I was driving to Hope yesterday morning to pick up Jim Watkins. We were going on to Noxon for a meeting of the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Conservancy. After quitting the conservancy board last year as a newbie thrust into a sea of acrimony, I rejoined after reassurance from Jim that the conservancy's issues have been worked out.
The group is now going full throttle ahead on convincing land owners to enter into conservation easements, which will prevent development for perpetuity while offering the owner an attractive tax break. I believe strongly in this approach to saving our lands, so I'm looking forward once more to participating in the process as a board member.
Anyway, while admiring the beauty of the lower Pack River drainage on this gorgeous February morning, my ears suddenly focused on Sandpoint's country radio station where the announcers were introducing a song called "Bombshell" and promising an upcoming interview with one of the singers. It's definitely a catchy tune, which makes ya wanta just get up and start stomping with your SK's. That wasn't an option, though, cuz I knew Jim would be waiting at Holiday Shores and doing a line dance out there along HWY 200 with the ducks and geese might delay my arrival.
When the song ended, the interview began. The announcer was glad to have two members of the singing group, which just happened to be called "Bomshel." I later checked it out on the web and found out the customary "b" and the second "l" in the name have been ignored, probably in respect for other copyrighted groups. Anyway, these gals seemed pretty laid back and still surprised that their song, which came together one night at a Nashville recording studio after too much champagne, had made it big on the country charts---up to 6th place, they said.
Then, the bombshell dropped. One member of this singing duet announced she was from Sandpoint. I hadn't yet heard a name when she followed up with a "Go Vandals." Later, the announcer did introduce them by their real names, and I learned that the Sandpoint singer is none other than Kristy Osmunson, who graduated from SHS in 1998.
I believe she was also ASB president, and I know she got some wonderful musical training from Jon Brownell, the SHS choir director. Furthermore, her mom Kathy was one of my colleagues who started the nursing program at the high school. Her dad, Dr. Willard Osmunson, was a local dentist who also served a couple of terms on the school board.
Let me tell you, this group is good. I would not be the least bit surprised to see them rival the Dixie Chicks, Alison Kraus or any of the groups that have been hot over the past few years. They've got their own distinct sound; it appears that they're having a blast and pinching themselves with their quick success.
I don't know if Kristy let the cat out of the bag, but she did announce in the interview that they've been booked for the Festival at Sandpoint this summer. As yet, I don't know if that's a warm-up act or a featured performance. We'll see.
After their interview, the DJ played another of their songs which has a strung out title with too many words for this old mind to remember, but "It's a ___________, __________, Finger-lickin' Love Song" promises to be a winner on their CD called "The Alternative," which is due to be released soon.
I tried to call Kristy's grandmother to find out more, but her line was busy. Possibly a few more nosy sorts like me heard the interview and had the same idea. Anyway, watch and listen for "Bomshel." If you're in to country tunes and some good foot-stomping lyrics with great back up music, I think you'll like this pair.
Like me, when you hear 'em for the first time, you may even want to jump out of your car and do the Bomshel stomp with the nearest Canadian honker or meandering moose.
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