Singers and multi-instrumentalists Donna Andreeff and Winnie
Bergner have combined creative original material and powerful covers during a
long career as the duo Anatara. playing everything from 6 and 12 string
acoustic guitars, to bass, percussion, keyboards and mandolin, all with
emotional intensity and intricate harmonies.
Originally performing and recording under the name “Ladyfire,”
they released a five-song full-band original project entitled "Break the
Silence" in 1992. The EP was chosen by Anthony Violanti of the Buffalo
News as one of the top ten local releases for that year. Donna and Winnie
began to play acoustically in 1993, and won their first of four consecutive
Buffalo Music Awards for Best Acoustic Duo.
In 1996, they accepted their last Buffalo Music Award as
Ladyfire, changing their name to Anatara. A self-titled CD release that year
would mark the beginning of a busy and successful phase of their careers. Anatara
was recognized by Musician magazine as one of the best unsigned bands in
the nation. They played to standing-room crowds at the Hard Rock Cafe in
Niagara Falls, and shared the stage with artists such as Pat Benatar, Sass
Jordan, Heart, and Rick Springfield.
December of 1997 took them to Washington DC where they performed
in the East Room of the White House, playing Christmas carols for a holiday
event presented by President and Mrs. Clinton And they made history in August
1998 as the official opening act for "Woodstock 98 - A Day in the Garden,"
sharing that day with artists including Stevie Nicks and Don Henley.
Following their next release, On My Way, and the
addition of drummer Joe Santee, fellow BMHOF Inducted Member Robby Takac
selected Anatara as his backing band for a tribute to Ozzy Osborne at his Music
is Art festival. UB’s Center for the Performing Arts featured the group in
their “Live at the Center” campus television special. “On My Way” was made into
a video, and along with “I’m Gone,” was featured on 101.1 FM The Lake. Another
track, “Every Time”, appeared in B.O.Y.D., an independent film by
Matthew Lorentz.
Anatara headlined VIP Day of Show Concert Parties at Darien
Lake before concerts by Def Leppard, Kiss, and Sugarland, and also opened for
Grand Funk Railroad, Honeymoon Suite, and 54-40 locally. The group performed at
NYC’s historic rock club, The Bitter End. A live “On My Way” video appeared in Let’s
Go Buffalo, a television series highlighting the best of what the city
offers.
Donna and Winnie have continued to root their musical style
in a blend of folk, rock and blues, influenced by artists such as Melissa
Etheridge, Fleetwood Mac, and Heart. Anatara recorded the CD Days Gone By in
2015.