The Castellows harmonize tradition and modernity with sisterly strengths and deep Southern roots, redefining the spirit of country music while carrying on its cherished family legacy.

From left, on Powell: Veronica Beard denim blazer and brown leather pants, veronicabeard.com; Tecovas boots, tecovas.com; Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading. On Lily: Veronica Beard gold suit, veronicabeard.com; Tecovas boots, tecovas.com, Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading. On Ellie: The Showroom Nashville dress, showroomnashville.com; Johnny Was belt, johnnywas.com; Veronica Beard boots, veronicabeard.com; Maya Brenner jewelry, mayabrenner.com; Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading.

“We’ve played music together for as long as I can remember. It has always kind of been alive in our family, but it wasn’t until we started writing our own songs and putting them out there for people to hear—that’s when everything came alive.” —LILY BALKCOM

From the storied lineage of country music family bands—from the pioneering harmonies of The Carter Family and The Judds to the rich sibling blends of The Gatlin Brothers and The Band Perry—emerges The Castellows, a trio of sisters from rural Georgetown, Georgia, redefining the genre’s familial roots. With their signature three-part harmonies, The Castellows weave a sound that is timeless and contemporary, rooted in tradition yet unafraid to forge new paths.

Comprised of sisters Ellie Balkcom (lead guitar), Powell Balkcom (banjo), and Lily Balkcom (vocals), The Castellows have transitioned from their cattle-farm upbringing to Nashville’s vibrant music scene with a sense of purpose and authenticity. The trio showcases their prowess as songwriters and musicians on both their February 2024 debut, A Little Goes a Long Way, and their December release, Alabama Stone, penning or cowriting the majority of the tracks on each.

“We’ve played music together for as long as I can remember,” Lily shares. “It has always kind of been alive in our family, but it wasn’t until we started writing our own songs and putting them out there for people to hear—that’s when everything came alive.”

The Castellows’ music isn’t merely a product of talent; it results from an unbreakable sisterly bond that infuses their harmonies with palpable emotion. Their connection elevates their craft, creating a synergy rare in any genre. “The most rewarding part of playing music with your two best friends,” Lily reflects, “is looking over to the left and right side of the stage and seeing the two people you love most in this world doing the same thing you’re doing and looking like they’re having just as much fun as you. It’s the craziest thing.”

This sibling synergy extends to their creative process; each sister’s unique perspective shapes the band’s sound. “Our sisterly bond definitely expands our creative process,” Powell explains. Each sister has a special thing they bring to the group. We have so much love and respect for one another, and although decision-making can be more difficult with three people, I can’t imagine doing it without my best friends.”

The Castellows’ upbringing on a cattle farm and their deep ties to rural Georgia permeate their music, providing an authenticity that resonates with listeners. Their songs and social feeds celebrate the simplicity and beauty of their roots, with themes of love, family, and home threading through their lyrics.

“Our Georgia roots and where we come from play a huge role in how we write,” Powell shares. “We love writing about our unique experiences growing up on the farm, homeschooling, and our family. Our home in South Georgia is our favorite thing to write about.”

Relocating to Nashville marked a turning point for the sisters, professionally and creatively. The city’s unparalleled music community has been a source of inspiration and growth. “Nashville is unlike any city in the world,” Ellie says. “The music community here is absolutely unlike any other. I am constantly blown away by the talent of people in this city, and it drives me to be better every day.”

The Castellows’ rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Signing with Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records in 2023, they quickly found themselves sharing stages with country icons Little Big Town and Sugarland on the Take Me Home tour this fall. Their nomination for CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year at the 2024 CMT Music Awards further cemented their rising stardom.

“I THINK OUR BOND AS SISTERS ALLOWS US TO BRING MANY STRENGTHS TO THE MUSIC SCENE. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT MUSIC TASTES AND OFFER DIFFERENT IDEAS INSPIRED BY BANDS WE LOVE. OUR SONGS SEND A DIFFERENT MESSAGE TO PEOPLE, AND IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN OUR MUSIC.” — POWELL BALKCOM

The band's success is deeply rooted in their unique strengths as a sister act. Their bond as siblings infuses their harmonies with unparalleled authenticity and brings a diverse range of influences to their music. “We all have different music tastes and offer different ideas inspired by bands we love,” Powell explains. “Our songs send a different message to people, and it is our hope that there is something for everyone in our music.”

Their inspirations span a broad spectrum of genres and icons, from the heartfelt storytelling of Red Dirt country supergroup Flatland Cavalry—now close friends of the trio—to the instrumental stylings of a rock goddess and a bluegrass legend. “From a guitar-playing perspective, I am personally very inspired by Doc Watson and Nancy Wilson from Heart,” Ellie says, paying tribute to one-half of another powerful sister act.

Balancing their sisterly connection with the business demands of a burgeoning career requires intentionality. Ellie reflects, “We do things that are not music-related and have community with each other outside of our ‘job.’ Sometimes, it’s important to spend the right kind of time together.” A clear strategy for harmony further strengthens this balance: “Communicate, love each other, and approach conflict with curiosity. We are each other’s best friends at the end of the day,” says Ellie.

Looking to the future, The Castellows are excited to give listeners even more insight into who they are—both as a band and as individuals. And as they carve out their place in country music’s storied history, they do so with a reverence for the past and an ear for what’s new.

“Evolving our art should be natural, and it will grow as we do,” Ellie says. “We love country music and love all the different types of music within the genre.”

“We all have different music tastes and offer different ideas inspired by bands we love,” adds Powell. “Our songs send a different message to people, and it is our hope that there is something for everyone in our music.”

Clockwise from top left, on Powell: Veronica Beard denim blazer and brown leather pants, veronicabeard.com; Tecovas boots, tecovas.com; Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading. On Ellie: The Showroom Nashville dress, showroomnashville.com, Johnny Was belt, johnnywas.com, Veronica Beard boots, veronicabeard.com; Maya Brenner jewelry, mayabrenner.com; Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading. On Lily: Veronica Beard gold suit, veronicabeard.com; Tecovas boots, tecovas.com; Three Wolves Trading Post jewelry, @threewolvestrading.

Photography by ROBBY KLEIN

Styling by KIM PERRETT