Snodland musical duo McCrei - Shannon and Leanne McCree - spotted by Amy Winehouse producer Alan Glass
12:01, 07 December 2014
A pair of sisters who write and sing their own songs are recording their first album with a producer who has worked with Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and The Lighthouse Family.
Teenagers Shannon and Leanne McCree, from Saltings Road, Snodland, were spotted by Alan Glass through their Facebook page – which has more than 40,500 likes.
Impressed by what he saw, Mr Glass is now helping them record their debut album at his private studio in Enfield.
Younger sister Leanne, who is in Year 11 at Wrotham school, fronts the duo, called McCrei. Her talents were first spotted by her father Mark McCree when she performed Mariah Carey’s Hero at a school show when she was in Year 7.
“I love playing on stage with my sister, it’s not weird at all. We get to practise a lot at home too so that’s a bonus” - Leanne McCree
She said: “I love playing on stage with my sister, it’s not weird at all. We get to practise a lot at home too so that’s a bonus.”
Older sister Shannon, who is 17, accompanies her on guitar, bass, piano and backing vocals.
The music technology student at Mid Kent College in Gillingham said: “It’s nice to work with Leanne and really exciting.
“I’m really looking forward to next year. We have some big shows lined up and are going to keep working to get our album right so we have something to give our fans.”
The pair, who perform soul music, have played at over 250 gigs since their first show at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells.
Their music has so far taken them as far away as Sheffield and Wales and they are booked to perform in Germany next year.
They are currently unsigned but were briefly with Zebra 1 last year – a label that has worked with the Spice Girls, Sugababes, Christina Aguilera and Macy Gray.
Despite recording a few songs, none were released.
One of their songs from an upcoming album, called I’m Missing You, will also feature in a film called Last Rounds, which is expected to be released in February.
It is hoped that eight songs will be complete on their album before Christmas with the remainder recorded by the end of January.
A release date has not been set but four songs are available to hear on their website.