This is going to be one of the coolest videos you see today, hands down!
There’s crazy talent, a beautiful backdrop and a beautiful song!
What more can you ask for?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZwDxjDiOU/
The performers in the video are the Petersens, from Branson, Missouri!
They’re a family band (with a +1) that consists of
four siblings, their mother, and a family friend!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ALSkJDLqz/
The siblings are Katie, Ellen, Matt & Julianne. Joining them is their mother, Karen on the upright bass. And last but not least is their friend, Emmett Franz, on the lapsteel!
The Petersens have been playing since at least 2005 which is
seriously impressive considering how young they all are!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEcOKe1jQCS/
The song they perform in the video is
Fields of Gold, originally written and performed by Sting!
Somehow, this cover actually turns out better than the original!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCUacXejdOA/
It’s an immense feat, and it rarely happens, but the Petersens pulled it off! Their singer for this song, Julianne, has such a unique voice
it’s positively enchanting to listen to!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCPc94cD2HP/
The description for the video offers up some context:
“Fields of Gold is the first song Julianne learned when she switched from just coming up on stage to do one song as a kid to being our full-time mandolin player.
“Immediately, audience members loved her vocal style
“and this song was our most popular song on our first tour as a full band to Ireland.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZvcB2DjQr/
The band’s website also offered up a bio for each member, explaining Julianne’s journey a little bit more:
“Julianne Petersen is the baby of the family and has been the full-time mandolin player for the band since 2017. Julianne started off playing the fiddle and clogging on stage when the band started in 2005 and has always been an audience favorite. […] Julianne has worn many hats in the band through the years and
“even ran sound and lights for them at the young age of eight!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CESgyulD6Ps/
That is some serious dedication and love of the band!
It’s a lot of fun watching the band play and seeing these family dynamics come out in subtle ways as they play and interact!
You can really tell how close they all are as a family!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDbeF7EjNpL/
The other band members also have biographies available on the website, which
lend themselves really well to understanding their personalities!
“Katie is the oldest Petersen sibling and is the musical leader of the group. […] Katie is a great songwriter and it had always been a dream of hers to study her favorite author [C.S. Lewis] at Oxford. More recently, Katie’s love of traveling took her to Nicaragua to teach music and English at a school through Project Hope. […] Currently, Katie enjoys teaching fiddle and piano lessons to students and, of course, bluegrass with the family.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPuA4EDthR/
“Ellen is the second oldest Petersen sibling and banjo player for the band. Ellen was first handed a banjo while the family was at
“its first bluegrass festival at which the kids’ dad decided the family should become a bluegrass band.
“[…] she auditioned for American Idol for fun as its bus tour went through Branson and she ended up making it to the top 48 on Season XIV. After American Idol, Ellen moved back to Branson to focus more on music […] Now, Ellen enjoys marketing their family’s band full-time and in January
“married Michael Haygood of The Haygoods, another performing family in Branson.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCcBCooD7V_/
“Although Matt is the lone boy in the Petersen sibling lineup,
“he more than holds his own on stage and in the band operations. […] Matt runs most of the business aspects of the band including outside bookings and also handles the technical side of the Branson show. […] Matt never fails to make each show unique and entertaining with his comedy and does a great job of keeping the band grounded.”
“Emmett Franz is the newest member to The Petersens and fits perfectly with the band with his values and musical style. Emmett grew up playing music with his family, […]
“touring professionally with them for 20 years.
“[…] Emmett began playing with The Petersens in 2017 and they could not be more honored to have him as a full-time member of the band.
“Karen Petersen is the mother of the Petersens and a true saint.
“[…] She played the trumpet through her school years and received her masters in music theory from Arkansas State University. She met her husband, Jon, through Campus Crusade and followed him around in the Air Force for 23 years. […] When not playing groovy licks on the bass, you can find Karen reading a book and drinking hot tea.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-0TngIDozo/
Now, knowing what you know about the band, give their amazing cover a listen at the video below and watch for their dynamics to come through in subtle nods and looks!
It’s crazy interesting to watch them play, and honestly they’re all so talented
you can watch the video six times! Once for each player!
We hope you enjoy it.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
