Biography

The Hudson Family Band started playing publicly on January 1, 1997 at Meadow Haven Rehab & Specialty Care Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. At that time, they were only a 3-piece band: Bill played the electric bass, Patrick played a 5-octave keyboard, and Seth played a snare-drum & hi-hat. Their program consisted mostly of instrumental songs that Floyd Cramer, the great country pianist, had made popular. Then they would switch around a little, and Bill would play the banjo, Patrick would play the rhythm guitar, and Seth would play the electric bass. This part of the show consisted mostly of bluegrass tunes made popular by Earl Scruggs, the greatest banjoist of all time. For the last part of the show, Caleb and Jared would play harmonicas, while Martha and Emily sang a few folk songs- It would always bring a smile to the face of those residents to see and hear the children playing and singing. They continued playing there once-a-month for about two years.

The first bluegrass / acoustic show the Hudson Family Band did was in March 1998 at ‘Live at Leatherwood’s Old Time Opry’ in Shelby, North Carolina. It was an unscheduled performance – they were just dropping by to listen and possibly jam some. But, in appreciation to Steve Leatherwood and Vern Berry, they made it to the stage. That first “unrehearsed” bluegrass performance opened the door for the Hudson Family Band into a music scene they had only been vaguely familiar with. Since that night, they have performed in quite a few strictly bluegrass concerts, festivals and competitions. The Hudson Family Band has placed in the following competitions: Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention- Fourth Band 2001, First Band 2002 and First Band 2004; Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival- Second Band 2003.

On April 25, 1998, the Hudson Family Band started performing at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store #160 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. By that time Patrick had moved up to a full-size electronic piano, and Seth was playing a 6-piece drum-set. For the bluegrass portion of the show, Seth had learned to play the banjo, Caleb was coming right along on the mandolin, and Jared was developing his own technique on the wash-tub bass. The band has performed there every year since then on Saturday evenings entertaining guests from across the country, as well as a number of regular listeners. They set up their equipment along the front porch of the restaurant and entertain the folks sitting in rocking chairs and lawn chairs. In addition to the Rock Hill location, the Hudson Family Band has also performed at the following Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores: Gaffney, South Carolina store #356 in 1998; Lebanon, Tennessee store #2 in 2000; Nashville, Tennessee store #13 in 2003; Concord, North Carolina store #249 in 2005. The Hudson Family Band continued playing regularly at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store #160 in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Saturday evenings April through October for ten years (1998 - 2007). They're now performing for other venues and functions. Please stay informed to the postings on the Schedule Page.

Music Downloads
Here's a few samples from some recent shows at the Hickory Grove VFW. The files are fairly big (4MB-7MB) and may take a little while to download. Hope ya'll enjoy!
Bluegrass Tunes	Country Tunes
Kentucky Borderline	How Can I Unlove You
I'm Not Over You	Look At Us
You Can't Take It With You	I Told You So
	For The Good Times
	It Was Almost Like A Song
	Workin Man Blues

Press Material
Cracker Barrell Newsletter 1998	Yorkville Enquirer June 27th, 2002	The Herald June, 25 2006
Click the images above for high resolution images (approx 4 MB)

Bill Hudson Founder of the Band, Band Leader, Sound Engineer, Pedal Steel Guitar, Banjo, Electric Bass

Being raised with a love for music, Bill learned to play the guitar as a boy, and the banjo and bass in his teens. He performed first with his brothers, and later with other local groups on the banjo, pedal steel guitar, electric bass, electric lead guitar and rhythm guitar. He has experience playing Country, Bluegrass, Rock & Roll, Western Swing and Gospel. His banjo playing style reflects that of Bobby Thompson and Earl Scruggs. He enjoys listening to Classic Country and Bluegrass / Country mix like that of the ‘Hee Haw’ band and ‘Buck Owens & his Buckaroos’. In 2002, he took Second place on the bass fiddle at Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention. He has been the greatest influence to each of the band members by teaching, advising and coaching them into becoming accomplished musicians. He says, “To get the kind of band I wanted, I had to raise it myself.” Employment Status: Mechanical / Building Maintenance for a local high-school Endorsements: Yamaha sound system, EV powered speakers, Shure and Samson mics, Fender bass, Hartke amp, Deering banjo, Vega strings, Bugga Blue and Ernie Ball picks

