Toby Keith Your Smile

The family that plays together ...

It had been a long time since Virginia Pendleton picked up a fiddle. Grade school, in fact. In the sixth grade, she was first chair violin in Tulsa's all-city orchestra.

Years later, when Virginia decided to get her toddlers Marina and Emma Jane involved in the arts, she chose the violin for them, too.

As a family, "I thought, 'This would be a fun thing to do.' "

The kids started learning classic violin, that, when played correctly, becomes a fiddle. Their first instruments were "box fiddles" made of cardboard when they turned 2.

The girls quickly drew attention. Fiddle icon Jana Jae first saw Marina and Emma Jane perform when the girls were in grade school.

"She said, 'Get your girls on stage.' I picked up a guitar and started learning how to back them," said their father, Scott Pendleton.

Mom picked up her fiddle - and often a mandolin - and played, too.

Soon enough, the family dynamic was turned upside down, said dad Scott.

"The girls were telling us what songs they'll be playing, and when," he said, then laughed. "They're in control."

The sisters agreed. "It's nice sometimes to tell Dad and Mom what to do," Emma Jane said.

Emma Jane is 18; sister Marina will be 17 in August. Both are seniors in high school - Emma Jane is home-schooled; Marina attends Cascia Hall. Both have started fast-tracking college electives and essentials, and both are interested in mechanical engineering majors.

And music. There's always music.

They've played together as a family for eight years at the Spotlight Theater, nestled on Riverside Drive near downtown. Every month, like clockwork, they're part of "The Olio" showcase.

The girls may control their music, but it doesn't always extend to their personal lives. They don't date. Emma Jane just got her ears pierced - she had to wait until she turned 18. Not that either seem to mind, really.

They've got bigger things to take care of. There are the fiddling contests. And the SATs for college. Emma Jane now teaches fiddle, too.

The family also recently wrote a new song, "Wild Rivers Flow," and debuted it to a sold-out crowd before releasing the song on iTunes. Next, they hope to film a video - then an album.

Oh, and Emma Jane and Marina smile when they talk about their growing fan base.

Hello and pictures from Makayla Lynn's summer - TFCTalent.com

I am sorry I haven`t been here much lately. We always camp during the summer. It is only 10 minutes from my house but we have no internet this year. It is fun because I have lots of time to play and write but I miss everybody. I have been playing almost every weekend and festivals and fairs. It is my first summer doing all that and i really love it!

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