The Chalks
About.
They have their hearts in Nashville, their tongues in their cheeks, and their finger on the pulse of America.
Judeen, Judelle and Belva Chalk were born and raised in Boggy Depot, Oklahoma where they spent their childhood plucking on shoebox guitars, improvising bluegrass harmonies, and steering clear of their drunken daddy. They made their professional debut as the youngest performers with the Christian Music Caravan appearing as the Li’l Angels, the Cutest Li’l Christians, and The Li’l Chalk Girls, depending on the child labor laws in any given state. Burning Bush Records signed them to a recording contract, the “Li’l” was dropped from their name, and THE CHALKS soon scored with Nobody Loves Me ‘Cept Jesus, their first of many hits for that label.
During the Burning Bush years, Judelle and Belva kicked up their share of mischief and misdemeanors, but it was Judeen’s infamous sado-masochistic affair with her minister of music, that cost The Chalks their career in Christian music. There was one thing, though, that The Chalks knew for sure: when the Lord closes a door, He always opens a window. So as soon as they could hot-wire a pick-up, they were off to Nashville, a town where a past filled with shame, poverty and disgrace could only help one’s career opportunities. Sure enough, they made lemons into lemonade when the incident-inspired Hog Wild & Hog Tied (LP Straight Laced By Day, Black Lace By Night) put The Chalks on the country music map.
Even today, as the tour bus rolls on, big sister Judeen keeps the band together with a smile on her face and a knife in her boot. Middle sister Judelle stirs up the fun with 2 scoops of sincerity and a shot of Jack Daniels. And little sister Belva just keeps looking for love and she’ll keep at it till she gets its right. Collectively, The Chalks go on making music, causing trouble, and singing the stories of their life. They’ve been featured on Comedy Central, the Toyota Comedy Festival, Marshall’s Women in Comedy, in radio markets across the globe, and on stages from Passaic to Palm Springs.
The Chalks are also known as the versatile actor/musicians Mary Brienza (Judeen), Kathryn Markey (Judelle), and Leenya Rideout (Belva).
