The Ennis Sisters
Canadian family trio from Newfoundland, active since 1997.
The Ennis Sisters are a trio of siblings from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, who have been performing together since 1997. The group—Maureen, Karen, and Teresa Ennis—blends Celtic, folk rock, roots, and country pop music. They first gained attention in the late 1990s after their debut album, *Red is the Rose*, sold over 40,000 copies and was named Best Folk Album by the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. In 1999, *Maclean’s* magazine listed them among Canada’s top 100 young people to watch. The sisters won a Juno Award in 2002 for Best New Country Artist/Group and have collected several East Coast Music Awards over their career.
The sisters began making music as children, encouraged by their parents, John and Ceilie. Their first album came out on June 25, 1997, selling 15,000 copies in its first 18 months. By the end of that year, it earned the Best Folk Album award from the local music industry association, and the following year the group won Female Artists of the Year and Group of the Year from the same organization. Their second album, *Christmas on Ennis Road*, was released in 1998 and led to a CBC Christmas special called *An Ennis Road Christmas*.
In 2000, they released *Three*, which won Album of the Year from both the East Coast Music Association and the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. That spring, they began working with manager Andre Bourgeois, who also managed Natalie MacMaster. At the 2001 ECMA Awards in Charlottetown, they were named Roots/Traditional Group of the Year, and that same weekend they signed a two-album deal with Warner Music Canada. They recorded their major-label debut with producer Tim Thorney at Great Big Music Studios.
Their self-titled fourth album came out on October 9, 2001. The first single, “It’s Not About You,” reached the top five on Canadian country radio and the top ten on adult contemporary charts, with a video airing on MuchMoreMusic and CMT. In 2002, Maureen won a SOCAN award for top-grossing Canadian country song of the year for the second single, “I’d Never Walk Away.” That same year, the group won the Juno for Best New Country Artist/Group and was again named Group of the Year at the ECMAs.
In August 2002, they signed a U.S. distribution deal with Rounder Records, re-releasing their latest album as *It’s Not About You* on April 15, 2003.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Origin
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Genre
- Celtic music / Folk rock / Roots music / Country pop
- Years Active
- 1997–present
- Label
- Ennis Sisters / (2000) · Warner Canada / (2004) · Rounder Records / (2003) · Open Road / (2007)
- Current Members
- Maureen Ennis / Karen Ennis / Teresa Ennis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Ennis Sisters, Maureen, Karen, and Teresa, started playing music at a young age, encouraged by their father John and their mother Ceilie. They released their first album, 'Red is the Rose', on June 25, 1997. The album sold 15,000 copies within 18 months and has sold more than 40,000 units. By the end of the year, it was named Best Folk Album by the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador. The following year, they received Female Artists of the Year and Group of the Year awards from the MIA.
Their second album, 'Christmas on Ennis Road', was released in 1998 and led to a CBC Christmas special, 'An Ennis Road Christmas'. In 1999, Maclean's magazine named them one of the Top 100 young Canadians to watch. Their third album, 'Three', was released in 2000 and won Album of the Year from the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador, while also earning them the ECMA Roots/Traditional Group of the Year award.
Reader's Guide
The Ennis Sisters are significant as a family group that brought Newfoundland folk and Celtic-influenced music to a national and international audience. Their debut album 'Red is the Rose' sold over 40,000 copies and won Best Folk Album from the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador, establishing them as a major act in Canadian roots music. Their Juno Award in 2002 for Best New Country Artist/Group marked a crossover into country pop, while their multiple East Coast Music Awards reflect sustained regional acclaim. The group's ability to blend Celtic, folk rock, roots, and country pop genres, along with their major-label signing with Warner Music Canada and U.S. distribution through Rounder Records, demonstrates their broad appeal. Their legacy includes a CBC Christmas special and recognition by Maclean's magazine as top young Canadians. The Ennis Sisters remain a notable example of successful regional artists achieving national prominence while maintaining their Newfoundland identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are The Ennis Sisters?
They are a Canadian sibling trio made up of Maureen, Karen, and Teresa Ennis, all from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. The three sisters have been performing together as a group since 1997.
What kind of music does The Ennis Sisters make?
Their sound is a blend of Celtic melodies, folk rock, roots, and country pop, all tied together with close family harmonies. This mix gives them a distinctly Newfoundland flavor while still fitting into broader country and folk traditions.
What major award has The Ennis Sisters won?
In 2002, the trio was recognized with the Juno Award for Best New Country Artist/Group, a major milestone that cemented their place in Canadian music.
What was The Ennis Sisters's debut album and how did it do?
Their first record, *Red is the Rose*, came out in the late 1990s and went on to sell more than 40,000 copies. It also earned a Best Folk Album honour from the Music Industry Association of Newfoundland & Labrador.
Why are The Ennis Sisters notable in Canadian music?
Beyond their Juno win, Maclean's magazine named them to its list of Canada's top 100 young people to watch in 1999, highlighting their early impact on the country-folk scene. As a family act rooted in Newfoundland, they brought a distinctive regional voice to a national audience.
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