Sally Fingerett gained her primary recognition through her role in the Bitchin' Babes, the all-female folk-pop ensemble that Christine Lavin established in 1990. As a meticulous composer equipped with a soprano voice carrying emotional depth, she achieved comparable success independently. Peter, Paul and Mary incorporated her composition "Home Is Where the Heart Is" into their later performances, and her trio of solo releases highlighted her affectionate singing approach alongside sincere songwriting.
Growing up on Chicago's South Side, Fingerett found herself drawn to the singer/songwriter milieu along Lincoln Avenue, near the University of Illinois at Chicago. Taking cues from Steve Goodman and John Prine, she penned her initial tune, "Rock-a-Line Caroline," upon reaching 23 years of age. Though she relocated to Nashville in 1978 to serve as lead vocalist for the all-female bluegrass outfit the Buffalo Gals, she came back to Chicago the subsequent year and launched a solo career on the coffeehouse circuit. Her first independent record, Enclosed, appeared in 1983. Christine Lavin included Fingerett's track "Wild Berries" on the compilation On a Winter's Night.
After settling in Columbus, Ohio, Fingerett received an invitation to participate in a new ensemble alongside Meghon McDonough and Patty Larkin, who would later yield her spot to Debi Smith, under Lavin's direction. The inaugural tour carried the title Buy Me Buy Me Bring Me Take Me: Don't Mess My Hair... Life According to Four Bitchin' Babes, and a corresponding live recording emerged in 1990. That year also saw Fingerett claim the New Folk Award at the Kerrville Folk Festival. She put out her second solo effort, Unraveled, in 1992, the same year her debut received a CD reissue. The next year brought her third album, Ghost Town Girl.
In 1993, Fingerett joined the Bitchin' Babes and singer/songwriter Julie Gold for the release of their sophomore album and initial studio project, Four Bitchin' Babes, Vol. 2. Severe vocal difficulties struck in 1994 when idiopathic nerve paralysis set in following tracheal bronchitis during February. Unable to perform vocally until July, she persisted with tours alongside the Bitchin' Babes while substitute singers handled her material. By the time of the group's third album, Out of the Mouths of Babes (aka Gabby Road), she had regained her voice, with witty singer/songwriter Camille West stepping in for Lavin. Her voice has appeared in commercials for White Castle, Wendy's, Sears, and Hallmark. She released My Good Company in 1998, and A Woman's Gotta Do Her Thing came out in 2004.
