About Us
The Rosellys are a five piece band from Herefordshire, playing original contemporary country music with American folk influences. Featuring close harmonies, guitar, clawhammer banjo, pedal steel, fiddle and accordion, they are renowned for their vibrant live performances, rich vocal harmonies and exceptional musicianship.
Life partners Rebecca and Simon Rosellys lead the band, with Rebecca on guitar, vocals and clawhammer banjo, and Simon on guitar, fiddle and vocals. They are joined by Simon’s dad, Allan Kelly, on pedal steel, electric guitar and accordion, alongside father and son Matt Kirby on bass and vocals, and George Kirby on drums.
Their love of American roots music was cemented in 2006 when they bought a 1971 Volkswagen camper and spent several months travelling coast to coast across the United States. The journey, particularly through Texas and Louisiana, inspired lifelong friendships and a lasting connection with the music and culture of the American South. They even shipped the camper back to the UK, where it is still on the road today, serving as a lasting reminder of the adventure that helped shape their music.
As a family band, their natural chemistry brings warmth, authenticity and energy to every performance. In 2015, they signed with the respected independent label Clubhouse Records.
In June 2022, The Rosellys released their fifth studio album, On The Porch, produced by Ron Rogers of T’Pau. Awarding the album 8/10, Americana UK described it as “a 14 track collection of stirring, moving and classy fiddle and banjo centric songs… a highly impressive collection.” R2 Magazine awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, praising “a very slick unit indeed” and highlighting the band’s rich country, American folk and roots sound, enhanced by Ron Rogers’ production. Both reviews reflect a band that has spent over two decades honing its craft, both in the studio and on stage.
“The Rosellys are really quite an exceptional band”
Other notable achievements include;
Winning Maverick Country Music Festival’s songwriting competition
Rebecca performed on BBC1 TV show ‘Pitch Battle’ (2017) with ‘The Savannahs’.
Performing/recording with UK Country Rockers ‘The Redlands Palomino Company’ & regular tours with USA friends ‘The Lavens’ & ‘The Flyin’ A’s’.
Band line up
Click on a band member to see more information
Rebecca Rosellys
Vocals
Guitar
Banjo
Simon Rosellys
Vocals
Guitar
Fiddle
Allan Kelly
Accordion
Pedal steel
Guitar
Matt Kirby
Vocals
Bass
George Kirby
Drums
Partner of Rebecca Rosellys for over 20 years. A semi professional fiddle player since the age of 12, he also plays guitar and provides backing vocals. Influenced by Ry Cooder, Chris Stapleton, Delbert McClinton and James Taylor. Simon plays a custom Rosellys Aubade guitar inspired by James Taylor’s Olson guitar, built specifically for his distinctive pickless playing style.
Rebecca has played guitar for over 20 years and is an accomplished banjo player. She plays a custom Rosellys Aubade acoustic guitar built for her in Louisiana and a Pisgah 5 String Dobson Rambler Banjo hand-made in the Appalachian mountains. A mother of two and a qualified doctor, she is the main vocalist and songwriter for The Rosellys and very much the heart of the band.
Allan, Simon’s father, has been playing guitar, mandolin, accordion and pedal steel for decades. A member of The Bon Temps Playboys since the 1980s, he has toured extensively and has featured on The Rosellys’ recordings from the very beginning. Aside from Simon and Rebecca, he is the longest serving member of the band.
George, Matt’s son, played his first show with The Rosellys just before Covid. He stayed with the band through the shutdown and has been their drummer since live music got back on its feet.
Matt, George’s dad, joined The Rosellys in 2015 - having played bass and providing vocals for a wide range of bands ranging from blues to indie to hip-hop. Now firmly rooted in Country Matt has toured and played an extensive number of shows but loves nothing better than providing a solid foundation for the band as part of a tight rhythm section’ Matt uses Fender and Epiphone Basses and TC Electronic and Ampeg Amplification
George, Matt's son, is the youngest member of The Rosellys, providing the solid rhythms that underpin the band's alt country and Americana sound. His confident, instinctive drumming brings energy and drive to every performance.
Click on a band member to see more information
| Rebecca Rosellys | Vocals, Guitar, Banjo |
| Simon Rosellys | Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle |
| Allan Kelly | Accordion, Pedal steel, Guitar |
| Matt Kirby | Vocals, Bass |
| George Kirby | Drums |
“The Rosellys displayed boundless energy, especially on closing song ‘You Ain’t Gotta Go Home’ with fast fiddle and a catchy melody sweeping the crowd along” (Americana UK live review 2023).
The Rosellys have played several live sessions for BBC Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ and their tracks are regularly featured on Hereford & Worcester’s BBC Introducing show – including a live recording at ‘How The Lights Get In’ Festival 2023.
