Bourbon Aristocracy

The Bourbon Aristocracy plays traditional and contemporary bluegrass, with the occasional classic country, gospel, children's classic (where appropriate), or original song thrown in for good measure. The band scales from 2 to 6 pieces, depending on the nature of the event and the client's budget. At full strength, the band includes banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and multiple vocals. 4-5 pieces is the standard recommended size. The band can play completely acoustic for smaller gatherings or plug in for larger events, as the situation warrants.

Bourbon Aristocracy plays 100-Proof Bottled-In-Bond Bluegrass.

The name Bourbon Aristocracy pays tribute to the fine Kentucky whiskey from the Bluegrass State and one of its members' distant relatives.

Part of Ethan Taylor Sellers' extended family hails from Kentucky and includes E.H. Taylor, the grand-nephew of President Zachary Taylor. E.H. Taylor began what is now the Buffalo Trace distillery and was the father of the modern bourbon industry, through his improvements in bourbon quality control, production, finance, sales, promotion, and his work to secure the passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 and Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. The two pieces of legislation ensure the authenticity and purity of bourbon whiskey through stringent requirements to protect the consumer from low-quality whiskey with often-dangerous additives.

As with his distant relative's unceasing efforts to insure a top quality bourbon, Sellers and his bandmates in the Bourbon Aristocracy work constantly to make sure that you get top-quality Bluegrass music with a full complement of top-notch instrumentalists and sweet vocal harmonies.

Just as great bourbon starts with clear Kentucky water, Sellers - a full-time musician with 5 other working bands - recruited the best musicians he could find. Before joining the Bourbon Aristocracy, North Carolina native Ryan Hinshaw fiddled and sang with the world-traveling bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers, banjoist Steve Martin has played for decades and is a multi-instrumentalist and school band teacher, bassist Pete Wojtowicz studied bass at Northwestern University, and our rotating staff of mandolin and dobro players are equally accomplished.

As with good bourbon, the ingredients list and process is simple: excellent musicianship, choice bluegrass standards and contemporary songs, and a commitment to making not only great music but a fun time for everyone.

Here's to your good taste!

The Bourbon Aristocracy has performed at museums (Shedd Aquarium, Lombard Historical Society, Elmhurst History Museum), concert series (Chicago Riverwalk, Desplaines, Oak Park Thursday Night Out), park districts (Bensenville, Glenview, Rolling Meadows, Glenview, Chicago Nichols Park), libraries (Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Des Plaines, Barrington, Skokie, River Forest, Arlington Heights Memorial, Oak Lawn, Lansing, Alsip Merrionette Park, Cudahy), festivals (Lincoln Square Apple Fest, Long Grove Vintage Days, Princeton Down on Main Street, Old Town Art Fair, Bucktown Garden Walk, Hammond 219 Day, Menomonee Falls Lavender Fest), bars (Horse Thief Hollow Brewing, Untitled, Hailstorm Brewing, Sister Lakes Brewing, Wild Onion Brewing, Journeyman Distillery, Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro), churches (Arlington Southminster Presbyterian, St. Mark's Episcopal in Barrington, Saint Clement, Faith United Presbyterian, St. Robert Bellarmine, Munster Westminster Presbyterian, Libertyville Presbyterian, Hinsdale Covenant), and for private, wedding, and corporate clients (Louisville Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau, Whole Foods, Goose Island Brewing, Midway Airport).

The Bourbon Aristocracy is available in configurations ranging from two musicians to five, depending upon the client's budget and preferences.

We can bring our own sound system, use yours, or play straight-up acoustic to suit the venue.