If you go
› What: The Secret Sisters› When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1› Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St.› Admission: $25› Online: songbirdsguitars.com› Phone: 423-531-2473
If it weren't all true, the story of the Secret Sisters' almost meteoric rise, fall and rebirth would seem too cliche to be believed.
In 2009, Laura traveled to Nashville to audition for producer Dave Cobb. Lydia couldn't make it, but by the time Laura drove back home to Muscle Shoals, Ala., label reps were calling to request a follow-up audition, this time with Lydia.
None other than T Bone Burnett signed on to executive produce their self-titled debut. Suddenly they were everybody's darlings. Burnett also produced their second album, "Put Your Needle Down," but it didn't do as well.
The sisters decided to change management, but were sued. Then Republic Universal Records dropped them.
Before long they had no support team and, because of the expensive court battle, they soon had no money and filed for bankruptcy. Laura took to cleaning houses to make ends meet.
The Secret SistersThey quit writing for awhile and had all but given up on ever recording again. Then, during a sound check before a show that had them opening for Brandi Carlile, the star heard them do a new song they'd recently written and told the sisters she wanted to produce it for them.
"We had never played 'Tennessee River Runs Low' and she heard it and she was excited about it," Laura said.
"Within a few weeks we were in Seattle to record."
Considering where they'd been physically and emotionally just a few months earlier, this was a big step forward, but they still had no label, no money and no idea what lay ahead.
The recordings went well enough - New West Records signed them - and through a PledgeMusic campaign fans helped pay for the recording and release of "You Don't Own Me Anymore," an aptly named album that reflects the new Secret Sisters.
Laura says being back in a studio was a such a powerful experience for her because of the events that had transpired, she was overcome by emotion at one point.
"When you get burned, you're always worried about the flames, but we were also in such strange territory. We had no label and we didn't know how the songs would turn out or how to pay for it [the recording session].
"I really thought it was done. I never thought we'd be back in a studio with our friends and then to have our fans pay for it. I was really humbled, emotional and shocked getting a second chance.
"We were saying our goodbyes one night and I stood in the studio sobbing. I was thinking, 'OK. We are back doing what we love.'"
Lydia said the last seven years have been hard on the sisters, but she believes they are stronger, and smarter, for having gone through it.
"We were so young and green and we expected our career to have a certain trajectory. We didn't know it was going to be up and down and up and down and right in the middle sometimes.
"Our self-esteem took such a blow. As a human, a female and a musician, determining my self-worth was based on other people's self-worth of us. But, I believe everything that happened has helped us. I've realized I want to do this, whether I was meant to or not."
They describe their music as Southern, with a mix of gospel, country, roots rock and bluegrass.
The sisters will perform Friday night, Dec. 1, at Songbirds Guitar Museum. Songbirds presenter Mike Dougher first brought them to town in 2014 when he was booking acts for Rhythm & Brews.
"Being from New York, I'm here to admit that I'm a sucker for Southern female harmonies like Secret Sisters," he said.
"Their show reminds me of the early days of country music ... of Emmylou, Patsy and Loretta. I brought the Secret Sisters into Rhythm and Brews after hearing some buzz about them. It was only later I heard that they had gone from the high of sharing a stage with Bob Dylan to the low of bankruptcy. It's quite clear they have emerged from the other side of those extremes. With sibling harmonies reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, we all benefit from the determination of these young ladies as they share their wonderful music with the world."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
Also playing this weekend at Songbirds
Ray Wylie Hubbard› When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30› Admission: $30› About Hubbard: “You know why I love Ray Wylie Hubbard?” asks Jimmy Kelly of Songbirds. “Because he lives what he writes.”>› Favorite Hubbard quote: “You get to be my age and you start thinking about mortality, so there’s a lot of those themes in the songs. I hope God grades on a curve.”Erick Baker “An Evening of Song and Stories”› When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2› Admission: $20 › About Baker: “When listening to his songs, it reminds all of us to pay attention to what’s important,” says Mike Dougher of Songbirds. “Erick has become a good friend to many in Chattanooga, and like family to the Rhythm & Brews crew. We are thrilled that Erick has already sold out his first show at Songbirds Guitar Museum.”