Wielding one mean dobro

Emmett Franz: a tale of an Ozarks Bluegrass legend in the making?

The Petersens made Emmett Franz and Emmett Franz made the Petersens.

That's the takeaway one might get when reviewing the meteoric success of the Bluegrass band based in the Ozarks resort town of Branson, Mo.

It's not that the Petersens weren't alluring and proficient at earning a living with their regular shows and tours. But when the band mates found that the covid scare forced them to turn to Youtube and Patreon for income, it turned out that Emmett's mastery of the dobro was a definite plus. (The group was also fortunate in having an excellent video producer, Aaron Clark, to showcase its work.)

Emmett Franz gets down with his dobro as Karen Petersen tackles bass.

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An example of what I mean is the group's first viral hit, Jolene, sung by svelte siren Ellen. I've heard plenty of Bluegrass dobroists, but never one who demonstrates the dexterity and mastery of Emmett. He is so good that the band sometimes has to dial him down a bit so that he doesn't overwhelm everybody else.

"One of the first times I heard Emmett perform was in a small house concert with maybe 15 people in attendance," gushed Ellen in 2020, when I Want It That Way was released. "He sang I Want It That Way and we were blown away with his awesome arrangement and style. We can't sing this man's praises enough and are so thankful he's part of the band (and basically family)."

Of course a dobro is a resonator guitar, which sounds similar to the electrified steel guitar but needs no extra amplification. And yours truly is not the only observer who has deemed Emmett as in the same general category as a really good rock lead guitarist.

From the Branson Tri Lakes News:

For their debut concert of 2023, The Nest featured [Arizona indy rock band] BOXEN with opener Emmett Franz on March 13.

“We were essentially sold out. We had a few people that didn't show up to take their seats, which always happens. For the size of the venue, we thought it was great,” Tom said. “I think Emmett Franz just blew everybody away. I don’t think hardly anybody knew who Emmett Franz was, other than his fans that he brought which were plentiful. The pre-show was very well received.”

Andrea [Brett] added, it had been BOXEN’s idea to invite Franz to be a part of their concert, which she agreed worked out great.

Another interesting point is that the Arkansas native's excellence at hillbilly-style vocals would serve him well in the straight rock genre, where mellowness of voice is not required. And he has plenty of experience at rock, as the Petersens do quite a bit of grassed-up Rock.

The band no doubt is breathing a sigh of relief that its prize player doesn't remove to Nashville in order to earn a handsome living as a studio musician. But as Emmett is one of sweet dynamite Katie's closest friends, that option may well be off the table.

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Emmett Franz playlist 

Wrong Side of Tomorrow
https://youtu.be/BfxF3hQu2ok

The Scientist
https://youtu.be/WwqFUY4HcS8?list=PLRTSFgot_wgqdJekfGn8cNjDMESvBgFSP

Moments
https://youtu.be/PBLSzetYYWs

Thunder Ridge
https://youtu.be/8hFts9PYRX4?list=PLi4OplF1xLPcZSY6HdbucQFCIu7zIm1Ut

Walls of Time
https://youtu.be/8JsrLsdK_M8?list=UULFy9CXl0iFafrcBA953Iqd0Q

It Rains Everywhere I go
https://youtu.be/nws1LVRpEpg?list=UULFy9CXl0iFafrcBA953Iqd0Q

Summer Wind
https://youtu.be/JMtt1oKN6t0?list=UULFy9CXl0iFafrcBA953Iqd0Q

Viva la Vida
https://youtu.be/n-TzinaPdBQ?list=UULFy9CXl0iFafrcBA953Iqd0Q

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
https://youtu.be/1OJp9yVaZiE

I feel the Blues Moving In
https://youtu.be/Ry_Nh3slMgI

Think About the Two of Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AV_ObfltSA

Red-headed Stranger
https://youtu.be/eT5NlmgDJqs

If I Needed You
https://youtu.be/f8GwRknGigw

All My Tears
https://youtu.be/wsQw2UPHdS0

I Want It That Way
https://youtu.be/w009AfeBZSA

Come to Jesus
https://youtu.be/7AdNov_uWnY

A bright Ozark morning

Original song neatly blends traditional themes

Group has had to expand its upcoming Eurotour
amid longing for music whole family can enjoy

Blending traditional modes into a new whole, the Petersens have come up with something very special that, in our estimation, is likely to be covered quite a lot.

Sisters Julianne and Katie Petersen worked together with Nashville country musician Johnny Meyer to write the lyrics for and compose Morningside, which weaves together traditional Gospel, Bluegrass and Country themes.

Julianne, as is her wont, brings us a subtle and interesting lead vocal. Julz is a well-rounded poet and musical artist, with an excellent feel for the new and the old. She goes from Coldplay to Bob Dylan to her own Silly Girls (see below) without batting an eyelash.

Morningside features instrumental breaks, including Katie's fabulous fiddle, Ellen's strong banjo, Matt's expert flat-picking, Julianne's acute mandolin and Emmet's always skillful dobro.

No wonder this Ozarks band, based in that family entertainment mecca, Branson, Mo., has a highly devoted global following.

Here is a verse, which gives you the flavor of the song:

If the wind of sorrow takes me
On the wings of love I'll fly
Till I come to rest so sweetly
Over on the morningside
Over on the morningside

(If you wonder why Ellen is running uphill during the video outro, the answer is that she hears her nine-month-old girl Macy demanding her presence.)

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Brace yourself for the Petersens upcoming Eurotour

London (Union Chapel, Islington). Tue. Aug. 13.
Gistel, Belgium (Moeder van Vrede). Thur. Aug. 15. Free festival at a family religious center; registration is required.
Cologne. (Stadthalle). Sat. Aug. 17.
Paris. Mon. Aug. 19. (Le Cabaret Sauvage).
Cork, Ireland. (St. Luke's). Thur. Aug. 22.

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Silly Girls