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The Schankman Twins

Brought To You By

The Good Ole Days

The Schankman Twins at the age of 16 are two artists that certainly hold the future of bluegrass in their hands.

Both are recognized as accomplished musicians, Dana on banjo and her twin sister Lauren on fiddle have won

numerous contests. They have been given rave reviews that are usually reserved for much older artists and that’s

just their instrumental work. Their vocals are clear and powerful no matter what they are singing. Their style cannot

be described as harmony but more like synchronized singing as they trade the lead back and forth or sing together

in the same voice. They are joined on this project by Kenny Blackwell on mandolin and guitar, Greg Harris rhythm guitar

and Bill Bryson on bass and this trio provides solid accompaniment.

DISCOGRAPHY

First Release

AppleJack
Shuckin the Corn
Waterbound
Blue Kentucky Girl
Thibodaux
When the Roses Bloom in Dixieland
Sally Ann
Shenandoah
Lauren Goes to Town
Livin on Love
Back to Dixie
Grandpa Get Your Guitar
Ashoken Farewell
How Mountain Girls Can Love

The Schankman Twins are just that, identical twins, who not only look alike, but they share a talent that exceeds that of 99.9% of the people in the world.With Lauren on fiddle and Dana on the banjo, these young California ladies rock the CD player with Duality, a recording of mostly traditional bluegrass.
Duality, however, is not just another recording of old songs. The Schankman's enthusiasm for the music shines clear on every cut. They have the advantage of sibling vocals, something that simply can't be duplicated. But they put a lot of power and feeling into their music as well, resulting in a unique and new production of classic tunes.
The Schankmans are not just singers who happen to play instruments. These young ladies are accomplished musicians on top of their vocal talent.
"Shuckin' the Corn" is a perfect example of just how talented the Schankmans are instrumentally. The song is played faster than most versions I have heard, and neither Lauren or Dana miss a beat through the entire song. Equally impressive is the original instrumental "Lauren Goes to Town", penned by Lauren Schankman. Although not particularly fast, it is smooth and strong, pleasing and solid. The whole album is like that.
The Schankman Twins prefer the traditional style of bluegrass, and they even bring that style to newer songs, like Alan Jackson's "Living on Love."
This is the Schankman Twins first effort. Buy it. It will make you want more.

The Schankman Twins and brother Mike will be releasing their newest album soon under the Rounder Record label, recorded at Emerald Studios in Nashville. The Twins were also featured on the O Christmas Tree album singing Here Comes Santa Claus and Winter Wonderland, my personal favorite. The cd made the top ten on the Billboard Charts under Bluegrass Albums. Mike played bass and sang harmony. Make sure you check out the nearest record store or www.rounder.com.

All of the songs on this recording, that showcase this duo’s talents, are highlights including "Applejack", "Livin On Love" and "Grandpa Get Your Guitar". And if that is not enough they include an instrumental written by Lauren "Lauren Goes To Town'. Lauren Goes to Town won the Cherrycheesecake Songs hall of Fame award and you can see all the songs listed for those awards at www.cherrycheesecake.com. Sure they have a gimmick, being young, beautiful, blonde, twin sisters may get them noticed but their overwhelming talent will make them stars.

Lauren is an award winning fiddle performer. Lauren developed a desire to study fiddle after first becoming an accomplished pianist by age eleven. She has won many contests including the California Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Goleta California and Southern California's Follow Festival. She is also well known for her sweet harmonies which she sings with her sister Dana. Lauren also writes original compositions and arrangements for the Schankman Twins' band

Dana is an award winning banjo player who developed a love for the banjo and bluegrass music at age ten. She went on to win many contests including at age fourteen the prestigious New York City Banjo and Band Contest, the well known California Topanga Canyon Banjo contest and Southern California's Follows Festival five times in a row.Dana began performing professionally at age fourteen with her twin sister Lauren. She is well known for her driving speed and innovative playing style and her exceptional singing. Dana is endorsed by Deering Banjos. She was featured in the 5-String Quarterly, a Banjo magazine. Dana sings lead and also does original arrangements and compositions for the Schankman Twins' band.

Dana and Lauren, teenage identical twins from Los Angeles, California, have been rapidly gaining notoriety and becoming well known to the bluegrass world since they began performing nationally at age fourteen. The girls have quickly developed a reputation for their driving bluegrass style and sweet sibling harmonies. Their vocals have a beautiful and perfectly blended harmony that only talented identical twin voices can create. They have a unique and exciting exuberance on stage and attract attention wherever they perform. Their recording of Waterbound from their debut album, Duality, has been on the National Bluegrass Survey Charts for the past nine months and is currently in the top ten. A few songs from their album have been chosen as "DJ Hot Picks." Their album has also been on the County Sales "Best Seller" list for many months. The Schankman Twins highly acclaimed album is receiving heavy air play both in the United States and internationally.

The Schankman Twins have appeared on many TV shows including NBC Today in LA, Today in San Diego, participated in a television pilot and at a young age were on the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless sharing the part of Heather. They currently enjoy traveling and performing all over the U.S. at major bluegrass and music festivals. The Twins have also been honored to have been asked to perform on stage many times with noted bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley as his guest. The girls have been frequently written about in many magazines and newspapers such as Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Now, The Boston Herald, and Moonshiner- a Japanese Magazine, to name just a few.

But introducing the Twins without their brother Mike would be remiss. The 19 year old bass player was featured on the song "Shenandoah" from their Duality album at the tender age of 13 years old. A thoughtful and brilliant musician, Michael has his own claim to fame as well. Michael just finished his first independent film, "The Night the Earth Died." He starred in this unique film which will be sent to film festivals and to IFC (Independent Film Channel). He just finished a 3 month tour of America, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, and Canada with The Schankman Twins.

Michael is currently filming another independent film with his production partners. This movie is in the works with a goal of IFC (Independent Film Channel) and numerous film festivals. We will keep you posted on the release date. Michael has already begun work on his first solo album. He is including his original songs, and is very excited to accompany his singing by playing his new up-right electric bass. We are all looking forward to hearing this long awaited release.

On a more personal note, Alan and Vicki Schankman have raised a family which is talented, thoughtful, interesting, motivated, giving, inspirational, compassionate, and so willing to share their talents with others. To me when we meet artists in the field, it speaks volumes about what kind of person they are in their private lives. It is not often today we can look at such emerging artists and say I want to be like them, or would mind our children following their footsteps. I am so thrilled for young people today, that they have such role models to emulate.

For Booking Information

Vicki Schankman (818) 713-0677

P.O. Box 9226

Calabasas, CA 91372