About this user
"The Hartley Family is a seven-member bluegrass band that has been playing together since mid-2004. They have played in bluegrass festivals, churches, state parks, schools and special events in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, and New York. Tom, the father, 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, ten-year-old Josiah (now 15) and nine-year-old Daniel (now 13) got their first instruments: a fiddle and a mandolin. Abby, then seven years old, learned to pick a few songs on the guitar. The next year, Anna, who was almost fifteen, started playing guitar as well. A few months later, Deb, the mother, joined with the bass and Tom decided he was tired of being the lead singer. He told the girls it was time to learn how to sing. Micah, then just one year old, strummed on a homemade, soundless instrument---his "bic". Oldest brother Aaron (who no longer plays with the family) made it out of an old tambourine! Now four years old, Micah brings the crowd alive with songs like "Mary Ann" and "Amazing Grace." He is learning to play the fiddle and sometimes plays it on stage. He and Anna are learning how to play the mandolin together, since they're on about the same level on that instrument! Twelve-year-old Abby 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. He likes instruments with shiny metal pieces he can use to reflect sunlight on his fellow band members! Abby's clear lead guitar accents almost every song. She and Dan get most of whatever applause is left after Micah leaves the stage! Tom's banjo keeps the music going, and occasionally he picks up the guitar and sings lead on a song. His down-home-folks storytelling is a highlight of every performance. The Hartley Family mixes traditional bluegrass and gospel with original songs written mostly by Anna (now age 18) and also Deb. Their mission is to honor God and bring joy to people." (from "About Our Family" on website)
A few of our future performances are listed below. Please go to our website or our myspace page. (www.myspace.com/thehartleyfamily) to see the many special events and churches we'll be playing for in AR, MN, & NY!
