Regina Regina

A well-manicured, airbrushed duo of female country singers, the participants in Regina Regina were named ‘the Thelma and Louise of country music’ in 1996 by the head of their record label, James Stroud. Regina Leigh (b. 29 March 1968) and Regina Nicks were brought to his attention after both had initially contemplated solo careers. Leigh had been singing backing vocals for Reba McEntire for three years, while Nicks had been McEntire’s and her husband’s personal assistant. However, the two Reginas did not decide to work together professionally until they met during a lunch break in producer Willy Wilson’s office and sang ‘Amazing Grace’ together. After that, they told Billboard magazine in 1996, ‘we never looked back’. Wilson forwarded a cassette to Stroud, who was immediately impressed by the duo’s ability to match each other’s phrasing, pitch and harmonies - so much so that he initially thought they were sisters. They began work on their debut album in March 1996, using material written by Gary Burr/ Tom Shapiro, Patty Smythe and Tia Sellers. Leigh explained that they had chosen ‘strong women’s songs. They’re songs that women can identify with’. As one radio programmer wryly observed, ‘ Brooks And Dunn may have competition in the duo category now’, although their album received mixed reviews upon release.
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