Mama Said String Band

Mama Said String Band
Background information
OriginLouisville, Kentucky, U.S.
GenresBluegrass, Americana, Folk
Years active2016 (2016)–present
MembersDavid O'Neal
Katie "Didit" Caudill
Kaitlen Farmer
Kris Potts
Websitewww.mamasaidstringband.com

Mama Said String Band is an American bluegrass band formed in 2016 and based in Louisville, Kentucky. The band's current members are David O'Neal on vocals and strings, Katie "Didit" Caudill (vocals and upright bass), Kaitlen Farmer (vocals and guitar), and Kris Potts (vocals and mandolin). Their music incorporates elements of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana.[1] In 2020, the band was awarded best album of the year for their sophomore album Carry the Water by the Lexington Music Awards.[2][3] They were also the named Best Bluegrass Band in the Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards and, in 2025, Bluegrass Artist of the Year in the Lexington Music Awards.[4][5]

History

Two years after their formation, in 2018, Mama Said String Band released their self-titled debut album.[6]

In 2020, the band became a four-piece group after two founding members departed and banjo player Taylor Shuck joined the lineup. On February 5, 2021, they released Mariah, a four-song EP recorded and produced at Nitrosonic Studios in Lexington, Kentucky.[7][8]

In 2023, Mama Said released the full-length, 12-track album Seasons of Change featuring guest artists Jonathan Goodwin (piano), Chris Cupp (cello), and Logan Henry (pedal steel). The album was recorded at Darkhorse Recording in Franklin, Tennessee and produced by Jonathon Goodwin at Good1 Productions in Lexington, Kentucky.[1]

Mama Said has performed at numerous regional and national music festivals, including Railbird Festival,[9] FloydFest,[10] ROMP Bluegrass Festival,[11] Moonshiner's Ball,[12] Blue Ox Music Festival,[13] Hookahville,[14] the John Hartford Memorial Festival,[15] and others.

In late 2020, they performed at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame's Artist-in-Residence series.[7][16]

Previous members

  • Taylor Shuck – banjo
  • Aldai Filiatreau – guitar
  • Stephanie Kidd – guitar

Current members

  • Katie "Didit" Caudill – bass, vocals
  • David O'Neal – strings, vocals
  • Kaitlen Farmer – guitar, vocals
  • Kris Potts – mandolin

Style and influences

Mama Said String Band's music is informed by American grassroots traditions, blending elements of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana with an emphasis on vocal harmonies since all four band members perform as vocalists. While they draw on traditional Kentucky Bluegrass, the band is also known for their contemporary arrangements and genre-bending performances. Their style has been described as a creative reinvention of grassroots string music, combining tight harmonies with instrumental interplay that appeals to both traditionalists and newer audiences.[17][18]

Discography

Albums

  • Mama Said String Band (2018)
  • Carry the Water (2023)

EPs and singles

  • Mariah (2021)
  • "Feel This Blue" (2023)
  • "Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride" (2024)
  • "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" (2025)
  • "SnowDrops" (2025)
  • "Numb Goodbyes" (2025)

References

  1. ^ a b "Seasons of Change, A New Album by Mama Said String Band | Hope River Entertainment". Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  2. ^ "Lexington Music Awards". Lexington Music Awards. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  3. ^ Times, Murray Ledger and. "Local Events". Murray Ledger and Times. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  4. ^ "2024 Award Winners". Lexington Music Awards. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  5. ^ "Line Up". Sustain Festivals. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  6. ^ Young, Travis (2018-04-04). "Mama Said String Band | The Moonshiner's Ball 2021". themoonshinersball.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
  7. ^ a b Cundiff, Jim (2021-03-01). "REVIEW: Mama Said String Band "Mariah" is Absolute Magic • Americana Highways". Americana Highways. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  8. ^ Cobb, Renee Collins (2021-02-27). "Mama Said String Band Finds 'Peace of Mind' in 'Taylor-ing' a New EP Release Titled 'Mariah'". Overtones Live. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  9. ^ Philpot, Larry (2025-06-17). "Mama Said String Band's Bluegrass Charm Lights Up Railbird Festival 2025". Music News And Views. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  10. ^ "Past Lineups". FloydFest 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  11. ^ "ROMP THROUGH THE YEARS". ROMP Fest. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  12. ^ Young, Travis (2018-04-04). "Mama Said String Band | The Moonshiner's Ball 2021". themoonshinersball.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  13. ^ Billick, Brooke (2024-01-14). "News: Blue Ox Music Festival 2024 Announces its 10th Anniversary Lineup! • Americana Highways". Americana Highways. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  14. ^ "Festivals In Focus: Hookahville Q&A With ekoostik hookah's Dave Katz". JamBase. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  15. ^ "John Hartford Memorial Festival – Mama Said String Band". hartfordfest.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  16. ^ Collins, Renee (2021-01-18). Mama Said String Band at Kentucky Music Hall of Fame "Artist in Residence" Series. Retrieved 2026-02-14 – via Vimeo.
  17. ^ Brown, Madison (2019-10-02). "'Appalachia in the Bluegrass' Presents Tall, Dark and Handsome, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, CornMaiz, Mama Said String Band". UKNow. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  18. ^ Timmons, John (2018-04-26). "The Opening Act: Mama Said String Band". Louisville Public Media. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
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