Ever wonder what would happen if Black Sabbath and Mother’s Finest had a baby? The answer to that question might look a lot like Tombstone Betty! Inspired by those bands as well as bands like Living Color, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, King’s X and Halestorm, Tombstone Betty is a four-piece female fronted musical monster built to bring back the sound and spirit of true rock n’ roll!
Band Members
Adrienne Nixon Basco – Lead Vocalist
Rich Basco – Bass
Keith ” Wizard” Inman – Guitar John “JJ”
Ledford – Guitar
Kennon Knight – (guest) Drummer
Dan Locke: How did you start to work for unrated?
Adrienne Nixon: In 2009, I was chosen to be an Unrated Vixen cover model. After I answered the questions that were sent to me for the interview that was to accompany the pictorial, Adam Bielawski wrote to me and asked if I might be interested in writing a few pieces for the magazine. Of course, I jumped at the chance!
What were your musical influences growing up?
I was fortunate to grow up in a home filled with all sorts of music! My mother has always enjoyed singing gospel and jazz. My sister was a fan of pop and disco, and my father, who taught music at NC A&T University, sent classical albums to us. Everything from Mozart to Donna Summer and Dolly Parton could be heard in our house! As a pre-teen, I fell in love with glam rock. I still think certain 80s rock ballads are some of the most beautiful melodies ever written. However, my love affair with metal music began in high school with Sepultura, after I heard them cover a Beethoven piece, and it’s still the genre that really makes my heart race!
Tell me about the movie Goforth?
I feel so fortunate to have worked on the inspirational short film, GoForth. Produced by Prince Media, it was based on the true story of a young woman, TJ Goforth, who survived an extremely abusive relationship, and became a police officer. My character, Detective Bristow, is the one who convinces TJ to testify against her ex in a case involving another young woman. I love shows like Criminal Minds and CSI, and I’d always wanted to play a detective, so it was really a fun experience for me.
How did you get into Swamp da Wamp?
I was contacted over Facebook by a man I’d met in passing about 5 years before about the chance to audition to be one of two backing vocalists in the band for which he played bass. That man was my now husband, Rich Basco. Curious and ready to try something new, I thought, “I’ve never been a backing vocalist before. Might be fun. I’ll give it a shot!”, and before I knew it, I’d agreed to meet up with Gig and Rich at a local music venue. Gig handed me a few CDs, told me to learn the backing vocals for all of the songs, and said he’d see me at rehearsal in 2 weeks. The rest is history!
What was Swamp da Wamp music like?
Because the music industry seems to enjoy labels, SDW was placed in the country rock genre. Truthfully, you can find a bit of everything in Swamp’s music. Blues, rock, bluegrass, country, soul. All of it was in there all wrapped up in box with a country rock/southern rock bow. In writing music for Tombstone Betty’s first EP, I really tried to stick to that true southern music vibe by including influences from every southern-born musical genre. That being said, our music is ever-evolving, and each of our metalhead sides is starting to show a bit, so our sound is definitely beginning to have a harder edge to it.
How was it to play the Rock Legends Cruise?
Playing the Rock Legends Cruise was and is nothing short of AMAZING!!! It’s one thing to be able to watch your idols or to meet them as a fan, but actually be able to share a stage with some of them is a completely different experience altogether. It’s crazy to meet these incredible artists you’ve listened to for so long as colleagues instead of as a fan meeting untouchable rock gods. It still makes me giggle to think that I’ve shared stages with bands like WAR and Marshall Tucker, as well as with members of Molly Hatchet and Foghat. That’s wild!
What were some of the bands you were with on the cruise in 2015?
The 2015 Rock Legends Cruise lineup included:
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS
ALICE COOPER
PAUL RODGERS
38 SPECIAL
THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
DON FELDER
WAR
DAVE MASON’S TRAFFIC JAM
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
URIAH HEEP
THE OUTLAWS
MOLLY HATCHET
RIK EMMETT
THE EDGAR WINTER BAND
TEN YEARS AFTER
KIM SIMMONDS & SAVOY BROWN
PAT TRAVERS BAND
ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD
MELVIN SEALS & JGB
THE ARTIMUS PYLE BAND
SWAMPDAWAMP
STEVE RODGERS
THE BLUE LORDS
CITIZENS BAND RADIO
Sorry to hear about the Gig Michaels death.
Thank you. It was very difficult for all of us. We didn’t just lose our Frontman. We lost a really close friend, and that is never easy. As a band comprised mostly of SDW alumni, I believe we all hope Gig would be proud of what we’re doing with Tombstone Betty.
How did you form the band Tombstone Betty?
Soon after Gig passed away, people began questioning the remaining members of Swamp da Wamp about the future of the band. We were all still in the grieving process, and none of us had any answers. Besides, we all knew Gig, could never be replaced. We played twice with former bassist, Cody Bennett and I as co-leading vocalists, but in the end, it was all just too much.
All I knew is that I didn’t want to stop making music, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I started writing songs. From there, I recruited my husband and one of SDW’s guitarists, John Ledford, along with drummer Kennon Knight, and we recorded “Rev It Up”. Rich suggested the band name, which came from a song Gig wrote and performed with a band he had long before SDW. Although I had never heard the song, I loved the name, so we became Tombstone Betty! I wrote the self-titled song a month or two later, then paired it with a bass line Rich had written as a teenager. It’s still one of my favorite tunes.
What does the band name mean?
To me, the name Tombstone Betty resonates on a theme of female empowerment. Women can be beautiful, intelligent, capable, strong, and so many other truly wonderful things! However, even the most kind, peace-loving of us, if threatened, injured or crossed in a myriad of other ways, can also be quite dangerous…
What is true rock and roll?
