ABOUT THE NELLIES

The Bay Area's finest all-gal bluegrass band, the Barefoot Nellies blend driving, high lonesome vocals, soaring “sister” duo and trio harmonies, and tasteful picking inspired by traditional bluegrass musicians like Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe, and the Stanley Brothers. Although firmly rooted in the traditional sounds, the Nellies subtly bring together their diverse musical influences—from Texas fiddling and hot swing to classic honky tonk—to bring a drive and an energy to their playing that takes them far beyond the “girl group” label. If you want sweet voices, call the Peasall Sisters, but if you like a little edge to your bluegrass, call the Barefoot Nellies.

The Nellies have headlined festivals including Anderson Marsh Old-Time and Bluegrass Festival in Clearlake, California, and have shared the bill with national touring artists such as Hot Buttered Rum String Band. In 2007, they drew a packed crowd to the Vern’s stage at the California Bluegrass Association’s Father’s Day Festival and were selected to be one of four bands in the Emerging Artists competition at Bluegrassin’ in the Foothills in Plymouth, California.

Since January 2006, they have graced the stage at Amnesia in San Francisco on the fourth Monday of every month as part of the wildly popular Bluegrass Monday series. They are currently finishing their first CD, Let Me Down Easy: Live at Amnesia, which will be out in early 2008.

MEET THE NELLIES

Jess Beebe, bass

Six-foot-two, blonde, a voluptuous 55"-46"-70"...that's Fiona, the 1973 Engelhardt Swingmaster bass that fills out the Nellies' bottom end (we call Fiona the sixth Nellie). When Jess first picked up Fiona after playing guitar for many years, she knew she had found her (musical) true love. Jess enjoys the challenge of laying down a solid rhythmic foundation in the traditional bluegrass style. She also plays with an informal band composed entirely of her extended family.

Betsy Maudlin, fiddle

Hauled off to classical violin lessons at a young age, Betsy moonlighted on the East Coast, playing venues ranging from the subway to Carnegie Hall. She then dipped her foot in bluegrass's waters and decided to throw herself in headfirst. In addition to playing with the Nellies, she has sat in with local Bay Area bands the Shut-Ins, West of Kentucky, Homespun Rowdy, and Lone Mountain. She was a finalist in the 2005 Western Open Fiddle Contest, has performed as part of the Bluegrass in the Schools program, entertains children of all ages in the Toodala Ramblers, and blends traditional and progressive bluegrass in the Folkslayers of Yore.

Prentice Sellers, banjo and vocals

After discovering bluegrass and the banjo in the mid-1990s, Prentice devoted herself to mastering the banjo, and her melodic breaks and relentless rolls are key to the Nellies driving sound. She has learned nearly every tenor, lead, and baritone part to hundreds of traditional bluegrass songs, and fills in the Nellies trio with her strong baritone and lead vocals. Prentice also plays in Lone Mountain with her sister Cameron Laughlin and their husbands, Jeff Dasovich and Scott Laughlin.

Nicole Solis, mandolin and vocals

At one time the rhythm guitarist and lead singer with the Acme All-Purpose Swing Band (Portland, Oregon), Nicole picked the occasional fiddle tune in the privacy of her own home until she traded the rain for fog and immersed herself in the Bay Area bluegrass scene. She switched from guitar to mandolin and brings a solid chop, traditional-sounding breaks, and powerful tenor, lead, and occasional baritone vocals to the Nellies. Nicole has performed for elementary school students in the Bluegrass in the Schools program and sings and plays electric guitar in country band the Lovin' 44s.

Our CD: Let Me Down Easy

Buy "Let Me Down Easy: Live at Amnesia" from CD Baby.