The Settles Connection
Vocal Group
The Settles Connection is a recording, singing and songwriting group based in Nashville, TN, founded by Odessa Settles. An extraordinary harmony of experience, talent, instinct, and professionalism, The Settles Connection lends their unique homegrown background vocal style and creative collaborations to some of the nation’s top artists. The Settles Connection’s purposes are to help preserve folk, traditional, and gospel music, create recordings and performances through collaborative efforts, and to fulfill a personal desire to honor their father, Walter J. Settles (1928 -1999) former member of the Grammy-winning Fairfield Four – and his contribution to America’s traditional performance art culture.
Members include Odessa Settles, Calvin and Shirley Settles, Wayne and Sara Settles, and Todd Suttles. No, this is not a typo; Todd, the Settles’ brother in spirit and connection, is the group’s phenomenal bass man with a HUGE range. The group has recorded with artists such as Tim O’Brien, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Randy Travis (Dove award), Jon Vezner, T-Bone Burnett and Ralph Stanley (Oh Brother Where Art Thou), Buddy Greene, Darrell Scott, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, Shooter Jennings, Mindy Smith, Tony Joe White, Joni Bishop, Bobby Purify, Danny O’Keefe, Dave Powelson, Stella Parton and many more. Members appear on recent Grammy-nominated recordings by Maura O’Connell, Dave Perkins, and Ashley Cleveland. The Settles Connection was named an IBMA Nominee for their work on the Moody Bluegrass: Nashville’s Tribute to the Moody Blues project (Dave Harvey, Producer). Along with artists above, members of The Settles Connection have also shared the stage with Kenny Malone, Jerry Douglas, Casey Driessen, Andrea Zohn, Marty Stuart, Robin Roller, The Moody Blues, John Cowan, Jonell Mosser, The Nashville Symphony Orchestra, The Nashville Choir, American Idol, Mandisa and many more. The group joined with Ashley Cleveland and Odessa on their debut performance on the TOKENS Radio Show’s seventh installment, Hear the Plight.
