At first, Carolyn Routh was unable to talk or use the right side of her body. But with the help of the band’s guitarist, and now her husband, Daniel Routh, she battled back. Seeing her play and sing today, you would never know the red-haired bass player had ever been sick.

In addition to the Rouths, Nu-Blu has two other members: Levi Austin on banjo and Austin Koener on mandolin.

The North Carolina group plays the same instruments as the creators of bluegrass music did back in the 1940s. Yet, few of the songs on Nu-Blu’s fifth album have that twangy, old-school sound.

What is Nu-Blu’s secret to surviving and staying on the road for 10 years when so many bands break up? Carolyn Routh says you have to love every minute of the job. Singing is all she has ever wanted to do.

“That’s my dream job and I love every minute of it. I’m also a real homebody. And I love my family and I love my home.”

Being on the road all the time takes her away from family and friends. That is the subject of a song called “That Road.”

“This song lets me be in both places. When I perform this song, I’m thinking about how much fun I’m having right there on that stage and, at the same time, how much I’m missing my family back at home. So the song sort of bridges that gap for me.”

Nu-Blu has a large number of performances planned across the United States. This includes shows on a cruise ship in the Caribbean Sea in early winter. The group hopes to add overseas dates next year.