Also growing up in a musical family, Nancy started out as a child standing in a chair beside her family quartet singing the old Gospel favorites of the Chuck Wagon Gang. Although she doesn’t usually play a musical instrument in public, she has been a great motivator in getting each of her children started singing and playing on a musical instrument. She enjoys singing and playing hymns on the piano, and especially enjoys being a part of the performances of her husband and children. She says, “I’m proud to be part of my blessings and their music.” Employment Status: Homemaker

Nancy Hudson Director of the female harmonies, Vocals, Secretary, Bookkeeper

Patrick Hudson Keyboard, Rhythm / Finger-style Guitar, Bass Fiddle, Vocals, Photographer

Starting at six years old, Patrick took about three years of piano lessons from Miss. Mary Emma Dickson of Clover, South Carolina. He later picked up the harmonica, and finally the guitar at about thirteen years of age. He then went back to the piano, and began studying chord structure and music theory under the direction of his father. Learning by listening to many different pianists and keyboardists, he has been most dominantly influenced by the following artists: Floyd Cramer, Roger Williams, Carl Doy, Vince Guaraldi and Jeff Little. He taught keyboard for a while at a local music store, and also instructed music courses for about two years at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He plays a few Chet Atkins- style guitar tunes on the country set, and the rhythm guitar on the bluegrass set. He placed fourth on the guitar at Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention 2004. He says, “I’m just thankful to be able to play with some of the best musicians I know – my family: I love you all. Thanks Dad and Mom for being there for me, and instilling in me a deep appreciation for music.” Employment Status: Customer Service / Retail Sales for a local Hardware Store Endorsements: Yamaha keyboard, Fender amp, Taylor guitar, Elixer strings, Clayton and Ernie Ball picks, Olympus camera

Ever since he could get around, Seth was beating on something usually on his mom’s pots and pans at first, and later on a children’s drum set. He actually started playing the drums at nine years of age, the bass at twelve, the banjo at fifteen and the guitar at seventeen. He has given many lessons on the banjo and the guitar both privately, and at a local music store. He wrote his first song when he was eighteen years old, and continues to write both lyrics and music. He is the primary lead singer of the band, often times singing and playing at the same time. Here is a list of some of the artists who have most dominantly influenced his singing: George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard, Russell Moore, George Jones, Ronnie Milsap, and Bill Monroe. His drum playing capabilities stem from the talents of drummers like Scotty Hawkins, Herby Wallace III and Kenny Malone. His banjo playing style reflects that of Earl Scruggs, Ben Eldridge, Terry Baucom, Sammy Shelor, Bobby Thompson, and J. D. Crowe. He has placed in the following competitions: Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention- First Banjo 2002, First Banjo 2004; Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival- First Banjo 2002, Second Banjo 2003, Second Banjo 2005. He says, “I’m thankful to the Lord for everything, and to my parents for making us what we are. I can’t think of a better band that I would rather play with. I just love playing with my family.” Employment Status: Sales Design Representative for a Landscape Design / Build Corporation Endorsements: Tama drums, Regal Tip drumsticks, Gibson Banjo, Larrivee’ guitar, Gibson and Martin strings, Dunlop and ProPik picks

Seth Hudson Lead Vocals, Drums, Banjo, Guitar

Caleb Hudson Lead Male Vocals, Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle Click to see Caleb's luthier work

On September 8, 1995, Caleb, only seven years old at the time, was awarded Outstanding Performer and $75.00 for playing “Faded Love” on his harmonica at The Lazy-daze Campground in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He used the award money to purchase his first mandolin, and has since become a very accomplished mandolin player. He has learned to play by listening to professionals such as Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, Adam Steffey, Alan Bibey, Chris Thile and Jesse McReynolds. He started playing the rhythm guitar when he was about ten years old, and the electric lead guitar when he was thirteen. He has also become a very fine lead guitarist. He has been profoundly influenced by the following artists: Chet Atkins, Brent Mason, Gene Sloane, Ray Flacke, Ray Benson and Tony Rice. He enjoys building musical instruments, and has so far completed one electric bass, two electric guitars, and one fiddle. He has placed in the following competitions: Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention- First Mandolin 2002, First Mandolin 2004; Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers & Bluegrass Festival- Second Junior Mandolin 2002, Third Senior Mandolin 2003, Third Senior Mandolin 2005. He says, “I’m thankful for the ability to play and enjoy music, and just for life in general. I would like to play professionally with my family someday, and build musical instruments on the side.” Employment Status: Customer Service / Retail Sales for a local Hardware Store Endorsements: Gibson and Kentucky mandolins, Fender guitar, Peavey amp, D’Addario and Fender strings, Fred Kelly and Clayton picks

