Pamela’s first pro gig was an East Coast tour with organist, Merl Saunders, in 1977.  This served as a launching pad for her work with two bands, The Eights and Wild Kingdom, from the late 1970’s through the mid 1980’s.  It was during this period that Pamela met vocalist Glenn Walters.  They began singing together and put together a unique, thematic 2-hour show, called ?When a man loves a woman.’ The show received exceptional critical reviews and subsequently opened a bill with the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra, one of the top Bay Area Rhythm and Blues reviews.

The pairing with Zasu Pitts turned out to be serendipitous as the band was about to go through major personnel changes.  Bandleader, Steve Ashman, asked Pamela and Glenn to join.  They did....  and were part of the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra from 1987-91, including participation in the live album, 13 Souls Out of Control.  It was during the period that Pamela met saxophone player, Jeff Ervin and keyboardist, Nate Ginsberg, both of whom would turn out to be future collaborators.