True rock and roll encompass the spirit of personal freedom and rebellion against repression and oppression. It is rooted in the reclamation of personal power.
True southern rock expresses that spirit through rock’s co-mingling with genres like blues, country, gospel, bluegrass, and soul.
Tell me about your video premiere on March 18, 2019?
Our next video, shot by Eric Croas, for a hard-rocking cover of Alice Cooper’s “Is It My Body”, is going to be much simpler in nature, focusing mainly on the band itself. Both the release of the single and the video debut, are scheduled for October of 2019.
What is the American Veterans Celebration?
The American Veterans Celebration was a semi-private party thrown by a U.S. military veteran in honor of all who’ve served the United States in that manner. Besides Tombstone Betty, it featured performances by Skinny Molly, The Curt Towne Band, Ben and Bolt, and The Dirty Soul Revival.
How did you get involved with Josie Music Awards?
As of yet, we haven’t been involved with the Josie Awards, but, as we have friends who have won many Josies, they have definitely been on my radar. I do love the fact that there is an award show that celebrates the creative endeavors of independent artists. Perhaps we will throw our hat in the ring this year…
Since you are from Charlotte, I am going to name a few bands from North Carolina. I would like you to say something about each…
Firehouse – As a woman who was a high school girl in the early 90s, Firehouse was definitely a part of the soundtrack of my younger life. Back then, who didn’t daydream about their latest crush to the sound of Firehouse’s ballad, “Love of a Lifetime”?!?
Jodeci – Jodeci is legendary in the R&B genre. Their smooth harmonies helped to define that whole 90s R&B sound. Love them!
J. Cole – Let me start by saying that I could never be considered any kind of an expert on rap music. I respect it as a genre, but I just don’t spend much time listening to it. However, I know what I like, and, in my opinion, J. Cole is impressive. His lyrics read like modern poetry, his hooks are great, and I love that he has made it a priority to try and improve the lives of people stuck within a system that hasn’t been working for them. I love a rapper with a philanthropic mission!
The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers’ music is the perfect synthesis of roots music and pop. The lyrics are thoughtful and moving, and the voices are fantastic. I call it “thinkin’ & drivin’ music”.
Nina Simone – Nina Simone’s talent as an artist was undeniable, her courage as an activist was admirable, and her voice was like warm honey. She was marvelous.
Charlie Daniels – Socio-politically, Charlie Daniels and I couldn’t be farther apart, but I’d be lying if I told you “Devil Went Down to Georgia” isn’t one of my absolute favorite songs!
Luke Combs – Luke Combs’ music is good, honest country music. He has a really nice voice, and the songs are well written. I also love the fact that he doesn’t look like he just left a boy band. He reminds me of a friend you’d run into at the local farm store and ask about his mamanym!
Thelonious Monk – I’m not sure anyone can be a true lover of jazz without loving Thelonious Monk! What a beautiful, creative pianist and composer he was. The genre would not have been the same without his contributions.
Andy Griffith – The Andy Griffith Show was such a huge part of my childhood! As an actor and as a musician, Andy Griffith will always have my undying love and respect. He was wonderful!
Randy Travis – I’ve always been more a fan of bluesy, Patsy Kline, Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt style country, but somehow, Randy Travis’ gentle twang slid its way into my heart. I really like him, and every time I drive past Marshville, NC on my way to the beach, you’ll usually catch me singing, “Forever and Ever, Amen”.
Daughtry – I’ve loved Chris Daughtry since I first heard him on American Idol back in the day! He has a great rock voice, and has always seemed conscious of projecting a positive image within the music industry. The success of Daughtry has been anything but surprising to me.
Carolina Chocolate Drops – What an incredibly talented group of musicians! I love a band that breaks through stereotypes and refocuses listeners’ attention on musical quality. The first all-black string band to play the Grand Ole Opry, they’ve done amazing work, and the praise they’ve garnered has been well-deserved. I was fortunate to meet one of their former members, Dom Flemens, earlier this year. A brilliant musician in his own right, he was touting his newest album, Black Cowboys, a sort of celebration of the black contribution to western music. It’s definitely something to check out!
Tift Merritt – I’m a sucker for talented female artists that can ditch the glam persona, and let their voices, songwriting, and musicianship shine. Tift Merritt does that, and I love her for it!
Do you know anything about the Chapel Hill music scene?
Although one of our guitarists, Keith “Wizard” Inman, graduated from UNC, I’m afraid I know very little about the Chapel Hill scene.
Charlotte had its only Christian pop-punk band, “Philmont”. Have you seen them?
No, I haven’t, but you’ve just given me something new to listen to. Thanks!
Any plans to tour?
Does one ever actually have plans to tour? Lol! Right now, we’re focusing on writing, recording, and perfecting our sound. We’re taking things as they come.
How do you see your band in five years?
I see us five years better, five years stronger, and five years wiser, pushing musical boundaries with our creativity, playing to crowds of thousands, and still enjoying every moment of it!
Thinking about a solo career?
A solo career was never my aim. However, I sometimes write songs that, even though I love them, simply aren’t the right style for Tombstone Betty. For that reason, a solo effort is not out of the question. In fact, it may happen sooner than later…
Anything you would like to say to your fans in closing?
Tombstone Betty is preparing for great things in this upcoming year! Many thanks to those of you who’ve followed and supported us thus far. The October release of our new single and video is definitely something you won’t want to miss, so, if you haven’t already, subscribe to our YouTube page, like our Facebook page, follow our Instagram, and stay tuned for all that is to come from Tombstone Betty!
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