The Higgins

Members

History

The Higgins grew up in Delta, British Columbia, as 3 of the 7 siblings in their Irish/Hungarian family. They began singing as young children, performing in local musicals and schools. They developed as musicians, matured as individuals, and committed their lives perfecting their music. The band's earliest incarnation included younger brother James, on drums, and their sister Mary on vocals. Mary left the group in 2005, in order to pursue other interests.

Musical Influences

The Higgins musical influences come from Emmylou Harris, Fleetwood Mac, the Dixie Chicks, The Corrs, James Taylor, Celtic, deep South traditional forms of folk, blues and country. They write, arrange and accompany themselves on a variety of both modern and traditional songs.

Overcoming Adversity

In 1998, John broke his back in a workplace accident, when a forklift crushed him in a bottle-recycling plant. It made him a wheelchair user for almost a year. Formerly a basketball hopeful, the 16-year-old had to find something else to do. A friend lent him a battered, acoustic, steel-string guitar while he was in his wheelchair, and he and his sisters taught each other to play. After John’s recovery, the group worked hard on developing their distinctive sound, and discovered they had a creative skill for songwriting.

John later became a spokesperson for WorkSafeBC, an organization dedicated to workplace safety. The Higgins performed at the WorkSafeBC 50th Anniversary, in June 2008.

Personal life

Just before their Canadian debut album, Real Thing, was released in June 2008, two-thirds of The Higgins had weddings. John was married in April, his new wife travelling with the group, working behind the scenes. Eileen followed suit and married in May 2008, though her new husband generally stays home while The Higgins go on tour.

In December 2008, Eileen announced on The Higgins' Myspace blog, that she and her husband Blake are expecting the birth of their first child in late February 2009. On March 1, 2009 Eileen gave birth to a girl, Lauren Marie (6 lbs 6oz).

2006

In September 2006, they were honored with their own star on the Merritt Mountain Music Festival's Walk of Stars, in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada. Each year the town features a giant festival of the country music industry's top performers. Past performers include Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood.

In November 2006, The Higgins were invited to represent Canada at the Guangdong International Tourism & Cultural Festival in China. For a week, they performed in places such as the 60,000 seat capacity Tian-He Stadium, and the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, in Guangzhou, China.

They also performed at the British Columbia Country Music Association Awards, after they were nominated for Country Group/Duo of the Year 2006.

2007

In 2007, The Higgins were nominated again with the BCCMA's , this time in 3 categories : Entertainer of The Year, Group/Duo of The Year, and the Gaylord Wood Memorial Award for traditional country performers.

2008

The Higgins "Flower Child" video was nominated in April 2008, for a LEO Award in the "Best Best Music Video" Category.

In September 2008, The Higgins presented at the 2008 Canadian Country Music Association Awards Show. Eileen Higgins took home a CCMA All-Star Band Award (Special Instrument Category – Mandolin), from the event. The Higgins were also nominated as CCMA Band/Duo of The Year, which later went to the songwriters of their hit single "Real Thing" : Deric Ruttan, Chris Thorsteinson and Dave Wasyliw (both of Country Group Doc Walker).

In October 2008, The Higgins won 6 BCCMA Awards : Album of the Year (Real Thing), Group of the Year, Single of the Year (Flower Child), SOCAN Song of the Year (Flower Child), Video of the Year (Stephano Barberis for Flower Child), and Roots/Canadiana Group of the Year.

2008 also brought The Higgins as nominations for a CRMA, and an Indie Award.

2009

In July 2009, The Higgins were nominated for 3 Canadian Country Music Associations (CCMA) Awards: Group/Duo of the Year, Roots Artist of the Year, and Eileen, for Special Instrument (Mandolin).

Their album "Real Thing" was also nominated for a 2009 Western Canadian Music Award, (Country Album of the Year).

Media

The Higgins performed at the 4th Annual Merritt Walk of Stars Gala, in June 2007, aired on CMT. This was their third year in a row they've performed at the ceremonies.

In 2006, the group made a music video (of their song "Hey Jamie"), for the CBC Television show "Make Some Noise". Other media appearances for 2006 included, CBC, Global TV, CityTV, CMT, CFJC-TV7

In February 2008, The Higgins released their first music video for "Flower Child", directed by award winning director Stephano Barberis to CMT Canada. It peaked at No. 3 on the network's Chevy Cross Canada Countdown in June 2008. Their videos for "Real Thing" (in 2008), and "Second Hand Car"(in 2009) were also directed by Barberis, and both reached No. 3 on the countdown.