Bomshel
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Buffy "Buf" Lawson, Kristy Osmunson |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Nashville, Tennessee , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Country music |
| Owner | Curb Records |
Bomshel (pronounced "bombshell") was a country music duo from the United States, established in 2005 by lead singer Buffy "Buf" Lawson alongside backing vocalist and fiddle player Kristy Osmunson. The original pair secured a contract with Curb Records in 2005 and charted four singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs listings, while also recording an album titled Bomshel Stomp that was never officially released. Their track "The Power of One" was included on the soundtrack for the film Evan Almighty. In December 2007, Lawson exited the group and was succeeded by Kelley Shepard. This new formation produced four additional singles, notably "Fight Like a Girl" and "19 and Crazy," both of which reached the Country Top 40. Bomshel’s debut album, also named Fight Like a Girl, was released in October 2009. The duo followed up with the EP Hallleluy'all in 2012 before parting ways; subsequently, Osmunson teamed up with Jon Stone to create the duo American Young.
History
Originating from Sandpoint, Idaho, Kristy Osmunson relocated to Nashville in early 2002. Prior to forming Bomshel, both members were engaged in songwriting within Nashville’s music scene, with Lawson having penned songs for artists such as Mila Mason and Linda Davis. Their paths crossed at a Nashville fan fair, leading to their decision to collaborate musically.
2006–2008: Bomshel Stomp
The duo began performing at venues like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville as well as other local establishments. By 2006, they had secured a deal with Curb Records. Their initial singles, "It Was An Absolutely Finger-Lickin', Grits and Chicken, Country Music Love Song" and "Ain't My Day to Care," peaked at No. 49 and No. 44 respectively on country charts.
Their third release, "Bomshel Stomp," which originated as a birthday jest, combined a "rave groove with a hillbilly song." This track was tested on Michigan radio stations mid-2006, where it became the most requested country song before climbing to No. 46 nationally. Following this came "The Power of One," featured on the Evan Almighty soundtrack. An extended play titled Bomshel Stomp containing these songs was also released.
In December 2007, Lawson left the group and was replaced by Kelley Shepard from Arizona. Shepard’s first single with Bomshel was "Just This Way," followed by "Cheater, Cheater," a song that later became a top 30 hit for Joey + Rory in 2008.
2009–present: Fight Like a Girl and Halleluy'all
With "Fight Like a Girl" released in early 2009, Bomshel scored their fifth charting single and first Top 40 country hit, reaching No. 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The follow-up single, "19 and Crazy," launched in November 2009, also entered the lower Top 40. Both songs, along with "Just This Way," appear on Bomshel's debut album Fight Like a Girl, which Curb released on October 20, 2009. Chuck Howard produced most of the album; Osmunson co-produced "19 and Crazy" alongside co-writers Josh Kear and Mark Irwin. The third single, "Just Fine," came out on June 7, 2010, debuting at No. 56 and peaking at No. 53 on country charts. In January 2010, Bomshel earned a nomination for Top New Duo from the Academy of Country Music.
In July 2012, Bomshel released an EP titled Halleluy'all. Its title track was issued as a single but failed to chart. After this release, the duo disbanded; Osmunson then partnered with songwriter Jon Stone to form the duo American Young, who also signed with Curb.
Charitable initiatives
Towards the end of 2006, Bomshel conducted an auction for a specially signed motorcycle called the "Wicked Women of Tequila Rose Chopper" through CMT's CMTAuctions.com platform. The funds raised were donated to the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country |
US | ||
| Fight Like a Girl |
|
24 | 87 |
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Bomshel Stomp |
|
| Fight Like a Girl |
|
| Halleluy'all |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Peak Chart Position | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||
| 2006 | "Country Music Love Song" | 49 | Bomshel Stomp (EP) |
| "Ain't My Day to Care" | 44 | ||
| 2007 | "Bomshel Stomp" | 46 | |
| "The Power of One" | 52 | Evan Almighty (soundtrack) | |
| 2008 | "Just This Way" | — | Fight Like a Girl |
| "Cheater, Cheater" | — | Fight Like a Girl (EP) | |
| 2009 | "Fight Like a Girl" | 30 | Fight Like a Girl |
| "19 and Crazy" | 33 | ||
| 2010 | "Just Fine" | 53 | |
| 2011 | "Halleluy'all" | — | Halleluy'all (EP) |
| Note: "—" indicates singles that did not chart. | |||
Music videos
| Year | Single Title | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Fight Like a Girl" | Eric Welch |
| 2010 | "19 and Crazy" | Howard/Welch/Van |
| "Just Fine" | Amanda Van Sandt |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award Organization | Category Name | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Academy of Country Music | Top New Vocal Duo | Template:Nom |