Though the Nellies often joke that they play “traditional bluegrass, just a fifth higher,” they constantly push those boundaries to include elements of classic honky-tonk and Western swing to get their driving, energetic sound. Grounded by the lush duo and trio vocals, these gals take their picking far beyond the “girl group” label, with Betsy Maudlin’s hot Texas-inspired fiddling, Jess Beebe’s thumping bass, and Prentice Sellers’ powerful banjo playing. Their repertoire includes plenty of chestnuts from Flatt and Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, and Jimmy Martin, as well as country-inspired originals by mandolin player Nicole Solis and well-chosen covers by Lyle Lovett, George Strait, and even Nancy Sinatra.