Unfit Wives

Bluegrass with attitude

Unfit Wives made their initial appearance on the scene in January 2019 as a five-piece act strapped with instruments, clad in boots, and armed with original tunes. Huddled around a single mic, each member of the group takes turns singing and delivering their own unique brand of “unfit”-ness.

About the band

Accomplished songstress Jenna Rae has audiences wrapped around her finger with relatable lyrics, ear-worm hooks, and an unmistakable voice that can cut through even the busiest of crowds. Life-long fiddler, Shannon O’Shea, gives an electrifying, skillful, bluegrass performance along with spirited singing and dancing that keeps fans on their feet. Soulful mandolinist, Monica Greenwood, has a voice that shakes venues off their foundation and songwriting steeped with Louisiana-ragtime flavor, cheeky real-ness, and garnished with a saucy but sweet attitude. Punk-folk bassist, Kahlen Mitchell, hits her stride every show with her slap-style bass playing that also brings percussive excitement to the group’s songs. Folk-n-roll banjo player, Reagan Zagan, brings her expert soloing and incredible range of harmonies to complete band’s perfectly “unfit”, bluegrass sound.   

Unfit Wives have performed in a variety of settings from bars, wineries, festivals and private events, to larger listening rooms including Knuckleheads Saloon, Liberty Hall, and The Granada Theater in Emporia, KS. No matter the size of the stage (or if there even is one), these ladies bring hot licks, humorous song-writing, feisty harmonies and a high-spirited performance to every show. Their original songs incorporate honest emotions of Unfit Wives, a name that was birthed with from the band’s drive to question society’s standards for women, live unapologetically, and celebrate everyone’s “unfit”-ness. Some of their influences include Wanda Jackson, Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris, Patsy Cline, The Dillard’s, Merle Haggard, The Chicks, Bill Monroe, and Split Lip Rayfield.

“…it’s no surprise that the group’s “hot licks, lyrics, and feisty four-part harmonies” have rapidly elevated Unfit Wives to one of Lawrence’s top draws.” – Nick Spacek, The Pitch

“Unfit Wives have found a groove that’s easy to slide into in the local folk and bluegrass scene. Their lyrics teetered from cheeky to sweet, with an audience that never knew what was coming next from these dangerous damsels. They feel like the kind of gals where, if you were to tell them to smile, they’d kick you in the teeth and write to Dolly Parton to brag about it. They were an absolute delight to watch as they harmonized and drowned out the busy crowd at the North Lawrence tavern.” – Fally Afani, I Heart Local Music