It’s been nearly five decades sing Dolly Parton first released “Jolene” and she’s giving her fans a chance of their own to make a mark on her beloved single. Using the hashtag #JoleneChallenge, she’s asking the public to share their best versions.
This family took her up on the challenge it seems they were born to make music. Their natural musical inclinations come together to produce beautiful and heartfelt performances. This family band from Branson, Missouri, put on a magical version of ‘Jolene’ by Dolly Parton. While many people have covered the popular song, this one is a cut above the rest.
Every member of this talented family is incredible, no wonder why this video went viral!
The Petersen family shows us how it’s done with this powerful cover of ‘Jolene’.
This award-winning family bluegrass band takes on the extremely popular Dolly Parton song in the #Jolene challenge and it doesn’t get much better.
At the beginning of the video, The Petersen’s stand in their living room with their instruments in hand, before they start playing the melody of ‘Jolene’ together.
With their instruments perfectly playing the back round music, their brilliant voices come streaming out.
Not only are The Petersens masters of their instruments, but they also have angelic voices that would light up any room. They showcase their abilities while singing ‘Jolene’ and taking the internet by storm.
Who better to play music with than the people you grew up next to? In the band from Branson, MO, is mother Karen Petersen(bass), Katie Petersen(fiddle), Julianne Petersen(mandolin), Matt Petersen(guitar), Ellen Petersen(banjo), and Emmet Franz(dobro).
Just under a minute into the video, Ellen on the banjo breaks into a vocal solo and her voice is mesmerizing.
Ellen is also the director of marketing for the band, she sings the words to ‘Jolene’, while simultaneously playing her banjo. After the first verse, brother Matt and sister Katie step up to the mic to join Ellen for the chorus.
You can see Emmet on the unique dobro, plucking away to make a wonderful tune that stands out from the rest.
Emmet is known as one of the most accomplished dobro players in the country, a bluegrass instrument that is a rarity in modern music. He’s also the only non-biological member of the band and toured professionally with his own family band, The Franz Band, for 20 years.
After the chorus, Ellen takes back the microphone to sing the second verse in ‘Jolene’ and her voice is sensational.
The baby of the family, Julianne, can’t help but smile as she plays her mandolin and watches her talented siblings sing their hearts out. Every member of the Petersen band flawlessly plays their part in the cover of the grammy-winning song.
Dolly Parton would be proud, this family definitely does her classic song justice. Toward the end of the performance, the Petersens hit notes that even the most accomplished singers find difficult. Their energy as a band together is on another level, I guess that’s what you get when you’re playing with your family!
At the end of the video, the whole band picks it up a notch and lets loose on their instruments for quite the spectacle.
For the grand finale, the camera goes from instrument to instrument as each member vigorously plays solos. Including a beautiful solo from the youngest member, Julianne, on her high pitched mandolin. The internet went crazy for the Petersens version of ‘Jolene,’ almost 5 million people have viewed the video, with 127k liking it.
To see the outstanding performance for yourself, watch the video below!
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