Thursday, February 16, 2006

Mustang Sally makes its return to Nashville

Mustang Sally rides back home
By Ron Wynn
The City Paper, Nashville's Daily Newspaper
February 08, 2006

Lisa Romeo enjoys challenging stereotypes and ignoring conventional wisdom. She’s not only one of the nation’s better female drummers, but she’s also the bandleader for the female country group Mustang Sally.

Though they’ve been busy the past few years appearing around the world and opening for such acts as Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Terri Clark, Hot Apple Pie, Keith Anderson, and .38 Special, the band hasn’t done many shows in their hometown lately. In fact, tonight’s appearance at The Stage is the first time Mustang Sally brings their new sound to Nashville.

“I think people who might have seen us in the beginning will be quite delighted at what we’re doing now,” Romeo said. “It still surprises plenty of folk to see a group of women that write all their own material and also play their instruments. Our influences are incredibly broad. We draw from samba, rock and the blues, and inject all that into country. Plus, we have a great time on stage, so no one will ever get bored.”

With a lead singer (Tobi Lee) who’s a former Miss Teen Indiana and Junior Miss Teen North America, plus others from New Zealand (lead guitarist Lynne Campbell) and Brazil (bassist Amanda Ruzza), Mustang Sally has plenty of photogenic and international power. Keyboardist Rachel Solomon, rhythm guitarist Brenda Zitzman and fiddler Sarah Wilfong complete the lineup along with Romeo.

(Photo taken at The Stage, Nashville, TN)