Brenda Hayes and Mary Alice Hayes have lived in Winslow most of their lives. Brenda works at the local Walmart and prison, while Mary Alice has her own beauty salon and takes care of her mother.
The two sisters are known for their soulful singing, and often perform in the surrounding communities. Whether for a funeral, a wedding or another special event, the two women ask for nothing but donations as they share their gift with those who ask.
Mary Alice, the older of the two, was a young child when the family moved to Winslow from Mississippi. It was there that their father was recognized for his singing abilities and performed with other talented musicians such as BB King. As their father turned toward gospel music he sang in the local church in Winslow. “We always had to go to church and sing in the choir,” recalled Mary Alice. People soon began to realize that the siblings had talent of their own and they were asked to sing at events while in their teens.
The sisters have a long list of experiences due to their exceptional talent, including performing as backup singers for Diana Ross at Super Bowl XXX in 1996 in Phoenix. They’ve sung with gospel singer Rev. James Cleveland, known as the King of Gospel music, performed for poet Maya Angelou and as backup vocalists for musician Daniel Saunders on one of his albums. They also won a contest to go to Nashville, but were unable to attend.
In 2004, Tina Mion, a renowned artist and owner of La Posada Hotel in Winslow, heard the Hayes sisters singing the national anthem at an event and interviewed them for a painting she wanted to make. “Tina told us, ‘I want somebody that’s real,’” said Brenda. “She wanted to hear us sing, and that’s how she captured us, singing at La Posada.” The painting was submitted in a competition and was chosen to hang in a museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where the sisters performed during its unveiling.
“I will always consider Winslow my home,” said Mary Alice, when asked if they ever thought of leaving their hometown. “I don’t think I can live anywhere else.”
The sisters never tire of singing or sharing their gift with others. “We’re always singing, at work and even the store,” said Brenda. “My daughter always tells me not to, but I do it anyway.”
Along with creating a CD and performing at various venues, the sisters will be performing on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Navajo County Fair in Holbrook.
