By ASHLEY CENTERS
for Inland360
The Americana bluegrass band Della Mae was born when five women decided to play music around the world. Since 2009, that decision has taken the Nashville-based quintet to more than 30 countries, earned the band a Grammy nomination in 2014 and landed it on Rolling Stone’s list of bands to watch for in 2015.
Jenni Lyn Gardner, vocalist and mandolin player, said the band has grown from the opportunities they’ve had, both musically and as individuals.
“In our travels, we've seen music bring people together time and time again,” Gardner said. “It's a bridge builder and a unifier. We say this a lot in interviews, that music is the universal language and that is the most important.”
Gardner comes from a family of bluegrass lovers and musicians and started playing the mandolin when she was 8. Other members bring to the band a variety musical backgrounds from around the U.S. and Canada. That diversity of perspective makes for a sound that is very modern with deep traditional roots. It ranges from intense and playful to sensitive and insistent in nature.
In addition to Gardner, Della Mae members include Celia Woodsmith on lead vocals and guitar, Kimber Ludiker on fiddle, Courtney Hartman on lead guitar and vocals and Zoe Guigueno on bass.
IF YOU GO
WHO: Della Mae
WHEN: 1 p.m., Sunday
WHERE: Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, 419 N. Park Way, Uniontown
COST: $20
