Thanks For The Music

Photo by Glenda S. Paradee

The Mustangs performed at the Higley Center For The Performing Arts on November 17, 2017. They opened for the Bellamy Brothers. They put on a fantastic set. These women are so very talented. The whole audience really enjoyed them. They received a warm standing ovation from the Gilbert, Arizona crowd. After their set, they went out front of the venue to meet and greet and sign autographs with their fans.

The Mustangs put on a great concert. I'm sure they have many new fans, including me!

Before the Bellamy Brothers came out on stage, a couple of the Mustangs members went walking to their seats and the crowd gave them more thunderous applause.

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Back when the Palomino was ground zero for the post-cowpunk California country scene, the Mustangs were an all-girl band who were long on chops and strong on harmonies. In a world where Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller shared a band, Lucinda Williams, Rosie Flores and the late Candye Kane had a roots, rockabilly and blues take on country and you never knew if Dave Alvin or Dwight Yoakam might show up at Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance, the Mustangs more than held their own. Five women who knew their way around a bandstand, they had great energy – and great fun, all in the name of making country music that was equal parts Emmylou Harris and Stevie Nicks, mixed with the harmonies of The Eagles and early Beach Boys. Fresh and willing to dig into their writing, the group was named the Southern California Country Music Vocal Group of the Year.

But that was then, this is now. 2017 marks a renewal of a band that began in Santa Monica in the late 80’s and performed across the US and Europe through the mid 1990s. Remembering how sweet their sound, (Mustangs) Sherry, Suzanna, and Holly went from laughing about what was, to talking about why not? Rekindled interests and talking new songs, the dynamic all-girl band decided to get back in the studio. Just to see what kind of music they’d make today, they found the sweet spot still features the same three- and four-part vocal harmonies, electric lead and acoustic guitars, fiddle, bass, and drums that made them such a unique sound.

There’s something about the magic of playing together. No matter where life took them during their hiatus, they never forgot the chemistry of their voices and instruments creating a sound that was both sparked and sparkled.

Earlier this year, the three original members of the group reconnected, made the acquaintance of two versatile new players, and began exploring new songs culled from their present lives and experiences. Now, The Mustangs are back in L.A., recording and shooting video for upcoming release. Setting their sights on breaking new ground, it’s a modern take on something classic. California country is back, and The Mustangs are about ride again with a new single and video, "T-Shirt From California"!

The Mustangs are: SUZANNA SPRING, lead vocals/songwriter/acoustic guitar SHERRY RAYN BARNETT, lead electric guitar, vocals HOLLY MONTGOMERY, bass/vocals SUZANNE MORISSETTE CRUZ, drums, vocals AUBREY RICHMOND, fiddle/vocals