Wonder Women of Country: Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper and Brennen Leigh combine for a show April 30 in Baker City

Published 8:53 am Thursday, April 24, 2025

BAKER CITY — With more than 100 years of country music performances between them, the Wonder Women of Country are bringing their show to Baker City on Wednesday, April 30.

And it’s not often you’ll catch these three — Kelly Willis, Melissa Carper and Brennen Leigh — on the same stage.

“Not as often as we’d like to — maybe every three months we’ll have a run of shows, then go back to solo,” Willis said.

Their show at Churchill School is one of seven concerts in the Pacific Northwest between April 25 and May 2.

For the April 30 performance, doors open at 6 p.m. at Churchill, 3451 Broadway St. Tickets are $25 in advance at churchillbaker.com, or $30 at the door. Admission is free for ages 15 and younger who attend with a paid adult. Bart Budwig opens the show.

The three musicians played on the same bill a few times, and Willis saw Carper and Leigh play together. Inspired, Willis sent the other two an email.

“I sent them an email to see if they wanted to run some shows together as a band,” Willis said.

They said yes, and the trio joined for a few shows in 2022.

“It got to be really fun and people liked it,” Leigh said.

They started touring as the Wonder Women of Country, and released a six-song EP in 2024 that features two songs by each artist, including a couple co-written by Carper and Leigh, and one “reimagined John Prine tune.”

They’ll have the EP available at the show in both CD and vinyl.

At the show, they’ll share the stage to share songs from the EP as well as a few from each artist’s past recordings. (Leigh started her music career at age 14; Willis got her start at 17 and Carper was 12 when she first took the stage.)

“We sing harmonies for each other, and take turns singing lead,” Willis said of the Wonder Women show.

“It’s nice to share the leading duties — it’s less pressure and we have a great time,” Carper said.

All three said they enjoy the chance to support other musicians, as well as sing lead.

“We have a lot of fun,” Willis said.

For more information, visit wonderwomenofcountry.com.

Lisa Britton is editor of Go! Eastern Oregon, and a reporter for the Baker City Herald. Contact her at 541-518-2087 or lisa.britton@bakercityherald.com.

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