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It all began at the kitchen sink. Sara and Julie would do the dishes and Anne would sweep the floors and together they would
harmonize. The Holker Sisters, Sara (18), Julie (I6) and Anne (14)
of Swatara have been singing and playing together for as long as
they can remember.
Music has always been plentiful in the Holker household and that
music has always been country.
That country tradition is carried on through their guitars, bass,
banjo and voices. It sails sweetly through the air in their
rendition of "I'll Fly Away," a version of the song made popular in
the movie. "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
The list of engagements has grown steadily since Sara and Julie
first took the stage together as pre-schoolers. Since that first
engagement about 13 years ago, they have added the talents of
Sister Anne, performed in 12 states and made a CD. They sing a
variety of country music, including classic country, bluegrass,
gospel and folk.
The trio has performed at: the State Capitol, Judy Garland shows
across Minnesota, the Branson Missouri Welk Theater for the Lennon
Sisters; KKIN Country Radio live morning shows; the Minnesota State Fair; Ironworld; cable television shows through Minnesota; Bob
Nichols Live (Branson morning television show); gospel shows for
Jim Gale and the Lundstroms and a variety of local shows,
competitions, weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries.
They also have become favorites at local events, such as the Hill
City Fourth of July celebration, at which they have been performing
since 1995.
They love their music and have aspirations of making it a
profession. "I think it would be so much fun if we could be
professional singers some day," said Julie. "I'd really like to
sing with my sisters."
In spite of their ages, they are seasoned performers, who enjoy
their time in the spotlight. "It's more fun the more places we get
to go," said Sara.
"I used to get nervous," said Anne. "But, it goes away when we
start singing."
Their latest engagement is a series of performances in Nashville
and Branson, where they hope to expose their music to an even wider
audience.
The two and one half week trip south is being sponsored by Walker
businessman, Brian Hanson and his wife, Jane, who heard the girls perform last summer and decided to
support them in their musical endeavors.
Hanson said that after he and his wife watched the girls perform,
they were moved by the closeness of the Holker family as well as
their talent, ideals and dreams. "We wanted to see them have the
opportunity to reach those dreams," he said. "We're wishing good
things for them."
Hanson and his wife rented an RV for the entire Holker family and
are helping with other expenses on the trip to Nashville and
Branson.
The Holker Sisters dad, Lou, also credits both grandmothers, Sarah
Holker and Helen Dupont, with financial and moral support which
have made road trips possible for the family.
While on the road, they will be auditioning/performing at a variety
of places, including a bluegrass festival and Loretta Lynn's Ranch.
The girls also hope to have a return engagement on the Bob Nichols
Show in Branson and perhaps even audition for the Grand Ole Opry
(which they have been asked to do).
The trip will include six to seven days in Nashville and five in
Branson, as they perform and audition their way through the two
cities. The family left for Nashville on May 9 and plans to return
on May 24.
The Holker sisters are part of a close knit family, which is
accompanying them on their trip south, including dad Lou, mom Cheri, and brothers and
sisters, Isaac, Benjamin, Marcy, Rachel, Michelle and Monica.
"We all go (when they perform)," said Cheri. "It's a family
adventure."
"I'm glad we get to do it as a family," said Julie.
"It brings us closer together," added Sara. "We have to get along
because we're in such close quarters."
While their trip has a mission, the Holkers will be taking some
time out for family fun along the way. Family, for the Holkers,
comes first.
"We'd like to do one (show or audition) per day and the rest of the
time we want to camp out and have fun," said Lou.
"I want to have fun," said Anne. "If something comes out of it,
fine, but if nothing does, I want to have fun."
The fun also will include a little education along the way. All of
the Holker children are home schooled and Cheri has educational
activities, such as looking for different types of wildlife in
different states, planned for the trip.
When they return, the Holkers will resume their busy schedule of
local engagements, which recently has included about two or three
performances a week. For those interested in listening to their
music, the Holker Sisters CD is available at Roadside Market in Hill
City, Gordy's Foods in Grand Rapids, True Value in Remer and Remer
Junction.
© 2002 Herald Review - Reprinted With
Permission
© 2005 Photographs - Holker Sisters
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The Holker Family
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We take pictures of ourselves
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At Robert's on Broadway in Nashville
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Our Nashville Sponsor, Susie's Parents
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Outside the Grand Ole Opry
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Loretta Lynn's Traveling Bus
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In Tootsie's on Broadway, Nashville
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