Sweethearts of the Rodeo
Encyclopedia
Sweethearts of the Rodeo is an American
country music
duo composed of sisters Janis Oliver (guitar, vocals) and Kristine Oliver (vocals). The duo recorded for Columbia Records
between 1986 and 1991, releasing four albums and twelve singles for the label. In the 1990s, they also recorded two albums for Sugar Hill Records. The duo reached Top Ten on the Hot Country Songs
charts seven times in the late 1980s, with its highest singles being the #4 hits "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" and "Chains of Gold," both in 1987.
, where they began singing while in elementary school. They performed as the Oliver Sisters during their teenage years, playing bluegrass music
. The duo later renamed itself Sweethearts of the Rodeo, taking the name from The Byrds
' album Sweetheart of the Rodeo
. After being discovered by Emmylou Harris
, Sweethearts of the Rodeo secured slots as opening acts and backing vocalists for other artists. In addition, Janis married Vince Gill
, then a member of Pure Prairie League
, in 1980, and Kristine married Leonard Arnold of the band Blue Steel.
After the Gills and the Arnolds moved to Tennessee
, the sisters began singing together again. They signed to Columbia Records
in 1986.
and Bill Lloyd (then recording as Foster & Lloyd
), and its success helped that duo secure a record deal of its own. Four more singles followed from Sweethearts of the Rodeo's self-titled debut, including the #4 hits "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" and "Chains of Gold," which would be their highest-charting singles.
A second album, One Time, One Night
, accounted for three more Top Ten hits: "Satisfy You," "Blue to the Bone" and a cover of The Beatles
' "I Feel Fine
," but its next single, "If I Never See Midnight Again," peaked at #39. Two more albums for Columbia followed (1990's Buffalo Zone
and 1992's Sisters
, but neither produced any major hits, and Columbia dropped the duo in 1992. Sweethearts of the Rodeo continued to tour in the 1990s, later releasing two albums of bluegrass music on the Sugar Hill label. Janis divorced Gill in 1997.
The duo also owned a clothing store in Franklin, Tennessee
called "Gill & Arnold" for a time in the late 1990s that has since closed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
duo composed of sisters Janis Oliver (guitar, vocals) and Kristine Oliver (vocals). The duo recorded for Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
between 1986 and 1991, releasing four albums and twelve singles for the label. In the 1990s, they also recorded two albums for Sugar Hill Records. The duo reached Top Ten on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts seven times in the late 1980s, with its highest singles being the #4 hits "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" and "Chains of Gold," both in 1987.
Biography
Janis Oliver was born November 28, 1955, and Kristine Oliver was born March 1, 1957. The two were born and raised in Manhattan Beach, CaliforniaManhattan Beach, California
Manhattan Beach is the wealthiest beachfront city located in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, USA. The city is on the Pacific coast, south of El Segundo, and north of Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Beach is the home of both beach and indoor volleyball, and surfing. During the winter, the...
, where they began singing while in elementary school. They performed as the Oliver Sisters during their teenage years, playing bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
. The duo later renamed itself Sweethearts of the Rodeo, taking the name from The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
' album Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Sweetheart of the Rodeo
Sweetheart of the Rodeo is the sixth album by American rock band The Byrds and was released on August 30, 1968 on Columbia Records...
. After being discovered by Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Sweethearts of the Rodeo secured slots as opening acts and backing vocalists for other artists. In addition, Janis married Vince Gill
Vince Gill
Vincent Grant "Vince" Gill is an American neotraditional country singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist beginning in 1983, where his talents as a...
, then a member of Pure Prairie League
Pure Prairie League
Pure Prairie League, sometimes abbreviated PPL, is an American country-rock band whose roots began between 1964 and 1969 in Waverly, Ohio with Craig Fuller, George Powell, Tom McGrail, Jim Caughlan and John David Call. In 1970 McGrail named the band after a 19th century temperance union mentioned...
, in 1980, and Kristine married Leonard Arnold of the band Blue Steel.
After the Gills and the Arnolds moved to Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, the sisters began singing together again. They signed to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1986.
1986–1991: Columbia Records
Sweethearts of the Rodeo's first single, "Hey Doll Baby," debuted in April 1986. After it came the duo's first Top Ten hit at #7, "Since I Found You." The song was written by Radney FosterRadney Foster
Radney Foster is an American Texas Country artist. Initially a songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee, Foster made his debut in 1986 alongside Bill Lloyd in the duo Foster & Lloyd...
and Bill Lloyd (then recording as Foster & Lloyd
Foster & Lloyd
Foster & Lloyd is an American country music duo consisting of singer-songwriters Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd . Founded in 1986, the duo recorded three albums for RCA Records, in addition to charting nine singles on the Billboard country charts. The highest-peaking of these was their debut single...
), and its success helped that duo secure a record deal of its own. Four more singles followed from Sweethearts of the Rodeo's self-titled debut, including the #4 hits "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" and "Chains of Gold," which would be their highest-charting singles.
A second album, One Time, One Night
One Time, One Night
Sweethearts of the Rodeo's second album, One Time, One Night, came out in 1988 and continued on the success of their first. The top songs included "Satisfy You" and "Blue to the Bone," which both hit #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. A cover of the Beatles's "I Feel Fine" rose to #9,...
