The Petersens
The Petersens are a family bluegrass band from Branson, Missouri whose YouTube videos (over 200 million views) have made them one of the most internationally recognized contemporary bluegrass acts outside the traditional festival circuit. Their Branson residency, wholesome Christian-family aesthetic, and clean four-part sibling harmonies have won them a global audience that extends well beyond the bluegrass core.
- Formed in 2005 by siblings Katie (b. 1990), Ellen (b. 1992), Matt (b. 1994), and Julianne Petersen (b. 2001), with parents Karen and Jon Petersen. Inspired by a family visit to the Gettysburg bluegrass festival where Jon Petersen saw families playing music together.
- Father Jon Petersen was a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel; family moved frequently during his career before settling in Branson in 2007 after his retirement.
- Each sibling started on piano at age seven. Katie became the fiddler (after classical violin training); Ellen the banjoist (after an early drums phase — vetoed because “there are no drums in bluegrass”); Matt the flatpicking guitarist; Julianne the mandolinist.
- Mother Karen Petersen has a master's in music education from Oklahoma University; played mandolin early on, switched to upright bass when Julianne started mandolin in 2017. Father Jon played guitar and bass.
- Won the 2nd Annual Branson CAM Gospel Sing-Off at Sight & Sound Theatre in 2010.
- Ellen Petersen competed on Season 14 of American Idol (2015), reaching the Top 48. Harry Connick Jr. said her voice “made him feel proud to be an American.”
- Dobro player Emmett Franz joined as an “honorary Petersen” in 2017–2018, becoming a full-time member.
- YouTube channel launched early, with covers of “Jolene” (Dolly Parton) and other pop/country songs gaining traction. Went viral in 2019; current view count exceeds 200 million.
- Full-time residency at the Little Opry Theatre in the Branson IMAX Entertainment Complex — 90-minute shows of classic country, gospel, and pop covers in acoustic bluegrass arrangement.
- Album catalog (10+ releases) includes gospel albums, multiple Christmas albums, and YouTube-song compilations. Notable releases: Shenandoah (2017), The Greenest Grass, and My Ozark Mountain Home (November 2022), the last released in Dolby Atmos with a global fan choir.
- International tours have included Ireland, the UK, Finland (2019), and New Zealand (March 2025).
- Ellen married Michael Haygood of the Haygoods (another Branson performing family) in January 2020, becoming Ellen Petersen Haygood.
- Most of the siblings graduated from College of the Ozarks; Katie and Ellen studied chemistry, Matt business, Julianne English literature at John Brown University.
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Emmett FranzPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Karen PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Matt PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Ellen PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Jon PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Katie PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Julianne PetersenPlayed on recordings with The Petersens
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Ellen HaygoodPlayed on recording with The Petersens