Country girl power

Historically speaking, country music is often viewed as a man’s world. But scattered throughout the landscape, there are amazing and talented women such as Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton who have carved their own niche as songwriters. While exploring the stacks of countless 45s and LPs by the legends of country, Julea Thomerson discovered some unheralded artists from the past, along with her own voice. After dedicating herself to exploring such a rich musical legacy, Thomerson is bringing her passion to the stage with an all-lady country showcase.

When it comes to country music, Thomerson is a curator and an archivist as much as she is a performer. Her latest endeavor has been to assemble a bill where her band, Julea and Her Dear Johns, shares the stage with two of her contemporaries, Nashville songstress Kelsey Waldon and Marietta-based Kira Annalise. “I thought it would be neat to put together a show where we perform original music in a classic Ameripolitan style that’s influenced by — and tries to honor — the style of folks like Waylon Jennings, Jean Shepard, and Hank Williams Sr.,” Thomerson says.

Like Thomerson, both Waldon and Annalise share a love for a deep honky-tonk country style, with original songs about heartbreak, drinking, and partying, usually with a shuffle beat from an empowered/victimized woman’s perspective.

Waldon, a native of Kentucky, has received quite a bit of acclaim on the heels of her latest release, The Goldmine. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard,” Thomerson says. It made a few ‘Best of 2014’ lists, and she was on Rolling Stone Country’s list of ‘10 Artists You Need to Know’ last year.”

Thomerson’s interest in female country music runs much deeper than a simple academic perspective. “Lately, I’ve become even more interested in learning about artists and records than I ever have been,” she says. “I’ve also moved from string band music into a heavier focus in rockabilly and ’60s country.”

Shortly after her father passed away in 2013, Thomerson was asked by WMLB-AM 1690 producer Matt Steadman to put together a radio show. “Diesel Smoke and Dangerous Curves” was born and aired from April 2014 through February 2015, featuring underrated recordings from the ’50s and ’60s. “Hosting the show has given me this incredible purpose, and something to be happy about at a time when I was very sad,” Thomerson says.

The show came to an end when Steadman left the station, but was picked up by WFMU’s Rock ‘n’ Soul Ichiban radio webstream.

On a brighter note, Thomerson was recently engaged to Nashville fiddle, guitar, and mandolin player Aaron Till, who will be performing as part of Julea and Her Dear Johns for the female country showcase. A move to Music City is in the cards for Thomerson, but in the meantime, she’s reflecting on impending life changes. “Nashville is an awe-inspiring place and I would love to find a great band to play with up there, but I hope to keep writing songs and keep learning about records no matter where I am.”

There’s no doubt, she’ll fit right in wherever she lands.