The Stetson Family

RHYTHMS MAGAZINE (Australia's 1 national blues & roots magazine) has this to say about 'Hey Sister Mary, Where'd You get That Gun?' "Another fantastic local country release with integrity & chops from a Melbourne old-time/bluegrass quintet The Stetson Family. These guys have clearly listened closely to the likes of The Carter Family & the Stanley Brothers and have come up with a banjo/harmony-driven sound that is clean and fulfilling. It really is gratifying to hear younger bands digging up the roots and soul of country music like this and adding their own personalities. With a name like Nadine Budge, the Stetson's lead singer was born to sing country music (hard to believe such a name could come out of suburban Australia!). The remainder of the line-up is a very traditional one - acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo (actually played like a banjo, not like a guitarist fumbling on a banjo) and double bass. Recording guests include local luminaries Liz Stringer and Jordie Lane. The absence of drums is significant and helps give the music an authentic old-timey feel. Of the seven tracks presented here, four are strong originals, including the title track and Budge's heartbreaking 'Dark Side Of Town'. There are also covers of Lucinda Williams 'Jackson', Earl Scruggs' 'Nashville Blues' and their own arrangement of a traditional tune 'Old Paint'. The Family are currently in the process of recording a debut full-length and if its half as classy as this I can't wait to hear it! (REVIEW BY MARTIN JONES FEB 2009)The new record "HEY SISTER MARY, WHERE'D YOU GET THAT GUN" has been included on "THE BEST OF 2008" on BayFM Radio Shows "Cowboy's Sweetheart" & "Down At Big Mary's" "5 TOP 5 OZ RELEASES", "BROTHER HARLAN 3 TOP 5 ALT COUNTRY SONGS" & "TOP 5 ROOTS/ALT COUNTRY RELEASES".............Thanks! The Stetson Family are a bunch of knock-abouts hailing from Melbourne Australia, who just happen to all live in the same city and share a love of country, bluegrass and many other forms of rootsie/folkie kinda music. Their debut record/EP "HEY SISTER MARY, WHERE'D YOU GET THAT GUN?" was released at the 2008 National Country Music Muster in Gympie, Queensland. We're delighted to have my buddies Jordie Lane, Liz Stringer & Sharin Anderson, some of Melbourne's finest musician/singer/songwriters add a BV or bit of guitar on a track or two! Check it out.... ..