Judy Coder, left, Lauralee Northcott and Jennifer Epps make up the harmonious Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band.
Trio adds to long list of awards, accolades
By Ann McCreary
Winthrop resident Lauralee Northcott and Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band members Jennifer Epps and Judy Coder of Ellensburg have won the top award from the nationa Western Music Association (WMA).
Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band was named the 2015 WMA Group of the Year at the association’s annual awards ceremony this week in Albuquerque. The award is the latest and most prestigious in a series of awards garnered by the band over the past 15 years.
The Group of the Year is voted on by the national WMA membership.
“We’re very proud,” said Northcott, who is the band’s leader, bass player and was a founder of the original band 16 years ago. Epps, a former Methow Valley resident who plays percussion and harmonica, joined the band in 2007 and Coder, who plays guitar, joined in 2013.
The group was awarded the WMA Harmony Award in 2014, and was twice named Harmony Trio of the Year.
Their latest recording, “All I Need,” has been in the top 10 on the Western Music Charts since its release in January, and was among the top five albums nominated for 2015 Cowboy Swing Album of the Year.
“There is such talent in the western music family. It’s an honor to be recognized by our peers,” said Northcott, who is president of the Columbia Chapter of the WMA, serving musicians and poets in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia.
Epps and Coder, who tour and perform as the duo Notable Exceptions when they are not playing with Horse Crazy, won the 2015 WMA Harmony Duo of the Year.
Northcott said Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band tours throughout the western United States performing “American roots” music at venues as far away as Missouri, Texas and Canada.
“We’ve really focused on historical theaters and performing art centers. We like really nice venues,” Northcott said.
Horse Crazy Cowgirl Band “has had different incarnations,” Northcott said. Original members along with Northcott when the band got started in 1999 were Virginia Bennett and Emele Clothier. “I’ve been the girl who held out the longest so far,” Northcott said.
