A Family in Tune
The Vaughn Family uses their musical talents to worship and bring joy to thousands.
Words by Nick Norris | Images by Ryan McGill
In a world where families struggle to connect, the Vaughn family stands as a testament to how faith and music can bring people together.
About a decade ago, Dana and Jimmy Vaughn decided to enroll their three oldest children-Ethan, Anna, and Abby in instrument lessons. With years of practice and the addition of now nine-year-old Madi, the Vaughn family realized that together, they could create a unique blend of acoustic and folk sounds with Christian music. What began as a few jam sessions at home has led to multiple albums and performances at impressive venues, drawing thousands of fans closer to God through their music.
"I'm so proud that my family has found something we are passionate about," says Jimmy, a loving father and exceptional bass player.
"The greatest blessing of all is that our family gets to use our music to serve the Lord together," adds Dana, a selfless mother and powerful lead vocalist. "It has opened so many doors for us and led to incredible experiences for our family."
The Vaughn Family has performed across the Southeast, as well as Cincinnati, Ohio, the Florida Gulf Coast, Myrtle Beach, SC, and the state of Texas.
For the past few years, the Vaughn Family has performed at 40 Days and Nights of Christian Music, the world's largest Christian music festival, held annually at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. This year, they also took the stage at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
At the heart of their music is a love for family and the Lord, and the Vaughns believe this resonates most with their audience.
"We're all called to be witnesses in this world," Jimmy explains. "And we feel like the Lord gave us these abilities for that specific purpose. My goal is to glorify the Lord's name in whatever we do and wherever we go.
"When we look back at where we started and where we are now, it's so clear to see the countless doors God has opened for us," says Dana. "He has opened door after door for us and our children. I want us to be faithful in honoring Him with every opportunity and for our kids to make memories and have fun along the way."
Though the kids love traveling across the country to perform their original songs, many of their favorite moments happen at home.
"We are so blessed to have this opportunity as a family to make music and spend time together," says Anna, who offers low-harmony vocals and plays the fiddle and piano. "It's such a unique thing that few families get to share, and I really value that."
"The coolest part for me is having an outlet to be creative," says Abby, a high-harmony vocalist who also plays guitar, fiddle, and mandolin. "I always love getting creative with Ethan on the guitars."
"My favorite part about playing with my family is learning a new song together," says Ethan, the band's guitar and bass player. "It's fun to hear the song change from chaos into something you might actually want to listen to."
Jimmy and Dana find great joy in helping their children express themselves both creatively and spiritually. But, like all families, occasional bickering is inevitable.
"Even though we sometimes want to pull each other's hair out, we always come back around before the end of practice," Jimmy laughs. "But there's something special about having everyone together. Even our nine-year-old, Madi, likes to join in and sing when she feels like it."
"And I love how we all know what each other is thinking." Dana adds. "If I change something in a song, they immediately know exactly what I'm going for. We all adapt to each other easily, and I think that shows how close we are."
The Vaughn Family has recently increased their social media presence, posting more frequently on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In August 2024, they released Live from Starstruck on all major streaming platforms. The EP features five worship songs that strongly resonated with the family.
As for the future, the Vaughns hope to continue making music together.
"It can be hard because we're all busy," Anna says. "We don't usually have a specific practice schedule. We just do what works best for everyone between jobs and everything else."
"But I think we ultimately want to do it for as long as we can," Jimmy adds. "As long as we're praising the Lord and enjoying it."
"That's the reason we play," says Ethan.
The Vaughn family remains committed to their mission of spreading God's love through music, all while cherishing the time they spend together. Whether performing on grand stages or sharing quiet moments at home, their dedication to faith, family, and music continues to shape their journey and inspire those who hear their story. 78