I grew up in north central Indiana the oldest of four – and the only girl. Needless to say, I was quite the tomboy and singing was the farthest thing from my mind. My first recollection of singing was when my dad decided to learn how to play the guitar. He would sit all four of us kids on the couch and make us sing “Down in the
Valley” as he played it on the guitar — over and over. It got so bad that he ended up bribing us with a quarter each to sit there and sing for him!

Fast forward several years. Now with two daughters and a move to Michigan, karaoke was becoming popular. I enjoyed singing along and finally got the courage to get up and try it. To my surprise, people enjoyed it and encouraged me to sing more. Many years later, on my first cruise, I won the Princess Popstar contest singing “Crazy”.

My husband, Kenny, and I moved to The Villages in March 2018. Shortly after, I decided to try out for The Villages Pop Chorus. I didn’t make the chorus (too country they said), but I did meet Rhonda House there (too country also). She encouraged me to come with her to Barb’s Barn and sing. I had never sung with a live band and was very intimidated. But I got up and sang, and with the encouragement I received, I found myself getting more involved and singing at different venues. It was at Barb’s Barn that Rhonda and I discovered that our voices blended well in harmony.

We decided to give this singing thing a go and in October 2021 the “The Village Chicks” duet performed their first show. It was only appropriate that it would be at Barb’s Barn. We have performed together many times since then at The Orange Blossom Opry, Morgan’s Music Junction, driveway parties, and many social clubs.

Never in my wildest imagination did I ever believe I would be living this dream. Moving to The Villages made it possible – and being rejected by the Pops Chorus. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens.