The band and our families

The girls in this band have the greatest families. When we see Brenda's family we get homemade desserts. Sarah's family brings us veggies. Rachel's family brings us cookies. My family gives us gift bags. And then we go to see Alex's family and we get live music. We had such a great time when we went to New York. We had a huge slumber party at Alex's house and had a cookout and then the neatest thing happened. Alex's mom and grandmother are very talented...(now we know where she gets it)....So Alex's mom had written a song and the girls in the band and her family gathered around the piano and sang. It was so awesome to see a family welcoming us into their home and then everybody singing together. We did everything from "YMCA" to "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." It was one of the best times I have ever had. We have a little resume that will let you know a little more about Barbara (Alex's mom) and Jan(Alex's grandmother). I wish every family could have moments like this. Thank you both so much for letting us into your home and making us feel a part of the family!.....Tobi Lee


Jan Rankin (Alex's grandmother)...written by Alex's mom, Barbara Rankin (Nolan)
Mom lived in NYC in the 1940's while my dad (Alex's grandpa) was overseas during WWII...she studied voice and was cast as a chorus member, dancing and singing in a production of "The Merry Widow" from 1943-1944 on Broadway. She was also in a production of "Oklahoma" on tour as a chorus member. She left professional theater after the war to raise her 4 children with my dad in Ohio, then in Buffalo, New York, but always remained involved in music and musical theater. She sang as a soprano soloist in my churches while we were growing up, and had starring roles in community theater. She also sang with her sister, Mary, for church events, special community events, and of course, always at family reunions. After 62 years, her musical career came full circle, as she sang in the chorus of a production of "The Merry Widow" last fall with the Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater in the Hudson River Valley where she now lives. Music has been very good to Mom, and it goes without saying...Mom has been wonderful for music wherever she has been!

Me...
I was a theater major at SU and studied voice, too...toured with a musical show group for a year, performing throught the Northeast...sang for years with a jazz group out of Buffalo, NY that toured mostly the East Coast called The New Wave. I've done musical theater in regional theaters and most recently in the Hudson Valley have starred in such shows as "The King and I," "My Fair Lady," and "A Little Night Music." I performed in NYC in cabaret in many night clubs for 10 years, and currently have my own one woman show called "Barbara Rankin: Broadway and Beyond" (sounds like Buzz Lightyear, huh?!!! from Toy Story!!!)...I currently do plays and musical theater and have written 2 musicals for children's theater, which I hope to produce!

This is Alex's mom playing piano and Brenda, Jan, and Lisa around the piano.....Thanks Barbara...........Tobi