The sound of yodeling, fiddles, and banjos invited the community into the Dezember
Reading Room at the Walter W. Steirn Library on Jan. 14. The band, The Sisters Grim,
performed traditional bluegrass music for CSUB students and Bakersfield residents.
CSUB continued their celebration of the 75th anniversary of the publication of John
Steinbeck’s novel, “The Grapes of Wrath,” with their presentation, “Music of the Great Depression.”
The Sisters Grim, comprised of Angelica and Christine Grim, Joe Ash, and Larisa Pilatti
performed 12 songs along with special guest Paul Barton, who filled in for Angelica’s husband
and the band’s banjo player, TJ Doerfel.
Music from the Dust Bowl era was played, songs made famous by the Carter
Family, Jimmy Rodgers, and Rose Maddox. Angelica Grim and Christine Grim are the founders
of the group, singing and playing the guitar and fiddle, respectively.
“We play every day,” Christine said. “It’s our hobby, fun time, pastime, our passion. We
love just playing and hanging out.”
The Grim sisters started singing as soon as they could talk, encouraged by their father,
who was a country singer in Vegas.
The sisters started early on with the California Bluegrass Association. The CBA hosts festivals, concerts, and camp outs for bluegrass and folk musicians.
They have a focus on children, providing them free lessons and workshops. This is in conjunction with the Darrell
Johnston Kids Instrument Lending Library, helping kids learn to play instruments that otherwise
they may not be able to afford.
Christine remembers her time in the association with her sister
Angelica.
“I remember my sister being 3 years old and me 7 years old and getting to stand on
stage. They bring big stars to motivate you; we got to play onstage with Alison Krauss. It’s just
incredible; they do so much for kids.”
The Sisters Grim perform up to 4 times a week, often in Bakersfield at establishments
such as Wine Me Up, Imbibe, Prime Cuts, The Padre, and Guthrie’s.
“Usually we’ve been getting more word of mouth now, but before, we had
to hit the phones and call people, give them demo tapes,” said Christine.
The audience in the Dezember Reading Room ranged from children to senior citizens and included Eric King, a first-year
graduate student in the Masters of Social Work program. King has an interest in the Dust Bowl
era, having grown up with stories from his family, who migrated to the work camps set up just
outside of Shafter.
His interest in the music brought him to watch the band perform.
“I loved it,” he said after shaking the hands of band members.
“They hit all the right notes.”
Katherine Barrios, 19, a sophomore and biology major, attended the performance for her
America’s Musical Life class with Professor Dr. Joel Haney, who lectured on the music and the
Dust Bowl migration.
Although a class requirement brought her to the show, she also smiled
and said she loved it, staying until the very end.
The Sisters Grim is playing their next show on Jan. 24 at the West Side Theater in Newman,
Calif. More information can be found on their website thesistersgrimband.com.
