Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine Jan-Feb 2016 by Minnesota Bluegrass

Jan/Feb 2016

Jan/Feb 2016 Vol. 42 No. 1 Newsstand: $3 Subscription: $35

Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of December 1, 2015: 983

Patrons:

President: Peter Albrecht, henrypeteralbrecht@gmail.com Vice President: Jana Metge, 952-996-6490, singdancesavetheworld@gmail.com Treasurer: Greg Landkamer Secretary: Mary DuShane Board Members: Term expires 2016: Alan Jesperson, Philip Nusbaum, Kenneth Bloch Term expires 2017: Sarah Cagley, Marilyn Bergum, Ann Iijima, Quillan Roe Youth Representative: Seat vacant For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: minnesotabluegrass.org/as_Board

Bridgit & Peter Albrecht Tony & Barbie Andreason Tony & Ann Anthonisen Mary Arntson Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Kenneth Bloch Ann & Barry Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Gary & Janet Cobus Katryn Conlin Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane E. Gruber Michael & Paula Hildebrandt David Johnson

MBOTMA Staff

Sustaining:

MBOTMA Hot Line (to subscribe and for other information) 612-285-9133 or 800-635-3037 info@minnesotabluegrass.org P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416 www.minnesotabluegrass.org Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass

MBOTMA Board of Directors

Executive Director: Jed Malischke, 715-635-2479 Administrative Assistant: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133

Minnesota Bluegrass Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Ken Bloch, John Chabot, Adam Granger, Ann Iijima, Phil Nusbaum, Sandi Pidel Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, Pam Bowers, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Michelle Perrin, Mike Berkeland, Charlotte Matis, Kelly Vanderpool Cover Photo: Charlotte Matis Back: Michelle Perrin Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org. Minnesota Bluegrass is published monthly by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2015 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537.

Rod & Barb Anderson Paul Ashworth Fred Boyer Brenda Burger Bill & Ann Bushnell Dan & Marilyn Cook Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Garry & Linda Elfstrand Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland Mary & Fred Harms James Helig Thomas Hollenhorst & Karin Kraemer David Holm Dick & Sue Hopperstad Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke

Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Russell Lane Maxine Larson Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rodger McBride Mary McSorley Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Katy Olson & Ron Roller Harold Pederson David & Betty Pfeiffer David Rogers Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Tom & Margaret Schuveiller Penelope Scialla Michael Valentiner Donna Velasco Steve Vincent & Jill Weese Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tim Wankel Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox

Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann Kagan Matthew Kaster Jim Lally Greg Landkamer & Jill Stefansen Lloyd & Beverly LaPlant James Lee Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Rudy & Jeanne Marti Bill Merrill James Natwick Dennis & Jan O’Brien Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Dan Robinson Leo & Ann Rosenstein Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Roger Sweet Lynn & Carolyn Thorson R. & Elizabeth Vaughan David & Bonnie Warner Mark & Danelle Wolf

From the Editor Hey, everybody! I’m back for another stint as interim editor and glad to be here. JoAnne Makela did an excellent job over the last three years, guiding the makeover of MN Bluegrass, and we thank her for that great work. MBOTMAis taking applications for the position of editor. Brett Day is the chair of the search comittee. You can contact him at boone@infionline.net This is a great organization run by a board of directors who are dedicated, hard working and conscientious about taking care of MBOTMA. Having recently returned to attending board meetings, I am, again, impressed with their attention to detail and their love for MBOTMA and the music. When you see a board member, why don’t you thank them in person. This is your magazine. Contributions to it can take many forms from writing articles about the music and the scene to taking photos to proofreading the mag. It is not all done by the editor. Contact me if you have any ideas about how to contribute or how to improve the magazine. This is your organization. As volunteers, becoming more involved will yield more benefits than just the work you perform. In many cases it leads to lifelong friendships. A great way to support MBOTMA and the music is going out to see live music. Support your bands! I hope you all attend the fundraiser 12to12, this year also called JedFest. It will be a good time to thank Jed for all of the leadership that he has provided over the years. It will be a great day of music and fun. 12 hours of bands, jams, silent auctions and more. A great way to show your support for MBOTMA. Congratulations to No Man’s String Band for winning the Race for a Place, at the Harvest Jam. I hope you go out of your way to go and see them. And, don’t fret, it won’t be long before we are basking in the sun at El Rancho Mañana, listening to that good ol’ bluegrass (old-time and related) music. Doug Lohman, IBCNU!

Funding for MBOTMA provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and private donors.

Become a Member The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is open to everyone. Our members include people who love to listen to music and people who love to make music. As a member, you’ll be invited to participate in bluegrass and old-time music events and celebrations. You’ll receive discounted prices on admission to events and merchandise, and you’ll receive a subscription to Minnesota Bluegrass magazine. Becoming a member of MBOTMA is easy and affordable. Your membership will not only nurture your own interests, but help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota.

Individual $35

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events discounts for one person, and a free classified ad.

Family $50

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, up to four discounted tickets per event, and a free classified ad.

Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual or family membership

Band $75

Sustaining Level $100

Patron Level $150

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance booking information for MBOTMA events, a free classified ad, and listings in the MBOTMA member band directory in print and on our website. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, two free concert tickets, and a free classified ad. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, four free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.

Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online and pay with PayPal. Or mail in your personal information and payment to: MBOTMA P.O. Box 16408 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you would like to join by phone.

P aramount t heatre D owntown S aint C louD

C entra C are h ealth P reSentS

RICKY SKAGGS Thursday, February 11, 1:30 Friday, February 12, 7:30 Saturday, February 13, 7:30 Tickets: $29-$38 (Plus $2.00 processing fee per ticket)

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

FREE EVENT PARKING IN THE RAMP! WORTH THE TRIP TO ST. CLOUD!!

Call 320.259.5463 or online at paramountarts.org 4

January/February 2016

MBOTMA Welcomes New Officers and Board Members Election Report for 2015 By Ken Bloch The 2015 Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association Board of Director’s and Officer’s Election was held during November, 2015. The election committee was chaired by Martha Galep, with Kenneth Bloch performing the tasks of the election judge. Two new board members were elected this year. Sarah Cagley, who was previously a youth representative on the board, and Ann Iijima were elected to At-Large Board Member offices. Greg Landkamer, previously an At-Large Board Member has been elected to the Office of Treasurer. The ballot was published in the November edition of Minnesota Bluegrass, with the address of the Election Judge for the submittal of ballots. The date of November 18 was posted as the last day for the receipt of ballots by mail, but there was a ballot box on the sign-in desk at the Harvest Jam festival. Voting was closed at 3:00 PM on Saturday November 21, and the ballots counted for presentation at the Harvest Jam Banquet that evening by Ms. Galep.

