MAMA SAID STRING BAND
Delivering a refreshing reinvention of sounds once forgotten through their own brand of grassroots, Mama Said String Band has been making an impact on the Bluegrass Scene & beyond since their debut in 2016. Based out of Louisville Kentucky, Mama Said String Band is a four-piece collection of songwriters & players, David O’Neal, Katie “Didit” Caudill, Kaitlen Farmer, and Kris Potts. Each member brings a unique perspective with backgrounds spanning multiple cultures, genres, and styles. Together they draw influences from Bluegrass, Folk and Americana while focusing on vocal harmonies and contemporary instrumentation to build an eclectic, eurythmic melody and tactfully delivered message.
During their time together, Mama Said has become an instant classic, made a notable impact on the Bluegrass State, grown a large fan base & received numerous awards and nominations such as “Bluegrass artist of the Year”. They have made & continue to make their imprint nationwide as they tour and take part in prominent music festivals.
Awards & Nominations:
“Album of the Year”
— Lexington Music Awards
“Best Bluegrass Band”
— Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards
“Bluegrass Artist of the Year”
—Lexington Music Awards
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Ms. Katie “Didit” Caudill, born and raised in Whitesburg, Kentucky, possesses an extraordinary capability to guide cadence and melody into a deliberate yet delicate relationship between voice and instrument. Katie’s repertoire includes guitar, banjo and upright bass; her main influences are John Prine, Andrew Jackson Jihad, The Tillers and Chris Wood. Katie Didit’s rich and playful sound can be attributed to her intricate, powerful lyrics and harmonious old-timey style. Katie has spent most of her life deeply immersed in the world of traditional Appalachian music, studying traditional mountain music at Mt. Empire College in Big Stone Gap VA, going on to become an instructor, and eventually program director, for JAMS (Junior Appalachian Musicians). In her spare time, you can find her indulging her love for reading, writing, drawing, cooking and gardening; or organizing and hosting weekly open mic nights in Louisville. Katie’s vintage flare is perfectly paired with her passion for lyrical composition, each line laden with intention leaving her listeners feeling as if they just finished their new favorite book.
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David O’Neal is a master at manipulating dynamics and harmonies to add a marvelous, fascinating depth to the mosaic that is Mama Said String Band. David uses violin and voice to put forth a distinctive, inimitable sound charged with spontaneity and energy. Born in Wilmore, Kentucky, David has been playing violin for most of his life, eighteen years. David began his study of the violin under Ruth Ben-Ari and performed with various orchestras from 2005-2009; going on to form a band and pursue his own path with a number of singer-songwriters and various rock, country, EDM and punk bands from 2010-2015; the years since marking his entrance into “new grass” and folk music. David has a proclivity towards Si-Fi and fantasy novels, videogames, and history documentaries. His musical influences include, Chris Thile, Jesse Lacey, and Ben Gibbard. David has a special way of commanding his listeners to fully engage with what they’re hearing. His lyrical and vocal style endow one with intrigue and delight; pairing euphoniously with his ability to maneuver tempo and volume, while maintaining unusual harmonies. David’s fiddle should be considered the fifth voice in Mama Said String Band.
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Hailing from Henry County Kentucky, singer-songwriter Kaitlen Farmer has a unique ability to compel her listeners to recall a wide range of feeling and emotion through timeless melodies and simple, heartfelt lyrics. Her ballads are generous in their ability to finally put into words what we struggle to do so with ourselves. Kaitlen has played guitar since she was eight years old, sixteen years and counting; over time she has developed a thoughtful, melodious style that shines its brightest through her original compositions. Kaitlen puts each syllable to use to create rhythm with her words, making it impossible to sit still when greeted with her colorful, catchy sound. Kaitlen’s influences include Keller Williams, Del McCoury, and the Grateful Dead. Although playing and writing music are her main hobbies, she practices yoga, spins fire, and above all, makes traveling and seeing live music top priorities, along with spending time with her family and friends. If you’ve ever stayed up a bit too late around the campfire, maybe had one too many, or you want to remember the one that got away, Katilen’s warm sound and introspective message is there to help you along the journey.
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Kris Potts of Indianapolis, IN is the latest addition to Mama Said String Band. Formally the mandolin player of Flatland Harmony Experiment and several other projects, he is known for his whimsical playing. He has brought fresh life and light into the Mama Said sound.
Listen to Mama Said String Band’s brand of grassroots & honest lyricism to hear for yourself what Mama Said is all about