Gone to Texas: The Bluegrass Musicians

Our Gone to Texas series features the tales of people from around the world who have settled in Texas.

By Lea KonczalAugust 7, 2015 7:37 am

Rolf Sieker grew up listening to American music in post-World War II Germany. He developed a passion for the uniquely American sound of the banjo, and his band was the first to record an all-bluegrass album in Germany.

Eventually, Rolf and his wife Beate began spending more time in the U.S. because it was more receptive to their style of music. They were married in Nashville and moved to Texas after Beate won the green card lottery.

Their group, The Sieker Band, performs regularly in the Austin area. The band has produced several albums – one of which is entirely devoted to Texas-themed songs.