The Storytellers is a prominent progressive bluegrass band that has established itself as a creative force in the Southern California Roots Music scene. The band’s extensive repertoire draws from the rich canon of traditional bluegrass, country blues, old-time, and folk music as a basis for inspired improvisations and intrepid vocal harmonies.
The Storytellers’ strong musical chemistry allows them to bring soulful and joyful harmonies, delicate acoustic sensibilities, soaring grooves, tight rhythms, substantive storytelling, and their own hippie, bluegrassy vibe to every stage they stand on.
Legendary folk music promoter Bob Stane stated: “The Storytellers are wonderful singers, and energetic, passionate players. We’re thrilled to have them spin their tales on our stage.”
The Bluegrass Standard wrote: “This outfit is as steeped in values of the past as they are keen on keeping things fresh for today’s listening ear.”
Bluegrass Today said: “The Storytellers seeks to bridge the gap between the traditional bluegrass and jamgrass worlds and have become known for their grassy covers of Grateful Dead songs.”
Founded in the Fall of 2017 as a duo, the complete band formed in February of 2018, performing more than 30 Los Angeles-area shows through the end of the year. This intensive schedule included defining performances at historic venues such as The Mint, Molly Malone’s, Coffee Gallery Backstage, and a spellbinding set at the Laurel Canyon Love Street Festival, sharing the bill with Micky Dolenz, Wilson Phillips and Chris Stills.
The Storytellers have performed at numerous bluegrass festivals including the Huck Finn Jubilee, the Prescott Bluegrass Festival, the Calico Bluegrass Festival, the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival, the Desert Bluegrass Festival and the Brookdale Bluegrass Festival. The band has regularly appeared at June Lake Jam Fest, and have performed at the Orange County Fair, the Ventura County Fair, and the Antelope Valley Fair, as well as at numerous other regional fairs and festivals.
The band performed a year-long residency at Treasure Island Casino and Resort in Las Vegas in 2022, and has earned residencies at several other distinguished venues. In 2023, the The Storytellers became the first bluegrass-style band to perform on one of NAMM’s premier stages.
The band consists of Scott Diehl (Guitar, Vocals), Lance Frantzich (Bass, Vocals), Tyler Emerson (Fiddle, Vocals), Ethan Van Thillo (Mandolin), and Steve Stelmach (Washboard, Percussion).