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Siblings in harmony: this week on The Green Room

Penny (left) and Radel Rosin of Oh Brother Big Sister are out with their first original album.
Dan Wanschura
Penny (left) and Radel Rosin of Oh Brother Big Sister are out with their first original album.

Just a couple years ago, Penny and Radel Rosin were performing in separate bands. The two siblings from Grayling, Michigan had grown up in a musical family and had gotten used to the performance life at an early age. But, being in a band with multiple members and schedules can be difficult to coordinate at times. That was a big reason why Radel eventually approached Penny about creating their own music act.

“Yeah, Del just pretty much just called me up and he said, ‘We’re going to start a duo, and we’re going to call it Oh Brother Big Sister,’” Penny recalls. “And I said, ‘Alright, sounds good.’”

Penny from Oh Brother Big Sister performs during an IPR studio session.
Credit Dan Wanschura
Penny from Oh Brother Big Sister performs during an IPR studio session.

The duo released their first album, We Have It Covered, in 2014. It features live studio performances of a half-dozen cover songs. Earlier this year, they came out with their second album, Thanks & Praise. It’s a collection of 12 original songs. Radel says the group feels very blessed with how they’ve grown as a music group the past couple years.

“We’re very thankful for that,” he says. “And that’s kind of where the title track comes from the album, Thanks & Praise, because we like to show thanks and praise to everyone that supports our music, and where we’re at." 

Radel Rosin of Oh Brother Big Sister sings and plays guitar at IPR.
Credit Dan Wanschura
Radel Rosin of Oh Brother Big Sister sings and plays guitar at IPR.

Penny and Radel get questions all the time about the dynamics of the siblings playing and touring together. Some people have a hard time wrapping their mind around the fact that they are brother and sister, and actually get along.

“Penny takes her roles and I take my roles, and we work it out together,” says Radel. Occasionally a little argument will spring up, but Penny says it’s usually over something, “really stupid.”

You can see Oh Brother Big Sister perform in Traverse City tonight at Bonobo Winery at 7:00pm. They also have a show tomorrow night at the Grand Traverse Distillery Tasting Room, also at 7:00pm. For more details, click here.

While in studio, Penny and Radel performed their newest song yet— so new, in fact that it’s not on their new album. It’s called Michigan Daydream, and highlights the duo's love for their home state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7S2rN5eAMc&feature=youtu.be

Dan Wanschura is the Host and Executive Producer of Points North.