Families with that inviting touch
The 'We're just plain folks' approach has strong appeal in a land of broken homes
Family bands are a tradition in Bluegrass. Three that base much of their appeal on a warm family feel are the Brandenbergers, the Cotton Pickin Kids (the Cipollaris) and the Petersens.
Many Americans — and not only — long for a family life that they’ve seen in films or read about in books, but which has been denied to them, having grown up in broken homes or having been cast aside as rejects.
But even those with happy kinship ties may well relate to these families, and their music and off-stage doings.
First up, we have those singing Mennonites, the Brandenbergers, who bring us a fresh Bluegrass rendition of that old standby hymn, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, in their latest video.
The family patriarch, Victor, handles the lead -- and very effectively -- as his offspring back him up in a fine manner indeed. Especially effective is Melanie doing the dobro break.
If you like a relaxed, serene feeling, this number from Lancaster County, Pa., will do the trick.
Bethanie Brandenberger: Mandolin, backup vocal
Melanie Brandenberger: Dobro, backup vocal
Angela Brandenberger: Fiddle, backup vocal
Alex Brandenberger: Electric bass
Victor Brandenberger: Guitar, lead vocal
Another new Bluegrass video comes from Alabama's Cotton Pickin Kids. This young gang really knows its Grass, and has the viral videos to prove it.
Harvest Fair was penned by the two eldest band members, Savio and Thérèse Cipollari. It certainly has that real Grass feel, and is well balanced musically, not lacking a good melody.
Savio Cipollari, 20: Mandolin
Thérèse Cipollari, 19: Fiddle
Cecilia Cipollari, 17: Guitar
Rosalinda Cipollari, 15: Fiddle
Gianluca Cipollari, 14: Banjo
Giovanni Cipollari, 12: Dobro
Another Bluegrass string band, the Petersens, talk about their upcoming Christmas concert dates across America, along with various other topics, in the video below.
THE PETERSENS' 2023 CHRISTMAS SHOWS
» Branson, Mo. - November and December
» Charlotte, N.C. - Nov. 29
» Cincinnati - Dec. 1
» St. Louis - Dec. 3
» Santa Barbara - Dec. 5
» Logan, Utah - Dec. 7
» Grapevine, Texas - Dec. 9
» Council Bluffs, Iowa - Dec. 10