In a town recently noted for music playing second fiddle to grandiose marketing schemes, Bomshel was born the old fashioned way. Performing weekly for nearly a year for country music fans at the famous Tootsies Orchard Lounge in Nashville.
"It was important for us to see what our fans love, not what the music industry thinks they want," says Kristy O., who plays fiddle, acoustic guitar, mandolin and sings soaring harmonies. The other half of Bomshel, Buffy Lawson, who sings lead vocals and is the primary songwriter of the group, shares that vision.
"We knew it would take longer to blend our individual styles but it was worth it for us to take the time to build our show organically. We hope our music will touch people and make them happy. We want to see them out there dancing, laughingand maybe shedding a tear or twoor three. It's entertainment and we hope to help them forget about their problems for a little while, or sing a song that will hopefully help them through a hard time." T
The musical style of Bomshel is as diverse as the girls themselves. Country Music Love Song, for example, is a song about a country girl who visits Hollywood for the first time, and in a near panic, does what any good, southern girl would do: So I pulled out my guitar and I launched into a Dolly Parton song! And before I knew it, coats of many colors began to sing along. It wasn't one of them lyin, cryin, cheatin, dyin, somebody done somebody wrong songsit was an absolutely finger lickin, grits an chicken country music love song! The song I Am Pretty represents a more serious side of Bomshel. Its a poignant story song about a woman who has been in an abusive relationship and finds the strength to leave: I might go back to school, I know you take me for a fool, despite what you saysomething occurred to me today, I am pretty.
Not that the project didn't begin with a specific vision. Chuck Howard, former VP of Curb Records, wanted to form a female duo. His concept was to find distinctly different personalities that together, would create one unique voice.
"I didnt know exactly what I was looking for in pairing up the girls and I didnt want the process to be contrived, so I waited until the perfect combination came along."
The first time Howard heard about Kristy O., he was eager to see her perform. Kristy had a reputation for playing fiddle while climbing lighting gear and singing incredible harmony. Her charisma was undeniable and he immediately knew he had found the first half of his duo. For several months together, they searched for the missing half of the as yet unnamed act. Finally, while attending a music event in Colorado, Howard stood in line at a BBQ pit outside a ski resort. Standing in front of him was a petite blonde, wearing high-heeled cowboy boots. "Hey, help me out over here!" she chuckled as she motioned to her friend. "My heels are stuck in this ice patch!" Intrigued by her deep, raspy, southern voice and sense of humor, Mr. Howard approached her and said, "Boy, I like the way you talk. Are you a singer?" As it turned out, Buffy was the songwriter of several songs that Howard and Kristy O. had selected for the project long before the two girls met.
And so it began. The chemistry between them was immediate. "We were so comfortable around each other from the moment we met," says Lawson. "It was pretty obvious to us all that something special was happening."
Since then, the Bomshel girls have graduated from Tootsies and are currently recording their first album and are opening for artists such as Brad Paisley, Chris Cagle, Billy Currington and Andy Griggs. The integrity of our music always comes first, say the girls. Although, once you experience a Bomshel show, you just might find yourself getting lost in Buf's big voice, lots of bling bling, mounds of large, high hair and of course, the wild, singin' fiddle player hangin from the rafters!
When asked what the word Bomshel means to the Bomshel girls...they simply reply "A true Bomshel is a woman who ain't afraid to go to the grocery store with no make-up, who can hold her own around any man she'll ever meet, and who realizes the true importance of chocolate and mashed potatoes!
Bomshel is currently signed to Curb Records, where they have been given their very own label called Bombstop! Records.
