Willis, Carper Leigh form Wonder Women of Country

The trio released their first single, "Another Broken Heart."

"This is a song I heard Monte Warden and (husband) Bruce Robison start writing in the other room," Willis told Holler. "I was so smitten with the verse I heard, that I could not help getting all up in this song's business. I wrote a bridge and chorus for it and the guys did not seem to mind that I crashed their party. It's a classic crying in your beer heartbreak song with a kind of 70's style country/pop feel. Misery loves/needs company."

At the end of 2021, after serendipitously sharing bills separately several times, Willis approached Leigh and Carper about teaming up and playing some shows together. Wanting more than your standard songwriter-in-the-round arrangement, the three learned each other's songs to create a more integrated, band approach. The initial shows worked leading to the decision to continue.

With Leigh playing lead guitar and mandolin, Carper on upright bass, and Willis playing rhythm guitar, they support each other's original material with three-part harmony.

"At every show, folks were asking if we had records together," said Willis. "After months and months of that, we finally found a chance to go make one."

"Wonder Women of Country: Willis, Carper, Leigh," was recorded at Bismeaux on the Hill in Austin, TX in December of 2023. The EP, recorded at Bismeaux on the Hill in Austin, features two songs by each artist, including a couple of Carper/Leigh co-writes, and a reimagined version of John Prine's "I Have Met My Love Today."

Bismeaux Records was started by Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson. Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, Carolyn Wonderland, Jason Roberts, The Texas Tornados, Leon Rausch, Gary Nicholson, The Wheeler Brothers and Johnny Gimble have put out music on the label.

Tour dates are:
Feb. 16 - Waterloo Records & Video - Austin, TX
Feb. 18 - The 2024 Ameripolitan Music Awards - Austin, TX
March 15 - SXSW - AMG Showcase - Austin, TX
March 16 - SXSW - SOCO Stomp - Austin, TX
April 17 - Natalie's Grandview - Columbus, OH
April 18 - The Southgate House - Newport, KY
April 19 - Duke's Indy - Indianapolis, IN
April 20 - The Golden Record - St. Louis, MO
April 21 - Bartlett Arboretum - Belle Plaine, KS
April 27-28 - Red Dragon Listening Room - Baton Rouge, LA
May 10 - Cultural Activities Center - Temple, TX
May 11 - Medical City Lewisville Grand Theater - Lewisville, TX
June 22 - Green River Festival - Greenfield, MA