(MusicPortal.com) (06/28/05)

Edited By Michael Bennett

NASHVILLE, TN, USA - It started with '26 Cents' in 1998, and now seven years later Canadian family trio THE WILKINSONS are back with their third album, entitled "Highway."

Father Steve Wilkinson is convinced hundreds of other artists began their careers the way The Wilkinsons did.

"We started around the kitchen table," Steve remembers.

"I would come home from work after hammering nails all day, and after supper I would have a cup of coffee and play the guitar."

But how many of those artists would soon garner the attention of millions, creating a perfect debut CD and single and follow it up with three equally amazing releases?

The Wilkinsons are far from other artists, building a successful career on their signature "blood harmonies" and creative songwriting.

"Amanda always had a voracious appetite for singing. She would run up to me as soon as I walked through the door and say excitedly, 'I learned a new song today. Can you play it?'

She just assumed that I knew how to play everything. So I would learn it and then we would all sing. That was our past time."

After singing for a friend's wedding, Steve and Amanda were approached about performing at a local fair. Things just took off from there.

"People were approaching us about singing for this or for that. Eventually Tyler joined us on stage."

"That is when it all fell into place."

In 1997, the father-daughter-son act were struggling to decide whether to move from their native Canada to Nashville to try to get a publishing contract.

Just two weeks after moving to Nashville, they not only had a publishing deal -- they had nearly every major label in town vying to record their fresh, family harmonies.

By the end of 1998, The Wilkinsons were the biggest new Country act of the year.

Through their first effort, "Nothing But Love," the Canadian trio established themselves as an act with a firm grip on both the sound and the direction they wanted their music to take.

From listening to their first single '26 Cents,' a song that tells the story of a girl eighteen years young with nothing but her mother's love and a crumpled note, it's easy to see why the group's self-penned tune garnered so much attention.

'26 Cents' was the highest debut on the Radio & Records chart in history, and set The Wilkinsons apart from other Country acts.

Their two follow-up albums, Here and Now and Shine, only furthered the family's career.

The releases proved The Wilkinsons had staying power in the Country music industry, providing them with valuable experience as musicians and songwriters both in and out of the studio.

Over the past few years, The Wilkinsons have seen much success in Canada and in the United States, as Country music fans have embraced their thicker-than-water harmonies and perceptive songwriting.

The Wilkinsons have had multiple national television appearances including ABC, CBS, Extra, CNN, E! Entertainment, Access Hollywood and TNN, as well as have appeared in national print media like TV Guide, People, Time, Billboard Airplay Monitor, CMA Close-Up, Pollstar, Country Weekly, Associated Press, USA Today and Music City News.

The trio have also been nominated for over 20 awards, including two Grammy nominations for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group.

On the "Highway" album, The Wilkinsons show that their creativity goes beyond singing. Developing the album allowed The Wilkinsons to stretch their talents into other areas of music.

All three either wrote or co-wrote twelve of the songs on the album. And using his talents as a producer, Steve was able to polish the Wilkinsons' sound.

"I've always had some input into our previous records but this time I pulled out all the stops."

Thematically, The Wilkinsons have produced an album that reflects their maturity in the industry and life in general.

Filled with songs about broken loves, high hopes, memories and individuality fighting against the mediocrity of the world, it is obvious The Wilkinsons were able to use experiences impressed upon them to create a fantastically diverse album.

The first single, 'L.A.,' along with an accompanying video for the song, have been released in Canada, grabbing the #2 spot on CMT Canada's Top 10 and making its way stateside.

"When we were younger and just starting out, it was all about the audience's reaction," Amanda has said about the draw of music.

"If we could put smiles on people's faces, it was the most amazing sensation. What makes it so wonderful is that it is still about that - it is definitely the best feeling in the world."

After years of growing both professionally and emotionally, The Wilkinsons feel "Highway" is their best work to date.

"We just love music, plain and simple," says Steve. "We respect the musical partnership we have formed."

"And although we are three separate artists, it is really amazing that we can enjoy success with the chemistry between us."

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