| The story of „Texas Lightning“ starts at the end of the last century. Then, under the amazingly long name of “Texas Lightning & The Rodeo Rockets”, five friends and musicians get together and discover two things: Number one, their love for true country music, number two, how much fun it is to do it yourself – by dressing pop and rock classics in a cowboy shirt.
By the end of 2000, the band appears on stage for the first time and soon is famous among insiders. During the next years, the band undergoes some line-up reshuffles, but the concept – combining the original with the ingenious – stays untouched.
In the year 2002, the adjoining countries discover cowboys and “Texas Lightning & The Rodeo Rockets” perform at the big country festivals in Denmark, the Netherlands or Poland in front of a frenetic audience of thousands. Backstage, they are praised by international country stars like Dale Watson or Ray Benson. In 2004, they win the first German “Country Music Förderpreis”, leaving behind more than fifty competitors.
In December, the drummer and the singer position are vacant at the same time. TV-star and comedian Olli Dittrich, longtime friend of Olsen and Schmidt and Texas Lightning fan from the start, is being asked – and Dittrich excepts right away. Now only the right singer is missing. All band members know the outstanding Jane Comerford from her lectures at the Hamburg “Popkurs”. The cowboys ask, and one day later the four and the lady are in the rehearsal room together. After only two songs it is obvious for everybody: This is the new line-up for “Texas Lightning”.
The big commercial success had not been planned. On the contrary, the band meant to stay what it had been during the last five years: A small, but very exquisite hobby project. But they don´t succeed. When the Texans plan their first tour, things start happening: Offers for big TV appearances keep coming in, and they realize: “We should be making a record.” No sooner said than done, the furious five sign with X-cell Records / SonyBMG and release their longplayer “Meanwhile, back at the Ranch ...” before the start of their tour in the autumn of 2005. “That year,” bandleader Olsen grins, “ we just overtook ourselves at a gallop.”
The speed in 2006 doesn´t seem to change – Texas Lightning wins the German ESC preliminary vote with “No No Never”, leaving the international million sellers Vicky Leandros and Thomas Anders far behind. An unexpected success they now want to repeat in Athens. “If you don´t mean to win,” Dittrich says, “you don´t need to compete at all ...”
Jane Comerford: lead vocals & ukulele
Musical biography: Degree “A.Mus.A” in piano and violin performance and theory of music. Private singing lessons in Hamburg, Vienna and Amsterdam. Ukulele self taught. Since 1984 instructor at the University for Music and Theatre in Hamburg (singing, composition, lyrics, arranging and acting), vocal coach deluxe, 1988 release of the solo CD “Somebody Sent Me An Angel” (Universal Music) with her own songs. Further instruments: piano, violin.
Olli “Ringofire” Dittrich: drums & harmony vocals
Musical biography: Further instruments, self taught: Guitar, piano. Selection of record releases: “Oliver Dittrich: Ich bin 18” (Single `77), “TIM: Modern Guy” (LP, CD ´89), “Die Doofen: Lieder, die die Welt nicht braucht” (CD ´95), „Mief!“ (Single, ´95), „Melodien für Melonen“ (CD `96). Musical awards: Echo (Deutscher Schallplattenpreis), Viva-Comet, RSH-Gold, Goldene Stimmgabel, Golden Reel Award, Bambi, 7 gold and platin records.
Jonny “The Flame” Olsen: lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Musical biography: Young childrens music education, flute, violin, guitar and singing lessons, studied popular music at the University for Music in Hamburg. Guitar player/singer in several bands, studio singer, arranger. Besides, since 1993, self-employed grafic designer of diverse CD-covers. Designs rewarded with gold and platin (Die Doofen, Annett Louisan). Worked for artists like Udo Lindenberg, Echt, Stefan Gwildis, Phillip Boa, Selig.
Markus “Fastfinger” Schmidt: electric guitar & 5-string banjo
Musical biography: Studied popular music at the University for Music at Hamburg, classic guitar studies at the Hamburg Konservatorium. Played on recordings by: Rio Reiser, Joachim Witt, George Baker Selection, Hot Chocolat.
Uwe “Friendly” Frenzel: doublebass & harmony vocals
Musical biography: Music school: Piano & guitar, studied doublebass in Stuttgart and popular music at the University for Music in Hamburg. Since 1985, bass in several bands, teacher at the Hamburg Public Music School for Youths, composed music for theatre, solo program as musical entertainer. Further instruments: electric bass, organ, melodica, stylophone. |
