About
Biography
Texas Lightning is a German country-pop band from Hamburg, formed in 1996 by Jon Flemming Olsen. Initially called Texas Lightning & The Rodeo Rockets, the group played their first show on December 23, 2000, at the Knust music club in Hamburg. For this reason, their music blends classic country sounds from stars like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline with pop influences from artists like ABBA, Madonna, and The Beatles, often adding a touch of humor. Meanwhile, the band’s unique style made them stand out as both old-fashioned and modern.
The original lineup included Jon Flemming Olsen (“The Flame,” vocals and guitar), Little Mick Schulz (guitar), Chris Walther (double bass), Miss Susu Belle (vocals, guitar, mandolin), and Stefan Hansch (drums). However, by 2004, the lineup changed significantly. Consequently, Australian singer Jane Comerford (vocals, ukulele), Olli Dittrich (“Ringofire,” drums, vocals), Markus Schmidt (“Fastfinger,” guitar, banjo), and Uwe Frenzel (“Friendly,” double bass, vocals) joined the band, creating the quintet known today.
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Texas Lightning started gaining attention after their 2000 debut. For instance, they released two self-produced CDs and performed at many concerts. In 2004, they won the first Country Music Förderpreis, a German award for country music, which boosted their popularity. As a result, their second album, Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…, released on August 22, 2005, featured country-style covers of pop hits like Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Prince’s “Kiss.” The single “Like a Virgin” became popular, and the band toured Germany that fall.
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Their big break came in 2006 when they won the German national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, beating artists like Thomas Anders and Vicky Leandros. Consequently, on May 20, 2006, they represented Germany in Athens with their original song “No No Never,” written by Jane Comerford. As the first country band to compete at Eurovision, they made history. Although they finished 14th with 36 points, the song topped the German charts, reached number 4 in Austria, and number 6 in Switzerland. Additionally, the Texas Senate named them Honorary Texans in June 2006, thanks to a nomination by Steve Sivek and Senator Tommy Williams.
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After Eurovision, Texas Lightning faced challenges. For example, in September 2006, they released the single “I Promise” and a reissued album, Meanwhile, Back at the Golden Ranch…, with new songs and a bonus DVD. However, their momentum slowed. In November 2008, the band announced they would stop working together. Nevertheless, they surprised fans with a new album, Western Bound, on April 17, 2009, which served as a soundtrack for the children’s film WineToons – Die Legende vom Schatz im Silbersee. The album, recorded with the Babelsberg Film Orchestra, included the single “Seven Ways to Heaven,” accompanied by a music video.
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Meanwhile, a major change occurred in August 2009 when Jon Flemming Olsen left the band, feeling artistically burned out. He was replaced by Malte Pittner from the band Deichkind. Olsen later explained that he struggled with the pressure to produce more pop-country hits and felt the band’s original balance of humor and authenticity was lost. Despite this, the new lineup continued performing.
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Texas Lightning made a comeback in 2016, focusing on live performances. Although they didn’t release new music, they played at festivals and events in Germany, delighting fans with their classic hits and energetic shows. For example, their unique blend of country and pop covers, like “Highway to Hell” and “Dancing Queen,” kept audiences engaged. Additionally, a 2016 Rockpalast feature praised their polished style and friendship, noting their ability to feel both vintage and fresh.
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Since 2018, Texas Lightning has remained active, though they’ve focused on live shows rather than new albums. For instance, they performed at various German festivals, playing favorites like “No No Never” and their popular covers. However, in 2019, they canceled a planned tour, disappointing some fans. Despite this, their music continued to attract listeners, with their discography available on platforms like Spotify and Discogs.
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As of 2025, the band, now consisting of Jane Comerford, Malte Pittner, Markus Schmidt, Uwe Frenzel, and Olli Dittrich, still performs occasionally.
