(Note: Every now and then, I run into someone who just amazes me for various reasons. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Rayna Warford and her sister, Ramsey Edington. They have dreams of making it in the music business but know the odds are stacked against them. But they are still having loads of fun and love every minute of their journey. I am reposting the story, which appeared in the July 16 edition of The Anderson News.)
The journey started with only a tiny bit of fanfare in Anderson County. If the dream comes true, it will make it all the way to Nashville.
And beyond.
Twenty-two years and a slew of gigs later, Rayna is still singing, but now she’s usually joined on stage by her younger sister, Ramsey Edington, putting together a unique neo-traditional country sound that is becoming more well-known around central Kentucky.
But the ambition is much bigger than the Bluegrass Region.
“We are country with a bluegrass influence,” Rayna says with a sparkle in her eye.
When asked to give just a taste of any current act that might have a similar sound, Rayna offers The Secret Sisters as an example, but quickly adds, “I say we have the R and R sound.”
That sound is tight family harmony with powerful voices, backed by their own acoustic accompaniment. Ramsey started teaching herself the mandolin at age 16 and is now learning the ukelele. Rayna started learning the piano when she was 8, but switched to the guitar after getting one as a Christmas gift in 2006.
“We had a gig scheduled for February and I said I was going to play that guitar on stage,” Rayna laughs.
That drive fuels a dream that is not likely to ever die.
The Anderson County sisters long for that break elusive break that could take them from playing at local festivals, churches and small-town country shows like the Bardstown Opry and the Kentucky Jamboree to the big time in Nashville.
Along the way, R and R have been asked to sing the national anthem at various events around central Kentucky, including a date at a Lexington Legends’ minor league baseball game.
They’ve also recorded two CDs with another in the works.
It’s all part of the journey that actually began before Rayna Edington won that talent show at Western School.
“Our mom made us listen to all kinds of music,” Ramsey says with a laugh. “She introduced us to all kinds of music.”
That has been apparent even as the sisters have chased their dreams. Rayna saw that during a six-month stint as a backup singer at the now-closed Junction Jamboree in Lebanon Junction several years ago.
Ramsey, who now works as a pharmacy technician at the Lawrenceburg Kroger, joined the Lebanon Junction show once, but found the trip very difficult with her work schedule.
“That was just such a long drive each week,” says Rayna, whose day job is with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in Frankfort.
“When we sang at Lebanon Junction, there were few songs I didn’t know. We listened to so much Michael Bolton growing up. Then I went through that stage where everything was Britney Spears,” Rayna says. “Now we sing everything from the Dixie Chicks to Loretta Lynn’s ‘Blue Kentucky Girl.’”
The pair has even written a song, simply titled “Our Original Song,” about that influence. Their mom, Regina Edington, even helped with the composition.
One verse includes the lines, “Our mom would make us listen to Loretta and ZZ Top. She’d pull out those old 45s but we’d rather listen to pop. She’d tell us both the story of how music’s supposed to be. Mom was right all along about those old songs and what’s best for you and me.”
But that love of music is even deeper. Not only did Regina Edington constantly play music as her daughters were growing up, but the influence of their chorus teacher at Anderson County High School, Sue Lou Smith, cannot be understated.
“She taught us so much and she comes to everything,” Ramsey says.
That includes gigs as far away as Lebanon Junction to the rare opportunities R and R have to sing in their hometown.
Friday, the sisters will play at Rising Sons Winery for an that is open to the anyone 21 and older. “Seating will be limited so it is suggested people bring lawn chairs,” Rayna said.
Sunday, R and R will be presenting some of their gospel music during the morning worship service at First Christian Church.
They will head back to Rising Sons on Aug. 8 during the 127 Yard Sale for another public event.
“We love to perform here in Lawrenceburg. This IS our hometown,” says Rayna, who acts as the duet’s manager.
In addition to the traditional small-town country venues, R and R
nave played at the Fort Harrod Beef Festival, the Daniel Boone
Festival in Winchester and at the Franklin County Fair.“We love to play the festival setting,” Rayna says. “You can get your music to a lot of people there.”
And, Rayna says, the duo never turns down a reasonable invitation to sing. “Personally, I think it is always worth it,” Rayna says. “You never know who is going to be there.”
It’s just the price of the dream.
And that dream might get a little closer to reality on August 30. Last week, R and R accepted an offer to play at Loretta Lynn’s Hurricane Mills Ranch just outside Nashville. “We are going to be performing with our friend, Roger Riggs, who is a Conway Twitty impersonator, and our friend Allen Hilbert, who is a George Jones impersonator.
“The best part is that Loretta is doing a concert at the ranch that night, so this is an incredible honor.”
Still, Rayna and Ramsey know that only a handful of the big dreamers ever see them come true.
“If it doesn’t happen, I don’t think we would be disappointed,” Rayna says. “We are doing what we love to do.”
And that love makes the dream grow bigger before Rayna Warford’s
and Ramsey Edington’s eyes. Rayna knew that when she and her
husband, Adam, took a trip to Nashville in April.“We went to the Ryman,” Rayna said of the auditorium that long housed the Grand Ole Opry. “When we walked in, I said, ‘Wow!’ I literally burst into tears.
“We did the backstage tour and I got up on the stage to stand in that circle. I might never stand there again, but I will cherish that moment forever.
Our Original Song
By Rayna Warford, Ramsey Edigton and Regina Edington
They
say you can’t go nowhere
In
the music world today
If
you don’t write, practice every night
And
play gigs for little pay…
Sometimes
it sure ain’t easy
‘Cause
money don’t go far—
You
miss your home, you’re all alone
And
your best friend’s a guitar
So
we’ve come up with some lyrics
And
they might not be the best
Stayed
up all night, had a real big fight
But
then we got some rest
We
tried to be creative
Feel
free to sing along—
Here
we are, we’re R&R
And
this-is-our original song
Our
mom would make us listen
To
Loretta and ZZ Top
She’d
pull out those old 45’s
But
we’d rather listen to pop
She’d
tell us both the story
Of
how music’s supposed to be
Mom
was right all along about those old songs
And
what’s best for you and me
Chorus:
It
might not take us to the Opry
Or
be a YouTube hit
Buy
us fancy clothes or shiny cars
But
we don’t give a lick
We’ve
tried so hard to please you
By
writing our own tune
We’re
radio bound—hope you like our sound
Because
you’re gonna hear us soon!
(Chorus)
We
tried to be creative
And
we hope you sang along
‘Cause
here we are, we’re R&R
And
this-is-our original song!
No comments:
Post a Comment