Biography

Stand Up
written by Sonya Stead and Crystal Richardson
musicians:
Sonya Stead - guitar
Crystal Richardson - banjo
Sandy Whitely - bass
Tori Jones - fiddle
Kevin Richardson - lead guitar, mandolin
Dexter Horton - drums


Produced by Clyde Mattocks and Sweet Potato Pie
Recorded by Mike Rose @ Audio Farms Recording Studio




We feel so blessed to live in the United States of America. This nation was founded on the basic principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It was won by those who took up arms to secure our rights and maintained by those who continue to fight for our freedoms. Our ancestors were part of those who stood up and were willing to lay down their lives in defense of our nation. It is the banner they have fought under, it is the banner that hangs in our most hallowed halls, it drapes the caskets of the fallen, it is raised as our Olympians take the winner’s podium and it looks back at us from the far reaches of space. When the national anthem is played, we love to hear the chorus of voices singing …“Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o’vr the land of the free and the home of the brave”.

This song was written with one simple thought…Stand Up. Stand up for the red, white and blue. Stand up for the values we hold true. May we honor those who serve and have served our great nation and Stand.

Sweet Potato Pie is a premiere all female band that has been entertaining audiences for nearly two decades with their classy blend of Americana, Bluegrass, Country and Gospel music mixed together in a style they call “sweetgrass”. Radio and TV are well acquainted with their “angelic” vocals from appearances on PBS, the Food Network and worldwide radio broadcasts. Hailed as the “Lennon Sisters of Bluegrass”, their show revolves around their beautiful 3-part harmonies, hard driving instrumentals and down home humor and story telling. With classic songs from Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs and other legends mixed with their chart topping original songs, audiences are in for a sensational night of family entertainment. The Pie has 7 CD’s to their credit which includes the #1 Album on Bluegrass APD charts and #3 Album on the Holiday APD charts. Their newest classic country CD released November 2015. It charted #1 on the APD Country Chart for November.

The group is sponsored in part by the NC Sweet Potato Growers . Their relationship with the agricultural industry provides them with unique opportunities to promote agriculture as they sing their way around the country. Their music was selected in 2015 for use in elementary classrooms to teach students about North Carolina’s agricultural crops. Sweet Potato Pie’s performance style and music is featured in various high school music curriculums in the state.

After seeing the band perform, Bill Wilson, Director, COMMA Auditorium, Morganton, NC wrote: “Sweet Potato Pie should be on the plate of about any performing arts series that wants to serve up the tastiest concert on its menu. This homegrown, all female band dishes out a fresh and bountiful variety of music that is sure to please the palates of all who are willing to take a bite. Their music is rich both in blue and new-grass, coupled with a spirited southern heart and good clean fun for the entire family.”

Band members include: Sonya Stead -guitar (Cary, NC), Crystal Richardson - banjo (Seagrove, NC) , Sandy Whitely -bass (Albemarle, NC), Tori Jones -fiddle (Linwood, NC).