The Art & Soul of Music feature
Story by Ashley Elvington • Vintage Daisy Photography
the hinson
Girls
JIMMY HINSON HAS ALWAYS STRESSED TO HIS DAUGHTERS the value of stick-
tors with whom they clicked. “We always felt those lessons were more than just an
ing together as a family. “We first tried riding dirt bikes together and while that was
educational opportunity. We were looking for someone who caught the passion
lots of fun, it just didn’t fit all of us as an ongoing hobby. Then we got into riding horses
behind what our dad has always taught us. It isn’t about the single dream of one per-
together. At one time, we had a horse for each of the six of us. We would ride trails
son, but yet keeping the family together and following the passion behind the talents.”
together and started showing horses at local shows,” shares Kristin, the oldest of the
girls.
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While all four can play guitar, three of the sisters set out to find an instrument of
their own. Katelyn plays mandolin, Allison plays banjo, and Melissa plays upright bass.
As the expenses of taking care of six horses seemed to only increase, Jimmy
Kristin remained as the guitarist. Remembers Kristin, “In addition to being the guitar
introduced his daughters to the guitar. Kristin recalls, “We first started playing coun-
player, I settled into the role of lead spokesperson while performing and planning.
try music together because that was what we listened to on the radio. Our youngest
After several months of trying out the family band, we realized we needed a bass
sister, Katelyn, would begin to sing, and we started to notice that she had a gift for
player. The natural and most obvious choice was Melissa. She first gave the drums
it. We immediately started dreaming of having our own family band and started
a try. However, once we found bluegrass music, it was obvious drums were not an
practicing songs together. Once we had several songs ready to perform, we shared
option. For Dad’s birthday one year, he asked for an acoustic electric bass, and
these talents with some of our family and friends at family reunions and some local
that’s what Melissa learned to play.” After adjusting to that for a little over a year, she
events in our community.”
switched to upright bass. “After lots of encouragement, she found that she was gifted
After considering their future, the girls decided that country music wasn’t the best
with this instrument. After about three years of playing with it, we found an antique
route to take as young teenage girls. “That’s when our dad introduced us to blue-
1943 Kay bass that, despite looking rough, had a deep bass sound that stepped up
grass music. At first, we laughed at him, because we had never heard of bluegrass
our sound. Melissa’s enjoyment took root with this, and she now loves playing and
and didn’t know anyone else who listened to it.” Things changed, however, once
feeling the ‘mashing’ sounds of her doghouse bass.” Jimmy is their sound technician
Jimmy took the girls to the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville,
and band coach, and mom Ashley handles booking and marketing. Kristin admits,
where they met other young musicans who played bluegrass. Once they returned
“Both of them are a huge part of everything we do: song selection, stage perfor-
home to South Carolina, the girls decided to try their hand at performing bluegrass.
mance, clothing choices, and overall atmosphere. They also drive the van for us and
“Looking for bluegrass music teachers wasn’t very hard, but it did take some effort.
chaperone as needed! We as a family have grown together in our faith. We’ve
The bluegrass community has always been very welcoming to new fans and mu-
experienced the highs and the lows together and have been able to encourage one
sicians.” They spoke with several people in the industry and quickly found instruc-
another throughout the entire journey.” CONTINUED...
APRIL 2016
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