Lovell sisters

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Lovell Sisters


Img_capt = Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell on Watson Stage, MerleFest 2007.
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Origin = Calhoun, Georgia, USA
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Genre = Progressive acoustic
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Years_active = 2005-present
Label = Independent: 2DefPig Records
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URL = [http://www.lovellsisters.com www.lovellsisters.com]
Current_members = Jessica Lovell
Megan Lovell
Rebecca Lovell
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The Lovell Sisters are an acoustic music trio known for their tight, family-harmonies and strong instrumental performances. LSB consists of three permanent members: Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell. Although the band has roots in bluegrass and classical music the band describes their music as progressive acoustic.

The current LSB lineup:

*Jessica Lovell: lead vocals, fiddle.
*Megan Lovell: harmony vocals, dobro and lap steel.
*Rebecca Lovell: lead and harmony vocals, mandolin and guitar.
*Matt Wingate: acoustic guitar, mandolin.
*Andy Nall: upright bass.

Band history

Before the Band: Jessica, Megan and Rebecca began taking classical violin and piano lessons around the age of five and were members of their local youth symphony. . They began singing in public with their church choir. They credit their classical training with developing their technical ability and with teaching them how to practice. The family heard their first bluegrass recording, "Slide Rule," by Jerry Douglas, and were inspired to check out their local traditional-music scene.

2003

The Lovell Family attends a Friday night open-mic bluegrass show at the Signal Mountain Opry in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At the Opry, any band can sign up for a 30-minute performance slot. Bluegrass bands from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama turn out to play a set, and then jam in the parking lot. The girls fell in love with the instrumentation and improvisation of bluegrass music. Megan, inspired by Jerry Douglas, chooses the resophonic guitar and takes lessons from Chattanooga dobro-player, Lou Wamp. Jessica begins the process of converting from violin to fiddle. rebecca starts learning the banjo.

2004

In March, the Lovell Sisters Band has their debut public performance at the Signal Mountain Opry. The band lineup includes Jeff Brown on acoustic guitar and vocals, and B.J. Hightower on upright bass and vocals. In April, the girls attend MerleFest (an Americana music festival) in Wilkesboro, NC and decide they will one day play on the main stage. Rebecca watches the MerleFest mandolin contest and switches from banjo to mandolin. She purchases the Homespun DVD by Chris Thile and proceeds to log in hundreds of hours of practice with the instructional video.

2005

The Lovell Sisters appear on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion" and win the Prairie Home National Teen Talent Competition 2005. Band Lineup includes Josh Miller on acoustic guitar and Jess Holloway on upright bass. Rebecca competes in the MerleFest mandolin contest and finishes in third place. In September, LSB releases their debut album, "When Forever Rolls Around." The recording featured Josh Miller on banjo and guitar, and Alan Bartram on upright bass. Brent Truitt (Mandolin with the Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, and Alison Krauss and Union Station) engineers and co-produces the recording.

2006

Rebecca competes in the MerleFest mandolin contest and finishes in first place. At 15 years of age, she becomes the only woman to win a MerleFest instrument competition.

2007

LSB appears professionally at MerleFest and the band plays on the main Watson Stage for the opening jam. Rebecca serves as one of the judges for the mandolin contest. In August, LSB performs in Philadelphia and film their, "Live at the Philadelphia Folk Festival," DVD.

2008

LSB returns to MerleFest in April. They are schedule to be in Nashville for the second studio project in May. In September, they will return to Europe for dates in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Performances and touring

The Lovell Sisters have performed throughout the USA, Ireland and Norway. In 2008, they will appear at MerleFest and then return to Europe for dates in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Media appearances

TBS Storyline, TBS, October 14, 2006.State of the Arts, Georgia Public Television, May 2007.Tapestry, WBHM, 90.3 FM, Birmingham, AL, May 18, 2006.Weekend America, Public Radio.org, July 15, 2006.

Discography

* "When Forever Rolls Around", Lovell Sisters Band, CD, 2005.
* "The Lovell Sisters Band: Live at the Philadelphia Folk Festival", Lovell Sisters Band, DVD, 2007.

References

* Bill Colrus, "Doing Things Differently," The Pulse, Chattanooga, 16 May, 2007.
* Kevin Spracher, "The Lovell Sisters at the Lobero Theatre,: The Santa Barbara Independent, 12 July, 2007.
* CD Review, "When Forever Rolls Around"," Bluegrass Unlimited, March, 2006.

External links

* [http://www.lovellsisters.com Official web site]