A band. Seriously! Hubby and I saw this fantastically talented group a few weeks ago. We also saw them last summer. Each time, we are just as blown away. They are phenomenal. The music is exactly what I like to listen to – check out their set list – and everyone at the event really gets into it, dancing and enjoying.
And everyone wonders, are they really Amish? I hope you find this as fascinating as I do: Yes! They are, and the full explanation is here. In essence, what they say on their site is this: “It is a little-known fact that most Amish practice a tradition, similar to the Christian “Confirmation” and Jewish “Bar Mitzvah,” called “Rumspringa” (literal translation: “running around”) in which Amish children at the age of 16 have an opportunity to live free of the strict Amish code of conduct before deciding if they want to come back and be baptized into the Amish church. Surprisingly, virtually all of the youths return.
But sometimes they don’t.
Four out of the original six of the members of The Amish Outlaws were born and raised in Lancaster, PA and had a strict Amish upbringing. No electricity from land lines, no alcohol, no musical instruments, but their spirits were too wild for the Amish lifestyle. Once they trampled in the Devil’s Playground (the Amish term for the American way of life), there was no turning back. In the years since Rumspringa, the members of the Amish Outlaws have become very well acclimated to the pleasures and vices of the modern world… music, most of all. ”
They are not just talented, but fantastically funny! Check out their Q and A:
Why am I bringing them to your attention? Because I really and truly enjoy them! This is their own explanation of what you’ll see at a show: “There is no “typical” Amish Outlaws show, but the average crowd can expect to see men in full Amish garb releasing all of their pent up energy with an infectious joy. With a set that is always evolving as the Brothers discover more and more music and culture, The Amish Outlaws constantly surprise the audience and keep them guessing as to what they could possibly play next, from Judas Priest to Jay Z, Neil Diamond to Snopp Dogg and Dr. Dre, Queen and Twisted Sister, to theme songs from the TV shows they have come to know. Throughout, The Outlaws spin yarns about the Brothers’ upbringing and adventures since Rumpsringa. Amish Outlaw gigs are less performances than they are initiations into the life of an Amish Outlaw and parties celebrating the Brothers’ newfound freedom.”
I mean can you imagine leaving the Amish life behind, dressing as you did then, and entertaining people with dynamic musical talent? If you ever get the chance, see these guys! I wish I could buy their music for my car! So does hubby!
Carly Phillips would like to take 100% credit for all her stories but the truth is, Carly’s strength is writing family, emotion, funky elderly people and animals. She couldn’t plot her way out of a paper bag, which is why she smartly found her plotmonkey pals early on in her writing career. Thanks to their support, Carly is now a NYT Bestselling author of 23 plus novels. Because writing doesn’t keep her busy enough, Carly is also a wife, a mother of one preteen and one teenage daughter, the primary care giver of her soft coated Wheaten terrier and an expert carpool mom.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Ok, so when we go to Hershey, PA in June, you’re saying I should look to see if they are performing any where around there then? Guess I will. So I did and guess what? They’ll be in NY and NJ.
:grumble grumble:
Comment
Sounds very cool. So they don’t have CD’s or anything you can download from iTUnes huh? I guess that makes sense. I love that music is so universal and can be really freeing and beautiful in other cultures. I’m curious to know more :)
Comment
That is wild! Their set list is the most varied I’ve ever seen. Does it take your brain a few minutes to switch gears when they go from Bon Jovi to Snoop Dog to Judas Priest?
And I love the answers to some of the questions. The “Do-You-Drink” one was especially funny to me. Thanks for introducing us to this fun group!!
Comment
I actually had heard of Rumspringa (did I spell it correctly?). What a fun find.
Comment
This is great! I had to send a note to my hubby about them since he’s a big music lover and the more odd and interesting the performers, the better he likes it. Thanks for sharing!
Comment
Love them already! They remind me of a Weird Al Yankovic music video, “Living in an Amish Paradise”. It was parody of “Living in a Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio.
Looks like they won’t be comin’ south anytime soon so sounds like a road trip may be in my future!
Tami
Comment
Comment
Thank you so much!! Your kind words mean a lot to us!
Comment
THANK YOU for posting, Brother Ezekiel! Any chance you’ll put out a CD, be available in iTunes or anything? You’re amazing!
Comment
We may have a live CD some time. We have been planning one forever but get too busy playing. For now, you have to settle for the real thing! Where did you see us play, by the way?
Comment
and have yall considered creating a facebook fan page?
I’d love to follow it for updates of shows, etc :)
Comment
never mind, found it
Comment
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Amish-Outlaws/10364511239
Just in case anyone else is wondering. :)
Comment
Okay…now that is cool!
Comment
Thanks so much. Hopefully you will come see us. We play all over the Northeast.
Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Our schedule is on our website: http://www.Amishoutlaws.com
Comment
LOL! I just heard the part where y’all are naming Irish names and someone says, “Pattio Furniture”.
Comment
I do believe that was Abel and the show was up in Connecticut. Abel is funny. And my friend.
Comment
How fun! Thanks for posting. You can listen to them on You Tube. Just do a search for Amish Outlaws and several videos pop up.
Cher
Comment
You have made me so curious. I will have to check them out. Thanks for introducing us to something new.
Comment
I did check them out, what a varied play list many I’ve never heard of!! They even had some Elvis in there!!
It must be very interesting to see them in person. I’ll have to check out more videos another time. Thanks Carly. 
Comment
So cool. Will have to see if they are coming anywhere close to me.
Comment
Now I wish I lived that direction so I could catch one of The Amish Outlows concerts!
I’ll add another band to watch for, though they’re usually found around Disney in Florida: Off Kilter. Rock and roll bagpipes for the win!
Comment
Hey Carly, thanks for sharing this group with us. I have always been fascinated with the Amish way of life, and it is interesting to see the Amish Outlaws. I will check their set list out later. I gotta get some work done, and then I can play. Have a wonderful rest of the day everyone!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment
sounds like a cool group.
I just started The Bachelor, better late than never right?, and really love it so far. Keep writing
Comment
I have to see these guys!
thanks for the heads up, I’ll definitely be on the lookout for them now.