Renee Woodward

Renée Woodward was born and raised in Texas. She comes from a long line of talented musicians. Her father is singer-songwriter and cowboy poet Rick Woodward. Her grandfather is Ernie Woodward, a successful 1940s bluegrass picker from the Cherokee Nation. His late 1930s Gibson guitar (nicknamed "Woody") she now plays.Renée was raised in Fort Worth, Texas where the church was an influential part of her musical upbringing. The church would be the foundation for her vocal ear. These melodies and harmonies are the music she writes today.In 1993, Renée moved to Austin to pursue her musical career. She paid her dues playing guitar and singing in the doorways of world famous 6th street, as well as open mics alongside Slaid Cleaves, Jimmy Lafave, Billy Harvey, and many more. This is where she met many of the people who have helped her along the way.In 1999, while on a writing assignment in Los Angeles, Renée recorded a 9 song, live album called Dinner at the Palindrome. In November of 2004 released her first full studio album "All the Birds". Producer by Billy Harvey and Max Crace. She has written for motion picture soundtracks such as Outlaws: The legend of O.B. Taggert, sharing the music credits with Randy Travis and Larry Gatlin, among others. She has also written songs for other recording artists and independent films.In 2002 she lent her voice to the film and soundtrack for "Screen Door Jesus." Renée has opened for and/or shared the stage with the Flatlanders (Joe Ely,Butch Hancock, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore), Jimmy LaFave, Bruce Robison, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel), Trish Murphy, Ginger MacKenzie, Kacy Crowley, Steve Poltz and many more.After spending several years in Austin writings songs for herself and other artists, she traded in her sofa at home for a chair on-stage and the chance to sing for you some of her favorite work. These days you can find her playing in a variety of Austin venues, including the renowned Cactus Cafe.In April of 2004 Renée teamed up with two of her closest song-writing girlfriends, Kacy Crowley, and Trish Murphy, to form what they called Bra-less. After playing together for one year they changed their name to "The New Hot Damn”. Offering stellar harmonies to each others work, and an off the cuff stage banter, you never knew what they would say or do. The girls took their act on the road, and had a very successful year in 2005, traveling together mostly in Texas, as well as a tour in Norway. They were part of a benefit Calendar and live CD for Jon Dee Graham’s son Willie Graham, who has Leggs Perth's, a childhood disease which is painful and expensive. The Graham’s unfortunately lost their insurance, many Austin musicians and photographers pulled together to do whatever the could to raise money for their dear friend. ( to read more about the disease and how you can help visit www.jondeegraham.com) After playing together for almost two years, The New Hot Damn played their farewell show in October at the Saxon Pub in Austin Texas.Now Renée is concentrating on her new project, diving head first into her roots, “right back where I started, and probably where I should’a stayed” she says. She calls her new band, Renée Woodward and the Wayward Review. She will be recording her second record in 2006.