Starting out singing and playing the harmonica a little, Jared has now become a major integral part of the band, both on the rhythm guitar and the bass fiddle. He began playing the wash-tub bass when he was about seven years old. At the time, it was just a wash-tub, a stick and a string, but later, his dad redesigned it into an upright bass with three strings- D, A and E. It used electric bass tuning keys and strings. It had a neck, fret markings and a post to stand on. Mr. Horace Scruggs (Earl’s brother) really liked it, and advised them to hang on to that instrument- “it was a good conversation piece”. Jared learned how to play it in due time, and has now become an accomplished musician on the bass fiddle. He is a real ‘crowd pleaser’ when it comes to his slap-bass technique. He has learned primarily by watching and listening to other bass fiddle players like Dean Marsh, David Cockman and Terry Shue. He has also been the full-time rhythm guitarist for the band’s country set since he was twelve years old. He has placed in the following competitions: Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers & Bluegrass Festival – Second Bass 2002; Ellenboro Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Convention- First Bass 2004. He says, “I am thankful to have been raised up in a band that I can gladly and comfortably play with.” Endorsements: Palatino bass, D’Addario strings

Jared Hudson Vocals, Electric Bass, Bass Fiddle

Martha Hudson Lead Female Vocals, Fiddle

At about four years old, Martha was entertaining the residents in nursing homes singing and playing the harmonica. She was seven when she got her first fiddle, and by watching, listening, practicing, and performing, she has gotten a real good touch on it. She enjoys listening to, and singing along with Loretta Lynn, the Carpenters, the Everly Brothers, Old-time Rock & Roll and Gospel. She has a beautiful harmony voice, and often sounds a lot like Karen Carpenter when she sings lead. She has been a great asset to the band by working along with her sisters and creating some touching harmonies. She says, “I’m thankful for my family, and happy we can all play together.”

At an early age, Emily was also playing the harmonica and singing. She began playing the autoharp when she was eight years old, and practiced along with some Maybelle Carter recordings. When she was ten, Seth taught her how to play the drums. She enjoys practicing the drums along with the following artists: George Jones, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Old-time Rock & Roll and Gospel. She was given the Novelty Award at Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddlers & Bluegrass Festival in 2002. She says, “Playing with my family makes me feel good. It just wouldn’t seem right to play with anyone else.”

Emily Hudson Vocals, Drums

Hattie Hudson Vocals, Rhythm Guitar

At less than two years old, Hattie was already making weekly public appearances at the Cracker Barrel as well as other venues. After playing the harmonica for a few years, she began playing the guitar when she was about seven. Jared helped the most in getting her started on it. She performs with her sisters and Grandma regularly, both singing and playing her guitar. She says,” I like to travel with my family to new places and make new friends.”

Yes, Katie is only five years old and already playing her second instrument. She’s been playing the harmonica since before she could walk, and has just learned her first song on the fiddle- ‘Bile Them Cabbage Down’. Her first public appearance on the stage was at ‘Country Earl’s Chompin’ and Stompin’ in Mauldin, South Carolina when she was only about a month old. She says, “I like playing and singing at Cracker Barrel… I would like to play the mandolin someday.” And she probably will.

Katie Hudson Vocals, Fiddle

Special Thanks

We, most of all, want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for all of the blessings He has so graciously given unto us, and especially for being our Blessed Hope, even when all things on this earth leave us hopeless. He is that Solid Rock we can lean on. We want to thank Cracker Barrel Old Country Store #160 in Rock Hill, South Carolina for their help and support, Frank Sanders- the general manager, all the managers and staff, and especially all of our friends and listeners who come every week to hear us. We want to thank the following music stores, their owners and staff for the equipment, advice and support which they have supplied us with: Tillman Music & Sound, Woody’s Music, Hames Music and Sam Ash Music. We want to thank Glenn Jones for all his work and assistance on the design of this website.

Please email us for any show dates or booking information.
contact@hudsonfamilyband.com