Page 50 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2021 Issue

Review by Scott Wikle
www.facebook.com/mykindofcountrymkoc

Jeannie and Royce Kendall, the father and daughter duo of The Kendalls,
created a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary country music, sparked
by Jeannie’s soaring, sensuous vocals. Her voice, a high lonesome honky-tonk,
has a beautiful range that drips pure emotion.

The Kendalls recorded their first album at Stop Records and released a single
in 1970 with a cover song written by John Denver, "Leaving On A Jet Plane."
The Kendalls’ version barely missed the top 50 on U.S. country charts.

The duo signed with Dot Records in 1972 and released an album and two
singles, "Two Divided By Love" and "Everything I Own." They signed with the
Ovation Label in 1977. Their first single on Ovation was "Making Believe" and it
hit the country charts. But it was The Kendalls’ 2nd single on Ovation called
"Heaven's Just A Sin Away" that was their breakthrough. The song topped the
charts and was a crossover hit and won a 1978 Grammy for “Best Country Duo
or Group.” Interesting enough, it was the B side of the release! Following hits
"Just Like Real People," "It Don't Feel Like Sinning To Me," "Sweet Desire,"
"You'd Make An Angel Want To Cheat," and "Put it Off Until Tomorrow," the duo
signed with Mercury Records with several hits. "Teach Me To Cheat," "If You're
Waiting On Me," made it to the top 10, "Moving Train" and "Precious Love,"
made the top 20, and "Thank God for The Radio" went to #1. Their recording
repertoire includes a long list of 22 top 40's, 11 top 10's, 3 #1 HITS!!!

Changing tastes in country music meant that their last Top 40 hit came in 1985,
and although the Kendalls continued to record for several different labels into
the late '80s, their hit making run was over. They continued to tour, however,
and for a time, took up residency in Branson, MO. In 1997, they signed with
Rounder Records and began work on a new, bluegrass-flavored album, but
Royce died of a stroke on May 22, 1998.

In the years since her father's death, Jeannie pursued a solo career, recording
two solo albums. She continued to tour with her husband Mack Watkins, who
took over for Royce singing harmony and also playing lead guitar. Sadly, Mack
also passed away in 2012. In 2018, Jeannie was inducted into the North
American Country Music Association International Hall of Fame.