The First Ladies of Country

Following their fabulous sneak-preview at Craigie Hill Music Festival last weekend, The First Ladies Of Country will be making their first full-length debut at The Loft on Friday 30th September.

Brought together by Perth music-scene stalwarts, Red Pine Timber Company's Katie Louise Whittaker and DIY Rock Shop's Ali Pibworth, The First Ladies Of Country is a rip-roaring celebration of the music of Nashville's female pioneers and features timeless classics from the likes of Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline and country hits from Tammy Wynette, Bobby Gentry, Lynne Anderson and many more. 

'Perth has always been an Americana kind of town and has a history of producing bands that have that country twang, not to mention playing host to the hugely successful 'Southern Fried Festival' - so we've been constantly surrounded by this kind of music throughout our careers' says Ali. 'Katie and I have known each other for ages but we've just never had the opportunity to work together before although we've been itching to do some kind of collaboration forever!'  

'We were chatting one night about our experiences as female musicians in what is a brilliant but somewhat male dominated local music-scene and our love of these great tunes that we've grown up with, like 'Jolene' and 'Rose Garden', and hit upon the idea of putting together a show where we could pay tribute to these amazingly talented female musicians and song-writers who really set the bar for country music during the 50's and 60's and from there, The First Ladies Of Country was born.'

'We're really excited about not only finally getting to work together and having the opportunity to work with such brilliant material but it also feels like we're doing this one for the girls as well! It's like the perfect combination!' says Katie. 

However, in the spirit of equality, The First Ladies are happy to let the men-folk in on the action and with the help of Southern Fried Fest's MD, Stuart Nisbet have managed to bring together the creme-de-la-creme of Scotland's musicians for the show including Nico Bruce, nephew of Cream's Jack Bruce, on bass and acclaimed pianist Andrew May.

Katie says, 'We've been unbelievably lucky to bring Stuart on board with the project. Although he's played with everyone from China Crisis and The Proclaimers to Lou Reed and Kylie Minogue, country music is his real area of expertise. Its been great to have the benefit of his experience. He's also probably the best pedal-steel player in the country and his playing has brought a real authenticity to the show: it's a proper taste of The Grand Ole Opry! 

The show's set list features a great selection of all the classic tunes from these country doyennes that you'd expect: You couldn't do a show like this and leave out iconic tracks like Crazy and Stand By Your Man but its not all songs of heartache and wronged-women and there are enough high-octane numbers and also a few curve balls in there too which are guaranteed to keep the audience on their (tapping) toes. 

'We kick off the set with a great Tammy number' say Ali.  ''Your Good Girls Gonna Go Bad'. We think it sets the tone for the evening!' 

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The show takes place at The Loft on Friday 30th September. Doors open 7.30pm (table seating on a 'first come' basis) with support from Debra Salem (onstage at 8pm) followed by The First Ladies Of Country.

Tickets are available from That Bar and Bandwagon Music (with limited tickets on the door on the night) and cost £10 only.