If you go to a Rock or Blues festival and there happens to be music being played in the campgrounds, nine times out of 10 it will be a scene in which women stand around and watch a bunch of guys try and play some songs. Yes, there may be a female vocalist with a guitar in the mix being backed up by others, but that is rare.
If you go to a Bluegrass or Old-Time music festival, however, it can be a different story, with women musicians not only standing there strumming but also playing solos, calling out tunes and leading the jams. Yes, Bluegrass and Old-Time music is still often male-dominated, but women artists are well-represented on the charts, at fests (and in festival music contests) and on main stages.
The Grammy-nominated band Della Mae is a wonderful example of an all-female group that is not a novelty, but instead is made up of wonderful musicians who bring the thunder as far as instrumental prowess goes while still creating music that is progressive, beautiful and unique.
The band is made up of guitar and banjo phenom Courtney Hartman, two-time National Fiddle Champion Kimber Ludiker, singer/songwriter Celia Woodsmith, bassist Zoe Guigueno and Bluegrass mandolin whiz Jenni Lyn Gardner, with all five adding vocals.
Tickets/more info here.
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2015.