The Perry Sisters
Encyclopedia
The Perry Sisters originated in Huntington, WV in 1974 with Diana Perry Gillette and her two sisters, Bonnie and Carol. In 1984 they signed with a major record label and officially became the first professional ladies trio in southern gospel
music. In 1990 Diana's sisters retired from the road, leaving Diana as the remaining founding member.
The group reorganized with Diana Perry Gillette in the lead position. Tammy Underwood, Diana's niece, held the soprano
position and plays acoustic guitar. Tammy and Diana were joined by Diana's daughter Angie, who played piano
, keyboard
, and bass
as well as covering the alto
part.. Rodney Underwood, Tammy's husband, joined the ladies on stage later playing keyboards, bass guitar
and also served as the sound tech for the trio. After Angie married in the mid-90's, the group went through a period of change, having several ladies filling the position.
The Perry Sisters have recorded 24 albums, and had 29 top forty hits, in a career spanning 32 years. The Perry Sisters have been nominated for numerous awards such as: Favorite Trio
, Favorite Soprano
, Horizon Award, and Favorite Video. Considering that most gospel music material has been written with male quartets in mind, these accomplishments are not to be taken lightly.
The Perry Sisters have met the song-writing challenges. Diana has been penning songs since 1980, including as I Wonder How Mary Felt, There'll Be A Payday, Resurrection Morn, Imagine If You Will, Heaven's Avenue, Only Sleeping, More Like You, and That Wonderful Name.
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
music. In 1990 Diana's sisters retired from the road, leaving Diana as the remaining founding member.
The group reorganized with Diana Perry Gillette in the lead position. Tammy Underwood, Diana's niece, held the soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
position and plays acoustic guitar. Tammy and Diana were joined by Diana's daughter Angie, who played piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, keyboard
Electronic keyboard
An electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
, and bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
as well as covering the alto
Alto
Alto is a musical term, derived from the Latin word altus, meaning "high" in Italian, that has several possible interpretations.When designating instruments, "alto" frequently refers to a member of an instrumental family that has the second highest range, below that of the treble or soprano. Hence,...
part.. Rodney Underwood, Tammy's husband, joined the ladies on stage later playing keyboards, bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and also served as the sound tech for the trio. After Angie married in the mid-90's, the group went through a period of change, having several ladies filling the position.
The Perry Sisters have recorded 24 albums, and had 29 top forty hits, in a career spanning 32 years. The Perry Sisters have been nominated for numerous awards such as: Favorite Trio
Trio (music)
Trio is generally used in any of the following ways:* A group of three musicians playing the same or different musical instrument.* The performance of a piece of music by three people.* The contrasting section of a piece in ternary form...
, Favorite Soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
, Horizon Award, and Favorite Video. Considering that most gospel music material has been written with male quartets in mind, these accomplishments are not to be taken lightly.
The Perry Sisters have met the song-writing challenges. Diana has been penning songs since 1980, including as I Wonder How Mary Felt, There'll Be A Payday, Resurrection Morn, Imagine If You Will, Heaven's Avenue, Only Sleeping, More Like You, and That Wonderful Name.