Bomshel

Infobox musical artist
Name = Bomshel


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Genre = Country
Years_active = 2004-present
Label = Bombstop!/Curb
URL = http://bomshel.com
Current_members = Kristy O.
Kelley Shepard
Past_members = Buffy "Buf" Lawson
Associated_acts = Mila Mason

Bomshel (IPAEng|ˈbɒmʃɛl) is an American country music duo consisting of lead singer Buffy "Buf" Lawson and fiddle player/harmony vocalist Kristy O. (born Kristy Osmonson).cite web |url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_cma_close_up/article/0,3034,GAC_26068_4828902_,00.html |title= NEW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Bomshel |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=Great American Country]

Signed to Curb Records in 2004, Bomshel has charted four singles on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot Country Songs charts, although they have not released an album. The duo's highest-peaking to date is "Ain't My Day to Care", which peaked at #44 in 2006. They are also known for its high-energy live performances and prominent use of fiddle.

Lawson departed in December 2007, and Kelley Shepard, a native of Detroit, Michigan, was chosen as her replacement. [cite web |url=http://blog.mlive.com/goinggonzo/2007/12/more_on_the_bomshel_shuffle.html |title=More on the Bomshel shuffle |accessdate=2007-12-20 | |format=html |work=MLive.com]

History

Buffy Lawson and Kristy Osmonson, natives of Lexington, Kentucky and Sandpoint, Idaho, respectively, both moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the 1990s.cite web |url=http://www.wma.com/bomshel/Bio/bomshel_bio.pdf |title=BomshelBio.pdf |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=pdf] Prior to meeting, the two worked as songwriters in Nashville, with Lawson writing a track on Mila Mason's second album (1998's "The Strong One"). Osmonson met Lawson at a fan fair in Nashville, while seeking out a singing partner who would make for a high-energy, dynamic duo; Lawson and Osmonson found that they worked well together, and decided to perform as a duo.

The duo first performed at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville, where they would set up on Tuesday nights to play their songs.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BOMSHEL&sql=11:gpftxqrdldse~T1 |title=((( Bomshel > Biography))) |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=All Music Guide] Later, they began to play at several clubs throughout Nashville as well.

By 2006, Bomshel was signed to the Curb Records label, which gave the duo its own sub-label, Bombstop! Records. Their first single, "It Was an Absolutely, Finger Lickin', Grits and Chicken, Country Music Love Song", was released in early 2006, followed by the release of "Ain't My Day to Care". In addition, the duo opened for Montgomery Gentry, Andy Griggs, and Jo Dee Messina. [cite web |url=http://www.acmebrandingcompany.com/newsreader.cfm?articleid=116 |title=No Stopping This Bomshel |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=Acme Branding Company]

"Bomshel Stomp"

Bomshel's third single was titled "Bomshel Stomp". Originally written as a joke on Osmonson's birthday, "Bomshel Stomp" was intended as a "rave groove with a hillbilly song".cite web |url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/650275/108th_annual_central_carolina_fair_meet_the_blonde_bomshels/index.html |title=108th Annual Central Carolina Fair: Meet the Blonde "Bomshels" |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=RedOrbit] A copy of the song was inadvertently left behind at a club, and after the club owner began to play the song, it caught the attention of other clubs as well.cite web |url=http://www.gonecountrymagazine.com/bomshel |title=Bomshel |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=Gone Country Magazine]

While "Ain't My Day to Care" was charting, "Bomshel Stomp" was tested on radio stations throughout the state of Michigan. During mid-2006, it became the most-requested song on country radio stations in the state, and as a result of its success in test markets, "Bomshel Stomp" was chosen as the duo's third single. It was succeeded by "The Power of One", a cut from the soundtrack for the film "Evan Almighty".

In December 2007, after the release of their fourth single, Lawson parted the duo, citing creative differences. She was later replaced by Detroit, Michigan native Kelley Shepard, who made her debut on the duo's fifth single, "Just This Way". Both "Just This Way" and its follow-up, "Cheater, Cheater", failed to chart, although the duo Joey + Rory charted in September 2008 with their rendition of the song.

Charitable efforts

In late 2006, Bomshel put up a custom-built, autographed motorcycle, called the "Wicked Women of Tequila Rose Chopper", up for auction on CMT's auction website, CMTAuctions.com. [cite web |url=http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/29431005cp.shtml |title=Bomshel’s Charity Chopper Now Available At CMTAuctions.com |accessdate=2007-07-13 |format=html |work=Click Press] Proceeds from the auction were to the benefit of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Discography

Studio albums

*^A Unreleased album.

Singles

*^A Failed to chart.

References

External links

* [http://bomshel.com Official website]
*myspace|bomshel|Bomshel