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SWEET POTATO PIE'S nEW aLBUM – JOURNEY CALLED LIFE
(by Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, August 2010)

On their Website the “Pies” say this about their music: “The Pie has created a new style called ‘sweetgrass’, which includes elements of country, classical, blues and bluegrass.” It’s an apt description of the rich vocals and clean picking that these women bring to their music. Opening with an a cappella version of “My Lord What A Morning,” the second track is another gem, and the original “Lift Me Up” from Sonya Stead (their guitar player who wrote six of the numbers on this project). Missy Pyne contributed two numbers, and banjo picker Crystal Richardson contributed one. They draw some material from sources as diverse as A.P. Carter and Curtis Mayfield.

The full vocals prevail throughout and tasteful instrumental work showcases the singing. There is definitely a smooth contemporary edge to their music. The music here is spiritual with a theme that is Christian, without being overly didactic. Their songs tell stories with morals. Whether they are singing their hearts out or picking in support of each other, the Pies give it their heartfelt best. This is a fine release that should spread the good word about these ladies and their fine music.

 

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NOTHING'S THE SAME
(By Les McIntyre, Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, August 2009)

Sweet Potato Pie is a relatively new band on the bluegrass scene featuring Sonya Stead (guitar, vocals), Missy Pyne (mandolin and vocals), Ashley Davis (fiddle) and Kevin Richardson (bass). The band has the potential to evolve into a significant voice in bluegrass music. The most promising aspect of their style is the precise vocal harmonies throughout the entire production. Eight of the thirteen selections are band member originals including “Bluegrass Girls”, “Runaway Train”, “Carolina Kisses”, and “Help My Unbelief”. Also featured are fine arrangements of “The Sweetest Gift”, “Daddy’s Hands”, and Jim & Jesse’s “Pardon Me”. Sweet Potato Pie has created an impressive array of music that should enhance their reputation.

 

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NOTHING'S THE SAME
(by Kevin Kerfoot, Bluegrass Music Profiles, July/August 2009)

Formed in 2000, Sweet Potato Pie is Sonya Stead, guitar/vocals; Missy Pyne, mandolin vocals; Crystal Richardson, banjo/vocals' Ashley Davis, fiddle. From the orange artwork and CD that resembles a sweet potato pie to the song writing, voices, harmonies and instrumentation, everything here is sweet!

Favorites include Bluegrass Girl, an original anthem; the up-tempo ad cute Sweet Potato Jingle -since the girls are sponsored by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Growers; Now That You're Gone, featuring guest Andy Ball and Skip Cherryholmes; the up-tempo Runaway Train, featuring guest Rick Keen (Dobro), Steve Dilling (mandolin) and Kevin Richardson (guitar); the gentle love ballad Carolina Kisses; and the banjo-driven 500 Miles-the story of Sonya's confederate great, great, great grandfather. These girls play, sing and write great bluegrass!

 

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PATCHES OF BLUE
(by http://www.talentondisplay.com/joeross.html)

Calling their music "sweetgrass," the four women and one man in Sweet Potato Pie approach the bluegrass genre with a relaxed, refreshing, folksy twang. While their instrumental foundation has a traditional string cornerstone, their repertoire and vocals also incorporate elements of country, classical, blues and original music. The sweet potato seeds were first planted in early 2000 when the trio of Sonya Stead (guitar), Penny Oman (banjo) and Angela Murphy (bass) decided to start picking together. Sonya had grown up on classic country music, loved to sing with her guitar-playing father, played piano and directed music at her church. Penny got involved with music later in life at her church. She's been playing banjo for less than a decade and is having more fun than most people can imagine. On this CD, a reworked and personalized version of Sonny Osborne's "Me and My Old Banjo" becomes "Penny's Banjo," a tribute to her new found love. Angela holds two degrees in music, and spent over 20 years as a teacher and social worker with the Sisters of St. Joseph religious order in Illinois before embarking on a career change and moving to Raleigh, NC to work in sales and customer service.

In 2002, "The Pie" added a forth member, Dobro-player Kevin Hopkins. While he'd been out of music for 15 years, he was ready for another band project after having formerly played with Flat Rock, New Dixie Grass, Nothin' Doin' Band, Run of the Mill Band, New Vintage and Carolina Junction. Later that same year, Missy Pyne joined the group. A pianist and singer for years, she added mandolin and bass to her instrumental achievements since joining Sweet Potato Pie. Sonya, Missy and Kevin ably handle the band's vocals. Like a mountain bluebird, Missy sings through Sonya's original compositions and closes the album with a rousing rendition of Patsy Montana's yodeling classic, "Cowboy Sweetheart." Sonya sings lead on "Arizona" and "Penny's Banjo" and harmony vocals on the remainder.

"Patches of Blue" contains seven original tunes and features guest fiddler Randolyn Emerson, whose classical training brings a new dimension to the music. Other guests are Steve Dilling, who recorded the group and spiced things up with a few banjo, mandolin and guitar licks. Paul Emerson (viola) and Phil Warren (cello) played on the faith-filled tune "Keep A Watch." Besides a pound of the vegetable, the recipe for North Carolina Sweet Potato Pie also calls for softened butter, white sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. In a similar way, this band fills the pie crust with an appealing and eclectic mixture of bluegrass (Arizona, Penny's Banjo), Texas-style fiddling (Beaumont Rag), Gypsy fiddling (Katelyn Grey), folk pop (Cowboy Man), and classic country (Crazy, Tennessee Waltz, Cowboy's Sweetheart). Of course, this band also believes in God, and they present both traditional and original spiritually-tinged gospel music (Stars in my Crown, Knock, Keep A Watch). Sweet Potato Pie's music comes across as both unpretentious and affable on this appealing debut project. I think they would be particularly entertaining live at regional fairs and festivals where we can appreciate their singularly impressive talents that have now been channeled into a tastefully sweet bluegrass mélange. The group is sponsored by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, and that organization's mascot (Spencer Sweet Potato) will be at many of their gigs along with some mouth watering pies! Besides being wives, moms, teachers and business women, members of Sweet Potato Pie can also proudly declare that they are solid bluegrass musicians. (Joe Ross)

 

    BOOKING INFORMATION: Sonya 919.649.5603 or piepan@bellsouth.net