Barefoot Nellies

Our first-ever gig, at Amnesia, August 2004. Our fashion sense has certainly evolved.

Hey, folks–

About four years or so ago, the Nellies played our first monthly show at Amnesia. Since then, we’ve returned to that crimson-hued room on the fourth Monday of every month to play for pretty much the best crowd that a band could hope for.

This Monday, February 22, will be our last monthly gig at Amnesia–but never fear! We’ll be back on our regular day in the even-numbered months. But in the odd-numbered months, you can rely on other fine, fine bands for your bluegrass entertainment.

So come on down this Monday and celebrate the end of an era with us. And thanks for all your support over the years. We can’t tell you how much fun it is to play for people who are so determined to have a great time–dancing, chatting, hootin’ and hollerin’–on a Monday night. You’re troopers. So come on down, bring your requests, and be sure to yell ‘em out real loud. Amnesia is our favorite place to play, and it’s all because of you, you, you.

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks–

We just saw Northern California Bluegrass Society Awards nominations, and the Nellies done garnered ourselves quite a few nominations! We’re so honored to be up for best band, female vocalist, guitar player (for our mando player, somehow), mandolin player, bass player, and fiddle player.

The awards are announced every year as part of the NCBS’s Bluegrass on Broadway festival in Redwood City. If you like bluegrass (and if you’re reading this, we bet you do), it’s a great chance to see a lot of the really fabulous Northern California bluegrass bands all in one place.

Bluegrass on Broadway
March 11-14
Redwood City

If you’re an NCBS member, vote now! Vote NELLIES!

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks–

Thanks to the generosity of the crowd last Monday at Amnesia (and a matching grant from Williams-Sonoma), we sent $442 to the Red Cross to help in Haiti. Thank you all so much. You Nellies fans are great people.

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks–

The Nellies are returning to Cafe du Nord this Saturday for a benefit for the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival (which starts February 12!). We’re sharing the bill with three other great Bay Area bluegrass and bluegrass-influenced bands: The Brothers Comatose, Nell Robinson (with Jim Nunally), and Bluegrass Revolution.

Doors open at 9, show starts at 10, Nellies play at 10:45. For more information, check out our gigs page or the SFBOTF site.

xoxo,
The Nellies

Don't be fooled by their innocent looks. These guys play some mean bluegrass.

Hey, folks–

Why should Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) come but once a year? The Nellies have a special gift for all of you, our lovely fans–a fun, fun Amnesia show with our pals, the Whiskey Brothers. You may know them from their regular gig at the Albatross over in Berkeley or from their members’ ability to jam until sunrise at bluegrass festivals without repeating a single song. Come test their extensive knowledge of the bluegrass repertoire by requesting the most obscure songs you know. We have to keep these gentlemen on their toes.

Amnesia, 853 Valencia St., San Francisco. Nellies at 8:30ish, Whiskey Brothers at 10ish. Free like the true spirit of Christmas. More info on our gigs page.

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks–

First off, Nicole would like to send her apologies to Corinne, one of our favorite fans. Corinne asked the Nellies to play “Roly Poly,” and Nicole thought it was in the first set, when it turns out it was in the second set. Corinne, you weren’t there to hear it, but we did dedicate it to you.

Second, if you missed our annual Halloween show, last night, here’s what you missed.

The first mariachi bluegrass band. I think it'll catch on.

And if you’re not sure if you were there or not, check this photo, taken around midnight.

Our fabulous audience.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and especially those of you who helped keep the fog machine going. It wouldn’t have been Halloween week without you.

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks,

Y’all ready for this? This day only comes but once a year: our annual Scarefoot Nellies Halloween show! We know you ain’t too yellow to come on down to Amnesia next Monday, round about 8:30 or so, to hear some good ol’ bluegrass tunes played the way they were meant to be played: in ridiculous costumes with a fog machine churning out clouds of some mysterious substance at every available opportunity. Monday, October 26 Amnesia 827 Valencia St. 8:30 until the witching hour Free! Beer specials until 8 pm www.amnesiathebar.com Be there or be scairt.

xoxo,
The Barefoot Nellies

Jess Beebe, bass
Betsy Maudlin, fiddle
Prentice Sellers, banjo
Nicole Solis, mandolin

Nellies at Hardly Strictly

Hey, folks–

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to watch the Nellies play at Hardly Strictly yesterday. Words can not express what it was like to play at such a great venue and for such a great crowd. I wish we had taken a picture from the stage. There sure were a lot of you there!

Speaking of pictures, if you happened to take any of us on stage, we’d be much obliged if you’d post a couple to our Facebook page or to our Flickr group. (Since we can’t see ourselves onstage, we have to rely on the goodness of our friends, family, and fans, to show us their photos!)

xoxo,
The Nellies

Hey, folks–

To help hype our big ol’ Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival performance (Saturday, 12:35 pm on the Porch stage, in case you’ve forgotten), we recently appeared on KGO radio’s Wednesday cafe and finally met the faces behind the voices of the fabulous Rosie Allen and Bret Burkhart. (As well as fellow musician, Kevin “The Rat” Radich.) Our good buddy Jeff Zeiba made an MP3 of the performance. (Update: There seem to be some technical difficulties with the MP3. We’ll upload a new version soon.)

And today, the Nellies got to share our picks for the festival with the readers of Daily Candy. Check out the whole thing here.

See you tomorrow at the festival!

xoxo,
The Nellies

P.S. If you’re new to the Nellies site:

• Sign up for our mailing list, using the form on the right.
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• Become a fan on Facebook.
• Buy our CD.

Hey, folks–

Man, oh man, do we have some sweet gigs for your viewing and listening pleasure next week–all over the state, too (if by “all over the state,” you mean the Bay Area and Fresno area).

On Saturday and Sunday, we’re playing the Hobbs Grove Bluegrass Festival with lots of great bands including our good friends Dalton Mountain Gang (just named the Emerging Artist of the Year at Bluegrassin’ in the Foothills in Plymouth!) and Deep Elem as well as plenty of other fine bands whose acquaintances we have yet to make, like the Anderson Family Band and the Brombies. Molly Tuttle will be sitting in with us on guitar. After two sets here, we’ll be all good and practiced up for…

Monday at Amnesia! The Nellies and 49 Special will be sharing the stage at Amnesia. Get there early, ’cause the Nellies are on first since we need our beauty sleep for…

Wednesday’s appearance on KGO radio. Tune in to 810 AM at 5:40 on Wednesday to hear the Nellies chat a bit and pick a song on the Wednesday Cafe. Our good pal Katy Rexford will be sitting in on fiddle, and Molly Tuttle will be joining us on guitar. That appearance is to promote…

Saturday’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass show! Yes, folks, it all leads up to this. The Nellies are playing on the Porch stage at 12:30 pm on Saturday, and you’re all going to come watch us and cheer us on. Molly Tuttle will be sitting in on guitar with us. It’s pretty much every band’s dream to be able to play they’re favorite festival, and this is it for us.

See our gigs page for more details.

xoxo,
The Nellies