Greg Landkamer Office of Treasurer - Elected Marilyn Bergum At-Large Board Member- Elected (no picture)

Ann Iijima At-Large Board Member - Elected

Quillan Roe At-Large Board Member - Elected Sarah Cagley At-Large Board Member - Elected

Chris Anderson At-Large Board Member - not elected

The slate of candidates was published in the November issue of Minnesota Bluegrass, along with their candidate’s statements. There was one candidate offered for the Office of Secretary, and one candidate for the Office of Treasurer. There were five candidates offered for the four open positions for At-Large Board Members. There were a total of 55 ballots cast. The results of the voting are:

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Mary DuShane Office of Secretary - Elected January/February 2016

FUNDRAISER 2016 A Celebration of Jed & his 29 years with the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association

Saturday January 23, 2016 12 pm to 12 am (doors open at 11AM)

Kraus Hartig VFW Post 8100 Pleasant View Drive Spring Lake Park, MN

12 hours of concerts! 12 hours of jamming! Silent auction and raffle!

Food & beverages on sale provided byVFW $10 donation requested at the door

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

12-12:30 pm Pushing Chain 12:45-1:20 pm Alternate Route 1:30-2:10 pm The Middle Spunk Creek Boys 2:20-3:00 pm Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum 3:15-4:00 pm Ivory Bridge 4:15-5:00 pm Switched at Birth 5:15-6:00 pm The Platte Valley Boys 6:15-7:15 pm JedFest ( Jed’s Band) 7:30-8:15 pm The Nobodys 8:30-9:15 pm Jumpin’ Jo & Catie Cats 9:30-10:15 pm Mark Kreitzer Band 10:30-11:00 pm Seldom Herd 11:15 pm -12:00 am Cousin Dad More info: 800-635-3037, www.minnesotabluegrass.org Thanks to Doug Lohman & Armadillo Sound for Sound and Tech support and to Kraus Hartig VFW Post for the use of the venue 6

January/February 2016

JedFest line up from 12 to 12 By Ann Iijima

On January 23, 2016, MBOTMA will revisit last year’s successful 12to12 fundraising event with “JedFest”—a tribute to Jed Malischke and the contributions he has made to MBOTMA during his 29 years with the organization. The Kraus Hartig VFW Post in Spring Lake Park has generously offered to donate their entire hall for our use.

Bands: 12 Pushing Chain 12:45 Alternate Route 1:30 The Middle Spunk Creek Boys 2:20 Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum 3:15 Ivory Bridge

4:15 Switched at Birth 5:15 The Platte Valley Boys 6:15 JedFest 7:30 The Nobodys 8:30 Jumpin Jo & Catie Cats 9:30 Mark Kreitzer Band 10:30 Seldom Herd 11:15 Cousin Dad

host a jam from 1 to 4 p.m., and there will be jamming space throughout the building. There also will be a silent auction and raffle. Please contact board member Marilyn Bergum (mwbergum@gmail. com) if you have auction items. Drop off raffle items valued under $20 (band CDs, t-shirts, etc.) with Quillan Roe or other staff members at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. The tickets for this 12-hour extravaganza are $10! Donation jars will be out as well. See the ad on page 6 for more information.

Making sure all the bands sound their best, Doug Lohman and Armadillo Sound will donate their expertise. In addition to 12 hours of stage shows, there will be workshops and plenty of jamming. Barbara Carlson will

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

January/February 2016

MinnesotaBluegrass.org 8

January/February 2016

Cover

No Man’s String Band wins 2015 MBOTMA’s Race for a Place By Doug Lohman

Photo by Kelly Vanderpool

January/February 2016

varieties, with all kinds of influences. 150 years ago you probably only heard the other musicians who lived in your county, with the possible exception of the rare traveling musician who drifted through. Today… it’s quite a different world as we can all listen to (and be influenced by) music from around the world. Their instrumentation is mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass and accordion. I happen to like the accordion, so it was nice to see the way they wove it into the bluegrass they played. Even Bill Monroe experimented with having an accordion in his bands. They came out running with a smoky, slower version Orange Blossom Special and gave it a very bluesy feel. The next tune, Outlaw, a NMSB original, had a driving, newgrass feel to it. They followed that with another NMSB original, If It Wasn’t for You. Melissa sang a song by Della Mae, Turtle Dove. Justin sang the Del McCoury cover of the Shawn Camp/ Billy Burnette song, My Love Will Not

Change. They ended their short set with a very true to the original version of Monroe’s Blue Moon of Kentucky. They were polished, interactive with the audience, very entertaining. That is why they won. They are another example of the musical richness in our neck of the woods, as we are alive with string bands. Want to hear them? Check out their web site: www.nmsbmusic.com. Schedule, sound bites, videos will give you a sense of what they do.

LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

The winners of the 2015 MBOTMA’s Race for a Place are No Man’s String Band. For the last 10 years, Race for a Place has been held at the Harvest Jam in November. Winners get a contract to play on Saturday at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-time Music Festival held in August at El Ranco Mañana. The 1st runner up gets a contract to play at the Homegrown Kickoff in June. The 2nd runner up gets invited to play at the 2016 Harvest Jam in November. No Man’s String Band is: Justin Rosckes on guitar, Nic Hentges on mandolin, Melissa Hentges on accordion, Lindsey Bordner on fiddle, and Pat Loftus on bass. They have been together about 5 years, playing all over the midwest. No Man’s String Band is not what you would would call a traditional bluegrass band, but you can tell that they are heavily influence by and have great respect for Bill Monroe and all the others who helped form that tradition. String bands these days come in all

Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments)

31751 LaPlant Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744 9

A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance

March 4-6, 2016 - Crowne Plaza Mpls West (in Plymouth, MN)

3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth MN 55441 - exit I-494 at Hwy 55 (exit 22) and go East on 55, turn North at Northwest Blvd, then 1st left onto Campus Dr to parking ramp.

Saturday Headline Concert

Dan Paisley & Southern Grass

7:00 PM with special guest Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner 9:30 PM with special guest The Sawtooth Brothers

Showcase Of Bands 2 Stages! 3 Days! 50 Groups Scheduled 7PM Fri to 2PM Sun.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Plus The Grass Seeds Music Academy, 3 Rooms of Instrument Exhibitors, Workshops, The Gathering Place, Jam Sessions, Spotlight On, & More!

