Sweethearts of the Rodeo

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Sweethearts of the Rodeo is an American country music duo.

The vocal duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo has its origins in southern California. In the early 1970s, the sisters Janis and Kristine Oliver (born September 28, 1956 ) tinged there as Oliver Sisters through smaller clubs, shopping centers and high schools. Janis was the lead singer and Kristine accompanied her on guitar. They played bluegrass music with country rock influences. In 1973 the duo called themselves "Sweethearts of the Rodeo" (after the Byrds' album of the same name ).

They were discovered in 1976 by Emmylou Harris , who saw the two sisters at a festival and invited them to their show. Offers for further appearances followed, some with top-class stars like Willie Nelson or Pure Prairie League . In the early 1980s Janis married aspiring country singer Vince Gill , who was the lead singer of the Pure Prairie League at the time.

In 1983 Janis - now a mother - moved to Nashville with her husband . Her sister, who was meanwhile also married, followed some time later. Vince Gills producer Steve Buckingham encouraged the two to start over after winning a major talent competition. In 1986 their first single Hey Doll Baby was released and reached a middle spot on the country charts. The subsequent productions were more successful and consistently made it into the top 10.

After four good quality but only moderately successful albums they lost their record deal. One reason for the inadequate sales figures was not least the family responsibilities of the sisters, who barely allowed appearances and promotional tours. The duo switched to a small label that gave them more artistic design options. Some of her songs were subsequently written by Janis himself. In 1993 the acoustically oriented bluegrass album Rodeo Waltz was released . The Sweethearts of the Rodeo had returned to their origins.

In 1997 the marriage between Janis Oliver and Vince Gill was divorced.

Albums

  • 1986 - Sweethearts of the Rodeo (Columbia)
  • 1988 - One Time, One Night (Columbia)
  • 1990 - Buffalo Zone (Columbia)
  • 1992 - Sisters (Columbia)
  • 1993 - Rodeo Waltz (Sugar Hill)
  • 1996 - Beautiful Lies (Sugar Hill)