- The Higgins
Infobox musical artist |
Name = The Higgins
Img_capt = John, Eileen, and Kathleen Higgins, June 14th 2008, Vancouver, Canada.
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Vancouver, British Columbia,Canada
Genre = Country/Rock/Pop
Years_active = 1998-present
Label = Open Road
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.higginsmusic.com/ www.higginsmusic.com]
Current_members = John Higgins
Eileen Higgins
Kathleen Higgins
Past_members = Mary HigginsThe Higgins are a Canadian country-rock-pop band, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia by siblings John Higgins (born
June 4 ,1982 ), Eileen Higgins (bornJuly 17 ,1986 ), Mary Higgins (born1984 ), and Kathleen Higgins (bornNovember 11 ,1988 ). Mary left the group in2005 , in order to pursue other interests.The group is best known for its vocal harmonies, and character onstage. The Higgins combine their country roots, pop influences and a Celtic family background into "their unique musical sound." [http://www.cbc.ca/makesomenoise/music/ep11/ CBC - Make Some Noise - Music ] ]
Their music has been featured on TV shows and radio across Canada. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/makesomenoise/stories/ep11/organic_farmers/ CBC - Make Some Noise ] ] [ [http://www.cbc.ca/bc/features/sls/ CBC British Columbia - Features - Sounds Like Summer ] ]
Members
* John Higgins –
Guitar , Vocals,Mandolin , Bass
* Eileen Higgins – Vocals, Acoustic guitar,Tin whistle , Mandolin
* Kathleen Higgins – Vocals,Acoustic guitar Biography
History
From
Delta, British Columbia , The Higgins began singing as young children, performing in local musicals and school choirs. They developed as musicians, matured as individuals, and committed to perfecting their music. The Higgins musical influences come fromEmmylou Harris ,Fleetwood Mac , theDixie Chicks ,The Corrs ,James Taylor , Celtic, deep South traditional forms of folk, blues and country. They write, arrange and accompany themselves on a variety of both modern and traditional songs. [ [http://www.turnerme.com/higgins.shtml Turner Music & Events - Live music booking: The Higgins ] ] [ [http://www.countrymusicnews.ca/news.ihtml?step=2&article_id=1490 Country Music News Canadian country Music Artists CD's CDs CD Nashville report ] ] [http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/pulse/story.html?id=6620a86a-57b8-4824-88df-2691e9a875ec Family ties ] ]Overcoming Adversity
"In
1998 , John broke his back in a workplace accident, confining him to awheelchair for almost a year. Formerly a basketball hopeful, the 16-year old had to find something else to do. A friend lent him a battered, acoustic, steel-string guitar while he was in his wheelchair, and he and his sisters taught each other to play. After John’s recovery, the group worked hard on developing their distinctive sound, and discovered they had a creative skill for songwriting." [ [http://www.higginsmusic.com/the_group/index.html The Higgins :: John, Eileen and Kathleen ] ] [http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/southdeltaleader/entertainment/26159174.html South Delta Leader - Your Best source for Local Community News delivered in print or online ] ]Personal life
Just before their Canadian debut album, "Real Thing", was released in June 2008, two-thirds of The Higgins had weddings. John was married in April, his new wife travelling with the group, working behind the scenes. Eileen followed suit and married in May 2008, though her new husband generally stays home while The Higgins go on tour. [ [http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=59ce6ebb-e030-4bf3-b86c-e4c47ab77dd7 Family trio in harmony for this gem ] ]
Awards and Honors
2006
In September
