The Carper Family

Rank #11 Austin, TX Country / Bluegrass / Swing

About

Members: Melissa Carper - bass, vocals; Beth Chrisman- fiddle, vocals; Jenn Miori - guitar, vocals

Sounds Like: Riders in the Sky, The Carter Sisters, Gillian Welch, The Sweetback Sisters, Bearfoot Fan Page

Bio: The Carper Family has brought together three of Austin's most talented young
country and bluegrass singers and pickers...

Melissa Carper [vocals, bass], Beth Chrisman [vocals,
fiddle], and Jenn Miori [vocals, guitar] each grew up
singing and playing music with their families. By the time they
c... See Full Bio

More Info

Status

: picking up our new record on Monday! look for it soon at Fiddlers Green and @WaterlooRecords, and http://t.co/dvha5UCe8T

Press

"Back When" is a roots-Country, lover's lament from The Carper Family. With beautiful vocal harmonies and expert musicianship, "Back When" (from the album of the same name) takes listeners on a musical journey to back when Country music was fresh and new. Like a modern day Andrews Sisters singing covers of Bob Wills, these three Southern sirens (Melissa Carper, Beth Chrisman and Jenn Miori) evoke feelings from another era. No electric guitars, no vocal effects, no post production trickery; The Carper Family delivers hearfelt and well honed roots Country at its best. Singing of love's later stages, after the bloom has left the rose; The Carper Family wonders aloud why the love letters no longer come. Pondering love's fading passions, they sing "why can't back when happen again." Many critics of modern country music may be tempted to ask that same question. But thanks to the Carper Family "Back When" can indeed happen again.

— Family Reunion Country, Family Reunion Country - Song of the Week

“Ever wonder why Austin never spawned a female answer to hillbilly Wayne Hancock? Check out the Carper Family. In spite of their youth, Melissa Carper (bass), Beth Chrisman (fiddle), and Jenn Miori (guitar) blend their voices immaculately, kick some shit when they have to, and write warm and enticing songs that sound like they were new 50 years ago. Guests Cindy Cashdollar and Brennen Leigh light the way. ”

— Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle - Texas Platters

“On their debut CD, Austin's Carper Family serve up seven covers- some venerable, others obscure, all superb - and eight originals that showcase the band's musicality, instrumental and vocal chops, and sense of fun. Recorded live in the studio, bassist Melissa carper, fiddler Beth Chrisman and guitarist Jenn Miori blow the dust off a couple Gene Autry tunes, bringing each thrillingly back to life. They also reveal a good ear for lesser-known songs. In fact, the best of the covers might be Leo Rondeau's "Loving Me Like You Do," a nimble two-stepper that the Carpers make their own. It's not the last time you'll be hearing this song. But the real suprise is the quality of the group's own writing. Each member takes turns singing lead, and sister-close harmonies grace every tune. Supported by Cindy Cashdollar on dobro and steel, and by Brennen Leigh on mandolin and lead guitar, the Carpers have released a sterling debut. ”

— Madison Searle, Texas Music Magazine - CD Review

“The Carper family impresses me in much the same way that the Riders in the Sky did 30 odd years ago. I was impressed with the way that a small group could deliver such a complete sound. Everyone sang lead and was capable of perfectly blended harmonies, all the while supporting the vocals with instrumental backup, at times flashy and at times subtle, but always appropriate. The Riders added a fourth member several years back which allows a moment to catch one’s breath from time to time, but the Carpers are still doing it the hard way and doing it very well. Their range of material is most impressive for such a young group, reflecting the various influences of the members, but whatever the genre, it is represented authentically and authoritatively. The harmonies are spot on and the instrumentals always fit. I hope that their career trajectory matches that of the Riders. They have what it takes. ”

— Tom Pittman (Austin Lounge Lizards, KUT Folkways host)

“This female trio is not a ‘family’ in the accepted terms, as Melissa Carper, Beth Chrisman, and Jenn Miori are not related. They are three talented country/bluegrass singers and pickers from Austin who came together in 2009 to form their own ‘family’ group to sing and play their own take on western ballads, swing tunes and even a touch of bluegrass with gorgeous three-part harmonies. Sounding a little like a female version of say the Sons of the Pioneers or Riders in the Sky, they blend in their own self-penned originals with long lost gems from the far distance past. Their own songs mix in humour and even a little pathos that comes through on “Don’t Treat Me Too Nice” and “Who R U Texting 2Nite?” They are joined musically by Brennen Leigh (mandolin, lead guitar), and Cindy Cashdollar (Dobro, steel guitar) to add extra colour to the simple but effective arrangements. This is an album that I’ve derived great listening pleasure from … well worth seeking out.”

— Alan Cackett, Maverick Country

“Most family bands evolve from actual family members who happen to be musical, eventually moving from the living room to the road. The Carper "Family" is a bit of a misnomer, though there is a connection. The band is comprised of three Austin women who each previously led their own groups. Each of them also grew up with families who played music. So as you might guess, they feel like a family. Melissa Carper plays doghouse bass, Beth Chrisman is on the fiddle, and Jenn Miori plays guitar. Each can sing lead and their three distinctively different voices offer variety for the listener. In fact, their voices are so different that their fabulous blended trio harmonies catch you off guard. It is hard to tell who is singing what part, but that's a good sign. Harmony is supposed to sound like matched parts and there voices move together as one. As an added treat, Cindy Cashdollar guests on the album on steel guitar and Brennen Leigh is featured on mandolin. ...”

