs while he was home and we have still been doing gigs while he has been gone. Right now we are getting ready for a show in Nashville.”

This week, Jay was voted through the Knockout Rounds on NBC’s “The Voice,” and will fly back to Los Angeles to film the Live Playoffs. Jay performed “In Case You Didn’t Know,” by Brett Young in the Knockout Rounds to make it to the Live Playoffs.

A preview scene for Jay’s performance shows Jay performing with his band at BB King’s Blues Club with Dean singing in the background.

“I am in school and don’t really have cable so I’m behind everybody,” Dean said. “I never know when they will air, so one day I started getting texts saying that I was on T.V. Apparently I was only on there for a second, but it was still pretty bizarre.”

Dean is very supportive of her fellow band member, and believes he’ll go all the way to the final and even win it.

“I miss having him around,” Dean said. “But I am so excited for America to get to see him in action. I honestly think so far, they have only scratched the surface of his talent. He is in a rare group of people who can sit down behind a keyboard and sound great and also stand up and perform with energy.”

Even with all of the fame and recognition, Dean said that Jay has remained level headed.

“I am very proud of him,” Dean said. “I honestly think he will either win or at least get in the top four because of how versatile of an artist he is.”

Dean moved last year to Montgomery to be with the band and is currently working at a human resources firm while attending Huntingdon College at night.

“The plan is still to pursue music, but I want to get my degree in business as well,” Dean said. “I’m definitely not a business-minded person, so for me to get in the music industry, I want to have that business background.”

Dean is the daughter of Beth and John Dean.

The Voice Live Playoffs begin next week on NBC.