For tickets or information call

Old-Time Music & Dance Hall Old-Time Dances & Music Fri Night & All Day Sat. Plus Sat Concert & Dance featuring

The Sunny Mountain Serenaders!

800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Showcase Of Bands, Exhibit Rooms, Dance Parlour, Gathering Place & Workshops Admission Prices: $20 Fri/$25 Sat/$5 Sun at the door or a 3 day weekend pass is $40 in advance, $32 for MBOTMA members, $20 teens, or $45 at the door. Kids 12 & under free! Sat Headline Concert Prices: $25 day of show, $23 in advance, $20 MBOTMA members in advance, $10 teens & kids. BG Lovers Package: (All 3 Days + 1 Sat Concert): $58 in advance ($48 members, $29 teens), not available at the door. BG Extremist Package: (All 3 Days + Both Sat Concerts): $70 advance ($60 members, $35 teens), not available at the door. For hotel lodging call the Crowne Plaza (763-559-6600) or the nearby Residence Inn (763-577-1600) or Kelly Inn (763-553-1600). 10

January/February 2016

List of Bands Playing at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend Curtis & Loretta - Def Lester - Long Time Gone Monroe Crossing - Switched At Birth - Mark Kreitzer Band The Good Intentions - The Middle Spunk Creek Boys Poor Benny - Sara Mae & The Birkeland Boys Bob & Lynn Dixon - No Man’s String Band - Porcupine Creek The Seldom Herd - Biscuit Boys - Scrapegoat Skin & Bones Hand Picked Bluegrass - Rosby Corner - Ophoven Family Band Purdy River Band - King Wilkie’s Dream - The Fish Heads Cousin Dad - Sloughgrass - Now and Then - Moonlight Duo Wink The Other Eye - The Flemming Fold - Due North The Tune Jerks - Dick Kimmel & Co - Timbre Junction Singleton Street - The Lost Tracks - Blue Groove String Beans, Chick Pea & Garbonzo - Mother Banjo The Roe Family Singer - Prairiegrass - Ivory Bridge

John Hugelen Cajun Music Scholarship

Sends aspiring mid-west Cajun Musicians to music camps at Folklore Village (WI), Balfa Heritage Week (LA) & Augusta Heritage Center (WV)

Application deadline: January 31, 2016

For application and/or info: Johnhugelencajunscholarship.org Email: cajunmusicscholarship@earthlink.net

ARMADILLO SOUND & DESIGN

Minneapolis, MN - Serving the acoustic music community for over 30 years.

Complete production services, sound and lights. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Complete studio and live multi-track recording with Protools©. You know Doug’s attention to detail in the live concert… Let him help you craft your next recording project. 612-306-3490 – douglohman@aol.com armadillosounddesign.com

January/February 2016

Grass Seeds 2016 Guitar, Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro and Bass By Sandi Pidel

there is plenty of room for all skill levels. We do our best to group kids according to ability and comfort level, so a band can be as few as 3 or as many as 7 or 8 kids in any combination of instruments. One of the requirements for GS2 is to be at least 14; however teenagers are not limited to that group. Less experienced older players typically benefit more from Grass Seeds. At Grass Seeds, our main goal is fun. Our hope is that by creating a positive experience and the opportunity to build friendships, we will instill a love of the music, a sense of community and the desire to continue playing. Our faculty is always kid-friendly, local and accessible. We provide a non-competitive, friendly atmosphere for kids to meet and get to know people their age who enjoy the same music. Typically, by the end of the weekend, many phone numbers and email addresses have been exchanged and new Facebook friendships made. Our instructors are always local in hopes

that you will bring your child to hear them throughout the year. We work on a few common jam tunes and encourage everyone to go out and jam in the evenings. So if you see a young person out there with an instrument, please invite them to join in or stop and play a song or two with them. WHAT IS GS2? It has always been a struggle in Grass Seeds to accommodate such a wide variety of ages and ability levels. The past several years, we couldn’t help but notice how many young, advanced players are showing up at the festivals. There has also been an increase in the number of Grass Seeds registrations in the 14 to 18 year old age group, many who have attended Grass Seeds several times. It was obvious these older kids needed a very different, more age appropriate experience than we were offering in Grass Seeds. We needed to provide them with their own social experience and move away from teaching

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Grass Seeds and GS2 are MBOTMA sponsored youth workshops held in conjunction with the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. This will be our thirteenth year! We meet for one session Friday night, two on Saturday and one Sunday morning. The kids then have the opportunity to show us all what they have learned with a concert on Sunday at 1:00pm. Some of the things we work on are jamming etiquette, ensemble playing, how to play back-up and take a lead break on your instrument, plus singing lead and harmony vocals. The kids have a lot of fun, but they work hard too. Grass Seeds is NOT just for beginners or “little kids,” nor are we only looking for those really talented kids. If you can play a few common chords or fiddle a few tunes, or if you are a really “hot picker” between the ages of 8 and 18 - or so, there is a place for you at Grass Seeds. We spend most of the weekend in small groups. Each one becomes a “band” for the weekend, so

January/February 2016

only the traditional bluegrass tunes; they clearly want to learn to play what they listen to. We experimented with a few different things, but didn’t really hit on anything that worked. That is until 2011, when we started GS2. Now in its sixth year, GS2 has been quite a success! These kids have had a great experience and are really an inspiration to the younger ones. Our goals for GS2 are the same as Grass Seeds and the structure of the weekend is pretty much the same, we are just raising the bar by including advanced instrumental technique, three and four part vocal harmonies and improvisation. GS2 decides as a group what songs to work on. We encourage them to choose more progressive songs from the contemporary artists they enjoy listening to. Then they get to work creating their own arrangement, not just reproducing it as recorded. They will really focus in on what it takes to be a member of a performing group. The discussion topics are also determined by the group so we can best meet the specific needs of the kids that year.

