Post by Bingo on Jun 11, 2015 16:23:49 GMT -8
I'm pleased that this young singer is joining Carrie's band for the new season (replacing Andrea Thomas, who's leaving to pursue solo work)
Sydni's childhood musical experience was in Bluegrass, and as a teenager she toured with the great Patty Loveless, also singing on the second of her acclaimed "Mountain Soul" albums.
Sydni is also a member of a Progressive band, Blue Cafe, who have recorded a show for Kentucky's Public TV station. (She does play fiddle, but as Jimmy Herman handles this on a long time basis in Carrie's band, I think she is likely to stay on vocals only with Carrie)
She's already done two Opry shows with Carrie, which I heard on-line. Her voice is deeper, and more Blues-flavoured, than Carrie's previous support vocalists. This may take some adjustment for the more Pop-leaning fans (who are a big part of her fan base) to appreciate - but I think the move in that direction may be planned to coincide with Carrie's hinted "new sound". Details on this have been scarce (and come with the proviso that it will not be a radical shift), but the clues do suggest that it will involve some more Blues/Soul elements.
This is an example of Sydni singing solo at Music City Roots, a few years ago (Perhaps not coincidentally, this regular weekly show - rather on the lines of a mini Opry without the more Mainstream elements - takes place at a venue between Nashville and Franklin, close to where Carrie lives)