On a fall evening in 2011, Phil Craven decided to join the bluegrass resurgence and bought his very first mandolin in a sale on our nation’s holiest of holidays, Black Friday. He called over bassist Brad “Animal” Price and banjo player Ricky Deal, who brought with him brother and sister duo Robbie and Mallory Edson on guitar and fiddle. It was this unlikely combination of personalities on the outskirts of Kansas City who formed a unique sound that can only be described as “gypsy punk thrashgrass.” 

What started as a basement jam rapidly turned into a full time gig. Within two years, the band went from playing hometown bar gigs to landing slots on regional festival stages. They released their first album “Too Many F Holes” in 2014 with Frank Bower taking over on guitar and the addition of Ike Goletz on drums. They have been blessed to share the stage with some of their biggest inspirations, including Split Lip Rayfield, Dirtfoot, Mountain Sprout, and Useful Jenkins.

2015 brought the unexpected deaths of founding members Price and Deal. Zach Bozeman - Animal’s son and protege - officially took the reigns on bass and weeks later the band, called “the most resilient band in bluegrass,” came back to stage in Winfield’s campground. This journey was inspiration for WFTL’s 2018 sophomore album “Passing Times”. The new album carries the weight of grief without losing the energy, quirky storytelling, and humor in Craven’s lyrics, and also features fresh songwriting from the rest of the band.

Whiskey for the Lady’s intense stage performance continues to bend genres and melt minds. From festival set to porch session, the band's unique roots sound and determination delivers a refreshing energy to the Midwest folk scene and an unforgettable live experience that you don’t want to miss!