DATE: September 10, 2008

CONTACT: Mark Hosler, 864-656-0738
hned@clemson.edu

CONTACT: Lillian Harder, 864-656-3043
harderl@clemson.edu

WRITER: Glenn Hare, 864-656-1478
ghare@clemson.edu

The Lovell Sisters to perform traditional and contemporary bluegrass at the Brooks Center

CLEMSON — The Lovell Sisters Band will present their bluegrass harmony at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at Clemson University’s Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

Sisters Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell of Calhoun, Ga., along with a complement of musicians, will perform a blend of country-, folk- and contemporary-influenced bluegrass music. 

“The Lovell Sisters’ brand of traditional folk and country presented with contemporary flair fits right in with the rich musical traditions of the state of Georgia,” said Mark Hosler, a Clemson music professor who teaches a course on the history of country music.

“The state has a well-documented history of old-time music dating back to the beginning of the 20th century," he said. "In the '20s and '30s, north Georgia had a strong band tradition led by the most important and influential string band of the era: Gil Tanner and the Skillet Lickers. Even the legendary Bill Monroe, ‘the Father of Bluegrass,’ came to Atlanta in the late 1930s looking for talent for his original Blue Grass Boys, hiring a young guitarist named Cleo Davis.”

In 2005, the Lovell Sisters made a name for themselves when they won National Public Radio’s “Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor” National Teen Talent Competition. A year later, they released their critically acclaimed debut recording, “When Forever Rolls Around.” Since then, the band has toured throughout the United States and parts of Ireland and Norway. 

The sisters each began their music training at age 5, taking classical violin and piano lessons. They sang in their church choir and were members of string quartets and youth symphonies. About five years ago, they moved from their classical music grounding to pursue the instrumentation and improvisation of traditional music found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Jessica Lovell (fiddle/vocals), 21, was heavily involved in symphonies and quartets and was co-principal violinist in the Spring Arbor University Symphony Orchestra at 15. Her fiddling style reflects her classical background and, as the oldest sister, she sings many of the lead vocals and helps to keep the band organized and moving forward.

Megan Lovell (resophonic guitar/vocals), 18, also studied classical violin and piano. But after hearing Jerry Douglas of Alison Krauss and Union Station, she chose to pursue the resophonic guitar (or dobro). Besides Jerry Douglas, Megan's primary influences are electric guitarists, such as Mark Knopfler, The Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton and Derek Trucks.

Rebecca Lovell (mandolin/vocals), 16, studied classical violin and piano as well. However, she moved from classical music to play mandolin. In May 2006, Rebecca became the first woman and youngest contestant to win the MerleFest International Mandolin Competition. Rebecca writes much of the original material performed by the band and finds it helpful to play mandolin, guitar, banjo and piano while composing.

Concert tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets and information are available at www.Clemson.edu/Brooks or by calling the box office at 864-656-7787 from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

END