The "epitome of Texas music" the San Antonio Express News called them. "...eclectic and diverse, representing all the traditions that make up Texas music" from Western swing, Mexican conjunto, and Cajun to blues and rock 'n' roll. And their audiences love it.
The Dames developed their Texas roots style in the legendary Supernatural Family Band that recorded seven albums and toured the South and Southwest for 15 years. The band played the last Saturday show at the Armadillo World Headquarters, and in 1988 the Dames struck out on their own.
Their first album, titled simply Texana Dames, charmed the critics and led to far-flung appearances. By the early 1990's, they had traveled to 15 foreign countries, including appearances at the Cambridge Folk Festival in England, and the Singer-Songwriter Festival in Switzerland.
Originally from Lubbock and now based in Austin, the Dames entertain fans at local watering holes and festivals such as SXSW, Aquafest, Kerrville, and the Jimmie Rodgers Jubilee. They have been on KUT (University of Texas) radio's Live Set and, as a trio, have sung vocals for Ponty Bone on Austin City Limits.
The Austin City Council proclaimed December 2, 1993 Texana Dames Day and took them on an official visit to sister city Saltillo, Mexico in July 1994.
In local music polls, the Dames have placed in several categories, including Country, Folk, Avant Garde and Folk. Austin music professionals, in polls conducted by Music City, have twice voted them #1 in vocal harmonies.
The Texana Dames were inducted into the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame 2002.
'The Mall Parade' was recorded in 1990 and was written by Conni Hancock of the Texana Dames, on Bo Diddley's guitar on his fishin' pier.
Lloyd Maines - producer (father of Natalie Maines/Dixie Chicks), Frosty (Barry Smith) - celebrated veteran drummer, Jon Blondell - trombone, John X Reed - guitar, George Dolis – remote recording, Jim Yanaway - coproducer / 'Amazing Records', Eddie Habib – engineer, Cass and Scout Hook - also 'Amazing Records'.....Tommy Hancock - jingle bells and Texana Dames...Charlene Hancock – bass, Traci Lamar - harmony vocals, Conni Hancock – guitar and lead vocal.
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