2006 , they were honored with their own star on the Merritt Mountain Music Festival's Walk of Stars, inMerritt, British Columbia , Canada. Each year the town features a giant festival of the country music industry's top performers. Past performers includeReba McEntire andCarrie Underwood . [ [http://www.georgecanyon.com/merritt2_2007.htm :: George Canyon Official Website :: ] ] [ [http://www.mountainfest.com/default.asp ASPLogin ] ]In November 2006, The Higgins were invited to represent
Canada at the Guangdong International Tourism & Cultural Festival inChina . For a week, they performed in places such as the 60,000 seat capacity Tian-He Stadium, and the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, in Guangzhou, China. [ [http://www.higginsmusic.com/news/index.html The Higgins :: News ] ] They also performed at theBritish Columbia Country Music Association Awards, after they were nominatedfor Country Group/Duo of the Year 2006.2007
In
2007 , The Higgins were nominated again with the BCCMA's, this time in 3 categories : Entertainer of The Year, Group/Duo of The Year, and the Gaylord Wood Memorial Award for traditional country performers. [ [http://www.bccountry.com/Saturday%20Show.htm Awards Show 2005 ] ] [ [http://www.bccountry.com/index.htm Home ] ]2008
The Higgins "Flower Child" video was nominated in April of 2008, for a LEO Award in the "Best Best Music Video" Category. [ [http://www.leoawards.com/nominees_2008.html LEO AWARDS Nominees 2008 ] ] The LEO Awards Gala Ceremony were held on May 24 2008, with the Celebration Awards Ceremony on May 23, 2008. [ [http://www.leoawards.com/ LEO AWARDS 2008 ] ]
In September 2008, The Higgins performed at the 2008 CCMA Awards Show. Eileen Higgins took home a CCMA All-Star Band Award (Special Instrument Category - Mandolin), from the event. The Higgins were also nominated as CCMA Band/Duo of The Year, which later went to their "Real Thing" co-songwriters , Doc Walker. [http://fyimusic.ca/industry-news/ccma-industry-award-winners] [http://www.thatscountry.com/am2/publish/ccma/004656.shtml] [http://www.ccma.org/pdfs/07-30-08-nomineesformatted.pdf]
Media
The Higgins performed at the 4th Annual
Merritt Walk of Stars Gala, in June 2007, aired on
CMT. This was their third year in a row they've performed at the ceremonies. [ [http://www.tourismmerritt.com/Media_Room/Latest_News/CMT_Gala_Fundraiser/ Merritt Tourism - THINGS TO DO ] ] [ [http://www.getawaybc.com/story.cgi?id=5434§ion=4 GetAwayBC ] ]In 2006, the group made a music video (of their song "Hey Jamie"), for the
CBC Television show "Make Some Noise". Other media appearances for 2006 included, CBC,Global TV ,CityTV ,CMT , CFJC-TV7 [ [http://www.higginsmusic.com/events/index_2006.html The Higgins :: Events ] ]In February 2008, The Higgins released their first music video for "Flower Child", directed by award winning director
Stephano Barberis to CMT Canada. It peaked at #3 on the network's Chevy Cross Canada Countdown in June 2008. [ [http://www.cmt.ca/Programs/ProgramItem.aspx?prog_id=11 CMT.ca - Chevy Cross Canada Countdown] ]Discography
Albums
Singles
*ACurrent single.
References
External links
Official Websites
* [http://www.higginsmusic.com/ www.HigginsMusic.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thehigginsband/The Higgins Official MySpace]Interviews and Other Articles
* [http://www.peak.sfu.ca/the-peak/2005-3/issue11/ar-higgins.html The Peak - Nov. 14 2005]
* [http://www.bccountry.com/Artist%20News.htm BC Country Music Association]
* [http://www.canada.com/theprovince/story.html?id=59ce6ebb-e030-4bf3-b86c-e4c47ab77dd7 The Province - Aug 5st 2008]
* [http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/southdeltaleader/entertainment/26159174.html The South Delta Leader - Aug 1st 2008]
* [http://www.canada.com/northshorenews/news/pulse/story.html?id=6620a86a-57b8-4824-88df-2691e9a875ec The North Shore News - July 25th 2008]Videos
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEWpNg0CiZw&feature=related| The Higgins "Flower Child" Video]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
