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In September 2003, fresh from her acclaimed starring role in the sold-out run of the musical "Always...Patsy Cline" at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, Shani (Shay-nee) Hedden sought to form a band that would continue the live music experience she had come to love during the show. Long story short, she came to meet bassist Kenny Palmer and guitarist Joe Lance, who along with percussionist Bob Stagner (who had performed with her in the show) became the core backing ensemble that soon was named the Shani Hedden Group.

Shani was not new to singing; her 2000 country album Threatenin' Dark Clouds (KMA Nashville) went gold on the international charts, and Shani's vocal and theatrical talents have been showcased throughout the southeastern United States. She is currently a pro demo singer and has worked with Keith Harling (MCA Nashville), Kim Forester (The Forester Sisters), Willie Kitchens (The Impressions) and Bryan Sutton (Dolly Parton and Ricky Skaggs). In 2004, she was among the Top Ten Vocalists at the International Modeling & Talent Association Showcase in Los Angeles.

But many of her fans say that Ted Swindley's tribute to one of America's greatest popular music performers was the vehicle by which Shani found her true voice; so it is fitting that the band's repertoire contains quite a few songs once sung by Patsy Cline. Shani and the Group have dug into the archives and, while staying true in spirit to the original studio and live recordings, have crafted their own arrangements of these classic tunes. In addition, the band draws on contemporary material, such as the early Sun recordings of Elvis Presley and the swing/big-band stylings of Keely Smith, along with modern alt-country favorites from gifted songwriters such as Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark and Rodney Crowell.

Kenny Palmer began playing electric bass guitar at age fifteen. By age seventeen, he was playing professionally and touring with the likes of June Carter Cash, Rosie Nix (June's daughter), and Roger Allan Wade & The Last Band, among others. He spent years on the road touring with Blueground Undergrass, and he has shared the stage with such notables as Vassar Clements, Col. Bruce Hampton and The Codetalkers, legendary steel guitarist Mark Van Allen (Sugarland, South 70), Count M'Butu (The Allman Brothers Band, Derek Trucks Band), and the Del McCoury Band, just to name a few.