O BROTHER, O SISTER: THE ROYS

For years, Bluegrass and Country music have long held a reputation for family harmony,thanks to Hall of Fame acts like The Carter Family, The Louvin Brothers and The OsborneBrothers. Now, THE ROYS, a brother/sister duo made up of Lee and Elaine Roy, are doing their part to make sure the tradition continues. With their immaculate harmonies and impeccable musicianship, THE ROYS have become one of the fastest-rising acts in the business, heralded for their traditional vocal styling and a progressive instrumental attitude that has enchanted fans around the world.

Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and raised across the border in Coal Branch, New Brunswick, Canada, THE ROYS possess a sound that is rich and identifiable. For Lee, it has all come full circle since those early childhood days. “My first real love is Bluegrass music,” says Lee. “I started playing it when I joined my first band at the age of nine–and I’ve never stopped.” For Elaine, memories of family guitar pulls are sweet. “We grew up on traditional Country and Bluegrass music,” she recalls. “My Grandma LeBlanc played Acadian tunes on her fiddle while my aunts and uncles joined in. It was truly ‘Roots’ music. We fell in love with that ‘honest’ sound, and our harmonies seemed to fit that style of music.” Their style of music has grown and now can best be described as a genre-bending mix of Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Roots and Inspirational styles—and it is wholly unique to THE ROYS.

Lee became adept on drums, bass and mandolin, while Elaine learned guitar. She began singing at age five and made her first on-stage appearance at the tender age of 10. “I performed at a fair a couple of towns over from where we lived,” adds Elaine. “One of the folks we knew invited me to sing along with them. I remember that as if it were yesterday.”

Though the siblings were keenly aware of each other’s talent, they didn’t know how brightly the fire burned within them to make a career in music. “I had always dreamed about going to Nashville,” states Elaine. “Lo and behold, my brother shared that vision. It was something that we both wanted to do, and we have given it our all.”

Since making that decision six years ago, it has been success story after success story for theduo. They developed a strong fan following on Country radio with songs like the rollicking “Workin’ Girl Blues,” and the stunning “Beautiful,” while also forging strong bonds with radio programmers, talent buyers and critics all across the country. Phone lines began to fill up with requests for their music, and the crowds at their live appearances began to grow.

The accolades started rolling in with their wins for Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Duo of the Year in 2009 and 2010. The release of their first Rural Rhythm Records’ album, LONESOME WHISTLE, kicked their career into high gear. The disc debuted at No. 7 on BILLBOARD's Bluegrass Albums Chart and earned them a spot on BILLBOARD'S Top 50Bluegrass Albums of 2011 Chart. The CD’s success helped land them the award for the ICM’S Bluegrass Artist of the Year in 2011, as well as a No. 1 single, “Coal Minin’ Man.”

THE ROYS have played some of the top stages in America and beyond, bringing their unique sound to Dollywood, Country Thunder, Tamworth (Australia), Folk Alliance, CMA Music Festival and dozens of Bluegrass festivals. The sought-after duo has performed the National Anthem for fans of NASCAR, NFL and Major League Baseball. They have hosted radio shows as well, including the legendary Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree and 650 AM WSM’s popular Guest Artist Series. THE ROYS’ debut appearance at The Ryman Auditorium’s SPRINGER MOUNTAIN FARMS Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman Series was a rousing success, and they were prominently featured in the PBS television special Pa’s Fiddle: Charles Ingalls, American Fiddler. The duo hosted seven episodes of the Bluegrass Mountains television show and havebeen seen on such popular television series as Fox & Friends, Better TV and Praise the Lord with Jason Crabb. Lee (along with Matthew Rogers) wrote the theme song for the popular RFD-TV program, Campfire Café, and THE ROYS are featured artists in the high-profile 2012 ViettiVinyl campaign. The duo has shared the stage with superstars George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Doyle Lawson, Jason Aldean, Rhonda Vincent, Chris Young, SaraEvans, J.D. Crowe, The Oak Ridge Boys, Janie Fricke and Collin Raye.

THE ROYS are active in charities here and abroad. The siblings served as co-hosts of thefirst annual 2012 Christmas 4 Kids® Celebrity Golf Tournament along with Tennessee Titans place kicker Rob Bironas. They traveled to Bogota, Colombia, South America in August 2010 with Compassion International. That trip warmed their hearts and touched their lives, and it did not stop upon their return home. Since then, they have sponsored two children through the program, keeping their commitment going—long after the media attention has faded. They are currently spokespersons for Compassion International.

The duo’s follow-up album, NEW DAY DAWNING, finds fans already fervently spreading theword about the new music. The album features the infectious first single “Still Standing,” along with the engaging “Grandpa’s Barn,” and also highlights the unforgettable up-tempo “Fast AsWe Roll” and the poignant, “Living Scrapbook.” Ever-growing and ever-evolving, THE ROYS continue to bring new life to traditional sounds as a new day dawns.