NEWS UPDATE: The Rankins after recording together for 10 years, have broken up. Each Rankin is choosing to persue their individual careers. With Heather looking into acting, Jimmy, a solo artist, John Morris doing freelance gigs and Cookie persuing songwriting.

For all Rankin fans out there, this comes as a shock of the worst kind. I personally was in no way expecting this to happen. But I wish each of them the best of luck in their new chosen careers.

Below is a copy of the official press release taken from the Official Website.

AFTER A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TEN YEAR MUSICAL CAREER HIGLIGHTED BY ALBUM SALES IN EXCESS OF TWO MILLION UNITS, INTERNATIONAL TOURING, AND NUMEROUS HIT SINGLES,THE MULTIPLE JUNO AWARD WINNING BAND, THE RANKINS, WILL CEASE TO RECORD AND PERFORM AS A GROUP IN ORDER TO PURSUE INDEPENDANT CAREERS AND INTERESTS.

COOKIE RANKIN WILL PURSUE VARIOUS SONGWRITING AND RECORDING PROJECTS WHILE SISTER HEATHER WILL FOCUS ON A CAREER IN ACTING (SHE APPEARS IN "THE HANGING GARDEN");JIMMY RANKIN, A PROLIFIC SONGWRITER, WILL BEGIN WORK ON A SOLO RECORD; JOHN MORRIS RANKIN PLANS TO FREELANCE AS A MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND COMPOSER.

THE GROUP WILL PERFORM ALL SCHEDULED ENGAGEMENTS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, INCLUDING A BENEFIT FOR RESTORATION HOUSE AT COPPS COLISEUM IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO ON OCTOBER 21ST, AND CALL IT A WRAP IN EARLY NOVEMBER. IN LATE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, HEATHER,COOKIE AND RAYLENE (WHO LEFT THE BAND LAST YEAR),WILL EMBARK ON A CHRISTMAS SYMPHONY TOUR IN VARIOUS CANADIAN CITIES.

THE RANKINS EXTEND SINCERE THANKS TO THEIR MANY FANS, FAMILIES, BAND AND CREW, AND MEMBERS OF THE INDUSTRY WHO HAVE BEEN MOST SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR CAREER.

Or you can visit Irena's wonderful Rankin Monument. Come and sign your name on it :-)