Business Can't Break Family Bond; Wilkinsons Stick It Out
Calgary Sun (July 3rd, 2002) - Anita Van Wyk
The Wilkinsons are musically homeless, but they couldn't be happier.

At last year's Canadian Country Music Week in Calgary, the family trio announced they had left their label, Warner, and moved to BMG. Steve, Tyler and Amanda have now left BMG.

"They had a different version of who we were. They wanted me to be solo," Amanda tells Sun Country.

"We don't feel like that's something that is in our best interest. We felt better walking away and saying thanks, but no thanks.

"We're not just a group that's been put together; the dynamic is slightly different!"

Ironically, going solo is something Amanda admits could very well happen in the future.

"That decision would have been a natural one and one we would have made on our own."

When asked if the idea of going solo was flattering, the 20-year-old admits it was, but it was also an insult.

"A lot of people could be suckered in by that, but I felt it was unjust. For me, sure it was flattering, but I said 'Hey, wait a second here.' It was a disservice to my dad and brother's talents. They're part of what I do and I'm part of what they do."

Though The Wilkinsons are feeling more "empowered and driven" by the whole ordeal, Amanda admits she feels the business side of the industry is stifling the music.

"You can tell by the music that is getting made now -- it's not great and really homogenized. I think the music side needs to take over more. There needs to be that integrity and excitement.

"Canadian country music, to me, is more exciting than what is happening down south," she says, sighting Paul Brandt's recent self-funded project and Terri Clark's willingness to write with musicians outside Nashville's box.

Amanda is experienced enough to realize fans are dedicated, but also hungry for new music from the family trio. When they play the Silver Dollar Casino July 10, people will want to hear more than just the old hits.

"We've worked two years really hard on projects that didn't come out because of the inner workings and politics of the music industry," she says about the unfinished BMG project and the previous album Shine, a Warner project which was released in the U.K. but not here.

The Wilkinsons are hoping to get Shine out to fans soon: "We'll probably have a Canadian release in the next little while."

It's not surprising both Amanda and Tyler, who just graduated from high school, are thinking of attending university to study the music industry.

"It'll be another leg up," says Amanda.