parents from Co. Clare and Co. Fermanagh, have always had a love for
Irish and Country music. Growing up in an Irish community in 1980s
London saw a brilliant era in Irish music; going to festivals &
dances to see Big Tom & The Mainliners, Joe Dolan, Mick Flavin,
Philomena Begley, John Hogan and Declan Nerney was the order of the
day. Also spending the weekend nights going to see their Dad play in
his band The Benn Brothers set the scene for two little sisters to
become huge country music fans. It wasn’t until a few years later
that carving out a career for themselves in the music business became
a reality……..
Music has always been in the Benn family; the
girl’s Dad Liam still plays with his band The Benn Brothers on the
Irish country scene in London – 2008 will see them achieve 40
successful years in the business! This influence from an early age
was what prompted the start of a musical career for both girls that
began professionally for Carrie when she was 9 and Leanne when she
was 7. Singing and dancing at home was very much a normal part of
family life for the girls but being asked to audition for a cathedral
choir in 1989 marked the beginning of the formal training that was to
continue for nearly ten years and lead to their development as
qualified vocalists and musicians, and give them a start in learning
their craft.
Carrie is the older half of The Benn Sisters
singing lead and harmony vocals and playing guitar in their show.
Born on New Years’ Eve 1980 she began playing in bands professionally
aged 19, with her first ever appearance on stage taking place in the
famous Galtymore Club, Cricklewood Broadway. Carrie’s musical
training started at the age of 9 where she was spotted by Choir
mistress Jane Shoe smith at a school assembly. She was asked to join
the St Boniface Choir where, whilst keeping up her school work, a
regime of rehearsals twice a week, 2-3 performances at weekends and
Royal School of Church Music Exams kept her busy!
Leanne was born in Hammersmith, London on 21
September 1984. She is the youngest of the two girls and first
started singing at the age of seven in her local church choir, of
which her sister was already a member. The choir was part of the
Royal School of Church Music and carried a very strict examination
and qualification programme, and Leanne took to it with gusto. Under
the guidance of Jane Shoe smith and her sister as Head Chorister, she
proceeded to climb the ladder achieving many medals and awards;
appearing in concert at St Paul’s Cathedral; performing in
Trafalgar Square at the Annual Christmas Tree Carol Service and on
Gloria Hunniford’s ‘Sunday’ programme. Her greatest achievement
in the choir was becoming the first female in her diocese to pass the
RSCM’s Bishop Award. She was promoted to Head Chorister until the
choir disbanded in 2002.
Or you can catch them on Facebook
They have two cd; s out
An Old Memory
And
The other cd
What a beautiful day
The cd’s can be purchased from all good
records shops or
Diamond records which is a family run business
run by the Benn sisters
http://diamond-records.webs.com/