Donna Whiting Guffey, Rhythm Guitar, Alto and Lead Vocal
also known as "Crack the Whip Donna"

     Donna is the first-born in the family and has been singing and playing this music even before her conscious memory. Her father began teaching her to hear and sing harmony at a very young age. At seven years old, she enrolled in piano lessons but had already been playing the "Theme from Wagon Train" and other popular television theme songs from the time she was five. As a teen, she learned to play the guitar because "I couldn't carry a piano everywhere!" Soon she assumed the task her father had begun, which was teaching the younger girls three-part harmony. Thus, the "Trio" was born.

     After graduating from high school in 1965, Donna worked for Southern Bell Telephone Company as a long-distance operator for a few years. Later she worked for Holiday Inn, Inc., as executive secretary and office manager. Donna and husband, Johnny, were married in 1973 and live in the same community (Wildwood) where she was born and raised. Johnny, a chef by profession, loves to cook. (Thank Goodness!!!) Microwave popcorn is a favorite for supper if Donna has to cook! In 1979, Amanda, the light of her life, was born. Raising Amanda became the main priority in her life. The trio occasionally got together, singing at family gatherings and reunions, but it was not "up front" in daily routines.

     Donna was always a "bookworm" reading anything she could get her hands on. She discovered at an early age that the past was fascinating. Donna became a "History Buff" and especially loves the European History of the Dark and Middle Ages. She has a futuristic side of her as well and really enjoys reading Science Fiction and Fantasy. "I want to know EVERYTHING!" she says. That's not a realistic goal of course, but the reading of five different sets of encyclopedias in their entirety is a good beginning! She's not sure however, that anything she picked up during the ingestion of those volumes is guaranteed to "stay put!"

     Other hobbies include video and computer games in the role-playing genre or maze and puzzle games that tie in with her historical interests. She dubs herself an "arm-chair athlete." "Running and sweating is simply NOT high on my list of Love-to-Do's!" Donna says. She enjoys college football when it's televised. She especially enjoys the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Donna also coached her daughter's Little League softball team several years ago.  "That was enough running for me!" she says.

     Donna plays a rich-toned Alvarez jumbo guitar. Her musical goal is to "sing every song Bob Nolan ever wrote!" (Guess she'll have to live to age 143!)
 

     Janet was born sister number5. She grew up listening to the harmonic voices of her older sisters and just couldn't wait until it was HER turn in the trio. (She kept praying for someone to get married and drop out!) At age 13, her wish came true and she began "Donna's Rigorous Training." The tenor part came naturally to her and she could knock the top out of the church bell tower with her high, sweet notes.

     At the age of two years, Janet developed bronchial asthma, which was so severe that it became a life-threatening illness for most of her childhood years. But thanks to her mother's never-ending sacrifices, love and care and her father's special attention, she won a long-fought battle.

     In her early teens, Janet began to play basketball in the school athletic program to help build up her asthma scarred lungs. A fierce competitor, her presence struck fear into the hearts of the opposing team (or so her ego says!) She was awarded the Citizenship Award along with many other trophies and awards during her high school basketball career. The most prestigious of these awards was the "Most Outstanding Athlete in Blount County." It was presented to her by the American Legion. After graduation, numerous scholarships were in the offering, but a severe knee injury prevented her from pursuing an athletic career. College was a priority, however, and she obtained an Associated Degree in Psychology. "One of these days I'm goin' back to get the rest of it," she vows.

     In 1980 Janet married Robert Giles, a native of Chicago. Their beautiful daughter Tabitha, the star in her mother's eye, was born in 1981. They live about three miles from the home where she was raised in Wildwood. She has been employed with a Fortune 500 Company, Clayton Homes, Inc., for over 15 years, where she serves as supervisor of the Legal Affairs Department.

     Janet is the bass-player in the group (although it was not exactly her choice in the matter). It was mentioned one day (by Boss-Donna) that the group needed a bass-player. Before she even knew it, .gullible Janet had "volunteered"! Ignorance is supposed to be Bliss! She says, ".NOT SO!" "How do you tell an 'A' from a 'G.' she complained? And then Donna "explained." She NOW plays bass!

     Within the group personalities, she is labeled the "Straight Man." Janet goes quietly (sometimes) doing her job, saying very little (who can get a word in edge-wise anyway with Donna and Rhonda near-by?) But... when she DOES speak, it's really worth listening to. She prides herself in her sense of humor and considers herself the true jokester of the group!

     Janet's musical goal is to find "A Cheap, replacement bass-player!" (Any takers out there?)

     Numerically, Rhonda is a perfect middle child at number 4. (That speaks for itself!) Born on July 16, 1954 under the astrological sign of Cancer she holds true the love of family, good food and money management. These are all part of her charisma offered in the tradition of a true Moon Child (moods included).

     As a child Rhonda became a young entrepreneur, earning the occasional sum of $10.00 with her portable bonnet hair-dryer and a double pack of hairpins. Blue Roux finished the package and she had plenty of business with the older ladies in the neighborhood as a hairdresser. (Rhonda had Tools and she Traveled!) This same trend continued into her adult life. She chose a career in telecommunications while in her early twenties. She later became an engineer in telecommunications. Once again Rhonda had Tools and Traveled! A newspaper article of interest written for ‘The Havana Herald’ featured Rhonda once and quoted her logo as “HAVE TOOLS – WILL TRAVEL” .

