Bluegrass, Gospel, Old-Time & Western Music… Based out of the Missouri Ozarks, the Farnum Family performs in the Branson area and around the country. A touring family band for many years, they have taken their energetic blend of music, entertainment and homespun family humor all the way to Cody, Wyoming and the Texas Rio Grande Valley, as well as throughout Missouri and much of the Midwest! Meet the Farnum Family… Benjamin started mandolin lessons when he was eight years old and took up the guitar a few years later. His strong rhythm and skillful flat-picking are the bedrock of the band – add the charming smile and ready wit and you’ve got an audience favourite! Once a reluctant singer, Benjamin has blossomed in recent years and is now a featured lead vocalist. Other interests include reading, playing board games, and perfecting his pour-over coffee method. He also loves all things British – especially Charles Dickens, Doctor Who, and Cornish Pasties – and is in favour of changing the family name back to the original spelling of Farnham!! Hannah began “fiddlin’ around” at the tender age of six, studying for over 10 years with World Champion fiddle player, Ricky Boen. An occasional contest fiddler, she has placed in several competitions over the years, her most exciting award coming from the 2012 Walnut Valley Old-Time Fiddle Contest when she brought home a brand new Romanian-made Gliga violin! Hannah enjoys playing many musical styles including Western Swing, Bluegrass, and Traditional Irish. She is also a gifted singer: her lead and harmony vocals highlight every family program. Her interests include sewing, reading, and English Country Dancing. On the Farnum Family Facebook page, Hannah co-hosts the weekly program, Fiddlin' Friday at Five, with her brother, Benjamin. Maggie (16) followed big sister’s example and started learning fiddle just before her sixth birthday. After five years of lessons with Ricky Boen, she set her eyes on bigger things – namely, the bass fiddle! She is known as the "younger and prettier version" of the Farnum Family bass player, filling the shoes of big brother, Daniel, who left the band in 2018. Like Hannah, she has a lovely voice and an ear for harmony. When not making music, she's employed as a babysitter, or you can find her writing stories, reading books, sewing, English Country Dancing, or whipping up pancakes and desserts for the family. Matthew (15) is the youngest Farnum. He joins the family for several feature songs, including Battle of New Orleans, Wreck of the Old ’97, and You’ve Got a Friend in Me. He is progressing on the mandolin, and we are hopeful that 2021 will find him on stage more frequently. Tricia (Mom) plays piano & pennywhistle with the band and enjoys teaming up with the girls on trio numbers. She coordinates wardrobe, plans set lists, helps Dad with itineraries, and does a graceful job emceeing much of the show. She began playing piano at six years of age, and in 1987 got her first music job as ragtime pianist in the Homestead Comedy Revue at Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, Missouri. That same year she and Norm began performing on the Lake Queen, a paddle-wheel boat on Lake Taneycomo, entertaining passengers during breakfast and supper cruises. Originally from California, Norm (Dear Ol' Dad) started taking banjo lessons when he was 17 years old, and has been entertaining folks on the 5-string for nearly 45 years. He started at Silver Dollar City in 1977 in both the Saloon Show and as part of the Marvel Cave Band. Later he traveled with a rock-a-billy band (Stumpwater) and in 1983 began performing at the Roy Clark Theater in Branson, where he fronted many Nashville artists. Norm coordinates most of the bookings and shares the driving.