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Photo By: Wayne Tozzi / www.oprynorth.com

Opry North

Name: Cassandra Anne Williams

Age: 18

Birth date: December 6^th 1983

Birthplace: Richmond Hill – York Central Hospital

Hometown: Aurora Ontario

Resides in: Newmarket Ontario

Pets: Small “Bichon Frise” dog named Marcus, cat named Muffin and a budgie named Nat.

Group name: Jaclyn & Cassandra

Instruments played: Piano since 5 years of age, starting to learn guitar and started vocal lessons at 14.

Started performing at age: 16 – First performance was at the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest in Simcoe Ontario, July 2000. (Won 2^nd Prize – duet category).

Most memorable performance: North Bay Heritage Festival (August 2001) opening for Marshall Dyllon and Sawyer Brown.

What do you do to relax?: Watch TV, listen to music and play piano.

Finished CD’s: “The Country Comin’ Out In Me” – released August 2001

CD’s for sale: As above – presently working on a new CD, recording in both Ontario Canada and Nashville Tennessee to be released by the end of 2002.

Management: Debbie Dennis

Record Label: N/A

Website: http://www.jaclynandcassandra.com

Name: Jaclyn

Age: 15

Birth date: June 26^th 1987

Birthplace: Richmond Hill – York Central Hospital

Hometown: Aurora Ontario

Resides in: Newmarket Ontario

Pets: Same as shown above

Group name: Same as above

Instruments played: None, had other interest in dance, joining Dance School at 6 years old then dancing competitively for 8 years in jazz, tap, ballet, musical theatre, acro. Started vocal lessons at age 12.

Started performing at age: 13 – Same contest listed above.

Most memorable performance: North Bay Heritage Festival (August 2001)

What do you do to relax?: Listen to music; take a hot bath, read.

Finished CD’s: Same as above.

CD’s for sale: Same as above.

Management: Debbie Dennis

Record Label: N/A

Website: http://www.jaclynandcassandra.com

When you think of every ‘sister’ country act you generally think of The Ennis Sisters (if you’re in Canada) and SheDaisy (if you’re in the US)…but those are ‘trio groups’. What about duo groups? I think of The Kinley’s and The Lynn’s but they are not only twins, they’re also from the US…so what about Canadian sisters? Aside from the soon-to-be-debuted Rankin Sister’s Tour I can only think of two – Jaclyn & Cassandra. These two young women (at 15 and 18, respectively) are probably relatively new to the majority of country music fans in Canada but have become quite a buzzword in Ontario. They are the epitome of youthful country and they bring beauty, excitement, incredible harmonies, energetic dance routines and plain old fun to every event they perform at. Small wonder that these girls have acquired quite a following throughout the province and become ‘role models’ for many younger girls, those who wish to perform and those who are happy being ‘fans’. Coupled with a solid grounding and supportive family, Jaclyn & Cassandra may succeed in bringing a new, innovative and previously unexplored element into the country music world. We’ve never had nothing like them before. And they sound amazing! If uniqueness is what will set you apart in the entertainment industry these two are tailor-made – watch them and see.

Some may think that an event filled calendar for two young women who also have school to contend with may be too much to handle, but why is that? No one seems to question parents who take their youngsters to endless sporting events after school or on weekends. When Jaclyn and Cassandra began preparing for their career in entertainment they didn’t just announce they’d be forming a group and conquering Ontario…though that’s probably what it looked like, they emerged so quickly. Cassandra began her preparations by learning the piano at 5, while Jaclyn began in a different direction. She began a long association in dance, joining a school at 6. When they decided to strengthen their vocal talent too they began by taking formal instruction, while still in their early teens. As the well-known familial harmonies emerged and the natural musical aptitude both had already developed joined in the results were too inspiring to ignore. Something they did well, could do together and they had fun doing. They’d found their future!

It hasn’t been all roses and lights for these two. They have worked, they have practiced and they have been learning…while still enduring the ‘regular world’ of everything else a teenager goes through. They have had disappointments, some disillusionment and faced more than a little skepticism from an industry that still tends to turn its nose up at younger artists. It doesn’t get them down, it makes them work harder. The result has been a very polished, professional stage show that is enhanced by the natural talent that they bring to it. People are taking notice, the industry is talking and what we’ve been hearing is all good…and no one deserves it more than this one-of-a-kind pair of performers. When you’ve seen them, you’ve seen the future.

We first became aware of this dynamic duo quite a while ago, when we were contacted by their father about performance opportunities that we might know of. It just so happened that I did know of a few and it was our pleasure to pass the information along. Subsequently we were able to see the girls perform and we were very taken, not only with their obvious ability but with their enthusiasm, excitement and desire to give it their all. You can’t help but feel the same way when you’ve been able to enjoy their show a few times.

Sisters yes, but very different from what I can see. While Cassandra is the older of the two and she has the maturity and coolness you’d expect she is still a young woman who likes to have fun. With a ready smile and an abundance of self-discipline you know she’ll be prepared and ready to head on stage when the time is right. If anyone is a little late, it’ll be Jaclyn. Very quick moving (well, she is a dancer) and vivacious, she is the one most likely to speak up, move out front and exhibit a fearlessness that I’m sure is the envy of many other performers. Both are stylish, talented and beautiful. Luckily they come from an amazing family, with extended members coming out time and time again to lend their support. If success can be measured by the number of folks who love you it’s clear that Jaclyn & Cassandra will be podium bound in no time at all.

With the future spread out before them I can see good things happening, for all of the reasons I’ve already covered and more. Due to their youthfulness it’s a sure bet they’ll be having a long life in the country music industry. There’s something I’ve always noticed about different types of performers – there are those who want to make it really big, really fast and don’t consider the future beyond that (the ‘one hit wonders’ found in every genre) and there are those who know it’ll take work, lots of time and can enjoy a long, rewarding career (the ‘legends and hall of famer’s group’). Jaclyn & Cassandra belong to the second group and with their talent, uniqueness and unquestionable passion for their music you know they’ll only get better with time. Will Canadian country music be holding it’s own in the future? Absolutely!

Written by Kim Jamieson

August 2002

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