Lurleen Ladd is reclaiming her power – through music!
After a successful career in social work and healthcare, Lurleen answered her true calling in her 40s—music—and hasn’t looked back. With raw energy and unflinching honesty, her pop and R&B-tinged sound channels the spirit of Carole King, Annie Lennox, and Adele while delivering an empowering message of resilience and inner strength.
She has released three albums to date: her debut Magnolia and Azalea Dreams (2019), her defining follow-up No Goin’ Back (2022), which sharpened her voice as a fearless artist moving forward, and the soulful holiday collection Diamonds in the Snow (2023).
In 2026, Lurleen is gearing up to launch her much anticipated fourth album, RECLAMATION. The album celebrates the music of the 80s, with her own bold reimaginings of hits by Pat Benetar, Bruce Springsteen, INXS, Soft Cell and others who helped shape that musical era.
Navigating the music industry as a woman over 40 came with challenges—but it also sparked a movement. After connecting with other women facing similar barriers, Lurleen founded WAVEMAKERS, a platform and community amplifying women 40+ in music. Launched in Austin in 2023, it champions bold voices and proves it’s never too late to break barriers—and make waves. READ MORE BELOW
Nothing is more dangerous than a woman over 40 who owns her own voice.
Lurleen Ladd is the Founder of Wavemakers – a movement, a community, and a platform that amplifies the artistry, experience, and leadership of women. After launching her music career in her early 40s, Lurleen discovered that there were women around the country who were over 40 facing the same challenges she was facing. She wanted to create a platform where women could connect and have a much needed dialogue about the unique challenges and advantages in being a female creative in the music industry in the 21st century.
In March 2023, Lurleen hosted a panel of women musicians, all over 40, at Antone’s in Austin. Lurleen observed that this event “created a template where decision makers, the artists and the audience came together to challenge the status quo, champion female musicians 40+ and forge a path that celebrates creativity at any age.”
By uniting creativity, culture, and collaboration, Wavemakers are shaping the conversations, connections, and experiences that ripple beyond the stage.
In addition to Wavemakers, Lurleen is a passionate entrepreneur and community advocate. She has used her music to fund multiple non-profits and organizations she founded:
Halloween by Design, an event company raising money for local non-profits and domestic violence outreach programs.
The Shade Project, a non-profit dedicated to skin cancer prevention that she founded with her husband.
She also regularly supports and sings at Amplify Austin events, and raises funds for HAAM, and AIDS Services of Austin.
