Friday, September 10, 2010
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| 7/27/2010 8:08:00 AM |
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Petersen Family Band to play
Mountaineer Opry House
Carolyn Harmon
For The Putnam Standard
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| The Bluegrass and gospel group The Petersen Family Band will perform July 31 at the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton. Courtesy photo |
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MILTON - In 2002, the Petersens traveled to Gettysburg, Pa. to see the Gettysburg Battlefield.
While they were there, they attended the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival.
"They surrounded our kids with the music," Jon Petersen said. "After a weekend there, we decided to play music together, as a family."
Jon and Karen met as Christians; that is the basis of their marriage and their core values for raising their children, Jon said.
A natural step for them is using their musical gifts to honor God.
"When you live in a world full of just bad news, the music really does give people hope," he said.
The Petersen Family Band started playing in a circle, in the house, Jon said.
It helped that his wife, Karen, is a music teacher. They began preparing songs and playing for people.
Soon, they were hired to play small jobs and now they perform professionally and tour.
The Petersen Family Band, of Branson, Mo. will perform at the Mountaineer Opry House, in Milton, July 31.
In the beginning, Jon and Karen were the instrumentalists of The Petersen Family band.
Jon plays rhythm guitar and bass and Karen plays the mandolin and sings.
Since then something happened, their four children: Katie, on fiddle; Ellen, on banjo; Matthew, on rhythm guitar and bass; and Julianne, on fiddle and vocals, have grown some.
"Now I have the best seat in the back watching the kids be the stars of the show," Jon said.
The Petersens take each performance very seriously.
When they are hired, they are very respectful about the fact that people come to see them, Jon said.
When the lights come up, they have to come up with it, he said.
"Every time we get a job we get family time to prepare," he said. "That is the gift of the job; the preparation is the biggest benefit."
They begin with the song selection, costume choices and practice time, in the basement.
"We have a big mirror on the wall and watch how we interact and sometimes we break out laughing," Jon said. "Everyone has their own dynamic."
With each show comes unexpected and valued family adventures.
The Petersens load up the motor home, eat fast food, and meet and greet new people.
In addition to spreading spiritual messages, the band is a job for the children, Jon said.
Every dime the band earns goes to them, which motivates them to think of their audience's expectations.
But the most valuable aspect of the band for Jon and Karen is the family time.
"I don't know what we would do without it," he said. "That's our inspiration, our faith and the love of our family and wanting to do something really special with our kids before they are gone. Every family needs an activity to bring them together."
For more information, log onto www.petersenfamilyband.com.
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