Reviews

Marvin O'Dell,
“Around the Campfire”,
Classicheartland.com
June 13, 2006

Sometimes western albums make nice background music for a cowboy party. Sometimes they bring you great stories that run like mini-western films through your mind. Sometimes they have one song that stands out from the rest, and you keep returning to the album just to hear that one song over and over. And occasionally you come across an album that is just simply downright pleasurable listening from start to finish. That's where I'm filing "Swingin' & Trail Dreamin'" by the Sisters of the Silver Sage - under "Dang Good Music." The Sisters of the Silver Sage, with this CD, are simply bringing you western sounds that are a joy and pleasure to listen to. And when you return to this CD to play it again, it won't be for just one superb cut - because there are 13 superb cuts here, and you'll want to hear them all again!

With seven songs written by Donna Guffey, who collaborated with sister Janet on one and with two more written by sister Rhonda Whiting, these gals not only show off beautiful singing but their excellent songwriting skills as well. From the lilting Spanish melody of "Down in Mexico" to the celtic sounds of "This Bonny Land America" and through all the fine western tunes, this album never sputters.

"Some Old Rusty Spurs", penned by Jon Scott, comes to you like a fresh Charlie Russell painting. If you're in a dancing mood, try on "Texas Cowboys Always Break Your Heart." And if it's cowboy classics you like, "Streets of Laredo" and "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky" will suit your fancy fine. The ladies have made these two venerable workhorses sound as fresh as anything else on the project - not an easy task when you consider that hundreds of artists have recorded these songs hundreds of times through the years.

Every serious fan or student of western music should have this CD in his library. There isn't that much music available by female artists who sing with the styling of the Sons of the Pioneers. I suggest you grab this one while you can. It's a keeper!
 

“Toe Tappin' " Tommy Tucker
DJ KRLC Radio
Lewiston, ID
& Music Reviewer for Cowboy Troubadour Magazine
June 2006

"I Love this album!!!...Once again the Sisters of the Silver Sage prove that they are the premier gal group in Western Music today! Great song selection with beautiful harmonies! This one is a contender for Album of the Year! 5 Stars.....all the way!"
 

Joe Baker
"The Backforty Bunkhouse Show"
KNMB/KWMW Radio, Ruidoso, NM
June 2006

"Through the past several years, the Sisters (Donna, Rhonda & Janet) of the Silver Sage has not amazed only me, but the Western Music Industry as well! Their sensationally smooth harmony has captivated audiences all over the United States! "The Sisters..." has this new project and I am certain it is destined for Album of the Year!"

Hugh T. Wilson
Country Music People Magazine
May 2003

A new group to me but one that I have grown very much to enjoy whilst reviewing the album. The Sisters of the Silver Sage consist of Donna Whiting Guffey, Rhonda Whiting McDowell and Janet Whiting Giles, who are three of the children of Grand Ole Opry member Smoky White.

Donna, the eldest sister, learned piano as a child but changed to guitar in her teens because she says, "I can't carry a piano everywhere." Inheriting her father's love of music, she taught her younger siblings three-part harmony singing. Seemingly, there were differing members of the group until the present three began singing professionally in 1998 when they appeared on the PBS television show, Riders of the Silver Screen. This led to them adopting their present stage name.

Donna and Rhonda are responsible for the majority of their new song repertoire and all 12 tracks on the album are self-penned. They vary from good ol' cowboy type numbers to western swing, and even a narration, How Western Swing Was Born. Personal favorites are the lilting ballads, City of Angels, I'll Meet You in Cheyenne and The Cold Wind Blows. He's a Cowboy and Little Darlin' lean to western swing and the girls close out with the toe-tapping A Cowboy's Prayer.

Like all the best sibling groups of the past, the sisters' ability to harmonize is outstanding. Their yodel is proof of a dying art and their ability to interchange parts provides smooth vocal work although Rhonda takes the majority of the lead vocals. In addition to the sisters' own guitars, there is excellent backing by Dave Pomeroy (bass), Joe Spivey (fiddle & acoustic guitar) and Jellyroll Johnson (harmonica).

This is music of a bygone era but if you like the sound of yesteryear's cowboy groups such as The Sons of the Pioneers, you will thoroughly enjoy this CD.

Past Events!

• "Sisters of the Silver Sage" have been nominated for the Academy of Western Artists' 2003 "Western Music Duo/Group of the Year" award and the prestegous "Rising Star" award. In addition the "Sisters" have been nominated for the "Western Music Album of the Year" and two "Western Music Song of the Year" awards.
   
• Sisters of the Silver Sage lasso national attention at Western Music Association event in Las Vegas (reprinted from The Daily Times Weekend -- December 6, 2002)

• WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE MOUNTAINS: Sisters of Silver Sage bring the West to Townsend (reprinted from The Daily Times -- May 10, 2002)
   
• READER'S CHOICE 2002 Award for Best Local Entertainer

September 11, 2007 PDF

from Graham Lees
Golden Graham Choice Album Reviews
www.grahamlees.co.uk

Daughters of long time Grand Ole Opry member Smoky White, the Sisters of the Silver Sage are made up of Donna, Rhonda and Janet, bringing us 12 tracks of self-penned material with a stylistic western flavour. The three sisters offer killer lighter than air harmonies that span the measure of time with a kiss of the Sons of The Pioneers and a sound that is warm rich and inviting, putting them one notch above the rest.

Donna, Rhonda and Janet only started singing professionally in 1998 after being approached to play on Marshal Andy wanted them to guest on his Saturday morning PBS television show Riders Of The Silver Screen. With an overwhelming response from the viewers to their performance, the girls were asked to make another taping in the studio. A little reflection as to a name for the group, finally came up with Sisters of the Silver Sage and they haven't looked back since. The natural progression has seen the girls writing their own material with Donna taking the lead writing and over 45 songs, Rhonda following her with 25 songs and Janet only more recently being bit by the "bug" and is now working on several songs.

I wouldn't venture to pick out one track above the rest as they are all tip-top, or as we say in the North of England a real bag of "Bobby Dazzlers!!!" A taste of cowboy songs and a touch of western swing can be found opening with a real top-hand, "He's A Cowboy". Slowing things down we find the lovely "City Of Angels", while "Blue, Blue Sky" showcases the lovely harmonies of Donna, Rhonda and Janet to perfection. 'Little Darlin' sees Hoot Hester and The Time Jumpers backing the girls on this particular track with Dave Pomeroy (bass), Joe Spivey (guitars and fiddles) and "Jellyroll" Johnson (harmonica) playing on all other songs. Just one poem is to be found with the amusing "How Western Swing Was Born".

This wonderful anthology of western music sees "A Cowboy's Prayer" closing this stellar performance from Donna, Rhonda and Janet. An old style of music in its purest form, I just can't get enough of the breathtaking voices of this fine trio. 
 

from O. J. Sikes
WORKING COWBOY