September 2017
My View From the Back Seat On the road with Monroe Crossing
Inside:
From the President 3 | Grass Clippings 5 | All’s Fair in Love & Bluegrass 7 | Bea Says Goodbye 9 Laurie lewis Plays for Jim Whitney 11 | Cover Story: Monroe Crossing 12 Como Dockside 16 | Albany Pioneer Days 18 | Bluegrass Saturday Morning 23 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 25 | Coming Up 30 | Tab 35
September 2017 Vol. 43 No. 8
Newsstand: $3 Subscription: $35
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
President: Laura Cooper - president@minnesotabluegrass.org Vice President: Nic Hentges Treasurer: Robbi Podrug Secretary: Matt Johnson Board Members: Term expires 2017: Alan Jesperson Bill Lindroos - welindroos@gmail.com Rudy Marti - rudolphmarti63@gmail.com Gary Germond - gerpork@concast.net Term expires 2018: Dale Gruber - dalergruber@me.com Brett Day, Philip Nusbaum Youth Representative: Theo Hougen-Eitzman - theohelbg@gmail.com For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: www.minnesotabluegrass.org/board-minutes
MBOTMA Staff
Executive Director: Jed Malischke executivedirector@minnesotabluegrass.org Member Services Manager: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133 bea@minnesotabluegras.org
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine
Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Chris Anderson, Bob Douglas, Nic Hentges, Marv Menzel, Philip Nusbaum, David Robinson Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Jamey Guy, Chris Anderson, Marv Menzel Cover image: Jamey Guy Back: Doug Lohman Deadline for submissions: The 1st of the month preceding publication 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. ©2017 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537. 2
Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of September 1, 2017: 963
Patrons:
Peter & Bridgit Albrecht Tony & Ann Anthonisen Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Barry & Annie Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Gary & Janet Cobus Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom & Jill Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane E Gruber Tom & Marlys Gustafson Michael & Paula Hildebrandt Mabel Houle Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke Jim Johnson
Sustaining:
Vicki Andersen Rod & Barb Anderson Daryll &Mary Arntson Vaughn Asselstine Mariltn Bergum & Melvin Rupprecht Kenneth Bloch Susan Christensen-Wichmann Jane Conger Katryn Conlin Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Craig Evans Leon Evans Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland David Holm Dick & Sue Hopperstad David & Laurette Hougen-Eitzman Mark Johnson
David Johnson Jim Lally Russel Lane Loren Laugtug James Lee Douglas Lohman Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rudy & Jeanne Marti Rodger McBride Karla Menzel Bill Merrill Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Milaca RecFest David & Betty Pfeiffer Brian Ronning Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Thomas & Maragaret Schuveiller Penelope Scialla Denise & Tony Stachnik David Tousley & Margaret Brandes Donna Velasco Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox John Johnson Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Chris Juettner David Lang Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Rolf & Lisa Lund Mac McKay Mary McSorley Susan & Joe Meyer Corey Mohan James Natwick Jerry Nelson Dennis & Jan O’Brien Linda & Tony Omann Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Gary Peterson Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Rory & Marian Thompson Lynn & Carolyn Thorson Ross & Elizabeth Vaughan Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tin Wankel David & Bonnie Warner Carole Wilson September 2017
From the President
September 2017
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.
Band $75
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.
Sustaining Level $100
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, two free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.
Patron Level $150
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, four free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.
Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual, family or band membership. 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. 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
Inside:
From the President 3 | Grass Clippings 5 All’s Fair in Love & Bluegrass 7 | Bea Says Goodbye 9 Laurie lewis Plays for Jim Whitney 11 Cover Story: Monroe Crossing 12 | Como Dockside 16 Albany Pioneer Days 18 Bluegrass Saturday Morning 23 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 25 Coming Up 30 | Tab 35 3
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
As I write this, it is the Monday after the August Festival. I’m still in recovery mode. I love our festival! It’s a beautiful setting. The music is first rate. A wide range of activities, such as dancing, workshops, performing at Ranch House Live, and jamming allow folks to do more than just listen to music. For the first time ever, I experienced the Family Area first hand when I volunteered for a two-hour shift. What a treasure! The activities during my brief shift included singing, dancing, arts and crafts, playing an instrument, and building an instrument. Next year, check out the schedule. It’s the most fun I’ve had volunteering at a MBOTMA event. My Old Washing Machine tribe warms my heart. Besides those of us hailing from Minnesota and Wisconsin, Old Wash has regulars from Germany, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Ontario and who knows where. Elsewhere in the campground, similar communities come together year after year from near and far. The Festival Staff/Committee (volunteers) put in countless hours planning, setting up, providing information, getting folks to where they need to be, tearing down, and completing a myriad of other tasks. Many of them spent much of the week prior to the festival preparing for our big event. Words cannot convey the gratitude I feel regarding their dedication and hard work. To those folks who picked up volunteer shifts, thank you; we couldn’t do it without you. On September 1, 2017, Bea Flaming will retire after many years being the heart and soul of MBOTMA, first as a volunteer and then as a contractor providing administrative services. If you ever called to order tickets or had other questions, Bea was the voice of MBOTMA. The board gave Bea a plaque honoring her contributions and also voted to give her two tickets to all MBOTMA events that she wants to attend for life. On September 1, 2017, Jed will also retire (for the second time). We appreciate his many years of service and his willingness to step back in as interim executive director when we desperately needed him. Jed was honored when he retired the first time, but to express our gratitude, the board also voted to give him two tickets to all MBOTMA events that he wants to attend for life. Matt Johnson was the boots-on-the-ground August Festival director in 2016 and 2017. He has also been the committee chair/ director of the Homegrown Kickoff for several years. Matt has accepted a contract position with MBOTMA as the Events Coordinator. It seemed essential to have someone with direct experience with our festivals to manage MBOTMA’s events. I am thrilled that Matt has taken this on. Later this week, the Search Committee will be conducting face-to-face interviews for the Office Administrator position. We hope to fill that position as soon as possible.
Become a Member The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
Come to the FREE 19th Annual
Minnehaha Park “Laughing Waters”
s s a r g e u l B ! l a v i Fest Labor Day Monday, September 4, 2017 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Featuring:
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
1:00 1:40 2:30 3:20 4:10 5:45
More info: http://mscb.com/minnehaha.htm
The Pride of the Prairie The Sawtooth Brothers The Middle Spunk Creek Boys King Wilkie’s Dream The Nashville Bluegrass Band Becky Thompson and Old School
Concert at Minnehaha Park. Located at East Minnehaha Parkway and Hiawatha Avenue. FREE ADMISSION! Stage and park facilities provided by the Park and Recreation Board of the City of Minneapolis. 4
September 2017
Grass Clippings The 19th Annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival at Minnehaha Park September 4th - 1-6:30pm
September 2017
2017 Laughing Waters BG Festival - Photo by Doug Lohman The Hiawatha Line trains stop at the park, so taking the train will solve the parking problems. This is a great community event and a fine way to wrap up the summer. We have already requested the weather committee to arrange for a perfect weather day! For more information go to http:// mscb.com/minnehaha.html
and jamming at 6:30! Location is at the intersection (on the southwest corner) of 694 and Lexington Ave. in Arden Hills. Any questions? Call Chris at 651208-4211 or Steve at 952-994-4176.
Becky Buller Nominated for IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year
Washington County Bluegrass Festival, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Saturday, September t, 2-6pm The Washington County Bluegrass Festival will feature Sawtooth, the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers and Monroe Crossing. Admission is $5 per car (yes, you read that correctly). 2-6pm at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve in Lake Elmo, MN.
