Family band The Petersens cover Patsy Cline – the lead singer’s vocals are pure perfection
In the Ozark Mountain region, you’ll find multiple talented family bands playing bluegrass, folk, and gospel. And there are more than enough fans to keep the music scene going.
The Petersens are just one of the big family bands in Branson, Missouri – and they even manage to have connections to some others. For example, the newest member is a family friend, Emmett Franz, who plays the rare dobro (a resonator guitar) and spent 20 years playing with the band called…you guessed it: The Franz Family. And one member is now married to a member of fellow Branson family band The Haygoods.
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The Petersens consist of four siblings (Katie, Ellen, Matt, and Julianne) and their mom (plus Franz).
And they’ve been playing since all of the kids were little – in fact, they’re celebrating their 10th season as a popular regional act at the Little Opry Theatre in the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex.
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But don’t underestimate them just because you don’t see them on the Grammys – they’ve toured the country and even done international tours to Canada and Ireland.
Now that the coronavirus is ravaging the world – and especially the U.S. – it’ll likely be a while before they play a live concert again but they’re keeping their fans happy on YouTube and Patreon.
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Right now, people are taking a second look at a recording from a live show in Branson back in 2017, in which Ellen Petersen (who also made it to the Top 48 on the 10th season of American Idol back in the day) takes the lead on vocals. And she’s covering none other than the legendary country singer Patsy Cline!
The song was performed at the Branson Country USA Late Show, a popular stage show and tourist attraction for music lovers in the area.
But far more people have seen it on YouTube, where it has now surpassed 1.5 million views.
Since their performance of “She’s Got You” was a few years ago, there are only 4 Petersens on stage (the “Late Show” may be too late for young Julianne) – mom Karen on the upright bass (she switched to the bass from the mandolin when her youngest started playing), eldest child Katie (who plays the fiddle), son Matt on the guitar, and daughter Ellen.
Ellen normally plays banjo but is on vocals for this song – and we can see why! Those are some serious pipes!
All three Petersen children on stage have graduated from the College of the Ozarks.
Katie studied Chemistry and Spanish, Ellen studied Chemistry (and later earned her MBA at Missouri State University), and Matt studied Business and is now in charge of booking and marketing for the band.
And while she’s not performing in this video, Julianne just graduated valedictorian from her high school class and is off to college to study English literature.
These siblings are talented AND hard-working!
Ellen Petersen’s vocals are stellar as she covers one of the most iconic voices in country music. No one can ever replicate the emotion of Patsy Cline, but she sure does come close (while putting her own spin on it, of course).
And we’re loving the fiddle solo by Katie as well!
What a talented family!
Be sure to scroll down below to see this fantastic cover of a country classic.
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Source: Patreon, The Peterson Family Official Website, The Petersens via YouTube