Based in the heart of Summit County, Sugarcane Nellie is a high-altitude trio dedicated to the vintage sounds of traditional bluegrass and Western Swing. Formed after a chance meeting at a local jam, Chris Slaughter (guitar/vocals), Clair Anicito (fiddle/vocals), and Kevin Lovett (upright bass) turned a shared passion for acoustic music into a tight-knit musical brotherhood.
The band’s sound is a respectful nod to the masters—blending the drive of Jimmy Martin and Flatt & Scruggs with the sophisticated bounce of Bob Wills and the flatpicking elegance of Tony Rice. While their setlists are rooted in the classics, Sugarcane Nellie is increasingly carving out their own space in the genre with original songwriting that stays true to the tradition.
Above all, Sugarcane Nellie is a band of friends. That chemistry is palpable on stage, whether they are playing a festival crowd at South Park Bluegrass, hosting a night at 10 Mile Music Hall, or performing at the Summit County Coroners Ball. As one recent client put it, "Everyone was talking about how awesome they were! They were the hit of the night... a must-see, for sure!"