Sweetheart Sister

Lawrence Durrell once wrote that “music is only love looking for words”.  Such a quote epitomizes the very essence of our lives.  Love has been a solid strand within our families since the very beginning.  This overpowering love has encompassed itself within the magical strands of the music we have both written and sang.  We have strengthened our bonds to each other in the words we sing and have dedicated our lives to living through their meanings.  Singing has allowed us to pour out our feelings and stand together in unity.  Through trials and tribulations music has been that profound flicker of light that dances through our souls.  Together, as sisters, song has been the commanding and vigilant voice of perseverance, courage and faith. 

As three sisters who share each others talents, we drew off one another.  As little girls we could be heard harmonizing records in the silence our rooms.  We were blessed with parents who knew we could make our dreams come true and became our rock of strength throughout the years.  Their praise and encouragement gave us the confidence we needed to continue.  During our childhood years music became our culture, our tradition, and our legacy.  We began with singing in church choirs, weddings and performed for different fundraisers.  In our teenage years we often performed with a local group, “Terry Roberts and Deans”.  We were then known as the “Lafreniere Sisters”.  We performed every Saturday in a matinee show at a local restaurant while on Sunday we traveled to local hospitals, prisons and nursing homes.  We were a part of the Lions Telethon for many years as singers and backup singers. 

When we recorded our first cd, “Deep in the Heart” our producer was Robert Metzger.  He would always refer to us as his sweethearts and from then on we became the “Sweetheart Sisters”.  We recorded our second cd, “Aux bout de no reves” in 2001 and we are in the process of recording our third cd which will include 13 English and 4 French songs.  Music is what really kept us together all of our lives and especially in hard times.  Our father passed away last November from cancer and our sister Diane was also diagnosed with cancer.  After going through two operations and one whole year of treatments, she is now in remission.  The excellent care that she received from doctors, nurses, and staff at the Cancer Center helped her get through the bad times.  Now we feel that we can give back by doing this cd and having all profits donated to The Northern Ontario Cancer Center Special Needs Funds.  We will be releasing this cd September 20th, 2008 and hope you will enjoy listening while supporting a great cause.  This cd will be made available at the Cancer Center and on-line at www.sweetheartsisters.com. 

Cancer has touched our lives in many different ways during the course of the last couple of years.  Although it has taken away some wonderful friends and family members it has not left us empty. A deep and enduring love for those who have and are still battling remains.  Every note, every melody, every strand that we produce is created with a dream for all of us: that we go through the fog and darkness, always seeing the cascade of shimmering light that trickles through our very being.  This is the light that God has touched us with, the eternal light that can be seen, heard and felt through every one of life’s songs.  Finally, we realize that many of us have been burdened with the heavy weight of cancer.  This disease has far reaching effects that have left many void of energy to fight, but we hope our cause will enlighten you, and give you strength to conquer your fears and fill your spirit with a song of hope. We hope that our music will remind you that even though some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. ~Emory Austin.