Bill and The Belles, a stringband from Johnson City, Tennessee, specialize in the intersection of rural, urban, hillbilly, and pop music. With a combination of country, bluegrass, blues, and Americana, Bill and The Belles’s retro vocals and style uniquely blend the past with the present.

“We like old music and some of us are consumed by it…But we don’t have a desire to copy it. We want to sound like ourselves and tell our story.” – Kris Truelsen

Bill and The Belles joins the Voice Works singing workshop lineup this year, bringing with them a unique homage to the music of the early 20th century. In their class Neo Oldtime Country Repertoire, they’ll work with participants to create melodies far greater than the sum of their parts.

The morning class will explore the music of the Trio’s namesakes, Bill and Belle Reed, to better understand how three voices adapt to one harmony and how timeless classics can bring a repertoire to a whole new level.

A string band from Johnson City, Tennessee, the group bonded over a love of singing the close harmonies of the golden era of music. Through their combination of spontaneity and expert musicianship, the group has captured a freewheeling, lighthearted approach to music that has endeared them to listeners of every generation. Their passion and distinctly classic style bring to life the magic found at the intersection of country, bluegrass, blues, and Americana. In their class, they’ll encourage students to appreciate the musical heritage that shapes their playing while honoring their own spirit and style.