Ringing your bell

With a top-off to a stocking stuffed

with Yuletide video cheer

The Petersens don't do a lot of instrumentals, but when they do, they show their consummate professionalism.

That's certainly true of this rendition of "Carol of the Bells."

The arrangement follows the Bluegrass "breakdown" formula, in which each performer shows her or his skill during a "break." Good stuff. Not only are the bandmates generally very tight while playing together, each has something special that can come out in solo material.

We can almost always expect to be impressed by Katie on fiddle and Emmett on dobro. But in this video I'm glad to hear how much the abilities of the others really shine, with Julianne turning in a strong mandolin bit, Matt showing his expert guitar flat-picking and Ellen showing banjo expertise. Mom Karen did a quick bit on the bass fiddle.

Ellen's final dischord in the outro credit roll somehow fits the jing-a-ling mood!

"Carol of the Bells" is based on the Ukrainian New Year's song "Shchedryk" published by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914. English-language lyrics were written in 1936 by Peter Wilhousky. [Source: Wikipedia.]

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For a fabulous Christmas mood, try out the Petersens' video music experience.

Christmas with the Petersens playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi4OplF1xLPeIWdLWFeUE7pyE4plJOBgM

Down Under and Way Down Under
The Petersens are making their debut tours of Australia in March and of New Zealand in February
For further information, use THIS TICKETS LINK.
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More backstage antics with the Petersens

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Another excellent “Carol of the Bells” is brought to you by the Cotton Pickin Kids, a family band from Alabama. These young Grassers display not only marvelous skill, but a high dose of creativity in their presentation.