BEHIND THE SCENES AS THE BLENDERS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS

By Gwendolyn Hoberg

Photography by Craig VanDerSchaegen www.craigvanders.com

No musical group is likely to make the 25-year mark without plenty of talent, inventiveness and commitment. Fans of The Blenders, perhaps Fargo’s greatest contribution to the world of a cappella singing, no doubt recognize these characteristics in Tim Kasper, Ryan Lance, and Darren and Allan Rust.

What’s less obvious to many fans who know this quartet through their live performances and recordings is how the people and conditions behind the scenes have contributed to The Blenders’ success over the years. Their wives, their parents and in-laws, and Fargo-Moorhead as a whole have all helped make The Blenders possible.

“Tim, Ryan, and I were like the Three Musketeers growing up,” said Melanie Kasper, wife of Tim. In high school they toured with her parents’ dance company (now Gasper School of Dance).

Though Darren didn’t dance with them in high school, he noted, “The performance experience the dance company brought to [the Blenders] was really helpful. They knew how to put on a good show—how to perform and be engaging.” Even today the group can use the Gasper studio if they need to, Tim said.

The three also performed as singers in venues like Trollwood. “It’s a cool story of FargoMoorhead, where kids can grow up with the arts,” Melanie remembered. Darren also has praise for the area: “People seem so involved and aware, and the arts are pretty well supported. It was a great place to get started as The Blenders.”

In the early days of the group, when Tim, Ryan, Darren and former member Paul Dunkirk began performing as a quartet in and around Fargo, they had reliable logistical support from their significant others. Tim recalled how girlfriends and family members helped with the logistics of video shoots. Melanie said, “I helped with merchandise sales and touring whenever my schedule permitted it. I’ve always been around as a sounding board, someone they could throw ideas to or ask for grunt work help with whatever.”

Gerri Rust, Darren’s wife, has been another important presence from the beginning. “We just really believed in the guys,” Gerri said. “We did everything we could to help save money and support the group.” Another woman who’s been behind—and in—the scenes over the years is Heidi LangsethMyrold, Ryan’s wife. Like Melanie, Heidi sang with the guys as a teenager and appeared in early Blenders videos.

These days, The Blenders are self-sufficient as an ensemble, Melanie said. “They know each other so well, they can come together quickly and do what’s needed to put together a great show. In a good way, they’re control freaks. They’ll ask for our opinion and listen, but they know what they want.”

Gerri agreed: “They’re very hands-on, and they have the skills to do it. Allan has film training experience, Ryan’s a great staging guy, Darren’s an arranger and sound guy, and Tim has the business management skills. They all have their roles.”

“There may be times when the wives wish we had a bit more of a say,” Gerri added. “I think big, dreaming about what could be, and Darren sometimes gives a reality check.” Gerri described Michelle, the fourth Blender wife, as a less handson supporter. “She is real supportive and proud of Allan, but she does her own thing.”

It’s agreed that The Blenders’ lives as traveling musicians would be much tougher without their wives’ willingness to manage things at home. “We definitely pick up the slack when the guys are doing shows,” Melanie said. This is especially true around the holidays, when The Blenders tour more.

Occasionally The Blenders’ families will join them on tour, and a recent performance in Sarasota, Florida, where Tim and Melanie moved in 2003, offered another opportunity to spend time together. “Most of them hadn’t been to our home before,” said Melanie, “so this was a paid engagement where we also all got to hang out.”

Reflecting on high points from the past 25 years, Darren mentioned appearing on "The Arsenio Hall Show," and Tim singled out the many young groups The Blenders have inspired over the years. Tim is also grateful for their consistent autonomy, saying, “We’ve always been in charge of our destiny.” Melanie agreed: “They’ve been in control 100 percent”—just not without a little help from their friends.

[AWM]