BIOGRAPHY
Thistle Ridge is a family-and-friends band of homeschoolers enthusiastic about the old ways of life. Since their first show in 2023, they have been singing traditional songs at events all throughout North Texas, including the Decatur Celtic Festival and the Homesteader Market Days in Bridgeport.
At the core of the band is the Mings family. Sebastian Mings plays American and Celtic fiddle, 5-string banjo, an Irish/rhythm-hybrid style of tenor banjo, 5-string banjo, and a smattering of guitar and mandolin. Isabella Mings sings a lot and plays the cello, the guitar, and banjo (but not at the same time). Eli Mings is a master of staring off into the distance and picking up a storm on the mandolin.
Because of their musical versatility, they can play a wide range of music, from the songs of the rovers in the Scottish Highlands to the tunes of the sailors, frontiersmen, and cowboys in America. They also have performed covers of newer songs.
Even though they aim to preserve the traditional style of each song, the backgrounds of each of the members, including rock, pop, bluegrass, and classical music, have influenced this band and led it to have its unique sound, making it a must-see for anyone who loves music and wants to enjoy the community that traditional songs bring.
PHOTOS
