How do you describe Leela and Ellie Grace?

Well, if the Indigo Girls and the Louvin Brothers had somehow brought two little girls into this world and raised them as part of a family band, they just might have grown up to sound like Leela and Ellie Grace. While we do not think this love match would have been much of a success, such a musical union is a beautiful thing in the skilled hands and sparkling voices of the Grace Sisters. Having spent a lifetime steeped in diverse musical traditions, they have created a soaring sound and bright presence all their own.

But there is still more to the story. Imagine two little tow-headed hippie girls who, late one evening, beg not to be sent to bed. They are drawn instead to the circle of friends singing and playing songs new and old in the living room of the small farmhouse at the end of the gravel road. Finally, they drift off to sleep on a blanket in the midst of the circle, only content when the music surrounds them. 20 years later, those little sisters have grown into powerful musicians, writers, and performers. Their voices now reach far beyond that small circle (and their hair may be a bit darker), but when they step onstage their roots still show.

Leela Grace and Ellie Grace are singers, multi-instrumentalists, songwriters, and percussive dancers who grew up traveling across North America performing with their parents Paul & Win Grace as The Grace Family. For the past 10 years, they have been making a name for themselves around the country as a duo, in addition to offering solo appearances, and touring with nationally-known bands such as the Dirk Powell Band. Leela and Ellie have been acclaimed by audiences and fellow musicians alike for their powerful voices, close sisterly harmonies, warm stage presence, driving old-time instrumentals, and precision percussive dance.

Leela and Ellie's music has a strong grounding in traditional American and Old-time string band styles, but crosses over into the contemporary folk realm, including their own compelling original songs. They recorded three albums with the Grace Family (in addition to doing studio work with other musicians) and have released two recordings as a duo. The sisters have performed at prestigious venues across the United States and Canada, ranging from the Winnipeg Folk Festival to the Lincoln Center in New York City to the Summer Solstice Festival in Los Angeles.

In 2003, they released their self-titled debut duo CD, which was critically acclaimed by folk critics and fans and received widespread radio play on folk radio stations across the country. In his review of the CD in Sing Out! Rich Warren said, "Leela and Ellie Grace soar off this disc like a breath of fresh air in the smoky atmosphere of singer-songwriters. This lively recording, exquisitely produced by Pete Sutherland, is truly a joy to behold. . . If you’re hesitant to take a chance on new artists, rest assured this CD will leave you in a state of grace."

2006 saw Ellie relocating to the musical mecca of Asheville, North Carolina and touring with the Dirk Powell Band. 2007 was a whirlwind year spent recording a highly anticipated new CD in the midst of a move to the other coast by the older sister. Leela and Ellie will spend 2008 meeting in Portland, Oregon; Asheville, North Carolina; their hometown of Columbia, Missouri; and everywhere in between to make beautiful music together in support of their just-released new CD, Where the Waters Run!

Many things have been said of Leela and Ellie, including the following:
"Leela's and Ellie's singing is clear, pitch-perfect, and expressive. 'Soaring' is a word that comes to mind.” -- The Old Time Herald

“Their sterling credentials in old-time music, stunning vocal harmonies, instrumental expertise on banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle, and clogging that is unmatched make them a hit wherever they play!” -- Fox Valley Folk Music Festival, Chicago, IL

In lieu of all of that verbiage, however, you could just follow this simple recipe:

Recipe for Leela and Ellie Grace

2 cups of spine-tingling, sister harmonies
1 cup of sweet songwriting
½ cup of groovin’ old-time instruments
¼ cup of rockin’, high energy
2 tablespoons of quirky humor
1 teaspoon of percussive dance
A dash of Midwestern charm
Heart to taste

Mix it all together and bake for twenty-something years. Serve fresh and warm at your favorite venue.
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How do you describe Leela and Ellie Grace?

Well, if the Indigo Girls and the Louvin Brothers had somehow brought two little girls into this world and raised them as part of a family band, they just might have grown up to sound like Leela and Ellie Grace. While we do not think this love match would have been much of a success, such a musical union is a beautiful thing in the skilled hands and sparkling voices of the Grace Sisters. Having spent a lifetime steeped in diverse musical traditions,... (read more)