Bluegrass acoustic jam at Perkins in Arden Hills A newer Bluegrass Open Acoustic Jam is now up and running at the Arden Hills Perkins Restaurant, in their Fireplace Room. It’s the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, plenty of space, armless padded chairs, and even regular listeners who enjoy Bluegrass! Because supper guests are in the Restaurant for meetings and social visits, so volume can be a concern, microphones/most amps, accordions, drums, and hammered dulcimers are excluded, but acoustic instruments and singers are welcome, so come for supper at 5:30, free pie at 6:15
We are very excited and proud of our recording artist Becky Buller (the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist and Fiddle Player Of The Year), who received 2017 IBMA Award nomination in the Fiddle Player Of The Year category.
LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The 19th Annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival(LW) at Minnehaha Park is looming large. The Festival began its life in 1999 when Alan Jesperson booked the brand new pavilion stage for The Middle Spunk Creek Boys to do a Labor Day Park Board concert. After thinking about it for a few days, Alan thought it might be fun to do a mini-festival with some other local bands. The idea was okayed by the Park Board and it all began. Since the Park doesn’t pay performers, it seemed to make sense to go to local businesses to sponsor the program. 23 sponsors came on board. The funds to pay the bands and event expenses come from their kind support. We did the PA system ourselves the first year along with some Park Board equipment and it was just barely adequate. It was suggested to use Doug Lohman’s Armadillo Sound to make it a quality event. His expertise is well appreciated. The first program featured The Platte Valley Boys, True Blue, The Christensen Sisters, The Middle Spunk Creek Boys and the Buffalo Gals. It was a great success and LW now has a life of its own after 18 years. We now have over 60 local sponsors and a great variety of food vendors to make the afternoon a great family experience. Past national performers include Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands, Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie, Nora Jane Struthers and Robbie Fulks. The Nashville Bluegrass Band is the headliner this year with local phenom Becky Thompson and Old School is the Finale. The festival is free and open to the public, beginning at 1pm on Labor Day, September 4. The audience area has lots of trees for comfortable park bench seating and plenty of room for picnic blankets.
Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments)
31751 LaPlant Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218-326-4456 5
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
t h ann u a l w ashing 6 1 ton c o u n t y
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for an afternoon of enjoyment. Vehicle permit required, $7 daily or $30 annual • Food available • Face Painter Dogs are not allowed on the pavilion grounds. For more information visit our website at: www.co.washington.mn.us/parks 6
September 2017
All’s Fair in Love & Bluegrass By Nic Hentges
Dear reader, Last month we learned about microphones and now we are going to discuss the on stage application of that wonderful microphone you’ve chosen. There are a number of ways to mic any instrument, but one trick to get you started is to listen. That’s right, take a good listen to the instrument and player you’re trying to mic. I like to plug one ear, get right up close to the instrument with the other ear and move around until I find the sound I desire. With guitar it’s often near the neck/sound hole joint or bridge. With mandolin, bass, or fiddle it’s around an F hole and with banjo try placing that mic just in front of and below the picking hand. Get those mics close and you’ll eliminate unwanted noise and increase clarity and warmth. Also remember that you can work the mic by getting close for solos and backing off for rhythm playing.
Individual vocal microphones should be within an inch or two from the mouth, sing right into that thing! As you get more comfortable, work the mic; Back off a bit when you’re loud and get good and close for the quiet parts. If you’re using a single cardiod condenser mic you’ll need to distance yourselves based on singer volumes to achieve that sweet harmony blend. It certainly takes practice but is a great way to allude to our musical past. Of course there are scenarios where micing an instrument is not our best bet for volume and clarity. In certain applications, when the audience creates a considerable amount of noise, consider having a pickup installed into your instrument. Plugging your instrument directly into the sound system using a direct box gives you a clean, powerful signal to work with. Of course, just like microphones, the options and qualities
are vast so don’t buy the first thing your eyes land on. Consider consulting with a trusted luthier or instrument shop to find the best pickup and DI combination for your instrument. Now that we know a bit more about reinforcing our instruments on stage, it’s time to turn it up! Yours in love and bluegrass
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
September 2017
7
Two thousand shows... And going strong!
