Bluegrass, old-time, and folk music audiences continue to be captivated by the Burnett Sisters Band, a 2025 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year nominee. Hailing from Boone, North Carolina, sisters Anissa, Sophia, and Anneli Burnett, alongside Geary Allen of Minster, England, have earned a reputation as exceptional multi-instrumentalists and dynamic performers deeply respected throughout the traditional music community. Signed to Pinecastle Records and represented by Wilson Pickins Promotions, the band delivers performances that blend youthful energy and contemporary appeal with a steadfast commitment to the rich traditions that inspire their music.
Long before joining forces as a touring act, each member built an impressive individual resume on the fiddle convention and music festival competition circuit. Offstage, fiancés Anissa and Geary play a vital role in preserving and advancing traditional music through their work with the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program at East Tennessee State University. Anissa, an ETSU alumna, serves as a beloved old-time fiddle and bass instructor and the program’s PR/Marketing Coordinator. Geary is a highly sought-after guitar and band instructor within the program and is also an in-demand private instructor, teaching guitar and banjo students online and in-person. Sophia recently moved back to North Carolina after wrapping up her studies at ETSU, and Anneli continues to pursue traditional music as a sophomore at ETSU in Johnson City, TN.
While rooted in traditional music, the Burnett Sisters Band’s sound reflects a variety of influences that extend beyond any one genre. A typical performance may move from a hard-driving bluegrass classic to an old-time fiddle tune, a timeless Hank Williams favorite, an original composition by Geary Allen, a stirring gospel number, or an engaging flatfoot dance by Anneli. This musical versatility has become one of the band’s defining strengths. The release of their original Pinecastle Records singles, “Sorrow, Grief and Pain” and “The Song of the Mountains,” introduced their sound to an even wider audience, fueling a growing fan base and earning invitations to headline major bluegrass and folk festivals across the United States and abroad.
For more than thirteen years, the band has carried traditional music to audiences throughout the United States, Ireland, England, and Canada. Drawing from bluegrass, old-time, folk, swing, and country traditions, this Billboard-charting group approaches every song with remarkable musicianship, attention to detail, and deep respect for the music they represent. The result is a sound that feels both timeless and fresh—rooted in tradition while infused with authenticity, passion, and artistic individuality. As The Bluegrass Standard observed, “The Burnett Sisters Band brings their harmony and musicianship to festivals and events across the world… this enthralling group presents a unique blend of traditionally rooted music, influenced by bluegrass and classic country music greats alike.
