Originating as a musical revue crafted by humorous singer/songwriter Christine Lavin, Four Bitchin' Babes has since demonstrated an independent vitality following her departure in September 1997. Lavin, dubbed "folk music's cheerleader," established the all-female group among several early-'90s ventures, distinguishing it from mixed-gender efforts like On a Winter's Night. Its founding quartet consisted of Lavin, Sally Fingerett, Megon McDonough, and Patty Larkin. After Larkin departed to prioritize her solo path upon the release of the debut album Buy Me Bring Me Take Me: Don't Mess with My Hair!!!, New York-based singer/songwriter Julie Gold, known for "From a Distance," joined and performed on the follow-up Buy Me Bring Me Take Me: Don't Mess with My Hair!!!, Vol. 2. Washington, D.C.-based vocalist Debi Smith succeeded Gold and has remained through two further albums. Lavin held the spotlight until exiting in 1997, at which point satirical singer/songwriter Camille West from Saratoga Springs, NY, joined, preceding the 2000 release Beyond Bitchin!.
Alongside their work with Four Bitchin' Babes, each member has sustained a separate solo trajectory. Fingerett, recipient of the New Folk Award at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 1990, has produced three solo albums and multiple advertising jingles. Chicago native Megon McDonough has merged her music with acting, touring Japan in the revue Beehive and appearing in Chicago productions of Pump Boys and Dinettes and Quilters; she earned acclaim in the title role of Always Patsy Cline during a six-week 1997 run in that city. Smith has recorded both solo and as half of the Smith Sisters, whose four albums were produced by Doc and Merle Watson; a multiple Wammie winner, she issued her debut solo album In My Dreams in the late '90s. West released her debut album Mother Tongue in 1996.