The minimum age to participate in GS2 is 14 and space is limited to about 10 students. We recommend at least 4 to 5 years of playing with a good working knowledge of common chords and scales. Basic instrumental technique should be solid and familiarity with ensemble playing is expected. Students must be able to learn quickly by ear. Previous participation in Grass Seeds is not required. Everyone who is interested in GS2 will participate in a jam session first thing Friday night; the instructors will make their decision at that time. All participants must register for Grass Seeds; we can not guarantee your child will be selected for GS2 at time of registration. There is no additional cost for GS2, and no refunds will be given if your child is not selected. GS2 will have the same schedule as Grass Seeds, and students will be required to perform in the concert on Sunday. OUR FACULTY This year Grass Seeds favorite, The High 48’s (thehigh48s.com), winners of the 2009 Rockygrass band competition, will return as instructors. They were also

a huge success as the faculty of jam camp at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival. Marty Marrone, Anthony Ihrig, Rich Casey, Mike Hedding and Eric Christopher will offer instruction on guitar, banjo, dobro, bass, mandolin and fiddle. The perennial favorite, Catie Jo Pidel, will return to teach fiddle as well. Her youthful energy and enthusiasm is absolutely infectious - the kids love her. This year Chris Silver (chrissilver. wix.com) will teach GS2. If there are strings on it, Chris plays it - and plays it well. Before The Chris Silver Band, he was a member of Stoney Lonesome and is also well known for his songwriting. Chris has firm roots in Bluegrass but has honed his own sound from many influences, making him perfect for GS2. REGISTRATION The registration fee for the 3-day workshop is $85 per student. This includes a weekend ticket to the festival and one ticket to the Saturday night Headline Concert (to be picked up at check-in on Friday night). Students can only register for one instrument. Be sure to register

The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association presents…

The Grass Seeds Music Academy With 2016 faculty featuring the members of

THE HIGH 48s plus Chris Silver & Catie Jo Pidel

January/February 2016

Registration fee is $85 and includes admission to the festival. For more information contact Sandi at 763-784-5286 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To register call MBOTMA at 1-800-635-3037 or info@minnesotabluegrass.org

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

All musicians age 8 to 18 (or so) are invited to register for the Grass Seeds Music Academy during the Winter Bluegrass Weekend on March 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth MN. You will learn jamming etiquette, ensemble playing, how to play back-up and take a break, lead and harmony vocals, as well as instruction on your own instrument. The workshop begins Friday night with registration and a jam to get ready for a full weekend of playing. Participants will also meet for two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday morning, and will finish with an onstage group performance on Sunday.

Community Concert Series

THE HIGH 48s As traditional bluegrass bands go, The High 48s are about as non-traditional as they come. In a genre created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were born and raised in the Upper Midwest. In a music scene where playing standards is the norm, The High 48s are a band of songwriters who perform their own material in addition to the “festival favorites.” The High 48s are relative latecomers to bluegrass who found a passion for the music after playing rock, alternative country, indie rock, punk and jazz. Since arriving on the Minnesota bluegrass scene in 2006, The High 48s have achieved national recognition, taking first place in the prestigious RockyGrass Bluegrass Band Competition in Lyons, CO, touring the national bluegrass festival circuit, and earning the respect of bluegrass musicians and audiences North and South.

PLUS

EELPOUT STRINGERS This Minnesota based old-time stringband call themselves “a bunch of old-fogies playing traditional Americana music.” The Eelpout Stringers shows are fun, plain and simple. But that’s this genre of music... just a bunch of toe-tappin’, head-boppin’ joy. As much as they like playing this music, they also like talking about it and entertaining audiences at the same time.

Saturday Feb 13th 2016 - 7:00 PM Moose Lake MN – Holy Angels Catholic Church (60 Hartman Dr)

Sponsored locally by:

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Lazy Moose Grille Fjosne Construction

Art’s Café Farmers Union Insurance T&R Treasures Woodlands National Bank Peggy Sue’s Café Como Oil & Propane First National Bank of Moose Lake

For Tickets & Info: 1-800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 for teens, children 12 & under free.

These concerts are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a 501c3 non-profit organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. January/February 2016

MBOTMA Calendar of Events Concerts and events presented or supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association

The following events are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) or supported in part by MBOTMA, and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

MBOTMA’s 2016 Fundraiser 12to12 Party, JedFest! Saturday January 23, 2016, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Spring Lake Park MN: Kraus Hartig VFW Post (8100 Pleasant View Dr). A celebration of Jed Malischke’s 29 years of service with MBOTMA featuring Pushing Chain, Alternate Route, The Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Seldom Herd Bluegrass Band, Ivory Bridge, Switched At Birth, The Platte Valley Boys, The Nobodys, Jumping Jo & The Catie Cats, Mark Kreitzer Band, Cousin Dad, JedFest, and more, additional bands listed on page 7. Plus an old-time dance, workshops, theme jams, uke jam, silent auction, raffles, and lots of jam sessions. Suggested admission donation of $10 with all proceeds to benefit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). Food and beverage available. For more information call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

including stage shows, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Weekend tickets are $29 in advance ($26 for members). Day of show $15 Friday and $20 Saturday. Teens half price and kids are free. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. For lodging contact the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and ask for the special Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival rate. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).

Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival:

Saturday February 13, 2016, 7:00 PM, Moose Lake MN: Minnesota Bluegrass Community Concert featuring the Eelpout Stringers and High 48s, Holy Angels Catholic Church (60 Hartman Dr). Another community concert double header with two fine Minnesota groups. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 for teens, and free for kids age 12 and under. For tickets or information call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).

Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, 2016, Richmond MN: El Rancho Mañana Campground & Riding Stable (27302B Ranch Rd 56368, 20 mi W of St Cloud, I-94 exit #153 at Avon, 9 mi S on County 9, L on Mañana Rd). Three-day outdoor music and camping festival with twenty regional groups performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Showtimes are 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM Friday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. Advance tickets are $52 for the weekend including camping ($42 for members) or $20 daily ($15 member). Gate prices are $60 for the weekend including camping and $20/Fri $25/Sat and $10/Sun. Teens are always only $5 and kids are free. For information and tickets call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass. org. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association.

