Bluegrass in their blood

There are five siblings – Jenny Little, Hank Little, Molly Wilbur, Austin Little and Bonnie Campbell – and they have been hailed as one of the hottest bluegrass bands in the Inland Northwest.

The Panhandle Polecats, according to Spokane Public Radio’s Front Porch Bluegrass host Kevin Brown, have “lightning picking, tight vocals, an infectious stage presence and fiery enthusiasm.”

Another reviewer says, “The Panhandle Polecats play bluegrass, with a heapin’ helpin’ of gospel, fiery mountain tunes, with a dollop of country, old-time, western and a dab of the blues for good measure,”

Each of the five siblings received musical training, in addition to their schoolwork, at home from their parents, Todd and Shirley Little.

The greatest challenge in homeschooling, according to Austin Little, was finding an outlet that they all could share. That outlet turned out to be music.

“Our mom purchased a Flatt and Scruggs tape and we have been hooked ever since,” he said.

The term polecat normally refers to a skunk.

“There are no true native polecats in the Idaho Panhandle or anywhere in America for that matter, but it is a fun conversation starter,” said Austin Little. “The name just came to us.”

Jenny Little, the oldest, plays flute, viola, piano, guitar cello and bass and has an angelic voice. Her musical influences are Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Judy Garland, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Bing Crosby and Harry Connick Jr.

Hank Little keeps the show interesting with endless trivia and odd knowledge. He plays the dobro, harmonica and adds baritone vocals. He is in the U.S. Army Reserve and works full time for the U.S. Forest Service.

Wilbur is a top mandolinist. She began playing at age 10 because the mandolin was small and not as heavy as the banjo, which was her first choice. She writes songs and is the lead singer. Her influences are Ricky Skaggs, Dean Webb and Adam Steffey. She and her family live in Hayden and raise sheep.

At the age of 3, Austin Little wanted to play the drums, but that interest turned to the banjo when he watched his grandpa play an old four-string. Austin is an award-winning banjoist and was voted the Best Banjo Player of 2008 by the Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association. He has performed and recorded with other Northwest bands and teaches banjo at North Idaho College.

Bonnie Campbell is Austin’s twin sister. She bought her first guitar at age 11 with the ambition of playing it “like grandpa.” She keeps a solid rhythm, driving the band through blazing bluegrass tunes, and also picks some mean licks on the “old flat top.” She lives in Odessa, Wash., with her husband.

In 2007, the Polecats released their first album, “Skunked Again,” featuring Spokane fiddle player Andrew Wilson of the Post Falls Rockin’ B Ranch, their mom Shirley, their grandma and grandpa, and their dad Todd. Their second album, “Selkirk Storm,” was released last April.

The Polecats’ past performance highlights include: Bluewaters Bluegrass Festival, Medical Lake; Red, White and Blue Bluegrass Festival, Colville; North Idaho Fair and Rodeo, Coeur d’Alene; and Round Valley Bluegrass Festival, Cascade, Idaho.

Although their personal lives are going in separate directions, they intend to continue to play shows and record as a group.

One of their fondest memories is when their dad played with them two years ago during a Christmas performance.

“Dad played four notes, was very nervous, and got an outrageous applause,” Jenny says with a smile. “Dad tells us that he is best when he plays the radio.