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.

Square or Contra Dance? Ellen grew up playing at square dances in her small town and with Lester Bradley in New Hampshire. She currently can call basic dances as well. Give Ellen a call or send her an email. 

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.

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.

Liza Constable, Valerie Blachly and Ellen formed Hot Skillet Club in February 2023 looking to explore swing, western swing and other styles that could highlight their vocal and instrumental talents.  

Blending those fancy swing chords of Liza Constable with her playful alto voice and rhythmic ease, Val Blachly's solid upright bass and sweetest of sweet soprano vocals and Ellen Carlson's interesting and many genre influenced swing lines on fiddle with her laid back vocal style, Hot Skillet Club mixes up a skillet of swing, western swing and songs from the great American songbook to delight many palates.

www.HotSkilletClub.com

"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.