It’s been an exciting summer for Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh as they watched their song “Shoot Tequila” began moving up the Billboard Country Airplay charts. It’s their first song on country radio and they did it with a catchy, upbeat, song that showcases some of their greatest strengths: songwriting, family harmony, and an ability to entertain and have fun at the same time.
“Shoot Tequila” parallels the relatable back and forth struggle of choosing to return to a bad relationship, with the temptation of having one more shot of tequila when you know you shouldn’t.
They may be new to country radio, but Kendra and Krista, better known as Tigirlily Gold, have been writing songs and performing together for the past 10 years. They were 14 and 16 years old when they started and honed their skills, perfected their craft, and built a fanbase the old-fashioned way, playing at festivals, fairs, and other venues, first in their native North Dakota, then across the Midwest. In 2017, they headed to Nashville and spent the next three years playing to honky tonk crowds on Lower Broadway.
Both are talented songwriters, with older sister, Kendra on lead vocals, and Krista on guitar and singing harmony. With a unique sound and the novelty of being the first sister group to emerge onto the country scene in decades, they hope to add something different to country music’s current mix.
“We’re trying to hone in and channel this girl group energy,” says Kendra. “There hasn’t been a sister duo in country music for a hot second, so we’re different from a lot of other music that’s out there right now. But hopefully in a kind of nostalgic way like when people would listen to the Chicks or the Kinleys or some of their favorite girl groups. And really, aside from Brothers Osborne, we’re trying to bring back the family band.”
They have a new EP called Blonde featuring “Shoot Tequila,” and three other empowering songs.
Kendra described the title track to a crowd gathered for a Songwriting Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville last month.
“We’re going to start off with a song called “Blonde” and the whole vibe is this fun, confident, girl energy, but still being able to make fun of yourself when needed. We say blonde is not a hair color, but a state of mine.”
“It’s a Dolly Parton state of mind,” noted Krista. “Do we have any Dolly Parton fans? You’re gonna like this one. We had a lot of fun writing it.”
The song shows not only their fun-loving, girl power “attitude” but a glimpse at their talent for songwriting with lyrics like:
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy hair like this. It’s a Dolly Parton state of mind. It’s Marilyn leaving Norma Jean behind.
Another song featured on the new EP is called “Hometown Song” and touches on both the positives and negatives of growing up in a small town.
The sisters grew up in the small North Dakota town of Hazen. As Kendra says, “Being from a small town really and truly makes you who you are, and we wouldn’t change anything,” and yet, there are challenges, too, as reflected in the song.
They developed a love for music early. Kendra learned to play piano at a young age and Krista got her first guitar when she was just 10 years old.
“I love playing guitar,” Krista says. “And when Kendra was looking for someone to accompany her during shows, I stepped up to the plate. I love singing harmony, playing guitar, and my style is interesting because I learned from a lot of people. I took some beginner lessons, and in North Dakota there’s not a lot of musicians, so I learned a lot from YouTube. I also learned a lot from other players on Broadway. I’d ask how they did certain things, so I got a lot of advice from different guitarists.”
The studied music at Belmont University with Kendra holding back so the sisters would graduate the same year. As they worked on their music, they built a following on Lower Broadway, first playing at Nudie’s Honky Tonk, then getting a residency gig at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. When COVID hit, they started posting their music on social media. It ended up getting them a record deal.
“During the pandemic, we were losing all of our work from playing on Broadway, so we began posting three or four times a day on TikTok,” Kendra says, “trying to get out music out to people. It caught the attention of Monument Records.”
Executives at the record label had actually noticed the sisters before COVID.
“Katie McCartney who is the GM of our label had actually met with Tigirlily in 2018, and loved them,” says Casey Thomas, Director of marketing, Publicity and Creative. “But the label wasn’t looking to sign new artists. And then during COVID, their song “Somebody Does” started to spike on TikTok, and Katie and Shane McAnally, and Jason Owen (McAnally and Owen are Co-Presidents at Monument), said we need to watch these girls.”
McAnally began working with the sisters and Monument soon offered them a record deal.
“Katie says it so well,” Thomas explains, “country music is missing a family harmony right now. So, the family harmony and their Midwest work ethic are two things they’re bringing that’s different. We love them!”
Kendra and Krista also have an ability to engage with an audience whether they’re opening for major acts like Walker Hayes or Ashley McBryde or doing an acoustic show at a smaller venue for a more intimate crowd. They attribute that to their years on Lower Broadway.
“I think it’s hours of performing to whatever crowd is put in front of you and knowing the crowd’s going to react to the most honest version of who you are,” Kendra says. “So, when we do an acoustic show, we like to riff off each other and not make it so staged. It’s almost a comedy show with Krista over here and I’m not even sure what she’s going to say half the time, but that’s what makes it special, just our connection as sisters.”
At the Songwriting Session, Kendra and Krista alternated between playing songs and taking questions from the crowd. When one of the first questions came from a little girl with blonde hair, Kendra exclaimed, “You’re blonde like me! We have the same haircut!”
She got a smile in return.
Questions ranged from how the sisters write songs to where they got the name for their band to whether or not they ever argue.
“We don’t really argue too much about music stuff,” Kendra replied, “it’s more personal life decisions.”
“Mmm hmm,” Krista chimed in. “Kendra doesn’t approve of my taste in in men.”
As the audience laughed, Kenda nodded, saying, “That is true.”
“But as far the music goes,” Krista added with a smile, “we’re on the same page.”
Regarding the band’s name, it came from the Tiger Lily, the first flower to grow in their parent’s garden in North Dakota. They later changed the spelling to Ti-GIRL-lily and added “Gold” at the end.
As they celebrate a year of firsts: their first song on Billboard, then first performance on the Grand Ole Opry (since followed by others), and their first appearance on a soap opera (they performed their song “My Thang” on the “Young and Restless), they’re a little overwhelmed, but so grateful for the many new opportunities.
“I feel like this year we’ve accomplished so many bucket list goals,” says Kendra. “For “for the rest of the year, we’re thinking we’ve got to set our goals higher. We’re in shock at what’s happening for us, so we’re just taking it day by day and definitely enjoying the journey.”
Look for more new music, perhaps a surprise around the holidays, and a lot of upcoming live shows.
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