Local band—Bells and Whistles ring loud and clear

Local Dahlonega band Bells and Whistles evokes Contemporary Folk melodies with Appalachian roots. With tunes fit for a coffee shop, this brother and sister ensemble looks to acts like Watchhouse and Gregory Alan Isakov for inspiration, grounded in songs that touch upon melancholic themes that convey uplifting messages.
The Bells and Whistles band is comprised of sisters Lucy Bell (16) and Blakely Bell (13), daughters of Chuck and Kim Bell, as well as brothers Jack McKinney (16) and Will McKinney (17), sons of Tracy and Austin McKinney.
The instruments they play each tell their own story, some of which the band members affectionately named, including Cherokee, Jack, Delila, Oscar, and Encarnaciõn.
Blakely Bell puts passion behind the bass cello for the band and is currently studying guitar.
Lucy Bell finds ease in singing and playing mandolin and has also studied fiddle.
Jack McKinney began with the fiddle, later finding his groove with guitar as well as dabbling in other instruments, such as the Ukulele.
And Will McKinney masterly handles one of the most challenging instruments, the fiddle, and has added the banjo to his repertoire.
The Lumpkin County Georgia Pick & Bow program taught the Bells and Whistles members, allowing friends to grow into a band group through the love of music. Jack and Will had taken piano lessons previously and learned to read sheet music but said the  Pick & Bow was primarily audial learning, posing a new sort of challenge in their musical journeys.
The program holds 30-minute group lessons for students to learn tunes with their instruments. Then, students are brought together for 30 minutes to sing and play the same songs they are learning in class, where playing together is meant to encourage the enjoyment of music and community.
Georgia Pick & Bow’s mission is to preserve and promote the traditional music of the Appalachian region of Georgia. It provides music lessons in traditional Appalachian string music after school to fourth through 12th graders. It certainly sparked music into a passion for these four friends.
“Georgia Pick & Bow allowed us to rent instruments until we could get our own,” said Will.
The musicians acknowledged their families’ support, expressing gratitude for the purchases of their instruments. Kim Bell and Tracy McKinney have especially gone above and beyond as the Bells and Whistles’ managers.
“We call them our ‘Mom-agers,’” chuckled Lucy.
“And they do a great job,” said Will.

PRACTICE PERFECT

Having rooms at each home to practice, relax, and hang out has been a blessing, they said
For the Bells and Whistles practicing doesn’t feel like work but fun as they’re able to play, write songs, and spend time together.
“We push each other to play more,” said Blakely.
The members of the Bells and Whistles also credited the Lumpkin County High School for supplying a recording studio, which brought access to a recording booth, mixing boards, and a sound lab with 36 digital audio workstations, guitars, and a grand piano.
Many supporters contributed to the LCHS studio, including Zac Brown, who provided a near-truckload of equipment to get the program off the ground. Shawn Mullins, another well known locally rooted musician, auctioned two of his guitars to raise money for the project. And former state representative and local resident, Amos Amerson, donated a grand piano.
LCHS has gifted more than a studio as its teachers and staff have served as mentors to these students, nurturing inner talent into honed skills. The band said they practice at least once or twice a week in between their studies and other responsibilities.
Writing lyrics to compose original songs is the next mountain to climb for the Bells and Whistles, where they seek to inspire their listeners. The band members want to produce music from what they feel and know and to tell their family stories.
“A recent song was about grandparents and the struggles they went through and still go through,” said Lucy.
It’s not all melancholy though.
“We also want an album that’s about good times,” said Blakely.
The band members explained that they don’t want music to be about attaining fame or for self-promotion, but as a way for friends to create beauty for others.
“We play because we love each other and love music,” said Jack.
“You can make something sound good, but it’s hard on your own,” said Will.
“When we arrange our pieces and harmonize together, we’re stronger for it,” said Lucy.

NOW PLAYING

Though being musicians isn’t their main job, they look forward to playing as a way to stay connected to each other and the craft of music. Bells and Whistles have enjoyed playing in venues and coffee shops from Crimson Moon to Jethro’s. Their style is fit for local spots and offers Dahlonega new music that’s rooted in the past.
You can look forward to hearing them play at various upcoming events in Dahlonega, including the Dahlonega Trail Fest on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Gold Rush Days on Saturday, Oct. 15 (opening at 9:00 a.m.) – Sunday, Oct. 16 (opening at 9:00 a.m.).