Sisters Janis Oliver (b. 28 November 1955, Manhattan Beach, California, USA) and Kristine Oliver (b. 1 March 1957, Manhattan Beach, California, USA) grew up in California and spent much time practising their vocal harmonies. In 1973, they started working as an acoustic duo, taking their name from a Byrds album. Although they mostly performed contemporary country rock songs, they also had some traditional country leanings. They both married, becoming Janis Gill and Kristine Arnold. Janis went to Nashville with her then husband, Vince Gill, who became one of the first of the ‘new country’ singers. Janis invited her sister to Nashville, where they won a major talent contest. In 1986, the duo recorded their first album, Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, which yielded five US country singles including ‘Hey Doll Baby’. By and large, Kristine is the lead singer and Janis the songwriter, although their wide repertoire includes ‘I Feel Fine’ and ‘So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)’. The long delay before Columbia Records released Sisters led to rumours that the duo’s time at the label was drawing to a close. This was confirmed by a move to Sugar Hill Records, for whom the sisters released two albums characterised, as ever, by their beautiful harmony singing. Janis changed her name to Janis Oliver Cummins in November 2000, following her marriage to Roy Cummins. She had separated from Vince Gill after 17 years of marriage in April 1997.
