Jo-Ann and Becky, THE HALEY SISTERS, were born and raised in West Yorkshire, in the village of Harden, just out side of Bingley. From a very early age they followed in their parents’ footsteps showing a strong interest in music, especially Country Music. The Haley Sisters first appeared professionally back in 1989, when they launched themselves into a successful singing career. Since then they have appeared at leading venues, festivals, theatres and clubs throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, gaining massive popularity by virtue of their natural talent, dedication and down to earth personalities. Here are just some of the many awards and accolades they have already received:- 1990 Most Promising New Act - British Country Music Association. 1990/91 Most Popular British Duo - Country Music Round-Up Paper. 1992 Top British Duo - British Country Music Association. 1993 Top British Duo - British Country Music Awards. 1993 Top British / Irish Duo or Band - Country Music People Awards. 1993 British / Irish Rising Stars - Country Music People Awards. 1994 Most Popular Group – Country Music Round Up 1995 Top Female Vocalist (Becky) - North Country Music Magazine 1996 Best Duo/Band - Great British Country Music Awards 1997 Best Band – Country Music Round Up 1998 Best Trio – North Country Music Magazine 1999 Best Band – British Country Music Awards 2000 Best Band – British Country Music Association In June 1993 guitarist Brian Smith joined them, having previously worked in Nashville, Tennessee, on many recording sessions including: Crystal Gayle's “Three Good Reasons” album. Jo-Ann, Becky and Brian are still performing as a trio today. “Recommendations” ‘With many years experience of organising an acoustic music club in East Yorkshire I can honestly say that The Haley Sisters have provided two of the best nights' entertainment of them all. Their musical brilliance and funny , warm stage banter has delighted our audiences on both occasions. I have naturally booked them for 2013!!! I would strongly recommend The Haley Sisters to any organiser/promoter – Fine, fine band! Will Richardson Hunsley Acoustic Music-East Yorkshire "All the years I have listened & loved country music, there's not many singers or guitar players that have really made me feel so emotional. And listening to the Haleys new album When I reach the place I'm going, outstanding harmonies, and the emotion & depth that Brian puts in on his guitar surely give it worldwide appeal. I love this new album & each time I play it, it's like the first time every-time I listen to it. For people that love music it is a must to have this new album in their collection! It always gives me pleasure to listen to & see the Haley sisters band" Kind regards, Bob Vincent. The Haley Sisters VICISSITUDE YET ANOTHER SUPERB RELEASE FROM TWO OF THE MOST UNDERRATED COUNTRY ROOTS SINGER SONG WRITERS IN THE UK. Those of us that attended the inaugural Maverick Festival in 2008 will never forget the stunning performances by Jo-Ann and Becky - the Haley Sisters. I watched grown men in tears after listening to their angelic harmonies delivering some of the most emotive and heart warming renditions of both covers and their own original material. The Haley Sisters sure rank as two of the most underrated singers and songwriters in the UK country and roots scene today. This newly released EP of six tracks, two of which are original compositions by Becky and Brian Smith show just how exceptional the two sisters are in delivering a song and also that they are no slouches when it comes to writing a good lyric. The EP opens with their version of the Bob Marley penned "Three Little Birds". Their acoustic version of the classic cut is outstanding as is their version of the Dylan song "Don't Think Twice". "You Keep Me Hanging On" by the great JJ Cale also gets the Haley Sisters treatment and what a treat it is. Brian Smith is a superb guitarist and is the perfect accompaniment to Becky and Jo-Ann; his slide work on this track is stunning. Bill Staines is a great songwriter and the sisters' vocal on his song "Roseville Fair" is a joy to the ear. Brian gets his chance to shine on the instrumental title track "Vicissitude"; his acoustic lead over the two rhythm guitars is exceptional, guitar mastery of the highest order. Final track "We're Together", written by Becky and Brian says it all, superb playing, singing and song writing all combining on this emotional heartfelt ballad. The Haleys will once again be playing at the Maverick Festival this year and I for one will be on the front row - NOT TO BE MISSED! Lloyd Coles “No Boundaries” via email :- Hi Becky, Thank you for the album, one of the best, if not the best home produced albums of the year. The interpretation of 'GUILTY' can stand alongside BONNIE RAITT'S VERSION anytime. great to hear you all in such fine form, yours sincerly, Lloyd Coles. (SWANSEA SOUND, PRESELLI FM, CLEDDAU FM) Larry Alderman, JUNE 12,2006 NASHVILLE, TN, ALDERSONG MUSIC, INC REVIEW OF The Haley Sisters.. "No Boundaries" This latest cd from the Haley Sisters is a refreshing return to "real music". In an era when there is a lot of great music out there, this one stands out by having the rootsy sound of the Johnny Cash, Carter Family genre. Becky and Jo-Ann have both over the years mellowed into two beautiful song-birds. One can hear in their voices, all the "Hard Days Nights" that they have put into their careers to share their great talent with all of us. When they sing "Hello Stranger", I am suddenly back home in the North Carolina mountains where the mist rises to the summit of the BlueRidge heights and the first settlers sang a mournful song on the cabin porch. Their cover of "I'll Be Your San Antone Rose" is a classic