The Whitmore Sisters Continue to Fly Together Despite Challenges

If you happen to pick up a copy of the album Ghost Stories by the indie-country group The Whitmore Sisters, brace yourself for some soul-stirring sibling harmony!

Three years after their debut together, Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore say they are still recording, writing, and playing venues together—despite having no plans for a follow-up album.

“We have this bi-monthly residency at Gold Diggers here in Los Angeles [venue] called Mastersons & Friends,” explains Eleanor. The sisters enjoy performing with some of their favorite artists, including Eleanor’s husband and music partner, Chris Masterson [The Mastersons].

“We have various guests join us each time. Some of the big highlights have been Jackson Browne, Dave Alvin, Shooter Jennings, and many others.”

“We both have a lot of other projects outside of [The Whitmore Sisters],” shares the duo’s vocalist, keyboardist, and fiddle player. “I have been doing some session work in and around Los Angeles. I recently did a taping with Elvis Costello for Words and Music.”

Younger sister Bonnie says she is also busy with session work. “I have been playing a lot of bass, which is nice! I work on solo stuff when not playing with Kelly Willis and Scrappy Jud Newcomb.” The Austin singer-songwriter has added an all-star tribute celebrating the anniversary of Wilco’s AM to her list. “My ADHD has been triggered lately from bouncing around from so many different projects,” she laughs.

The sisters agree that today’s music business is a challenge.

“I don’t think that live music has fully recovered after COVID,” observes Eleanor. “I think many of our fans, especially the older ones, have gone on to different habits. They are watching TV shows instead of going to clubs because COVID is still going around.”

Bonnie adds that records are not making money for performers. “I don’t know the exact number, but I know it’s over four thousand spins [plays] on Spotify that equates to fifteen dollars—not for one song but for an entire album.”

Prices have gone up for manufacturing and distribution.

“We have to buy our records from the record company,” shares Eleanor. “The last time we checked, the prices have gone up for ordering our own music. There is usually a price per unit in your contract—that’s pretty standard across the board.”

“You hope that you sell it all and didn’t order too much; otherwise, you’re sitting on it,” says Eleanor about printing CDs. “We have to figure out how to make creating music more affordable, or people aren’t going to be able to do it for a living.”

Born and raised in Denton, Texas, the Whitmore Sisters, both licensed pilots, share an upbringing filled with aviation and music.

“In our family, you have to sing, play an instrument, and fly an airplane,” jokes Eleanor. “Dad is a pilot and still teaches. Mom is also a pilot.”

“I flew solo when I was sixteen and got my license when I was seventeen,” Eleanor recalls. “I was soloing when I was sixteen,” shares Bonnie, “but I didn’t get my license until I was in my thirties.”

“It’s kind of fascinating because our parents have drastically different styles and always tried to find songs they could do together,” Eleanor shares about their musical parents. “Joan Baez seemed to be a good meeting point for them.” Bonnie joins in, “Gordon Lightfoot was another favorite! I always found it interesting that when we were young, we didn’t know the songs our dad sang were by other artists like Bob Dylan.”

Eleanor and Bonnie both credit their mom for their singing.

“I wouldn’t have my classical training if it wasn’t for my mom,” explains Eleanor, sharing that her mom is an opera singer. “I don’t think we would sing like we do without our mom’s influence.”

Bonnie had no desire to play the same instrument. “I could tell at a very young age how talented my older sister was at violin. I didn’t want to be in direct competition with my sister.” The youngest of the two recalls turning the violin upside down. “I would play it more like a cello. My dad eventually put me on bass guitar in his band.”

Eleanor and Bonnie agree that they won’t repeat their debut album when the time comes. “We don’t want to recreate the same record,” explains Bonnie. “We don’t know what the next record is going to be, but we want the creative efforts that we have together to continue.”