The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance

Help Wanted: T-shirt team

Minnesota Bluegrass Community Concert

Cabin Fever Festival Friday-Sunday April 15-17 2016, Duluth MN: Cabin Fever Festival, New Location! Radisson Harborview Hotel (505 W Superior St). A weekend long cabin fever reliever event January/February 2016

The MBOTMA T-shirt team is looking for new members. They are in extreme need of volunteers to take charge of the merchandise booth at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend and the Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. Working at the t-shirt booth is a great way to meet people and support MBOTMA. If you’d like to coordinate the booth at a festival or co-run it with a teammate, please let us know. The team will gather in January to plan for the coming year. A big thanks to Ann Bloch who has taken over managing the sales item inventory from long-time volunteer Joann Larson. Ann will be in charge of the booth at the Harvest Jam. And thanks to the rest of the current committee members: MBTOMA August Festival booth coordinator Barb Schommer, volunteer recruiter Maggie Jorgenson, and Bea Flaming who oversees it all. Email Bea at bea@minnesotabluegrass.org or call 800-6353037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer. 15

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Friday-Sunday, March 4-6, 2016, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth (3131 Campus Dr, I-494 & Hwy 55). Some fifty groups will be performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages, including Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass for the Saturday Night Headline Concert and The Sunny Mountain Serenaders in the Dance Hall. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit www. MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 of the nearby Residence Inn at 763-5771600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.

Attention All Bands 607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 612.827.1726

January FRI 8 - Mandy Jones Trio SAT 9 – Mill City Hot Club FRI 15 - Detroit Don King SAT 16 - The Fabulous Volcanoes FRI 22 – The Three Muscatelles SAT 23 – Pushing Chain FRI 29 – Mississippi Hot Club SAT 30 – Seldom Herd

If you want to sell your music, you need a good band. If you want to sell your band, you need good smiles!

Lloyd “Doc” Wallin, D.D.S. Cosmetic Dentistry Burnsville, MN 55337 952-892-5050 (Free Consultation for MBOTMA Members)

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

February

FRI 12 - No Man’s String Band SAT 13 - Chris Silver & The Good Intentions FRI 19 - Erik Brandt & The Hillbilly Quartet SAT 20 - Moxie Blue FRI 26 - King Wilkie’s Dream SAT 27 - Blue Groove

www.dulonospizza.com

January/February 2016

Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum

Jedfest

It wasn’t called Jedfest in 2015. It was called 12 by 12 because it presented 12 bands in 12 hours. At any rate, the event really caught me off guard: I couldn’t believe how much fun it was. MBOTMA simply took over the Kraus Hartig VFW Post Spring Lake Park for 12 hours. Talk about a win-win! Bluegrass people enjoyed the music, the fun, the setting, and the VFW post seemed proud to serve as host. All around, the event created a definite July vibe. This year 12 by 12 will be saluting MBOTMA executive director Jed Malischke who is stepping down after decades of leadership. It is a lot of effort to enact a festival. When Jed started as E.D., MBOTMA presented a single festival per year. Now it presents five, six if you count Jedfest. The only explanation I can give is that Jed must have evolved some very good work practices in order to get it all done. In addition to all of the usual bluegrass festival fun, Jedfest will be a collective lifting of the glass in the direction of Jed Malischke for his years of inspired service. If last year’s event is any indication, it will be a party for the ages. Bluegrass Review in January and February Ohio is one of the most important bluegrass states. It is because after World War II, many Appalachian people migrated to Ohio seeking work. They brought their music with them, and cities such as Cincinnati and Dayton became major cities in Bluegrass Nation. Last April I trekked to Ohio to interview players and scholars about the scene in Ohio. In January and February, listen for interviews with scholars Brian Powers and Mac McDivitt about the scene in Ohio over time. We’ll benefit from the scholars’ insights as well as from listening to the great bluegrass they pick out. My Favorite Bluegrass on Bluegrass Saturday Morning

January/February 2016

To promote your business through the Bluegrass Review, contact Phil Nusbaum (651-245-1527; pnusbaum@bitstream. net). For Bluegrass Saturday Morning, contact Kevin Barnes (612-668-1735; kbar264@aol.com).

Bluegrass Review supporters • Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • John Waddle Violins www.waddleviolins.com (dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases) • Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences)

Weekly Playlists Find Bluegrass Review playlists at www.bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “playlists” link you’ll find at the top of the page, then click on “archives.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88fm.com. At the top of the page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Search the right-hand column for “Bluegrass Saturday Morning.” Link to on-demand Bluegrass Review segments from the KBEM-FM home page. The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Bluegrass Review in Minnesota Check www.bluegrassreview.com for a complete station list. Station

Day

Time

KLQP-FM, 92.1 Madison

Monday

8 PM

KMSU-FM, 89.7 Mankato; 91.3 Austin

Sunday

10 AM

KBEM-FM, 88.5 Minneapolis

Saturday

11 AM

KSRQ-FM, 90.1 Thief River Falls

Sunday

11 AM

KQAL-FM, 89.5 Winona

Saturday

9 AM

KDDG-FM, 105.5 Albany

Saturday

9 PM

WTIP-FM, 90.7 Grand Marais

Thursday

10 PM

KUMD-FM, 103.3 Duluth

Saturday

4 PM

KRWC-AM, 1360 Buffalo

Sunday

5 PM

KOJB-FM, 90.1 Cass Lake

Sunday

6 PM

KSCR-FM, 93.5 Benson

Sunday

6 AM

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

“My Favorite Bluegrass” is the name of a Bluegrass Saturday Morning show segment where listeners self-elect to come on the show and play their favorite bluegrass and old-time CDs, and of course talk about them with the show host. It’s been a while since anyone has appeared on the segment. Perhaps the reason is that the segment has not been publicized lately. The great part of the segment from my point of view is that we always listen to songs not usually heard on Bluegrass Saturday Morning. Interested listeners should contact me at pnusbaum@ bitstream.net.

Business Support

2016 North Platte Country Bluegrass Festival Lincoln County Fairgrounds North Platte, Nebraska April 28-30, 2016

April 28, 2016

April 29, 2016

*GOSPEL NIGHT*

Gibson Brothers

Mountain Faith

Nothin Fancy

Steel Pennies

Leroy Troy

The Harper Family

Remington Ryde

The Stanleytones

Tommy Brown &

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

The Sisters McKinney The County Line Grass April 3 0, 2 016 *Thursday-‐ Gospel Evening *Friday – Tribute To Veterans *Craft Boutique all 3 days! Leroy Troy *Saturday – Band Showcase! *Great Food! *Kids 12 & under FREE Nothin Fancy *Tickets: *Tot lot for the little folks 1 Day -‐ $22.00 *Camping on site Saggy Bottom Boys 3Day (before 4/1/16) -‐ $50.00 *Showerhouse available 3 Day (after 4/1/16) -‐ $55.00 Blue Canyon Boys *Jamming 3 Day Reserved -‐ $65.00 *Tickets on sale now! Camping -‐ $18.50 night Remington *Wednesday night potluck R yde For tickets & information contact: 308-‐340-‐4552 or 308-‐530-‐9249 www.npcountrybluegrassfestival.weebly.com Like us on Facebook!