of a classic. Brian Smith gives us something usually missing in albums today, with his instrumental,"Kirsty's Song". The Brian Smith style reminds me of Johnny Cash's orginal guitar player Luther Perkins, with a good helping of ol' Waylon Jennings thrown in. "Peace in the Valley" and "The Sweetest Gift" let the girls show off their talent that I would compare to Emmlou Harris and Dolly Parton and also reminds a rockin' rebel hillbilly like me that "God" is watching and ever present! These songs take me back to a "church in the wildwood" and the guitars ring out like Maybelle Carter. Thank you Becky, Jo-Ann and Brian for some great music Ya'll! Larry Alderman...Aldersong Music...Nashville, Tn. 2006 Larry Alderman is an award winning Nashville songwriter with such credits as the song · "AMERICANA" by Moe Bandy · nominated for CMA song of the year. · The chart topping "REAL GOOD FEEL GOOD SONG" by Mel Mcdaniel. Larry's songs have been recorded by · Travis Tritt, · John Michael Montgomery, · Loretta Lynn, · George Jones, · Hank Williams Jr.and many others. · His most current hit is "That's What I Like About You" John M. Montgomery. Alan Cackett May 30th, 2006 Maverick Magazine The Haley Sisters “No Boundaries” The very best from the UK country music scene deliver the finest album yet of their 15 year career The Haley Sisters are the great undiscovered natural talent of the UK music scene. They are popular on the moribund British country club circuit where the majority of punters appear to lack any genuine musical taste and seem quite oblivious to these two Yorkshire girls superb vocal talent. Trying to break out of that scene into the more serious listening venues is no easy task, but Jo-Ann and Becky just might make the transition with this quite extraordinary album. In previous albums they’ve felt the need to cater for the somewhat myopic line-dance brigade. With NO BOUNDARIES they appear to have stuck two fingers defiantly in the air to their wishes of certain beats-to-the-inch and made a stripped-down acoustic-based album in which the song lyrics are paramount and the vocals are out-front where they should be. Most of the songs are well-known, but the renditions are as fresh as a cold mountain stream in a heatwave. They open on a strong note with the Carter Family’s Hello Stranger. The vocal give-and-take is magical. Spare backup. Nice slide guitar work that echoes their heartfelt phrases with a pure country delivery. So pure it’s almost unbelievable. There’s also a fine version of Townes Van Zandt’s timeless Pancho & Lefty, which owes nothing to the many earlier renditions. A stunning version of Ketty Lester’s Love Letters caught me completely left-footed. A highly refreshing and innocently delivered vocal by Becky with much lyrical meaning. Another, at first odd choice, is Randy Newman’s Guilty. A strong vocal with a bluesy undertone and stunning guitar work from Becky’s husband Brian Smith, this is a worldclass performance. Then there’s a lighter interlude with Tom Petty’s Thing About You, a highly sensual treatment that is quite irresistible. I’ll Be Your San Antone Rose, a country hit for Dottsy exactly 30 years ago, is given a much needed contemporary workout. Jo-Ann takes the lead, their harmonies sent chills through me and some spooky guitar effects by Brian adds much to the fine arrangement. Brian also offers Kirsty’s Song, which in fact is an instrumental and is mighty good. As is the whole of this quite incredible album that sits up there with finest works of the likes of Emmylou, Suzy Bogguss and Trisha Yearwood. Seek out and enjoy. You’ll not be disappointed. AC (Alan Cackett) Album review from www.maverick-country.com the country/roots magazine The Haley sisters: Vicissitude Posted by John (Biscuits and Gravy) Davy on December 19, 2010 The Haley Sisters are Yorkshire girls who've been performing together for twenty years or so, garnering a lot of plaudits along the way; on this evidence, they should be as well known as their near-neighbour Kate Rusby because this is really great music making. Beside Roseville Fair they perform three other covers. A complete re-imagining of Bob Marley's Three Little Birds make it sound as if Iris de Ment wrote it and this works really well, it's so sweet and gentle. I'm not familiar with the JJ Cale song covered here, You Keep Me Hanging On, but it flows like a languid stream on a summer's day; there's no sign of the trademark Cale shuffle which must surely be on the original, so I find it difficult to imagine what that sounds like but the sisters' version sounds just fine. Covering Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice' is kind of brave I suppose, given the competition, but this is an exemplary version; they inhabit the song and give it an air of gentle, very feminine, regret - it's easily the best version I've heard by a female singer, and that statement most definitely includes Joan Baez. The title track is a cracking, lively instrumental tune written by Brian Smith who seems to have been playing alongside the sisters for most of their career and they certainly sound as if they know each other inside out, musically speaking. Vicissitude closes with a dreamy little song, 'We're Together', written by Brian and "R Smith"; no details given, but I'd guess that would be Brian's wife. The band have recorded and produced this album themselves and made an excellent job of making a clear, warm sound, true to the use of acoustic instruments. It really is an excellent mini-album and certainly whets the appetite for seeing The Haley Sisters live; checking on their website I find they're only gigging in the north of England over the winter but maybe they'll be venturing further afield in the summer. Here's hoping. John Davy