The Smith Sisters

The Smith Sisters attracted attention when their debut album, Bluebird, released in 1984, was produced by the late Merle Watson and featured guest appearances by top-ranked bluegrass pickers including Sam Bush, Mark O'Connor, Doc Watson, and T. Michael Coleman. But it was their octave-spanning vocal harmonies that truly showcased their musical strengths. Although they've subsequently followed their own paths, Philadelphia-born Debi Smith (December 30, 1953) and her younger sister Megan (December 29, 1958) reflected country warmth and harmonious texture as the Smith Sisters. Debi, who has been a member of Four Bitchin' Babes since 1994, was the core of the Smith Sisters' sound. Equally skilled at acoustic guitar, bodhran, and piano and possessor of a three-octave vocal range, Debi wrote most of the duo's songs and sang lead. Megan anchored the arrangements on electric bass and sang harmonies that blended naturally with her sister. The Smith Sisters issued five albums in the '80s and '90s, the aforementioned Bluebird in 1984 followed by Mockingbird (1986), Roadrunner (1989), I See the Moon (1991), and A Canary's Song (1993).