Tom (banjo), Deb (bass), Anna (guitar), Josiah (fiddle), Daniel (mandolin & dobro), Abigail (guitar), & Micah (fiddle & "bic")
Influences
Bill Monroe, the Lonesome River Band (& Sammy Shelor), Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Jerry Douglas, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Tony Rice, Laurie Lewis, Rhonda Vincent, Blue Highway (all members!), Patty Loveless, Cherryholmes, Ronnie Bowman, IIIrd Tyme Out, Steve Kaufman, Mountain Heart, Bill Keith, the Johnson Mountain Boys, Stuart Duncan, the Del McCoury Band, Ron Stewart, Russ Barenburg, 3 Fox Drive, Randy Kohrs, Bryan Sutton, NewFound Road, Tim O'Brien
The Hartley Family is a seven-member bluegrass band that has played in bluegrass festivals, churches, state parks, schools and special events in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, and New York.
Tom ("Daddy") began the band with the idea of doing something as a family. He had always wanted to play the banjo, and began focusing on learning to play and encouraging the other family members to join him. In January of 2003, 10 yr. old Josiah (now 16) and 9 yr. old Daniel (now 15) got their first instruments: a fiddle and a mandolin. Abby, then 7 years old, learned to pick a few songs on the guitar. The next year, Anna, then 15, started playing guitar as well. A few months later, Deb ("Mama") joined with the bass and the girls began singing. Micah, then just one year old, strummed on a homemade, soundless instrument---his “bic”.
Now six years old, Micah brings the crowd alive with songs like “Mary Ann” and “Amazing Grace.” He has started playing the fiddle on stage as well. Abby (who just turned 14) livens the performances up with her versions of “Muleskinner Blues” and “Get Down on Your Knees and Pray.” Her voice has an amazing strength and clarity. Anna, who is the main rhythm player for the band, sings lead on most of the songs. Her powerful vocals add soul and energy to the group, and Abby’s high harmony blends with Deb’s alto to make a full bluegrass sound. Josiah’s unique style of playing the fiddle adds excitement to the music. Daniel adds variety; he switches from the mandolin to the dobro throughout performances. Abby’s clear lead guitar accents almost every song. Tom’s banjo keeps the music going, and occasionally he picks up the guitar and sings lead on a song.
The Hartley Family mixes traditional bluegrass and gospel with original songs written mostly by Anna and also Deb. Their mission is to honor God and bring joy to people.
Congratulations on your new album!!! It's sounding great! I wish we could see you performing live this summer. Any chance that you'll be coming to MN???
Good to see and hear yall in Mountain View this weekend!!! Enjoyed yall show Thursday!!! Hope all is well with yall!!! Take care and see yall next time!!!!
Hi Hartleys, Greetings from Minnesota. Enjoy your music especially your very nicely written original songs. Thanks for stopping by our site and for your kind comments. Hope you heard something you liked there. God Bless, Ron Colby The Platte Valley Boys
WE HAVE BEEN RELAXING AND ENJOYING LIFE TOGETHER! HOMESCHOOLING IS TRYING AT TIMES AND I PRAY THAT I AM DOING IT RIGHT BUT WHO KNOWS! I GUESS TIME WILL TELL. THE BOYS ARE HAPPY I GUESS THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS! TAKE CARE U R ALWAYS IN OUR PRAYERS WE LOVE U
Thanks for the comment! yes, my little sister, Ella, does all the lead singing. I'm doing the high harmony parts. Your family must be recording a new project? I can't wait to hear it! Keep me posted on how everything goes!
Merry Christmas to y'all, too!! You're all welcome back anytime! Our church has been so blessed recently, and I know y'all are a big part of it! God bless!!
Yes, it can be a difficult thing for brothers to even so much as talk while on stage ;-) Although, I'm not very excited about that thought of singing lead either, so I guess I shouldn't say too much! We're all doing well. Im getting ready for 25 branson style christmas shows which start on November 15 and run through the weekend before christmas. Should be fun!
Yes, we are!!! Just a few more shows for the year, everyone is ready for a little break!!! How are yall doing?!? Hope all is well, and hope to see yall soon!!! Take care....
