THE McCLYMONTS
These
three sisters from Grafton on the NSW north coast have spent their young lives
pursuing their musical dreams, doing the hard yards of the well-worn country
music talent quests which run from Newcastle to far north Queensland
Eldest
sister Brooke was signed to her first record deal at just 17 and has become
one of Australia's most prolific and sought-after songwriters, with tracks
on albums by Hilary Duff, Kate DeAraugo and Olivia Newton-John. Besides meeting
and singing with the iconic Newtown-John, another career highlight came this
year when Sister Sam picked up a coveted Golden Guitar with Cookin' in My
Kitchen which Brooke wrote.
Sam has
been the talk of the Australian country music scene since winning the coveted
Toyota Star Maker award in 2005, with her second single, Heart of a Man topping
the Australian country music charts in early 2006.
Youngest
sister Mollie followed in her sister footsteps and added her trophies and
awards to the family mantle.
So with
solid foundations for their future solo careers, it was time to fulfil the
promise of their collective talents and record together
``This
was always meant to be. But I guess we had to wait until Mollie was old enough,''
Brooke laughs.
The seeds
for their collaboration began a couple of years ago when Sam and Mollie provided
backing vocals during Brooke's support slots on the Ronan Keating and Gary
Allen tours. ``Even though I was up front, it was definitely the three of
us singing together.'' The trio was besieged by the country music powerbrokers
when Brooke and Mollie backed Sam for her Golden Guitar performance.
As the
word spread fast and the industry quickly noticed their increasing popularity.
The media became involved and they where invited on popular Radio and Television
shows promoting their EP and public events. Another honor was being invited
to perform 'Delta Dawn', a tribute to Helen Reddy at the Aria Hall of Fame
awards 2006.
Their
hard work paid off when they proudly accepted 2 awards at the 35th CMAA Country
Music Awards of Australia held at Tamworth in January 2007. The McClymonts
received Golden Guitars for Group or Duo of the Year and Maton New Talent
of the Year with their smash hit single Something That My Heart does. Furthermore,
they confirmed their place in the Australian country music industry when they
won Group or Duo of the Year yet again in 2008 at the awards.
The McClymonts
debut album "Chaos and Bright Lights" is urban-savvy New Country
from heartland Australia, brimmed with panache, music finesse and spectacular
harmony.
"The
new album has many moods," says Brooke McClymont. The songs are contemporary
tales of challenging life and enjoying the rewards, even when gain comes as
hard-earned wisdom. The 13 songs represent a pull no punches account of a
young woman's outlook on finding, keeping and losing relationships.
"The
more we share of our lives, the less likely you are to date us," laughs
Brooke, "but we get good reaction live."
The girls are multi-instrumentalists. On stage and Chaos and Bright Lights
Brooke plays guitar, Samantha bass and Mollie mandolin. On Chaos and Bright
Lights, Brooke sings the majority of lead vocals while choruses soar to the
sisters' harmonies and seamless unison
An A-list of Nashville writers co-wrote with the McClymonts - Monty Powell
(Keith Urban), Eric Silver (Dixie Chicks), Trey Bruce (Leann Rimes) Nathan
Chapman (Taylor Swift), Steve Diamond (Lonestar) and Frank Myers, writer of
US country chart toppers, I Swear and I'm Already There. Producer Adam Anders
(Shania Twain, Sinead O'Connor, Nick Lachley, Shannon Noll, 2006 Grammy winner
CeCe Winans) co-wrote four songs.
``There
was no doubt we were writing country songs; that where our history lies. We
didn't want to box ourselves into one style or another but country is what
shines through.''
A lifetime
of practice has made for the vocal perfection of The McClymonts.
But there is also musical alchemy at work when sisters Brooke, Samantha and
Mollie unleash their soaring harmonies.
The McClymonts
stake their claim to create their own music history, one that is rich with
magical voices, heartfelt lyrics and unforgettable melodies. |