The Lone Star State of Texas has undergone another musical revolution with the formation of the Texas LadyBugs by Katherine Dawn, Ginger Pickett, Melinda Day-Harper, Wave Harless, Susan Taylor, and Madge Rashell.

They have just released their debut EP “First Rodeo” to the general public on the venerable Dewberry Jam Community Radio 1670 khz AM. The radio station specializes in true Texas and Americana Music.

The Texas Ladybugs took time off from their busy schedule to be interviewed. The interview was conducted via E Mail between Texas and Florida and it was great to repeat such a historic encounter with a group of artists that are proof that Texas and Americana Music is alive, and kicking.

 

1. What was the inspiration behind the album «First Rodeo»?

Katherine Dawn::A debut for the TX LadyBugs. Our inspiration was to create a balance of material that would showcase each songwriter as well as the song «Sweet Talkin’ Man» a cover tune originally recorded by the Carter Sister.

I (Katherine Dawn) wrote «Deep Cold Water» the last track on the CD specifically for TLB with everyone’s featured instruments in mind.

Of course this EP is also dedicated to the late great «Big» Bill Lister.

Melinda Day-Harper: It really «ain’t» our First Rodeo, but it IS the First Rodeo with the Ladybugs!

 Ginger Pickett: We all wanted to share our joy we fill about this band with our fans; to do that we decided to make an EP with mostly originals. Our fans have been asking for it since we started.  

Madge Rashell: When you get 6 women together – who have all been playing music for most of their lives – it is not hard to find inspiration!  A couple of the songs were actually written after the Texas Ladybugs was formed – born out of the abilites, energy and sounds that were coming together at our rehearsals. – so instead of becoming a collection of different stayles – it actually became the Texas Ladybug sound

2. How long did it take for «First Rodeo» to become a reality?

Katherine Dawn: Approximately 3 months. Produced by me(Katherine Dawn). Engineered and co-produced by David Helms of Rough Diamond Productions.

Melinda Day-Harper: We all started together just the middle of January of this year!

Ginger Pickett: Amazingly it only took 5 short months to get this EP recorded and out for duplication.

Madge Rashell: From the moment we got together at the beginning of 2010 we knew we wanted to record, and once ‘our sound’ started to gel, it was pretty obvious to all of us what we wanted to include on «First Rodeo.»

 

3. How was the Texas Lady Bugs formed?

 

Katherine Dawn: Out of duty and honor from a conversation had many times with my (KD) visits with Bill Lister an early mentor of mine that nick named my his Lucky LadyBug in the 70’s. After his passing on Dec. 1, 2009 I (KD) had a dream and he told me in the dream to name the all female group TX LadyBugs.

I secured the domain name and started creating the logo (cowgirl on a bucking ladybug) on his birthday Jan. 5, 2010.

Started calling musicians/talent that I admired and had a meeting on Jan. 15, 2010 and now here we are releasing an EP «First Rodeo» on June 10, 2010.

Melinda Day-Harper: KD called me and told me about the group and asked me to play Bass.  Knowing her for years and respecting her singer/songwriter abilities, of course I said YES!  Had been Bass player for a classic rock band.  Several members got transferred out of town with their regular day jobs.  Was looking for someone else to play with.  An all-girl, singer/songwriter band really appealed to me.

Ginger Pickett: Katherine Dawn had a dream about Big Bill Lister and the band! Once she got the idea she brought us all together. I officially met Katherine Dawn at an open mic and we started writing a song and became immediate friends. Her and Wave were already doing a show together at Alamo Springs Cafe, I had opened for them a few times. KD asked me if I wanted to be in her new band and I said I would love to. We then ran into Madge who knew Melinda. Last but not least we found Susan, who Wave knew from her past.

Madge Rashell: Katherine Dawn had a vision and a dream and the rest of us, through our friendship and association with her, were fortunate to be included.

 

 

4. Who are the members of the Texas Lady Bugs?

Katherine Dawn: Six  Native Texas seasoned professional musician/singer/songwriters

Katherine Dawn, Melinda Day-Harper, Madge Rashell, Wave Harless, Ginger Pickett, and Susan Taylor

Ginger Pickett: Ginger (Blue) Pickett a Blues singer/songwriter out of San Antonio TX. Started out singing classic rock with the Flying Z Band and then ended up in Maryland singing blues. After her job transferred her back to Texas, where she was originally from, she joined a Blues band called Hodge Podge. She sang with Hodge Podge about a year then decided to work with some female musicians. While guest singing with various blues bands around San Antonio, she eventually joined the brand new band called the Texas Ladybugs. When she said wanted to work with Female musicians she got her wish, now working with 5 talented ladies!

Madge Rashell: Madge Rashell was the female vocalist in a Hill Country dance band for the past 20 years – playing dance halls and fairgrounds all across Texas.  With the switch from that genre to the Texas Ladybugs she also switched from guitar to mandolin – which is very appropriate since she is named after the mandolin – M is for mandolin and the four strings are A D G E ….  As a singer/songwriter, joining the Texas Ladybugs has proven to be a perfect fit for the musical direction she wanted to take – allowing her to write, sing, and perfect some mandolin skills in the process!

 

5. Where will you be performing?

Katherine Dawn: The  Texas tour starts in July and continues into Aug. We will be playing San Angelo,  Frederciskburg,  Seguin, New Braunfels/Gruene,  San Antonio, Welfare, Comfort with more dates being added every week.

 

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors: Rough Diamond Productions, T-Zone Consultants, ABC Lawn and Commercial services, Home Trust Mortgages,& Alexis Souza Graphics and Design, TJ Music Services. Last but not least our Record Label and Management His Hill/Band Barn Records.

 

Ginger Pickett: We play various places which are all on our website www.txladybugs.com

I would like to thank the Texas Ladybugs for their time in the interview and don’t forget to but “First Rodeo” which is expected to be one of the greatest EP’s to come out of Texas.