, accounted for three more Top Ten hits: "Satisfy You," "Blue to the Bone" and a cover of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "I Feel Fine
I Feel Fine
"I Feel Fine" is a riff-driven rock song written by John Lennon and released in 1964 by The Beatles as the A-side of their eighth British single. The song is notable for the use of feedback on a recording for the first time by any musician...
," but its next single, "If I Never See Midnight Again," peaked at #39. Two more albums for Columbia followed (1990's Buffalo Zone
Buffalo Zone
Buffalo Zone is an album by the female country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo, released in 1990 by Columbia Records. The album's cover was an obvious homage to The Byrds' 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, from which the duo derived their name. The album was not as successful as their first...
and 1992's Sisters
Sisters (Sweethearts of the Rodeo album)
Sisters is a 1992 album from US country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo.The only Billboard charting hits on Sisters were minor, with "Hard-Headed Man" at #63 and "Devil and Your Deep Blue Eyes" at #74.-Track listing:...
, but neither produced any major hits, and Columbia dropped the duo in 1992. Sweethearts of the Rodeo continued to tour in the 1990s, later releasing two albums of bluegrass music on the Sugar Hill label. Janis divorced Gill in 1997.
The duo also owned a clothing store in Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 62,487 as of the 2010 census Franklin is located approximately south of downtown Nashville.-History:...
called "Gill & Arnold" for a time in the late 1990s that has since closed.
Albums
| Year | Title | US Country | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Sweethearts of the Rodeo Sweethearts of the Rodeo (album) Sweethearts of the Rodeo is the debut album from the American country music group Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Five of the tracks would rise into the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart... |
8 | Columbia |
| 1988 | One Time, One Night One Time, One Night Sweethearts of the Rodeo's second album, One Time, One Night, came out in 1988 and continued on the success of their first. The top songs included "Satisfy You" and "Blue to the Bone," which both hit #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. A cover of the Beatles's "I Feel Fine" rose to #9,... |
11 | |
| 1990 | Buffalo Zone Buffalo Zone Buffalo Zone is an album by the female country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo, released in 1990 by Columbia Records. The album's cover was an obvious homage to The Byrds' 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, from which the duo derived their name. The album was not as successful as their first... |
41 | |
| 1992 | Sisters Sisters (Sweethearts of the Rodeo album) Sisters is a 1992 album from US country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo.The only Billboard charting hits on Sisters were minor, with "Hard-Headed Man" at #63 and "Devil and Your Deep Blue Eyes" at #74.-Track listing:... |
— | |
| 1993 | Rodeo Waltz Rodeo Waltz Rodeo Waltz is a 1993 album from US country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The album was their first for Sugar Hill Records, and it does not include any singles.-Track listing:#"Get Rhythm" – 3:25... |
— | Sugar Hill |
| 1996 | Beautiful Lies Beautiful Lies Beautiful Lies is a 1996 album from US country duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Continuing with the more folk music-leaning sound of their preceding album, Beautiful Lies is their sixth, and so far latest, album... |
— | |
| 2000 | Anthology | — | Renaissance |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1986 | "Hey Doll Baby" | 21 | — | Sweethearts of the Rodeo |
| "Since I Found You Since I Found You "Since i Found You" is a single by American country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1986, it was the second from the album Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
7 | 15 | ||
| "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town Midnight Girl/Sunset Town "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" is a single by American country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1986, it was the third single from the album Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
4 | 6 | ||
| 1987 | "Chains of Gold Chains of Gold (song) "Chains of Gold" is a single by American country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1987, it was the fourth single from the album Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
4 | 7 | |
| "Gotta Get Away Gotta Get Away (Sweethearts of the Rodeo song) "Gotta Get Away" is a single by American Country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1987, it was the fifth single from the album Sweethearts of the Rodeo. The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
10 | 11 | ||
| 1988 | "Satisfy You Satisfy You (Sweethearts of the Rodeo song) "Satisfy You" is a single by American country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1988, it was the first single from the album One Time, One Night. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
5 | 11 | One Time, One Night |
| "Blue to the Bone Blue to the Bone "Blue to the Bone" is a single by American country music duo Sweethearts of the Rodeo. Released in 1988, it was the second single from the album One Time, One Night. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
5 | * | ||
| "I Feel Fine I Feel Fine "I Feel Fine" is a riff-driven rock song written by John Lennon and released in 1964 by The Beatles as the A-side of their eighth British single. The song is notable for the use of feedback on a recording for the first time by any musician... " |
9 | * | ||
| 1989 | "If I Never See Midnight Again" | 39 | 40 | |
| "This Heart" | 25 | 32 | Buffalo Zone | |
| 1990 | "Cómo Se Dice (I Love You)" | — | — | |
| "I Don't Want You to Know" | — | — | ||
| "What It Does to Me" | — | — | ||
| "You Look at Love That Way" | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "Hard-Headed Man" | 63 | — | Sisters |
| "Devil and Your Deep Blue Eyes" | 74 | — | ||
| 1996 | "Beautiful Lies" | — | — | Beautiful Lies |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Since I Found You" | |
| "Midnight Girl/Sunset Town" | ||
| 1988 | "Satisfy You" | Bob Small |
| 1989 | "If I Never See Midnight Again" | |
| 1990 | "Cómo Se Dice (I Love You)" | |
| 1991 | "Devil and Your Deep Blue Eyes" | Peter Lippman |
| 1993 | "Things Grow" | |
| 1996 | "Beautiful Lies" |