During the late 1980s the sister duo the Sweethearts of the Rodeo notched repeated Top Ten country-chart entries by merging contemporary country-rock textures with longstanding bluegrass traditions. Janis, born November 28, 1959, and Kristine Oliver, born March 1, 1957, spent their childhood in the Los Angeles suburb of Manhattan Beach, where they first harmonized together while still in grade school. As teenagers they appeared in garage bands and later in acoustic bluegrass ensembles, also performing independently at coffeehouses under the name the Oliver Sisters. Their tastes expanded to include country-rock outfits such as Poco and the Byrds, prompting a name change to the Sweethearts of the Rodeo in tribute to the latter’s landmark album. The shift shaped their own sound, and after graduation they played clubs and festivals throughout Southern California. Emmylou Harris became an admirer, leading the Sweethearts to open for major country acts and supply occasional session backup vocals. During this period Janis married Pure Prairie League frontman Vince Gill and Kristine wed Blue Steel guitarist Leonard Arnold. In 1983 the Gills relocated to Nashville to support Vince’s emerging solo career, with the Arnolds arriving several months afterward.
While raising families and assisting their husbands, Gill and Arnold resumed singing and captured first place in a prominent 1985 talent contest that secured a Columbia recording contract. Their self-titled debut appeared the next year; the initial single “Hey Doll Baby” fell just short of the country Top 20, yet the follow-up “Since I Found You” launched seven straight Top Ten hits and marked the first major songwriting achievement for Foster & Lloyd. Both the debut and its 1988 successor One Time, One Night moved briskly thanks to tracks including “Chains of Gold,” “Gotta Get Away,” “Midnight Girl/Sunset Town,” “Blue to the Bone,” “Satisfy You,” and a bluegrass treatment of the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine.” Sales for 1990’s Buffalo Zone proved softer, and although the sisters sought sonic experimentation, Columbia insisted on repeating earlier formulas while also expressing irritation at their limited touring schedule due to family obligations.
After disappointing returns on 1992’s Sisters, Columbia ended the relationship; the duo then joined the independent roots label Sugar Hill, which granted greater artistic latitude. Their first project for the new imprint, 1993’s Rodeo Waltz, revived their foundations in acoustic bluegrass, folk, and vintage country. Gill and Arnold subsequently launched a clothing boutique in their Tennessee hometown of Franklin. They resumed recording with 1996’s Beautiful Lies, a still more traditional collection that combined rock covers with bluegrass standards and old-time country material. The Sweethearts maintained an active touring presence both unaccompanied and with supporting musicians.
