Casey Penn & Pam Setser perform together in many capacities. In educational settings, they work together to encourage and develop interest in acoustic musical instruments and to educate on the history of certain music and instruments in our state and nation. Their musical presentations entertain while also encouraging students to search out their own opportunities to learn and express themselves through music. Finally, by sharing with students the sounds and histories of the instruments they play, Penn & Setser share a respect for history and Arkansas while sharing their love for music and the connections it can bring. 

Nuts & Bolts: Let Us Tailor our Program to Your Needs
Programs can be tailored in many ways as far as what we present and what groups we are presenting to. With the skills and instruments we represent, we can do many different programs. For example, we can lean more toward instrument history, state history, our own history, or (as we usually do) present a program that offers a bit of all of this along with entertainment and audience engagement. For large groups of students, we would learn towards more education and sing-a-longs as far as participation is concerned. For smaller classrooms and other groups, we have can lean toward a more hands-on approach as far as participation is concerned (trying out small instruments and other hands-on examples for the students). Every approach will entertain and uplift! Apart from our typical in-school presentations, Pam and I can work with you to conduct small songwriting or beginning instrument workshops (where students have or are provided with instrument being taught). We also enjoy performing duo (original and cover music) shows to accompany our in-school presentations. We’ve done this at local fundraising events, coffee houses, and the like that are in proximity to where we are presenting. It’s a terrific way to get the community involved!

Artistic specialty or specialties (mediums): Vocalists, Instrumentalists (autoharp, dancing doll, dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, spoons), Songwriters

Based in Central Arkansas, Casey Penn is an award-winning songwriter and a performing bluegrass/ Americana artist. A member of the Mountain Fever Records roster, Penn is a lead vocalist and plays fiddle and guitar. As a songwriter and artist, she is a repeat nominee for Arkansas Country Music Awards (songwriting, acoustic act, bluegrass artist) and a past winner of the Arkansas Songwriting Competition (2014), the New Song Contest (2022 Walnut Valley Festival), and the Hazel Dickens Songwriting Competition (Honorable Mention, 2016).

Based in Mountain View, Pam Setser has been singing since she was five years old and grew up performing with her parents as part of The Simmons Family. In addition to her singing, she plays mountain dulcimer, guitar, autoharp, and spoons. As a young artist, Setser placed 2nd runner-up in the National Wrangler Country Showdown held at the grand Ole Opry in Nashville. She has performed with Grandpa and Ramona Jones, The Whites, Joni Bishop, and actress/singer Mare Winningham, and has appeared on The Louisiana Hayride, You Can Be a Star, Nashville Now, Hee Haw, The Tonight Show, and recently on the HGTV feature Top Ten Christmas Towns, showcasing Caroling in the Caverns and Mountain View.

Setser is a past winner of the Ozark Folk Center Musician of the Year Award and a repeat nominee in the Arkansas Country Music Awards (Americana Act, Acoustic Act). She is also the 2023 recipient of the Cabin Award (August 2023). This award is presented by George D. Hay Society whose mission is to preserve the connection of the Ozarks of south-central Missouri and north-central Arkansas with the world-famous Grand Ole Opry.