From Symphony Hall to Bluegrass Stage: The Story of Headin' Home

It’s an unlikely musical love story. Jon and Marina Lindblom took a sidestep from symphonic music to bluegrass, and the result has been something they never could have imagined. 

Jon, a native of New York, pursued his musical ambitions at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a degree in Trumpet Performance. While in college, he met a violinist, Marina, from Michigan. She was also at Eastman to study Violin Performance. Marina has played in symphony orchestras around the world, in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to castles in Germany. She and Jon both landed jobs with the Savannah Symphony in Georgia, which brought them to the South, where they began their family. 

Their oldest daughter, Libby Lindblom, is the spokesperson for her family’s band. She explains that the Savannah Symphony sadly went bankrupt, but Jon and Marina were settled in the area, so Jon used his skills as a certified piano technician to start 88 Keys Piano, a company that offers piano tuning and moving services. Marina taught music lessons in their home. It’s what they both continue doing today, except when they are playing with the family band, Headin’ Home. 

There are nine children in the Lindblom family, and Marina has homeschooled all of them. “Mom taught us violin and piano, and we sang in nursing homes in the area,” says Libby. “We sang mostly hymns, played violins, and quoted Bible verses.” 

The family’s introduction to bluegrass music was quite unexpected. “We were on a family vacation in the mountains of North Carolina in 2016,” recalls Libby. “We spent time hiking near Maggie Valley, and one day we went into a shop that had bluegrass music playing on the speakers in the store.” They were mesmerized. “My parents bought the CD – Sunday Bluegrass featuring Mike Scott on the banjo.” 

The family listened to the CD until it was nearly worn out. “We wanted to start a bluegrass band, so everyone chose an instrument, and we all learned to play them,” Libby says. “We started touring about six years ago. We played locally in churches and branched out to festivals. We also began picking at a local guitar store – Randy Wood Guitars. He is a noted luthier here, and that gave us more exposure.” 

The band started as The Lindblom Family, but MCs couldn’t pronounce their last name, so the family wanted to choose a name that was simple, easy to say, and meaningful on both spiritual and practical levels. “Our dad suggested Headin’ Home,” says Libby, “and we chose the slogan, 'Bluegrass with a Destiny,' to reflect our goals of having a higher purpose to everything we do.” 

The Lindbloms bought a bus in 2023 and that opened opportunities to travel to faraway places. “We played in places like Minnesota and Montana, and next year we are traveling to Arizona. It’s been so much fun traveling and seeing the country, and we love doing it together.” The family still lives together, and many of them work during the week. “But on most weekends we are on the road, playing somewhere, and we love it.” 

A Family Band

Headin’ Home is unique from other family bands in that they are all adults (the youngest band member is 22) and all accomplished working musicians, yet they have chosen to stick together and turn what they’ve grown up doing together - playing music - into a polished, professional, family-focused craft. Their love for sharing both original and traditional songs with a positive message has built them a loyal fanbase around the country. They were honored to take home second place at the 2026 SPBGMA International Band Championship. The band’s third and newest album, Rhythm of the Tires, was released in October 2025. 

Jon has traded in his trumpet for the upright bass. In addition to his role as dad and bus driver, he is one of the band’s lead vocalists, along with his two daughters.

Marina is the fiddle player for Headin’ Home, and she has also written several original songs they have recorded. She is the 2024 Georgia State Fiddle Champion. 

Luke plays resophonic guitar and sings bass vocals. In 2023, he won the Georgia State Dobro Championship. Luke founded his own sound company and has become an in-demand sound technician for major bluegrass festivals around the country.  Luke is a certified piano tuner and technician, and he works for the family business. 

Libby plays guitar in Headin’ Home. She has written many original songs for the band as well as two fiction books (integrityebooks.com). She also handles the band’s marketing, booking, and public relations. Libby and her sister both stay busy teaching private music lessons at home every day they’re not on the road.

Lucy plays mandolin and sings lead and harmony for Headin’ Home. She teaches music lessons at home as well as runs a Patreon community for mandolinists called Lucy Lindblom Music. She is also a pro at running sound and lights and works with her brother Luke, running the stage at bluegrass festivals.

Rounding out the band is Timothy, who plays banjo for Headin’ Home. He is the 2023 Georgia State Banjo Champion, and he has also placed first on guitar in the state of Georgia. He works with the family business, moving and servicing pianos.

Headin’ Home Fest

Libby says that after playing at so many wonderful festivals, it has been a dream of the family to host a festival of their own. They hosted their first festival in Fall 2022. “So many festivals had closed down after Covid, so we decided to give it a try. We did the first one and although it was small, it felt good. We have kept it going, and it continues to grow every year.” 

Now they do two festivals a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The next one is scheduled for October 1 through 18. “We hold it at a campground in Hazlehurst, Georgia,” says Libby. “We are all in there the entire time jamming and networking and taking care of sound or anything else that’s needed. We have met so many great friends there.” 

This fall’s line-up is stellar. Joining Headin’ Home will be Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, The Kody Norris Show, Strings of Green, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, and many more, including The Brothers Five – the youngest five Lindblom boys who will perform on Friday and Saturday nights. 

The event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday with a potluck dinner followed by an open stage. Music starts at noon Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with a Gospel Jam on Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. There will be a banjo workshop with Brandon Green on Friday at 10:00 a.m., and a mandolin workshop with Lucy Lindblom at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. For ticket information, visit the festival website at headinhomefest.com. 

The Brothers Five

Some may call The Brothers Five an offshoot band of Headin’ Home, but they are accomplished in their own right. Ranging in age from 20 to 11, brothers Linus, Logan, Liam, Levi, and Leo Lindblom often tour with Headin’ Home. The youngest, Leo, released a solo album last year on which he played every instrument. “We’re just here for Leo,” laughs Libby. 

To hear music by Headin’ Home and to see where they’ll be playing, visit their website at Home - Headin' Home.