Family bands have always been part of the country genre—from the Jacksons and the Osmonds down to the Wilsons, Gibbs, and Nelsons—and one shaping up to be an addition to that list: The Arizona Wildflowers. This bluegrass band out of Casa Grande is known as the Dietrich family, and all five members are aged 15 years and younger. They do a lot of covers, and one of those is John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”
“Thank God I’m a Country Boy” is a chart-topping country hit, dominating not only the Hot Country Songs chart but the Hot 100 as well in 1975. And it became a signature track for Denver as it also became the title of a variety special show he hosted in ‘77.
But instead of performing the original as it is, they decided to add a little twist. They did a bluegrass-style version and turned it from a country boy into a country girl, with three of the girls performing with their own instruments. The video started with a heavenly harmony, singing, “Well, I got me a fine wife, I got me old fiddle / When the sun’s comin’ up, I got cakes on the griddle / Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny, funny riddle / Thank God I’m a country girl.” As they did, they walked down to a truck, and then the instrumental, created by the girls themselves, followed.
When they hit the first verse, they were set on the barn at The Windmill Winery, with one girl doing solo vocals and the other two playing. And as the chorus once again arrived, they gifted listeners with their beautiful harmony.
For You
According to My Herald Review, the band currently consists of Ranelle (mandolin, vocalist, fiddle), Brie (guitar, fiddle, vocalist), Aspen (fiddle, vocalist), Sawyer (upright bass), and Isley (fiddle). Their oldest sisters, Taylor and Maddie, used to join them, but they now teach music.
Watch and listen to The Arizona Wildflowers’ cover of John Denver’s hit “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” in the video below.
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