January/February 2016

Scholarship earns Minnesota musician high-level access in Nashville By Mike Berkeland

January/February 2016

Birkeland said he’s already planning a return trip to ResoSummit next year for more memories and lessons with the world’s best Dobro players. But he’ll have to get signed up quickly when enrollment opens next year. Registration for the 2015 ResoSummit, www.resosummit.com, sold out within an hour.

Rob Ickes and Adam Birkeland Photo by Mike Birkeland

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

The list of promising young musicians who’ve spent time in Nashville is long. But not many visiting 15-yearold’s have the first-hand memories that Adam Birkeland took home from the Music City thanks to Rob Ickes and his annual ResoSummit. Birkeland, the recipient of the 2015 Houston Caldwell Scholarship at Ickes’ 9th annual ResoSummit, played with-and took lessons from--the world’s top Dobro players at the Summit Nov. 12-15. Birkeland was selected by Ickes and ResoSummit co-producer Betty Wheeler as the recipient of the 2015 scholarship. The award is named in honor of Houston Caldwell, a young bluegrass musician who died tragically in an accident at 18 years-old. It recognizes young musicians who show promise on the instrument made famous by legends like Josh Graves, Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Ickes. “I’ve been playing the instrument for almost three years, and I learned another three years-worth of material in three days at ResoSummit,” said Birkeland. “Plus, I got to see Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes play together live. That was awesome. I’ll never forget that as long as I live.” The young picker from the Duluth area, who’s also a Boy Scout and plays in his family’s bluegrass band, Sarah and the Birkeland Boys, attended ResoSummit for the first time. He was impressed with the skilled players and high-caliber instructors that Ickes brought in for the 100-plus workshop participants. Birkeland travelled to Nashville with MBOTMA members Dominic Orrico and Paul Jones. Holger Olesen, another young MBOTMA member, also attended ResoSummit. Gary Hultman, a Birchdale/ Sloughgrass native, was also a teacher at the Summit this year. MBOTMA was well-represented in Nashville!

CD REVIEW: THE DARK BEFORE THE STORM - Phil Nusbaum By Adam Granger

There are hundreds of jokes about the banjo and banjo players. The reason for this glut of japery is that the banjo is the alpha bluegrass instrument, it being the loudest and all. There are, to put it clumsily, other musical butts-of-jokes, and in each case they are the most prominent of their genre or musical family: sopranos, saxophones, lead rock players (My favorite of the lastmentioned category: How do you make a lead guitarist stop playing? Put sheet music in front of him). So, being asked to review a banjo album creates a temptation almost too great to surmount. Almost, but not completely: there’ll be no one-liners here. Phil Nusbaum is too good a player, and his new creation, The Dark before the Storm, is too good an album. Everyone around these parts who is into bluegrass knows Phil, at least the radio Phil. A fifty-year veteran of the airwaves, he’s the creator, producer and

on-air presence of the Bluegrass Saturday Morning radio show and its sister, the national Bluegrass Review, which is syndicated to a hundred stations. It’s a safe bet that Phil has done more to enlighten, educate and entertain us, bluegrass-wise, than anyone. Who among us hasn’t heard that big, booming slightly New Yorkaccented voice telling us what we just heard and what we are about to hear on his show? As well-known as Nusbaum is, fewer may know him as a banjo player, but he’s played for decades in Twin Cities bands, most notably with Urban

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

New location! 4151 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis (612) 767-2800 podiumguitars@gmail.com

-Bourgeois -Breedlove -Carmel -Fairbanks -Goodall -Hoﬀman -Huss&Dalton -Hill

Renewal Bluegrass, The Blue Drifters Quartet, and most recently in duos with Steve Howard and Sherry Minnick. In sum, it’s not for nothing that Phil is a 2015 inductee into America’s OldTime Country Music Hall of Fame. This album, then, is long overdue: a big ol’ dose of Phil doin’ what he does. I made my living playing banjo in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nashville for five years in the 60s and early 70s, so there is a soft spot in my heart for the big, bad, blustery banjo, but there is neither bigness nor badness on The Dark before the Storm, and what bluster there is presents itself as impudent and mischievous, as opposed to being self-important and predictable. The eleven cuts on this album are culled from five recent recording sessions featuring thirteen New York and Minnesota players in addition to Nusbaum. These sessions were recorded primarily by David Tousley, of

-Kakos -Kennedy -Kopp -Kronbauer -Morris -Santa Cruz -Walden -Walker

Premium Guitars, Ampliﬁers, and Repair 20

January/February 2016

Root/Bass Studio and Doug Lohman, of Armadillo Sound and Design, two of the best in the bluegrass-recording biz. The album’s six original compositions are my favorites. I once told Phil that he was an interesting banjo player, and he thought I was doing one of those things where, in the absence of quality and talent, one gropes for something good to say about a musician, but make no mistake: being interesting on the five-string is righteous and noble and deserving of high praise and, unfortunately, more rare than it should be. The first two selections, the contemplative, jazzy title cut and the Don Reno-tinged From Moville to Red Oak, nicely define the album’s scope, and demonstrate, right out of the chute, Nusbaum’s tone, timing and taste. The chestnut Stumbling is next,

followed by the first of two vocals, Carl Perkins’s Forever Yours. Next is another Nusbaum original, A Fine Day, followed by a dandy contra dance medley borrowed from hammer dulcimerist Bill Spence’s self-produced 1975 recording (on the “Andy’s Front Hall” label, Andy being Spence’s wife). This cut highlights the fine contra guitar backup of Phil’s brother, Harvey. Limehouse Blues contains my favorite novelty instrumental passages on the album: ascending and descending glissandi executed by Nusbaum and mandolinist Dale Palecek starting at the 1:51 point in the tune. Next comes the second vocal track, The Country Gentlemen’s classic Remembrance of You, followed by the album’s three final cuts, all Nusbaum originals. Wind Chill features a coolly dissonant VII-seventh chord change and nice soloing by fiddler

Ron Siegel and flatpicker Jerry Spanhanks. Blues for Shorty is a delight of a different flavor, an easy lope of a number. Finally, In Your Face summarizes Phil’s approach to composition: No I-IV-V, thank you very much but, rather, eccentric progressions and meters sprinkled with occasional harmless and deliberate dissonance. If there is a weak link in The Dark before the Storm (as there must be on any album), it is the two vocals, which don’t quite seem to fit and which are not quite up to par with the numbers surrounding them. That said, virtually all of us non-classical singers have, er—idiosyncratic voices, so who am I to snip the first vocal cord polyp? Hats off, Mr Nusbaum. You and your banjo have made a damned interesting album.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

January/February 2016

April 15-17, 2016 Radisson Hotel Duluth, MN (505 W Superior St)

Another MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS indoor weekend of fun  Headline Concert Saturday afternoon and night with

ART STEVENSON & HIGHWATER

     

Starts with Friday Night Live concert & open mic Saturday Afternoon Guest Band Stage Shows Sunday morning Gospel Show & Jam Workshops Saturday Morning & Afternoon Draw Band Competition Saturday Lots of All-Day & Late-Night Jam Sessions!

