The Barrel House Mamas

The Barrel House Mamas from Asheville, NC, conjure the sweet and sultry sounds of the southern Appalachian Mountains they call home in their robust vocals and original songs.



Within the Mamas’ seamless and unique sound, claw-hammer banjo meets unique finger-picking and rhythm guitar with the soaring of poetic harmonies sung from beautiful and distinct female voices. The result is a roots-pure and undeniably moving musical experience with hints of old-time, classic folk, blues, a touch of country, a bit of swing, and entirely these Mamas own.



Jane Kramer Edens, Molly Rose Reed, and Eleanor Underhill, are singer-songwriters whose musical journey began in 2003 while attending Warren Wilson College in the Swannanoa River Valley. They each were to perform individual sets of their original music in a women's music showcase. One week prior, in what was supposed to be a playful, one-time collaboration as a finale for the show, their voices and instruments meshed for the first time, echoing up a cold dormitory stairwell, and stopping passers-by. A couple years later, Anna Bauman-Smith joined the Mamas in the studio recording of 'gathering' and then became a permanent member adding sweet harmonies and sultry fiddle melodies.



Now they have achieved a gracefully powerful sound in their extensive repertoire of solidly crafted original songs and creative arrangements. In addition, they have carved a solid niche in Western North Carolina’s folk and roots music scene, being voted one of the top three performing acts in the folk/bluegrass genre of 2007 (Mountain Express) and holding their own as Asheville’s premiere and most beloved female roots band.



With the release of their self-published debut album 'Gathering', named one of the top 20 regional releases in 2006 by WNCW radio, The Barrel House Mamas have spread their unmistakable sound to listening rooms, concert halls, and festival stages all over.



Around the new year of 2009, the Mamas found themselves at a cross-roads and need for individual growth. Sadly, The Barrel House Mamas shared the stage for the last time at The Madison County Arts Counsel building in Hot Springs. Happily (and we all need a happy ending) the Mamas' are continuing to share and develop their gifts in two new bands with many promising opportunities. Jane Edens and Anna Bauman-Smith are pioneering The Firefly Revival while Eleanor Underhill and Molly Rose Reed are pursuing a record deal and touring with Underhill Rose.



One thing's for sure, the great memories and melodies of The Barrel House Mamas will live on for many years to come.