The Rankins set to reunite
Some familiar Nova Scotia harmonies will soon be ringing out again on record and in concert halls.
Sources close to Cape Breton’s Rankin family say that Jimmy Rankin and sisters Raylene, Cookie and Heather Rankin will perform again as a group for the first time since they initially disbanded in 1999 to pursue other musical endeavours.
Jimmy and Raylene continued with solo musical careers, while all three sisters have collaborated on a Christmas album and still occasionally perform as a trio. Reportedly, the siblings had been working on new material at home in Mabou, before heading to Nashville to record songs with Cookie Rankin’s husband, noted producer/engineer George Massenburg (Dixie Chicks, Lyle Lovett). A new album and concert tour will follow in the near future.
An official announcement of the reunion is expected to be made next week.
The death of brother John Morris Rankin in 2000 means the original lineup can never be reassembled, but reportedly his daughter Molly Rankin will have music featured in this new lineup of the group.
In the Rankins’ initial decade-long career, the group racked up a string of platinum selling albums with their unique blend of Celtic, pop and country, including 1990’s quadruple platinum Fare Thee Well Love. They also earned numerous awards, including 15 East Coast Music Awards, six Juno Awards, four SOCAN Awards and three Canadian Country Music Awards.
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