You’ll want to be there the entire weekend, so order your tickets in advance, then book a room at the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and tell them you’ve got CABIN FEVER.

Ticks: Wknd Adv $29/$26memb; Gate $15Fri/$20Sat/$35Wknd (teens½, kids free)

800-635-3037 or MinnesotaBluegrass.org J & B Prod uc tion s prese nt s

Bill Staines In Concert

With Special Guest, Brady Perl

Saturday, February 27, 7:30 PM Armatag e School Aud itorium 2501 West 56th Street, Minneapolis

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Tickets - $15.00 in advance, $20.00 Day of Concert Tickets available at:

The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor®

6625 Penn Ave So, Richfield , MN 55423 - (612)861-3308

January/February 2016

On the Ocean... and on the road in 2016 Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

7:30 pm

Allen’s Market, 101 East McIntosh

Milledgeville, GA

478-452-3950

Saturday, Jan. 9

7:30 pm

Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, 144 East Jackson Street

Thomasville, GA

229-225-1063

January 11 to 14: Danny Stewart’s Bluegrass Cruise from Port Canaveral, FL to The Bahamas & Coco Cay (SOLD OUT - Book NOW for 2017!) 6:00 pm

J T’s Bluegrass Fest Astronaut High School Auditorium , 800 War Eagle Blvd

Titusville, FL

321-222-7797

Saturday, Jan. 16

7:30 pm

Randy Wood Guitars Concert Series Randy’s Pickin’ Parlor, 1304 East Highway 80

Bloomingdale, GA

912-748-1930

Monday, Jan. 18

7:00 pm

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Athens Choral Society Morton Theatre , 195 West Washington Street

Athens, GA

706-372-2941

Saturday, Jan. 23

7:30 pm

The Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

Macon, GA

478-742-2000

Sunday, Jan. 24

3:00 pm

Barking Legs Theatre, 1322 Dodds Avenue

Chattanooga, TN

423-624-5347

Monday, Jan. 25

7:00 pm

KASU Bluegrass Monday Concert Series Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street

Paragould, AR

870-972-2367

Saturday, Feb. 6

7:00 pm

Rosemount Area Arts Council Concert Series The Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail

Rosemount, MN

952-255-8545

Thursday, Feb. 11

10:00 am & 1:30 pm

History of Bluegrass School Program Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 2 East South Street

Galesburg, IL

309-341-7038

Saturday, Feb. 13

7:30 pm

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova Singers Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 2 East South Street

Galesburg, IL

309-341-7038

Sunday, Feb. 14

4:00 pm

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova Singers St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street

Davenport, IA

309-341-7038

Friday, Feb. 19 & Saturday, Feb. 20

Times TBA

KBA Winterfest, Wichita Merriott Ballroom, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive

Wichita, KS

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Wednesday, Feb. 24 Thursday, Feb. 25

4:00 & 7:30 pm each day

Cal-Am Concert Series, Towerpoint RV Resort, 4860 East Main Street

Mesa, AZ

480-854-8180

Friday, Feb. 26

Times TBA

Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Resort, 1794 West Newell Street

Naco, AZ

520-432-3091

Saturday, Feb. 27

7:00 pm

Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Road NE

Albuquerque, NM

505-299-3621

Friday, March 4

8:15 pm

MBOTMA Winter Bluegrass Weekend Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel, 3131 Campus Drive

Plymouth, MN

800-635-3037

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Friday, Jan. 15

Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 844-monroeX or 763-213-1349, art@monroecrossing.com January/February 2016

Coming Up Venue abbreviations 318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, www.three-eighteen.com 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mn ACA: Acadia Cafe, 329 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-874-8702, www. acadiacafe.com AGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.com APHC: “A Prairie Home Companion,” Minnesota Public Radio AST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www. astercafe.com BTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.org BoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 320-252-9475 CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-3382674, www.thecedar.org CJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www. thecelticjunction.com CrH: Creek House Concerts, www.creekhouseconcerts.com, 651-633-5353. MUST call and reserve for these events. DAK: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www. dakotacooks.com DUL: 607 W Lake St, Mpls, 612-827-1726, www.dulonos.com DuG: Dunn Brothers on Grand, 1569 Grand Ave, St. Paul EAG: Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St, Mpls, 612-729-4469, www. Mplseagles34.org

FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-2901200, www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org GINK: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul, 651-645-2647, www.ginkgocoffee.com GKb: Grand Kabaret, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 507-3599222, www.thegrandnewulm.com HB: Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis HOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com HOPK: Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.hopkinsartscenter.com KIP: Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85 6th St N, Mpls, 612-339-4499, www. kierans.com OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612-7294200, theriverview.com ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-2224353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-7327616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to editor@minnesotabluegrass.org

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS February 3- Wednesday

King Wilkie’s Dream

February 13 - Saturday

The High 48’s with the Eelpout Stringers

Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St. St. Paul, MN, 8pm

Holy Angels Catholic Church, 60 Hartman Drive, Moose Lake, MN, 7pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

January 15 - Friday • Michael Johnson, CrH, • Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante, ZuM, 7:30pm • Detroit Don King, DUL, ,8pm • King Wilkie’s Dream, BoDD, 7:30pm • Dan Newton & Pat Donohue, Vieux Carré, 408 St. Peter St. St. Paul, MN, 6pm

January 16 - Saturday

• The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Avalon Educational Institute, 404 W 24

•

• • •

•

Superior St, Duluth, MN, APHC broadcast from War Memorial Opera House, with guests Ellie Dehn, Heather Masse, San Francisco, 4:45pm No Man’s String Band, 318, 8pm Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am Michael Johnson, CrH,

