Ellen’s strong performing history includes playing with the rocking country Blue Hill Kickers, opening for Martina McBride, Hal Ketchum, Foxboro Stadium’s Country Music Festival as well as in Las Vegas. She was an original member of Sweet, Hot and Sassy, who won accolades for their amazing three-part harmony singing. With High Range, she performed at the Bluebird Cafe, the iconic room in Nashville that has discovered many famous musicians as well as numerous festivals including Thomas Point Beach, Ossipee, Podunk, Great Waters Folk Fest, Hickory Fest and venues like the Stone Mountain Arts Center, Stone Church, Press Room, Prescott Park and alongside musicians such as Tim O’Brien, Ralph Stanley, Terri Hendrix, April Verch, the Mammals, The Waybacks, JP Cormier, the Rowan Brothers and more. You can see Ellen playing with many musicians in New England.

Here is a taste of some of the groups she currently plays with:

Fiddlers Three with fiddling pals Melissa Caron and Kathy Sommer. Their latest album was released in the summer of 2021. Fiddle tunes of many styles and backing up singers with the triple fiddle sound. These gals will rev it up and sweeten your day while they have piles of fun putting some energy into your soul.

Todd Jones and Ellen Carlson are a dynamic acoustic duo blending rich vocal harmonies with masterful string work. Todd Jones brings drive and texture on acoustic and electric guitar, paired with expressive lead and harmony vocals. Ellen Carlson adds fiery fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, along with a distinctive voice and lyrical depth. Together, they craft original songs rooted in Americana, folk, and roots music, balancing thoughtful storytelling with energetic, engaging performances. Their sound moves easily from intimate acoustic moments to full, groove-driven arrangements, shaped by years of experience as performers and collaborators. Whether on a small stage or a festival platform, Jones and Carlson connect with audiences through heartfelt songwriting, tight musicianship, and a shared love of timeless, well-crafted songs. Their years of performing together gives them a comfort and ability to connect with audiences.

For over twenty years Ellen has been a member of the acoustic roots band "High Range."  Their recordings have been highly reviewed by national publications and their songs have been played around the world. High Range has opened for Tim O'Brien, the Waybacks, Ralph Stanley, and with the Mammals, the Rowan Brothers, Carol Noonan, Lori McKenna, Mark Errelli, JP Cormier and many more.

www.HighRangeBand.com

"Cold Winters" with Ellen Carlson and High Range video courtesy of "FiddlerElbow" on YouTube. Published in 2010.

"Old Joe Clark" with "High Range." Video courtesy of "FiddlerElbow" on YouTube. Published in 2010.

Haggard and Cashed is a 7 piece, triple fiddle wielding, honky tonkin', country and western swing band featuring some of the finest musicians in New England. The band is led by renowned singer and fiddler Erica Brown and her husband, notable multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Matt Shipman. You may recognize their names from their other bands, Darlin' Corey and Erica Brown and The Bluegrass Connection. This Portland, Maine based band is the culmination of years of this musical super-couple's dream of putting the ultimate classic country band together, and it has finally come to fruition. They have been taking stages by storm around Maine for the last year. The band is comprised of incredible, veteran musicians Ellen Carlson (fiddle, vocals), Steve Muise (fiddle), Dan Beller-McKenna (pedal steel guitar), Kris Day (bass, vocals) and Per Hanson (drums, harmonica, vocals). When you put all seven of these musicians on one stage it's not short of magic! Their energy is infectious and their love for this music shines through. This group will have you singing along to classic country and western swing favorites you may have forgotten you loved so much. Playing favorites from Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Pasty Cline, Asleep at the Wheel, The Time Jumpers, Dwight Yoakam, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Dale Watson and even a few originals. Dust off your cowboy hat and boots and get ready for some triple fiddle harmony and good old fashioned twang.

"Gal with the Boots from Colorado" written by Ellen Carlson and performed by Hot Skillet Club: Ellen Carlson on fiddle, Val Blachly on bass and Liza Constable on guitar.  Jan. 21, 2024 FiddlerElBow

What can you say when a group has played together for almost 50 years? Guitar, pedal steel, fiddle and their friends on bass and drums. Fine singing. They have a large repertoire of many styles.

 Video above from "steveeide59" of "Can't You Hear Me Calling" at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, March 10, 2018.