When you hear “The Stetson Family,” what do you think? Since you ‘re reading Bluegrass Today, you might think, “another family band from the Mid-West.” If so, you’d be half right.
The Stetson Family is a bluegrass band, but this bunch hails from Melbourne in Australia. Its five members are all talented pickers and singers, but not one of them is named Stetson, nor do they wear the hats. That’s known as irony for the more literal-minded among us.
They have just released their third CD, O Winding River, a compilation from their two previous records, intended for wider international distribution. The Stetsons have found success in Australia, picking up a number of awards and seeing two of their songs included in a television documentary.
All their music is original, much of it written by reso-guitarist Nadine Budge. She is joined by John Bartholomeusz on guitar, Andrew Carswell on mandolin, Colin Swan on banjo, and Luke Richardson on bass. John and Nadine share the lead vocals, with all the others helping out with harmonies.
O Winding River is offered on CD or downloads online.
Radio programmers may download the tracks now from Airplay Direct.
