How did we become involved in music?
Deanne Logan: My Dad was a professional musician playing in the bars at age 17 when I was born. By the time I was 10, I was headlining bands with him. I sang and played fiddle professionally through my childhood and teenage years going on to tour with the Idaho Bluegrass Special (a progressive band of three teenage brothers and myself). I come from very musical families on both sides and grew up jamming and performing with them. All of my parents were always there supporting me through the journey.
LeAnn Cooley: I grew up in a very musical family in Redding CA. Grandpa Austin was a preacher with 9 children who all performed musically. This meant there were a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles and we ALL jammed and played music. One of my fondest memories as a child is sitting in the car with my mom and her sisters singing four-part harmony. My father, who plays the guitar beautifully, was very inspirational to me and introduced me to the wonderful sound and stylings of Chet Atkins. My mom, Esther Harper-Stryker is a multi-instrumentalist and still performs in Redding, CA to this day. She's a firecracker! Currently, I can see the effect that music has on my own children and I cannot wait to see what they do with their passions!
How has music played a part in our lives?
Deanne: Music has been the root of my passions all my life. I was raised to play music and was always expected to carry that on through the rest of my like. Although I did not play professionally for quite a few years, it was always how I identified myself, as a musician. Now that I am performing again, I know it is what I was meant to do and be and never want to let it go again. Music is an emotional, creative, and personal outlet for me. It shows who we really are deep down inside.
LeAnn: For me, music is a form of bonding and communication. I love being around musicians because I feel like we are speaking the same language. It’s a special language that comes from the soul and I love to see how special rhythms, lyrics, and arrangements can lift a person's sprit!
How did The Vagabonds form?
Deanne and LeAnn, born exactly 5 weeks apart, met in the bathroom at the 2009 Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. Who knew they would become such great friends and musical partners!
