Rocky Top - The Petersens (LIVE)

"Rocky Top" is one of the most well-known bluegrass songs. It became popular when the Osborne Brothers released it in 1967. With the recent passing of Sonny Osborne, we wanted to honor him and show our appreciation for all that he contributed to the music we love.

One question we get a lot is about the mics and the wind. We specifically faced the direction that would help our bodies block a lot of the wind, and then afterwards our audio engineer Troy is a genius at removing ambient noise!

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Go behind the scenes with @PetersenVlogs

►This video:
Lead vocal and banjo: @EllenHaygood
Harmony vocal and guitar: @mattpetersen4000
Harmony vocal and mandolin: Pookie (our pet name for @JuliannePetersen)
Fiddle: @katiepetersen
Dobro: Emmett Franz
Bass: Karen Petersen

Key moments:
0:04 instrumental
0:19 rhythm guitar
1:03 dobro
2:03 fiddle
2:25 dobro duck
3:07 outro

Turn on captions (CC) to see the lyrics on screen.
Videography: Aaron Clark
Audio: Troy Dixon
Hair: Courtesy of the wind
Location: A random field outside of town

►LYRICS - Rocky Top
Well, I wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
There ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
There ain't no telephone bills

Once I had a boy on Rocky Top
Half bear, the other half cat
He was wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee

The corn don't grow at all on Rocky Top
The ground's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still*
The strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee

Well, I've had years of cramped-up city life
Stuck like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

* Revenue agents looking for illegal corn liquor distilleries

►The Petersens:

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ブルーグラス
This song features on: #LiveSessions04 #2020BransonShow

[Liz.Newton]

*LYRICS - Rocky Top*

Well, I wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
There ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
There ain't no telephone bills

Once I had a boy on Rocky Top
Half bear, the other half cat
He was wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee

The corn don't grow at all on Rocky Top
The ground's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still*
The strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee

Well, I've had years of cramped-up city life
Stuck like a duck in a pen
Well, all I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again

Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ol' Rocky Top
Rocky Top, Tennessee
Oh Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee

* Revenue agents looking for illegal corn liquor distilleries

Album: Live Sessions, vol. 04

[alexanderlyon]

This band reminds me about all that’s still great about the world.

[johnharding]

If any of you, you tube watchers are in Branson Missouri. The Petersen's show is worth going and seeing. There is an energy that swallows the room and the Petersen's have fun, interact with the crowd and they are even better in person. Just good fun and great live music with no trickery. We had been watching the Petersen's for two years and walked away bigger fans than before. Great family atmosphere and show.

[bronsonrodriguez]

I’m a mexihillbilly! I grew up in maynardville TN. This song just gets me goin!!! I’m brown! I’m proud! I’m southern!!! I’m a mexibilly!

[andymoss]

Ellen and that southern drawl hits me every time 🥰 I imagine that is how the angels will sound in heaven.

[johnwickham]

The Petersens wear there hearts on their sleeve that makes them special it's why it is so easy to love what they do and makes it so easy to part of the experience they have brought to so many of us fantastic the way we are all part of this you have to fell wanted and special the way they bring us in to their world where blessed thank you

[RiccardoMerli]

Everyone with a superb technique on his instrument! Hard work paid off!

[TheThorOdinson]

This is brilliant!
My new favorite version!
Well done 10/10

[rafaelalfonsoramosmendez]

Honor to those who deserve honor. Thanks Sonny Osborne and thanks to The Petersens for their magnificent performance. With this beautiful family I love the Bluegrass more. Beautiful interpretation of Ellen and wow Mrs. Petersens, you know how to play the bass very well.

[mamascubs]

This is One of my most Favorite Bluegrass songs I heard my Daddy play when I was young. When he was in his 20s he was the fiddle 🎻 player for The Stanley Brothers. He played all by ear. We lost him in 2010 at 82 years old. Glad I follow your channel, love your music, and the beautiful memories it brings back.

[LukeWhite_PE]

You didn’t have to prove anything to me, but after this song no one can deny that y’all are truly Bluegrass. Great job!

[Approved_Unto_God]

May take me a while to get through this one as I can't stop replaying Emmett's Dobro solo! He is the best around IMO.

[pastorweaver]

our bus tour loved loved loved your show.. thanks to each and everyone of you.... We missed you Julianne. Matt was hilarious.. Your dad was amazing... And Mama was getting it done all afternoon. Fantastic, ... You guys are better in person even which I thought would have been impossible.

[scottsmith]

Ellen has one the best country/bluegrass voices in existence! Incredible talent. This song rocks too!

[icebowl]

Everything this family touches turns to gold. If anyone doubted that these folks were virtuosos on their instruments this video should put that to rest. I'm sure Sonny Osborne would be impressed.

[DaveFellartist]

Wow -- Everything I love about music!!! Outdoor jamming is the best!

[matty]

Warm, likable vibe from an attractive family of expert bluegrass players and singers. It doesn't get any better than this!

[frankmorton]

When serving in the British Army in 1980, my battalion went to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Regiments Pipes & Drums played Rocky Top all over Kentucky and Tennessee and was a huge success. They even made a recording of it. Brilliant tune made for pipes and military drums.
Happy days.

[wlieu]

I also liked the bleached-out, mid-day, non-golden-hour shooting of this video on a windy day!

[khatokhato]

This glorious song is blazing to state of Tennessee from heart of Missouri!