Banjos, fiddles, Dobro, mandolin — not your typical thought when you see a band of young 20-somethings.

But that describes Flatt Lonesome and the group’s mission of bringing back the older country sound found in Merle Haggard,George Jones and Hank Williams.

Starting at a young age, playing with their parents in their family band, Sandy Creek Revival, siblings Buddy, Charli and Kelsi Robertson, learned music. After playing and touring as a family for a few years, Dolton and Lisa Robertson knew they had to step away because of Dolton’s pastoral duties. The siblings love of music and travel meant they were not done.

They knew they wanted to continue to play, to write, to sing. It was their life, their passion and they were not going to stop.

Now, the siblings, along with Kelsi’s husband, Paul Harrigill, and friends Michael Stockton and Dominic Illingworth, make up the award winning progressive bluegrass band, Flatt Lonesome. The group officially formed in 2011. Sticking to their roots, the old bluegrass sound, the band added some flair with some soul, country sounds.

Deeply rooted in bluegrass and gospel sounds, the band brings a sound like no other. With some traditional pickin’, the band members combine their roots with a new country twang.

In 2011, the band entered into the SPBGMA International Band Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, and placed third as they took the stage for the first time as a group. The next year, they entered again and won first place.

“After winning at the festival, we started getting bookings,” said Buddy Robertson, who lives in Cullman.

In August 2012, Flatt Lonesome signed a recording contract with Pisgah Ridge Records (a division of Mountain Home Records) and with much excitement recorded their first CD. The self-titled album was released on Jan. 29, 2013.

Flatt Lonesome signed with Mountain Home Records and released their second album, “Too,” in 2014. Later that year, they won the 2014 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year Award in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In the last four years, Flatt Lonesome has traveled and played many places throughout the United States.

Last year, Flatt Lonesome’s dream came true, as they were able to play the Grand Ole Opry, the pinnacle in a country star’s career. They now play the Opry regularly.

“The first time we played there, I got there like four hours early,” Robertson said. “It was overwhelming. It had always been a goal, that’s all we wanted to do. You can’t believe it’s actually happening.”

Robertson and the entire band had looked up to the country greats – and now to be playing on the same stage was a dream come true.

“It is really cool to be on the same stage as your heroes, like Merle and Hank Williams Jr.”

Flatt Lonesome is young, both in age and experience, but their desire, passion and dedication is that of someone who has worked their entire life to reach their goals.

“I don’t get nervous,” Robertson said. “It’s natural to me. I’m so comfortable on stage.”

Twins Buddy and Charli recently celebrated their 23rd birthdays. In attendance was Daryle Singletary, one of Robertson’s heroes and influences.

“His bus was parked there, it was amazing to know he is a real person,” Robertson said. “He is one of my biggest vocal influences and took the time to come to my birthday.”

This week the band celebrated three awards at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, winning vocal group of the year, album of the year and song of the year.

The band was nominated for five awards: Entertainers of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year.