Country Music's Sibling Revelry

12/22/1998 4:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Lisa Zhito

(12/22/98, 1 a.m. PST) - Country music seems to be in the family way these days. No, not that family way--we're talking about siblings of established stars launching their own music careers.

The sibling revelry started with MCA Nashville act Allison Moorer, who is baby sis to country torch singer Shelby Lynne. Now Atlantic recording artist Neal McCoy is in the studio working on his new album, with brother Gary McGaughy singing background vocals on two songs. And next Spring, look for Columbia Nashville to launch its newest act, Montgomery Gentry. The Montgomery in question here is none other than John Michael Montgomery's brother, but the Gentry side of the equation is no relation to Alabama's Teddy Gentry.

So what gives? One theory is that musical ability tends to run in families, which is why sibling acts such as the Kinleys and the Lynns are so prevalent. However, the phenomenon of siblings following their own dreams of stardom is a little less common.

Moorer, who made a splash with "A Soft Place To Fall" in the Robert Redford flick The Horse Whisperer, doesn't like to publicize her own family connection. Moorer got her start working as a background singer for her older sis, but now says that other than learning about the business from Shelby, the family relation is little more than a piece of trivia, as the two have such different musical styles.

Gary McGaughy (brother Neal changed the spelling of his name before hitting it big) now relegates most of his singing to the church choir, though he and Neal used to perform together when they were growing up. But Gary's surprise performance of "Amazing Grace" at Neal's fan club event in 1997 was a huge hit, and the two have been trying to work together ever since.

Gary's vocals can be heard on "Strongest Man In The World" and the title track of Neal's new release, The Life Of The Party. The album is slated for release Jan. 20.

As for Montgomery Gentry, this band features Eddie Montgomery, brother of the aforementioned John Michael. Signed to Columbia for just over a year, the duo's debut, tentatively titled Tattoos & Scars, won't hit shelves until next Summer. Columbia reps say they are still deciding how much to promote Eddie's family relation.

-- Lisa Zhito, Nashville