Biography
Karen Poston, a roots-music singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas, issued her first album, Real Bad, during summer 2001. Prior notice arrived when her composition “Lydia,” recounting a widow’s double loss in a coal-mine accident, appeared on Slaid Cleaves’ widely praised 2000 record Broke Down.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Poston relocated with her family at age five to Tipp City, midway between Dayton and Columbus. Raised amid horses and livestock on a working farm, she recalls her earliest public performances occurring when her father placed her atop his car hood to sing classic country numbers for neighbors. Tall and awkward throughout high school, she discovered her footing only after entering college, where songwriting began; she majored in theater at Wright State in Ohio. An initial folk duo evolved into the group Aunt Beanie’s First Prize Beets, whose country-bluegrass-jug-band sound gained traction across western Ohio and secured opening slots for Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Viewing Austin as an ideal hub for their music, the band moved there in 1994, yet disbanded following a year of steady local appearances.
After the split, Poston began sitting in with Dale Watson and Charlie Robison at their shows and contributed vocals to Watson’s 1996 Hightone album Blessed or Damned. She also served as backup and occasional lead singer with Ted Roddy’s Tearjoint Troubadors. Seeking independence, she assembled her own outfit, the Crystal Pistols, enlisting drummer Terry Kirkendall—then working with Dale Watson—and steel guitarist Bobby Snell, whom western-swing bandleader Cornell Hurd introduced. Produced by Jim Stringer, the 2001 debut Real Bad included guest contributions from established Austin figures Kelly Willis and Gurf Morlix.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, Poston relocated with her family at age five to Tipp City, midway between Dayton and Columbus. Raised amid horses and livestock on a working farm, she recalls her earliest public performances occurring when her father placed her atop his car hood to sing classic country numbers for neighbors. Tall and awkward throughout high school, she discovered her footing only after entering college, where songwriting began; she majored in theater at Wright State in Ohio. An initial folk duo evolved into the group Aunt Beanie’s First Prize Beets, whose country-bluegrass-jug-band sound gained traction across western Ohio and secured opening slots for Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Viewing Austin as an ideal hub for their music, the band moved there in 1994, yet disbanded following a year of steady local appearances.
After the split, Poston began sitting in with Dale Watson and Charlie Robison at their shows and contributed vocals to Watson’s 1996 Hightone album Blessed or Damned. She also served as backup and occasional lead singer with Ted Roddy’s Tearjoint Troubadors. Seeking independence, she assembled her own outfit, the Crystal Pistols, enlisting drummer Terry Kirkendall—then working with Dale Watson—and steel guitarist Bobby Snell, whom western-swing bandleader Cornell Hurd introduced. Produced by Jim Stringer, the 2001 debut Real Bad included guest contributions from established Austin figures Kelly Willis and Gurf Morlix.
Albums