— Jim Blum, FolkAlley.com

“With their second album set for release later this month, 2013 might be the year of the Carper Family. Old Fashioned Gal finds the trio’s harmonies Andrews-Sisters-tight, their musicianship impeccable, and the songs equally balanced between Fifties nostalgia and 21st century contemporary. ”

— Jim Caliguiri, Austin Chronicle

“The Carper Family is my favorite Texas band, and I know my high opinion of them is shared by many. This three-woman group performs in a traditional acoustic style, and their repertoire combines great country tunes with truly excellent original material. Much of that original material comes from bass player Melissa Carper, the band’s main songwriter, whose songs range from the deeply moving to the profoundly quirky. Melissa, Beth and Jenn take turns singing lead. Each possesses a distinctive voice, and their threepart harmonies blend sweet-and-smooth with honkytonk for a gorgeous sound.”

— Gary Mortensen (Texas Swing Kings)

“The Carper Family illustrates the unfair, unreasonable amount of talent, and specifically female talent, that can be found in Austin, TX on any given night. And that is what The Carper Family does; they are a working, local band, playing many nights a week at various Austin venues. Back When proves that this local band deserves more national, and international attention.”

— Kyle Coroneos, Saving Country Music

"The Carper Family isn't a family by blood, though they sing like one. The three are talented instrumentalists and vocalists who play bluegrass, old-time country and swing in a style that recalls the tight acoustic ensembles of the 1920s and '30s but with exquisitely tight three-part vocals and original material. The result is a sound that's both old and new, a fresh recasting of music that combines the emotional directness of their musical forebears with contemporary subjects."

— Madison Searle , Texas Music Magazine - Spotlight

“The aesthetic of Hank Williams' music is not particularly alive in Hank II or III. But it lives on regardless. In the case of the Carper Family, it resides among three harmonizing women from Austin, Texas, who play waltzes, swings and bluegrass tunes on acoustic instruments. If you've ever gotten tingly listening to the pedal-steel cry during a Hank tune, these ladies might be your jam.”

— David Hudnall, The Pitch

All Press

Recent Blogs

Pre-order "Old-Fashioned Gal"
Jan 23, 2013
http://www.carperfamilyband.com/pre-order-old-fashioned-gal.html We are heading... [more]

New Website!
Dec 1, 2011
www.carperfamilyband.com [more]

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Songs

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Play "My Baby Don't Like Me"

My Baby Don't Like …

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Play "Don't Treat Me Too Nice"

Don't Treat Me Too …

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Play "Lovin' Me Like You Do"

Lovin' Me Like You …

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Videos

The Carper Family - My Baby Don't Like Me

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Shows

Full-Screen View »

Sat
May 25

Bluebell Bluegrass Fest…
Llano, TX, US | 12:00pm
Bluebell Bluegrass Festival
Llano, TX, US
Sat May 25 12:00pm
- Show Details
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3:30pm
Sun
May 26

Central Market North La…
Austin, TX, US | 12:00pm
Central Market North Lamar...
Austin, TX, US
Sun May 26 12:00pm
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Noon-3PM
Wed
May 29

Cactus Cafe
Austin, TX, US | 8:00pm
Cactus Cafe
Austin, TX, US
Wed May 29 8:00pm
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CD Release Show
Fri
May 31

The Continental Club Au…
Austin, TX, US | 12:00pm
The Continental Club Austin
Austin, TX, US
Fri May 31 12:00pm
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Hot Club of Cowtown CD Release Party Hot Club of Cowtown 10pm Carper Family midnight
Sat
Jun 1

Hole In The Wall
Austin, TX, US | 8:00pm
Hole In The Wall
Austin, TX, US
Sat Jun 01 8:00pm
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The Grand Hole Opry! Start off swinging with the Biscuit Grabbers, hoedown with the Carper Family, then honkytonk the night away with the legendary James "Slim" Hand.

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Comments

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Country Call
SUPERBE !!!!
Vecchi e Brutti
Hello the Carper Family very good music you got there, keep the swing!!! V&B
Double Play
great sound ladies ! loved the listen ! really enjoyed listening to your pleasant harmonies !
Michael Buergner
Howdy Beth and ladies- Love the new band and songs! So happy for you. You are the real deal. Nice to hear Cold, Dark and Lonely; still gives me the chills and a tear in my ...
Devils in Disguise
Digging your band!!!
Scott Fischer
Wow! I just love Austin!!!

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Stats

Song Plays 9,315 +19
Video Plays 1,197
Total Fans 4,369 -2
ReverbNation Fans 1,271 -1
Facebook Likes 1,670
Twitter Followers 330 -1
MySpace Friends 1,098
Widget Impressions 15,119 +47

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