Home T The Wilkinsons


The Wilkinsons

Members:

Amanda Wilkinson
Steve Wilkinson
Tyler Wilkinson

Born:

 

Origin:

Trenton, Ontario

Years active:

1998–present

Labels:

Giant
Warner Bros. Nashville
BNA
Open Road
Fontana North
Angeline

Coming soon
403
discuss
Phoots comi...
Image Detail Image Download

The Wilkinsons is a country music trio from Trenton, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the group comprises lead singer Amanda Wilkinson, her brother Tyler Wilkinson, and their father, Steve Wilkinson. The Wilkinsons achieved success late in 1998 with the hit single "26 Cents", a Number One on the Canadian country music charts and Top 5 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. It was followed by "Fly (The Angel Song)", also a #1 in Canada.

Although their U.S. success waned after "26 Cents", The Wilkinsons have continued to have singles in the charts in Canada. Lead singer Amanda Wilkinson has also created several solo recordings in addition to her career in The Wilkinsons.

Steve Wilkinson was born on August 18, 1955 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Before the country trio was formed, he was struggling to make ends meet after he lost his job at a nuclear power plant due to downsizing. He took menial jobs in order to provide for his family, but his real passion was music. Their success in the music world began in 1998 when The Wilkinsons moved to the heart of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. Steve and his wife, Christine, along with their three children Amanda, Tyler and Kiaya arrived in Nashville with an old 1982 yellow Cadillac pulling a tent trailer and with $17,000 to their name.

They performed at an Atlanta club for an investor showcase where Mark Wills asked if he could perform "26 Cents". Steve turned down the offer made by Wills, though he regretted his decision during the four hour drive back to Nashville. However, Steve’s regret was short lived when Reese Wilson invited the group to sing in Nashville’s famous Broken Spoke nightclub. The Wilkinsons amazed the crowd and a record company bidding war commenced. They had been in Nashville for just ten days. While the war ensued, the group met and sang for Vince Gill. Gill was moved to tears by fifteen-year-old Amanda’s powerful voice and surprised the trio by inviting them to sing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Gill accompanied The Wilkinsons with the song "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry". Shortly after, the group signed with Giant Records.