February 11-13 - Thurs-Sat

Ricky Skaggs

Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, Thursday -1:30pm, Friday 7:30pm, Saturday - 7:30pm • John Gorka, ZuM, 7:30pm • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 South, Prior, Lake MN(Near Lunds and Byerlys), 9am-12pm • The Famous Volcanoes, DUL, 8pm • Alan Reid&Rob van Sante, CJ, 7pm • Singleton Street, Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, 6:30pm

January 17 – Sunday

January/February 2016

Seeking Fiddle Player Rosby Corner, a MBOTMA member band, is seeking a fiddle player. Rehearsals are twice weekly in the Twin Cities’ Northwest suburbs. Contact Jeanne@rosbycorner.com www.rosbycorner.com • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

January 18 - Monday

• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

Jaunary 19 - Tuesday

• Jugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm

January 22 - Friday

• Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Two Many Banjos (standing show), CED, 8pm • The Barley Jacks, Manitou Station, 2171 4th St, Mpls, Mn, 9pm • The Three Muscatelles, DUL, 8pm • Ivory Bridge w/ Peter Ostroshko, 7pm

January 23 – Saturday

January 24 - Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Finn Hall, EAG, 6:30pm January/February 2016

• Bayou Grenouille, EAG, 7:30pm • The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

January 26 - Tuesday

• King Wilkie’s Dream, Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St. St. Paul, MN, 8pm

February 4 - Thursday

• Katey Bellville, 331C, 9:30pm

• Jeremy Messersmith, HOPK, 7pm • Jugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm

February 5 - Friday

• Lenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm

• Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Ellis, CED, 8pm • Moors & McCumber, ZuM, 7:30pm • Peter Ostroushko and Dean Magraw, OAK, 8pm • Leo Kottke, SHL, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, Rosemount Area Arts Council Concert Series, 14375 So Robert Trail, Rosemount MN,

January 27 - Wednesday January 29 - Friday

• The Good Intentions, Juniors Bar & Restaurant, 414 So Main St, River Falls WI, 8pm • Mississippi Hot Club, DUL, 8pm • Curtis & Loretta, Berkeley Bob’s, 304 1st Ave SE, Cullman, AL, 7pm

January 30 - Saturday

• Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Claudia Schmidt & Dean Magraw, CrH, • Jeff Ray, Hurricane Trombley and the Stakes, OAK, 8pm • The Seldom Herd, DUL, 8pm • Ivory Bridge, Dunn’s Brothers,11 Water Street, Excelsior, MN (952)4018004, 8pm

January 31 - Sunday

• Michael McElrath CD release, AST, 8pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

February 2 - Tuesday

• Jugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm

February 3 - Wednesday

• Minnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm

• Jason Roberts, AST, 9pm • Roe Family Singers, BoDD, 7:30pm

February 6 – Saturday

February 7 – Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

February 9 – Tuesday

• Jugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 9pm MARDI GRAS

February 10 – Wednesday • Dan Navarro, AST, 9pm

February 11 - Thursday •

Ricky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 1:30pm • Ben Lubeck with Silverback Colony and Mary Bue, Turf Club,1601 Univ. Av., St. Paul, 8pm, CD Release

February 12 - Friday

• No Man’s String Band, DUL, 8pm • Paul Imholte, BoDD, 7:30pm • Ricky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 7:30pm

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MinnesotaBluegrass.org

• MBOTMA 12-12, Jed Fest, see ad pages 6-7 • Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Rumpke Mountain Boys (standing show), CED, 8pm • Swamp Pop Extravaganza - Number 7 - Fundraiser for 2nd Harvest, with Tom Lieberman, Becky Thompson & more, EAG, 7:30pm • Joe and Vicki Price, OAK, 8pm • Pushing Chain, DUL, 8pm • The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St. Hudson, WI, 7:30pm

January 25 - Monday

February 13 – Saturday • Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Chris Silver & The Good Intentions, DUL, 8pm • The High 48’s with the Eelpout Stringers, Holy Angels Catholic Church, 60 Hartman Drive, Moose Lake, MN, 7pm • New Riverside Ramblers, Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Av N, Crystal, MN, 2pm • Ricky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 1:30pm

• Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Dan Newton’s Cafe Accordion Orchestra, CrH, • Moxie Blue, DUL, 8pm • Ivory Bridge w/ Peter Ostroshko, 318, 8pm

• Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Alternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10am • Blue Groove, DUL, 8pm

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • The Skally Line - CD release at CJ. With Dakota Dave Hull and Pop Wagner. 7 pm. 320-245-6799

March 4 – Friday

February 21 – Sunday

February 22 – Monday

February 14 – Sunday

•

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

February 24 – Wednesday

• Minnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm

February 25 – Thursday

February 17 – Wednesday February 19 – Friday

• Katie Dahl, BoDD, 7:30pm • Erik Brandt & The Hillbilly Quartet, DUL, 8pm

February 20 – Saturday

New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm

• Minnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm • Claudia Schmidt & Dean Magraw, BoDD, 7:30pm

February 26 – Friday

• King Wilkie’s Dream, DUL, 8pm

February 27 – Saturday

February 28 – Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

March 3 - Thursday

• Altan, CED, 7:30pm • MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, See ad page 10

March 5 – Saturday

• MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, See ad page 10

Minnesota Bluegrass

March 2016

Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips

Deadline: February 1, 2016

Wegen’s Guitar Picks ®

6625 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

www.homesteadpickinparlor.com folkmuse@aol.com and you can find us on Facebook

Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music since 1979

Michel Wegen is a recognized Dutch model maker using sculpting and airbrush art techniques to meet the needs of clients such as theme parks, ad agencies and museums. In his search for new markets, Michel some years ago took on the design of the lowly pick. The results have been phenomenal. Wegen Picks endanger no animal species, and they are a fraction of the price of the illegal picks that do. We have eight models for guitar and mandolin on hand in a variety of thicknesses. Try one out on your next visit.

January/February 2016

6th Annual

April 8-10 2016 River Falls, WI 50+ hours of foot stompinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bluegrass!

competitions, beer & wine tasting* workshops, open jams & more! Presented by:

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

IC S U M FREE EKEND WE

*fees apply call 715.425.2533 visit www.riverfallsbluegrass.com

@ rfbluesfest January/February 2016

Non-Proﬁt Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit 343

MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 16408 Mpls, MN 55416

TIME VALUE DATA

In a few short months, we’ll be sitting in the sun at the Homegrown Kickoff at El Rancho Mañana.