The Burns Sisters, a vocal group based in Ithaca, New York, blend folk, pop, and rock with Celtic influences. Their heartfelt harmonies receive support from Rich DePaolo on guitar, Eric Aceto on fiddle, and the sisters’ own guitar and mandolin work.
Five sisters drawn from a family of fourteen children first formed the group as a quintet. An early performance opportunity came via a role in the film Atlantic City, secured at the urging of their brothers, who were employed as film technicians in Hollywood.
Columbia issued their 1986 rock-oriented album Endangered Species, yet dropped the act one week prior to the planned launch of a follow-up project in 1988.
After issuing Songs of the Heart on their own imprint, the older sisters Terry and Sheila stepped away to focus on family responsibilities. The remaining trio of Annie, Marie, and Jeannie then pivoted toward acoustic material. Philo released their first recording in that configuration, Close to Home, in 1995. Their next trio effort, In This World, appeared in 1997; recorded in Nashville under the supervision of Gary Tallent, Bruce Springsteen’s bassist, the set was joined the same year by the seasonal collection Tradition: Holiday Songs Old & New. Out Of The Blue followed in 2000.
Beyond her work with her siblings, Marie Burns also performs with Mac Benford & the Woodshed All-Stars.
