Family First: The Story Behind The Petersens

The Petersens are first and foremost a family. They also have a family band. And, they all have a hand in running the family’s music business. 

The band was officially formed in 2004, but they started performing more when they moved to Branson, Missouri, in 2007. As they performed at local churches and festivals, the band gained recognition for their faith-based music, beautiful harmonies, and their instrumental skills.

Their music has opened doors and taken them around the world – they have played in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. 

It all began with Karen and Jon Petersen. Karen is the most naturally musical, according to her son, Matt. “She has a master's in music education, and she plays the trumpet.” Karen learned to play bluegrass instruments so she could play with her children. Jon plays the saxophone, as well as guitar and bass. “Dad is an extrovert, so he’s good at getting us in front of the right people,” says Matt, who admits there were plenty of silent “no, Dad” moments early on. “But now we are all extremely grateful that he went out on a limb for us.” 

Jon spent 23 years in the Air Force, retiring in 2007. “We lived all over the place, but when my dad retired, we moved to Branson,” recalls Matt. “My parents felt called to this area, and the rest is history.” 

The band’s Branson show began at The Little Opry Theatre in 2010. “We’ve been there ever since,” says sister Katie, who writes many of the songs for the band. “We started out playing on Sundays at 5:00 p.m., which was a slow time slot – people were going to dinner at that hour. It was a fill-in slot that we did seasonally, one time a week.” Most of the Petersen children were grown at that time, and Matt adds that the Sunday performances were sometimes the only time the siblings saw each other all week. In 2017, a spot opened for a more full-time gig, and the family decided to give it one year to see how they worked together. 

It turns out they work extremely well together, and they each have a role to keep the business of having a band running smoothly. Matt (guitar/harmony vocals) helps with the business aspects of the band. Katie (fiddle/lead vocals) handles music and rehearsals. She is also known for her songwriting and original compositions. Ellen (banjo/vocals) has a degree in marketing, so that is her role. (Fun fact about Ellen: She was in Season 14 of American Idol, reaching the Top 48 with her powerful country classic voice). Julianne (mandolin/vocals) is the youngest, and she is the band’s video personality.

Rounding out the band is family friend Emmett Franz(dobro/vocals). Emmett played with his family and lives in the area. “We asked him to join us in 2017, and his dad jumped in on sound and now handles that all the time,” says Matt. Emmett is also a songwriter and talented music arranger, and helped take the band to the next level. 

A Different Model

Most bands depend on touring to promote their current album and to make a living. From churches and community events to large festivals, being on the road can be a grind. But the Petersens are doing it differently. They have a full-time gig at Branson, so there isn’t as much travel on their calendar. “It’s actually fun for us, since we don’t have to do it,” says Katie. “Ellen is married with kids, so it’s great for them, and for us, to be able to do a show, then go sleep in our own beds. Having a steady gig in Branson has been great.”

Many of their fans make trips to Branson to see the band year after year. “It’s been so rewarding to have people request more of our original songs from us,” says Katie. “It’s so encouraging, and it’s a gift for us when people appreciate our work.” 

They also have excellent social media marketing skills, with huge numbers on their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Patreon, and YouTube. They have built a huge fanbase that way, and it’s a great way for them to connect with their fans while getting new ones. “During Covid, we did live concerts on YouTube, and we began putting up a lot more content,” Matt says. “That helped us tremendously.” Katie added, “But there’s nothing like a live show – that’s the reward for all our hard work.” Their live shows allow all their personalities to shine, with plenty of good-natured sibling humor. 

That can only happen when everything is running smoothly. “We all take pieces of it, and everyone stays in their own lane,” explains Matt. “We are grateful God gifted us differently, yet we all have the same vision.” 

Father, A Moment With You

They have released twelve music projects and many music videos. Their most recent album, Father, A Moment with You, was recently released. It’s a Gospel album that is a collection of original songs mixed with beloved hymns. The band’s website says the album “encourages listeners to draw closer to God through faith, hope, and trust in every season of life.” 

Matt says the band put in a lot of extra time on the album. “It was definitely a group effort,” says Matt. 

Katie says that she is inspired by Alison Kraus and Union Station. “I play the fiddle, and when I saw her play the fiddle and sing, she showed me what was possible. Now I play and sing. She has such a smooth tone. We all love the Isaacs – they are so vocal-driven on such a high level. And Nickel Creek is another favorite band.” Matt added that he enjoys Andrew Peterson. “I appreciate the storytelling element of his songwriting.” 

https://petersenband.com/