With a bond of both family and music, the members of Flat River Band were born into their destiny, literally. Brothers Andy, Chad and Dennijo Sitze grew up in a multi-generational family band in Missouri playing beside their parents and grandparents. The Sitze Family performed all over the nation in addition to their residencies at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Since heading out as a trio, the brothers have earned #1 singles on bluegrass gospel charts, released several projects including their 2021 five-song EP Sights and Sounds and have had the opportunity to open for some of country and bluegrass’ greats including Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, TG Sheppard and more. FRB’s most recent collaboration connected them to another legendary band – The Oak Ridge Boys.
We recently caught up with Flat River Band to talk about their musical journey and their new single “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” available today.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?
FRB: We are three blood brothers that grew up playing music together in our parent’s family band – The Sitze Family. We grew up playing Bluegrass Gospel music at fairs and festivals all over the U.S. We had a No. 1 song and a few Top 10 songs in that genre. After our grandparents passed away about 15 years ago, we moved to Nashville and started the Flat River Band trying our hand at Country music.
CN: How did Flat River Band begin?
FRB: It all started with our family band The Sitze Family.
CN: Which artists have influenced you all personally and as a band?
FRB: We grew up learning to sing harmony to the Gatlin Brothers on and 8-track player in our dad’s old Thunderbird. There is something about genetic harmony that moved us and with us being all brothers it was something that came naturally.
CN: Ok, so we have to talk about your latest release – a cover of the hit “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” – available today! But you aren’t just covering it – you are performing WITH The Oak Ridge Boys! Y’all have quite the relationship that goes back quite a few years.
FRB: We were super stoked when we were asked to use some of our music in the Christmas movie and we have always been big fans of The Oak Ridge Boys. When the opportunity came up for us to record this song, Duane Allen agreed to help us out and we feel super blessed and grateful.
CN: How did the opportunity to record “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” come about?
FRB: We all felt like country music was getting away from the roots of what it was founded on and wanted to help swing it back or at least do our part to help hold the line for traditional country music fans.
CN: What was it like to not only duet with such country legends, but to record their #1 song with them?
FRB: It felt very surreal actually to be in the studio and share a stage with these guys. Such a blessing – not to sound all cliche – but it is very hard for me to put into words what that was like.
CN: Back to The Least of These, A Christmas Story. For those who don’t know the film, it has quite the cast! Tayla Lynn, Deborah Allen, the Oaks, and more. How did you become involved in this film?
FRB: The director Mark Nicolosi reached out and said he would like us to be a part of it. Mark went on to direct the video on our first number one on the independent country charts, “Ain’t a Woman Like a River.”
CN: In 2023, you released the single “Wings of a White Dove” during Mental Health Awareness Month, with a portion of the proceeds donated to NAMI Tennessee to support mental health advocacy. As more awareness is brought towards the importance of mental health, can you tell us what was your inspiration to be an advocate?
FRB: In the last 10 years it’s become very obvious that there are a lot of hurting people in this world. It seems like there is an abundance of darkness and most people are afraid to talk about it. We think it’s important to talk about it and a lot of people just need someone to talk to. In 2023 there were over 50,000 suicides and we feel that with the platform that God has given us it is imperative that we show love and take time out for those who are in need and that just may need someone to listen to them and show them a little neighborly love. That is all. I feel like we all get caught up in our own rat race sometimes that we don’t take time out for our neighbors and we should be a little more aware of what’s going on in this world and show a little love.
CN: What has been your favorite career moment so far?
FRB: Have to say doing this project with The Oak Ridge Boys.
CN: You have already worked with so many who’s who of country music. Is there an artist out there that you have yet to work with that you’d love to?
FRB: We would love to work with Alabama.
CN: If you could describe yourselves in one word, what would it be and why?
FRB: Harmony. Because it is genetic harmony that gives us the sound that makes us who we are.
CN: What’s on the horizon for the second half of 2025?
FRB: In July and August we’ll be hitting the U.S. doing radio tours and in the fall we will be in the southern part of the U.S. playing shows throughout Texas, Florida and Tennessee. We feel like this is going to be the best year yet!
“Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” is available for download and streaming here.
For more information on Flat River Band, visit their website www.flatriverband.com and follow them on Facebook, X and Instagram.