When Lauren Price moved to Owensboro in early 2024, she brought more than a love for bluegrass music — she brought a nationally touring act, a Grand Ole Opry debut, and deep Appalachian roots that now connect with the heart of Kentucky’s bluegrass heritage.
Owensboro Community & Technical College was starting a professional bluegrass music program, and Price’s husband Scott Napier was hired as their program coordinator.
Price now works as Special Projects Manager at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, helping lead in-house programming and concerts, while continuing to perform nationwide with her sister Leanna as The Price Sisters — a traditional bluegrass band rooted in harmony and heritage.
“Leanna and I are originally from Monroe County, Ohio, in the Southeastern corner of the state,” she said. “It’s very hilly there and we grew up on family farmland in a country hollow, just over a mile inland from the Ohio River.”
The twin sisters began singing together “just about as long as we could talk,” surrounded by a musically rich family where “music was just always around.” Their early memories include their Nana playing hymns by ear and their dad strumming Johnny Cash and John Denver on the porch.
The two didn’t initially plan to pursue music professionally. But after discovering bluegrass festivals in high school, they quickly fell in love with the genre.
“We never intended to make a career in music professionally, but as time went on, we realized how much we loved the music and began working to progress within the industry,” Price said. “We signed our first professional recording contract in 2016 and recorded our first EP over spring break, our junior year in college.”
Today, The Price Sisters lead a five-piece touring band. Lauren plays mandolin, Leanna plays fiddle, and both share vocal duties. Though known for their traditional bluegrass sound, the group pulls from a variety of influences.
“Each of our band members has a broad range of musical interests, and we tend to draw a lot of inspiration from the greater realm of early country music as well as pre-bluegrass stringband and even early jazz recordings,” Price said. “For Leanna and me, I think because we didn’t grow up with much modern bluegrass music in particular, we’re always leaning back into some of the older musical sounds we remember hearing as children.”
Their latest album, Between the Lines, released in spring 2024 on McCoury Music, marked their third studio project and the first to feature their full band in the studio.
“We’re excited that it was released on the McCoury Music label; bluegrass devotees may recognize that name as it is the Del McCoury Band’s family record label,” Price said. “Working with them on this record was an honor for us.”
That release also led to a milestone moment.
“In conjunction with the album’s release, we were invited to debut as a band on the Grand Ole Opry last spring, which was, truly, a dream come true,” she said.
The sisters have toured across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, performing at events like DelFest and Owensboro’s own ROMP Festival.
“We have several tour dates for 2025 listed on our website, thepricesisters.com, and are always adding more to the schedule – come see us at a live show near you.”
Fans can also find their music online.
“Give us a follow on our Instagram and Facebook pages @thepricesisters, and check out our website listed above,” she said. “Bonus points if you order a CD through the website or purchase at one of our live shows.”
Price said she’s grateful that her passion for bluegrass has created new roots here in Owensboro.
“I am so proud to be part of the team at the Hall of Fame and love getting to meet new fans of the music when they visit us here,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a career where my home-based work and touring opportunities go so well together professionally. Scott and I love being part of our new community in Owensboro and are very thankful for the connections we’ve already made.”
