A Year-by-Year List of Major (and some g-minor) Events Hey, when you practice, perform, write and travel together for more than 20 years, you accrue more than a little history. (The 2006 release of May I Suggest marks an even dozen recordings!) But if you're pressed for time and want the Reader's Digest version, here's a brief chronicling of highlights in the lives of the Chenilles. March 17, 1985: The Big Bang! The Chenille Sisters perform their first show together at The Old Town in Ann Arbor, MI Big Bang Theory is: this could be the start of something big 1986 First appearance on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor, who declares, "It's an awful lot of fun to listen to them." Album released: The Chenille Sisters After a long walk through the halls of the VA Hospital, Connie realizes that the back of her skirt is tucked into her pantyhose. There's one for the troops! 1987 The trio signs with Red House Records in St. Paul, MN 1988 Album released: At Home with the Chenille Sisters In a review, People Magazine says "...they move deftly with meticulous harmonies from parody to pastiche to country to folk." Grace jogs her first mile and quits because she thinks she has too many things that jiggle 1989 Album released: 1,2,3 for Kids 1,2,3 wins a Parents' Choice Award 1990 The group performs with James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band on PBS television's The Lonesome Pine Special Cheryl reaches an age at which she's grateful to be 2 minutes younger than her twin sister 1991 The Chenilles open for the Smothers Brothers, Andy Williams and the Nylons First show at The Bottom Line in NYC First appearance at the Kerrville Folk Festival Album released: Mama I Wanna Make Rhythm 1992 Album released: Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight (with James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band) Album released: The Big Picture and Other Songs for Kids Big Picture wins a Parents' Choice Award Connie, Grace and Cheryl sit in Stephen and Tabitha King's kitchen while Stephen serves them tea (and they're not even scared!) 1993 The trio plays the Philadelphia Folk Festival Performs a double-bill show with the Smothers Brothers Tommy Smothers teaches them how to stand just right in photos Author Nevada Barr's novel The Track of the Cat is published, featuring its heroine reclining in the tub and soaking up some Chenille tunes 1994 They record during most of a summer in Boston Open a show for Marvin Hamlisch Album released: True to Life 1995 Tours of California and Oregon Album released: Haute Chenille: A Retrospective Grace discovers yoga and adds about an inch to her height. Cheryl attempts yoga but keeps falling asleep during "child's pose." 1996 They form their own label, Cantoo Records A television special featuring the Chenilles, Making Rhythm, airs on PBS. Album released: Teaching Hippopotami to Fly Hippo wins a Parents' Choice Award 1997 They create and perform in The Secret of the Box, a holiday television special Secret wins two Emmys 1998 Tours of California again (heavy emphasis on wine country) Connie perfects her peach pie, but makes a disastrous chocolate cake that weighs 10 pounds. Unfazed, Grace declares, "Hey, it's chocolate!" 1999 The Chenille-mobile is packed to the tail fins as the trio tours, tours, tours 2000 The girls spend the summer learning and writing holiday music, wearing long underwear and ear muffs for atmosphere Album released: In the Christmas Spirit 2001 Cheryl begins having gallery shows of her collages and creates greeting cards featuring her artwork 2002 Launch of the inaugural "Chenille Cruise" to the Bahamas with a boatload of fans Album released: Room to Breathe 2003 The group tours, tours, tours and is tired, tired, tired 2004 The Chenilles return home to Ann Arbor after extended touring Soon after, Ann Arbor is named one of the best cities in which to live in the entire U.S. (Coincidence?) 2005 The Chenilles celebrate their 20th Anniversary at The Ark in Ann Arbor, with longtime fans in attendance, including Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm Connie creates a drama program for special needs adults and receives a grant to fund it Grace produces and acts in a successful production of The Vagina Monologues that raises lots of money for SafeHouse Center in Ann Arbor. 2006 Album released: May I Suggest THESE WOMEN HAVE STYLE(S)! You have different shoes for different occasions, right? Well, the Chenille Sisters have different shows for different tastes. You can have your Chenilles with heels or training wheels! Try them all on. You'll find one - or two - or six! - that fit just right. "...beautifully harmonized repertoire...irreverent, loose humor...plenty of reason to both listen and laugh." -Washington Post "...it can accurately be said that The Chenille Sisters are one very funny trio of singers." -Chicago Tribune "...their sound, reminiscent of the Andrews, Boswell and McGarrigle Sisters, is sublime...they move deftly, with meticulous harmonies, from parody to pastiche to country to folk." -People Magazine "The Chenille Sisters...impressed with smooth-as-silk harmonies to support their playful tales...an enjoyable bunch." -Boston Globe "The Chenilles offered an effervescent vocals...each selection was marked by excellent musicianship." -Los Angeles Times "...the three most important things to know about the Chenille Sisters...harmonies, harmonies, harmonies." -Philadelphia Inquirer