Girlz in Black Hats release new CD, hit the road
On the cover, Sara Zebley (left) and Hayley Prosser perform with the Girlz in Black Hats.
Pictured performing at Dawson Days are (from left) Sara Zebley, Derek Victor, Hayley Prosser , Donnie Barney and Katie Zebley.
The quintet of young local talent, Girlz in Black Hats, is making some changes and expecting big things their way as they are taking to the local touring circuit in support of their latest release, “The Real Thing.”
“The Real Thing” sees the Dawson-based band explore a more energized sound with elements of their signature bouncy form of country.
“We’re a country pop deal,” said Donnie Barney, lead guitarist. “We’re geared towards younger people.”
Recent lineup changes have been introduced to the band for their second album, in the hopes a brand new sound would shine through. Barney, one of the youngest members of the group, joined in April.
Once a six member group, Girlz now is fronted by Hayley Prosser and Sara and Katie Zebley. Barney and Derek Victor bring along the backing instrumentals.
“They didn’t have a lead guitar,” Barney said. “They wanted a more expanded sound.”
Currently, Girlz has been spending the summer performing for local audiences. Recently the band has performed for more than 300 people.
“This is the first time we’re touring all together,” Barney said. “We do four shows a week, usually all local and we seem to be getting a big crowd.”
This summer the group will even have a chance to take to their show outside of Pennsylvania, including a show Aug. 27 in Maryland with well known country act Little Texas.
Though the band enjoys their hometown performances, it is the plans for national audiences in the future that really have the group excited.
“We’re hoping to expand,” Barney said. “In the next two weeks we’ll be shopping the album around Nashville.”
Taking their bigger sound and music from their recently released album along, Girlz hopes in Nashville to find their big break and make their band known.
“We’re trying to expand,” Barney said. “We want to take it to new places and take it to new areas.”
In the short term, however, the band has two local shows on the docket. The Girlz in Black Hats will be performing tonight at the Bullskin Township Fair in Connellsville, and Saturday at the Westmoreland County Fair in Greensburg.
“The Real Thing” can be picked up at their shows and more information can be found on the band’s website, www.girlzinblackhats.com.