Great Guitar Pull
Perfomer Biography: The Wilkinsons
With the release of their fifth album, Home, through Fontana North Distribution on March 20th, The Wilkinsons have truly returned to their roots. The release, which is the first they have recorded since moving back to their hometown of Belleville, Ontario from Nashville reflects a band that is at their creative peak.
The award-winning trio's solid lyrics, soaring vocals and tight harmonies remain intact, but the record, which was recorded throughout one of the most hectic periods in the band's career, has a warm, settled feel. All three Wilkinsons (father Steve and siblings Amanda and Tyler) contributed to the songwriting and song selection on the album and the family's dedication to crafting solid, memorable tracks is highly apparent.
From the 1998 release of their first album, Nothing But Love, which launched them to success with the single "26 Cents," through to Home's 2007 release, The Wilkinsons have established themselves as one of the premiere artists in Canadian country music. They have had number one songs on country radio both in Canada and the U.S., as well as number one videos on CMT and GAC. The trio received nominations for the CMA's Horizon Award and Vocal Group of the Year in 2000, as well as a nomination for Single of the Year from The Academy of Country Music Awards. They have twice been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group and have a Juno win and four nominations under their collective belts.
The 2000 release of Here and Now, their second album, won the trio accolades with the Canadian Country Music Association for best album. The single "Jimmy's Got a Girlfriend," featuring Tyler on vocals, was another huge success for the band who went on to release the album Shine in 2001 and then Highway in the spring of 2005.
With the debut of their CMT Canada television show, The Wilkinsons, in 2006 the band showed that their talent goes far beyond their music. The series, which is a hybrid of comedy, reality and improv, features the rest of The Wilkinsons family - mother Chris and youngest daughter Kiaya - and proved so popular that CMT Canada renewed it for a second season, which debuts on March 7th.
The television show's second season chronicles the recording of Home, which took place during the launch of Amanda's solo career (her debut solo album on Universal South was released in September 2005) and amidst settling into the family's newly built home. Tyler has also been working on solo projects alongside this release. Produced by Steve Wilkinson and Russ Zavitson, Home features the band's cover of Bonnie Raitt's song, "Papa Come Quick," which has been generating strong airplay at radio across Canada, along with several songs penned by The Wilkinsons. A late summer/fall tour is planned to support the release.
Krista Lamb
Anya Wilson Promotion & Publicity
416-977-7704
www.wilkinsonsonline.net