     Given to and born with a spring well of energy, she has by choice led a very busy and artistic life for more than… 29 (giggle) years. Some of those few plus years, the last 14 being with her only child Glenn John-Bryton (who happens to be beautifully gifted, keenly intelligent , common sense smart, top of the food chain handsome, above average artistically and the Apple of Mom’s eye, not to mention honor student) who was named after his grandfather, the late great fiddle player John Whiting (Smoky White), who was, as a child dubbed “Great Britain.” [ pause ] Can you tell who wrote this paragraph…??? Hint….she seldom takes a breath between sentences…..great lungs!!!! Rhonda and her son Glenn reside in the community of Wildwood close to her roots.

     Rhonda loves books especially historical romances. (That’s the kind where the good guy gets the gal and they ride off into the sunset) She has even been known to read while waiting at traffic signals., some of which were “green”!!!!! Rhonda is very spiritual in nature and her strong faith, the driving force in her life, continually supports her energetic personality. She's active in church functions and particularly enjoys working with young people and participating in songwriting work shops.

     Rhonda became the LEAD vocal of the trio when she refused to sing ANYTHING else! Bass? .NO WAY! She plays guitar for her own pleasure (but not necessarily the band's enjoyment!). The band voted that her ONLY instrument should be the microphone! But for the record, she dotes on her 12-string Conn, her lovely jumbo Ibenez and her sweet little Alvarez. While traveling around the country she picked up the oddity of "proper enunciation." (in East Tennessee, we call it a "speech defect!") Rhonda had to be re-schooled in real Southern talkin'! But occasionally she still pronounces the "ing's". During performances her delightful dimples and sparkling eyes draw smiles of appreciation from the audience. Her melodic, true pitch provides the solid center around which the trio is formed and her good-natured bantering with Donna adds a touch of comedy to the act.

     Her musical goal is, "....to be BOSS. But since Donna insists on being around until age 143, Rhonda says, "I'll settle for singing 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President', Who ever you are !” In Monroe style.
 

"Gentleman" Jon Scott

     Jon plays harmonica and lead guitar for “The Sisters”. He generally prefers to stand back and do his beautiful “stuff” while the girls act up out in front! But there’s nothing “back-stage” about his playin’! That sweet Gibson of his just sings when he sets his fingers to the strings! The girls all laughingly say it’s “his fault” that this act got together…and in a way, it’s true, since it was his phone call that set them on the path of performing together!

     From as far back as he can remember, Jon has always had a passion for everything Western and anything Railroad! He listened to all the old radio shows; the Bob Wills Show, Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch and The Sons of the Pioneer Show. Even as a toddler, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life…..work for the railroad…and play western music! He has succeeded at both….admirably! His recent retirement (after 25 years with the railroad) has enabled Jon to pursue his long-awaited career of playing the songs of the singing cowboy!

     Jon was about three years old when he first discovered music. His Uncle Sneed, who was a real cowboy at one time, played the harmonica….and brought one back with him from WWII. He gave it to young Jon who began playing it as he followed his dad as he plowed the fields with a team of horses! His Uncle Max was also musical….and played the guitar! Twelve year old Jon was fascinated by those wonderful sounds and he sold a calf to buy his very first guitar….a $12.00 investment. A couple of years later, he began to take lessons from Smoky White, the girls’ father…..and he was On His Way!!!

     In 1969, he married the love of his life, Connie. Jon says, “It was Love at First Sight!” They have two children; daughter Tamitha ….and son Tim. Knoxville is their home, and they love to baby-sit with their two beautiful granddaughters, Sarah and Heather.

     The instruments he plays? You name it! Guitar, fiddle, harmonica, ukulele, lap-top steel guitar and penny whistle! (The girls just wish he could play them all at the same time!)
 

Andrew is the “Kid” of the bunch and is an exciting new addition to the band! We are thrilled to have him with us on stage and count ourselves fortunate to have him as a part of our group!

It never would have occurred to me to use a trumpet in a Western Band…it’s definitely not being done in THIS neck-o’-th’-woods! But one day his grandfather, Lee Wilkinson (our webmaster and dear friend) mentioned that he and Andrew would really enjoy sitting in on one of our Thursday night practice/get-to-gather/jam sessions (Lee plays guitar in a Grady Martin-type style!)…and when I heard Andrew’s incredible talent, I just HAD to ask him to join us…! Although I knew that many of the Swing Bands (Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys, Spade Cooley) used wind and reed instruments as well as strings….but I was just a bit hesitant about possibly compromising the traditional Western sound that we had cultivated for so long. But then our lead guitarist, “Gentleman” Jon Scott informed me that Gene Autry had regularly used a trumpet in HIS band! Well….that was all it took! If Gene could do it…so could WE…! What an interesting and wonderful “melding” of sounds this was going to be!!

Andrew is already a seasoned World-Traveler as he is a Senior Airman in the Air National Guard and plays trumpet for the 572nd United States Air Force Band! He has performed in many world arenas…Paris….Versailles….Germany…and many places in the U.S. After his graduation from the University of Tennessee in May he will pursue a career in teaching music. Then, a month later, on June 12, 2010, he and his lovely fiancé, Abbie Williamson will celebrate their marriage and begin their “Forever Journey” of Wedded Bliss…! By the way…Abbie also shares his love of music! She is the Assistant Band Director at McMinn County High School! What beautiful music they will make together!

In fact…we’ll ALL be making some beautiful music before long! This is soooo exciting…! Welcome Andrew….We’re just tickled pink to have you with us…! Gabriel…BLOW YOUR HORN…!!!