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Opry North

Name: The Ennis Sisters
Maureen, Karen and Teresa

Ages: Maureen 24, Karen 23, Teresa 21

Home Town: St. John's, Newfoundland

Instruments played: Maureen (guitar, piano, fiddle), Karen (Bodhran, Tin whistles, flute), Teresa (Bodhran, assorted percussion). Karen and Teresa also step dance.

Finished CD's: Red is the Rose
                        Christmas on Ennis Road
                        3
                        Ennis Sisters

Management: Andre Bourgeois and Heather Frantsi

                       ABC Entertainment Inc.
                       1426 Hwy 202
                       Kennetcook, Hants County
                       Nova Scotia, Canada
                       B0N 1P0

Record Label: Warner Music Canada

Website: www.ennissisters.com

Typical of so many East Coast families, The Ennis Sisters began their performance career in the kitchen. They weren't baking cookies though! These young ladies were learning the subtle skills of harmony and performance during their many kitchen party 'appearances'. Sisters Maureen, Teresa and Karen began developing both their vocal and instrumental abilities as youngsters in Newfoundland, and have blossomed into the charming young ladies of the Ennis Sisters.

While much of western Canada is only now discovering the talented sisters, Eastern Canada has been aware of their potential for years. While Ennis Sisters is the girls first major label release, their first two independent efforts sold thousands of copies. Red is the Rose and 3 led to a number of impressive wins at the prestigious Newfoundland and Labrador Music Industry Awards including Album of the Year and Group of the Year. The girls were also awarded an East Coast Music Award as independent artists. A seasonal recording Christmas on Ennis Road followed, which included a CBC special aired on the East Coast. All of this early success has brought them to the present and their current album has not only lived up to their promise, but exceeded many expectations. Radio and video support for the first two singles ("It's Not About You" and "I'd Never Walk Away") has been extensive. The girls have racked up many other nominations and awards, including recognition at the Juno awards this year. While their current album has more of a 'contemporary' sound, the traditional roots of the girls remain clearly audible and lend a refreshing honesty to their sound.

It's a long road from playing local Welcome Wagon parties to opening for artists like Jan Arden, but the Ennis Sisters have navigated it in a relatively short time frame. A showcase in 1998 at the East Coast Music Awards was their first performance outside of Newfoundland and now, just four years later, the girls have undertaken a touring schedule that has them traveling throughout Canada and the United States. In the early days Mom and Dad were the ever-present advisors, taking the girls to performances and music lessons as well as instilling in them the values and business sense that are still present today. When the girls decided that they wanted to record their first album 'for fun', it was their parents who took the financial gamble and financed the project. As it turns out, they need not have worried. Within only five weeks the girls had made back every dollar borrowed from their parents. That is a testament to the strength of this family and their unbelievable talents.

In an industry where chemistry with people (on stage and in the background) is so important, the Ennis Sisters shine once again. The three girls complement each other perfectly with Maureen taking the musical lead, singing lead vocals as well as co-writing and arranging their material. Middle sister, Karen, is more involved with the business aspects of the music industry. Youngest sister, Teresa, uses her extroverted personality as the voice of the group, communicating with audience and media alike. Equally as important, the Ennis Sisters have found a wonderful chemistry with their record label, Warner Music Canada. The girls and their parents had turned down a number of potential labels to allow Teresa the chance to finish high school. Warner not only waited more than three years to sign the sisters, they took the opportunity to get to know the family and check on Maureen's progress as a songwriter and Teresa's high school experience. Supportive parents, great management, a record label that understands their priorities and the opportunity to make music for a living. I'd say that the Ennis Sisters are on the right path to a bright future in the music business.

Coming from a family with three sisters myself, I have to say that the Ennis Sisters are living out my particular fantasy. Not only to be able to do something that they are passionate about for a living, but to be able to involve their best friends and sisters in the the process. It is always said that family harmony is special (look at The Rankins, The Good Brothers, the Forrester Sisters, The Judds, SheDaisy...) and the Ennis Sisters are no exception. When one hears the intimate intertwining of voices, there is no doubt that those voices belong to sisters. What is equally as amazing as the voices, is the songwriting talent shown by Maureen. Along with co-writer Mark Murphy, Maureen has captured a number of the emotional highs and lows of life from a fresh perspective. Her youthful view of relationships and situations resonates with me in a way that few other songwriters do today.

Although I have yet to see the girls live, I have been impressed by the enthusiasm with which they undertake their television appearances, interviews and even their very interesting on-line journal. These ladies may consider themselves reserved people, but they hold nothing back as entertainers. I'm sure that as their confidence grows with each new experience, they will continue to grow as artists, friends and sisters. I'm just glad that the public will be able to share in the experience through their music.

We would like to thank Teagan Beedell for accepting the challenge of writing the 'Signed Artist Profile' and we would like to welcome her to the Opry North Crew.

June 1 2002

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