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Ann Granger never expected to enter a recording studio, let alone become part of a nationally charting folk act. But the Arlington resident, formerly of Reston, overcame her reluctance and joined Falls Church musician Larry Rice to form The Two Peas — an acoustic duo whose close harmonies recently delivered an unlikely sweep.
For the week of Nov. 22, 2025, The Two Peas claimed the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 positions on the Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Folk Song chart, behind only Grammy-winning artist Patty Griffin.
The following week brought an even bigger result. On the report’s Contemporary Folk Song chart for Nov. 29, the duo occupied all three leading positions. Their original song “Coppertone and Maggie Mae” reached No. 1, followed by their versions of Brandi Carlile’s “You and Me on the Rock” and Dulcie Taylor’s “A Love Like Yours and Mine.”
The musicians initially thought their time near the top would be brief. Instead, Rice said, their Top 10 run lasted eight weeks.
“We can’t believe it,” the duo wrote on social media. “It feels so good to have people like and listen to songs you’ve recorded.” They were especially proud that an original composition, “Coppertone and Maggie Mae,” helped drive their success.
From Reluctant Singer to Recording Artist
Granger grew up avoiding the spotlight. She enjoyed singing with friends but had little interest in performing for an audience. Rice spent years encouraging her to record with him before she agreed.
“It has become harder to say no to a man who writes love songs for you,” Granger said in a Jan. 23 interview.
Even then, stepping into a studio proved daunting.
“This is all totally new to me,” she said. “It’s been quite a learning experience for me, just the whole process of going into the studio and recording.”
Granger arrived expecting to sing alongside Rice and the other musicians. Instead, she initially found herself alone in a small room, listening to a recording of Rice’s voice and adding her harmonies separately.
The instrumental foundation — drums, bass and guitar — was recorded first, with more parts layered over it. The duo later switched studios for the vocal sessions. There, Granger and Rice sang simultaneously in separate rooms divided by glass, allowing them to see and respond to each other.
That arrangement felt far more natural to Granger.
“There’s a synergy when you’re singing together,” she said. Singing to a recording lacked the same energy, even when the notes were right.
Harmony also reflects how the couple views their relationship.
“Harmony is a theme, musically and otherwise as well,” Granger said. “We strive for harmony in relationships as well, not just music.”
Looking Beyond the Charts
The Two Peas hope to reach more listeners through house concerts, where attentive audiences gather specifically for the music rather than encountering performers amid the noise of a bar.
They also plan to attend the multi-day Southeast Regional Folk Alliance conference. The gathering gives artists opportunities to perform showcases, participate in workshops and meet representatives of venues and house-concert networks throughout the region.
For aspiring musicians who are hesitant to perform, Granger and Rice recommend beginning in an encouraging local setting.
“Go to the Reston-Herndon Folk Club and just do it,” Granger said. “The audience is so supportive and so kind and loving. They appreciate the effort as much as they appreciate the final product.”
Rice suggested trying the area’s open-mic events after taking that first step.
The all-volunteer Reston-Herndon Folk Club has operated for more than 40 years and welcomes musicians and listeners. It meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays in the event room at Amphora Diner, 1151 Elden St. in Herndon. Regular gatherings carry a suggested $1 donation, while admission prices vary for concert-series performances.