Friday, September 1, 2017
7:00 pm
Edge Center for the Arts 101 Second Avenue
Bigfork, MN
218-743-6670
Sunday, September 3 Monday, September 4
10:30 & 11:45 a.m. both days
Minnesota State Fair – Leinie Lodge Bandshell MN State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue North
St Paul, MN
651-288-4400
Saturday, September 9
Time(s) TBA
Washington County Bluegrass Festival Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Avenue North
Lake Elmo, MN
651-430-8370
Saturday, September 9
Private Party
Sunday, September 10,
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Atwater Threshing Show 1100 Kandi-Meeker Road
Atwater, MN
Saturday, September 16
1:15 pm
Dailey Vincent LandFest Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road
Hiawassee, GA
706-896-4191
Sunday, September 17
7:00 pm
Community Bluegrass & Gospel Show Tree of Life Lutheran Church, 1492 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA
717-238-8733
Saturday, September 23
7:30 pm
Prairie Arts Center, 506 6th Street
Madison, MN
320-598-7301
Saturday, October 14
3:00 p.m.
Community Bluegrass & Gospel Show Peace Lutheran Church, 600 Kristi Lane
Watertown, MN
Sunday, October 15
3:00 p.m.
Braham Event Center, 655 8th Street SW
Braham, MN
Sunday, October 29
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bluegrass Sunday (concert & dinner) Huikko’s Event Center, 1207 N. Highway 25
Buffalo, MN
952-955-3434
Monroe Crossing Plays Classic Country MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Inspired by the greatest hits of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, Monroe Crossing covers new ground with a selection of country classics — songs like “Today I Started Loving You Again” by Merle Haggard, “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” by the Louvin Brothers, and “Ramblin’ Man” by Hank Williams. Available at all of our shows and on www.MonroeCrossing.com.
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for the latest information on all of our concerts. Booking: Derek Johnson, 612-720-3746 or derek@monroecrossing.com
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September 2017
Bea Flaming says goodbye
September 2017
vived, but the board has wisely decided to come up with two new positions. After all, it was really impossible to find someone like Jed who would work 80 hours a week on a 20 hour a week salary! I knew the board had the goal to have the new positions filled by September 1st, so I decided to help it along with giving my own notice. :) I told them how Jed and I had talked about when the time came to leave, i.e. retire from MBOTMA staff, whether we should leave separately or together. I said, “We’ve tried leaving separately and now we’ll leave together”. I gave my notice for August 31st at the June MBOTMA board meeting. I hope the new staff will have as good a time working with the MBOTMA community as I have had! The board is also trying to solve the problem of our aging (count me in on that) population in our community. There are many who still volunteer, but our population has been getting smaller and we want to reach out to the younger generation and grow our community size again, as well as keep us older folks around. To those of you who are under 60, 50, 40….thanks for being there! Please be active and be involved if you can! We can not put on our festivals and events without many volunteers! And thanks to all those older than me who come and often volunteer. I hit 65 this year, but there are still some in their 80’s who work the T-shirt booth with me! :) Finally I hope that you will take a look at and consider coming to the the Harvest Jam this year! The board has declared it to be the final Harvest Jam and I am excited because Malina Brothers from Czech Republic are headlining! Back in 1995, when Benji was with the Warp 7 Ramblers, they were hired to perform at a festival in Iowa and we met Druha Trava then, who were also performing there. They were the seed that sprouted into my interest in Czech Republic and my involvement with the Czech & Slovak
Bea Flaming Cultural Center of Minnesota, on whose board I serve as treasurer. At the Iowa festival in ‘95, Benji and I met the banjo player and the then guitar player of Druha Trava, who are brothers and they, along with their younger brother and a friend from their hometown are the Malina Brothers band. Some of you had the pleasure of hearing them at house concerts in Minnesota last year! The CSCC will be sponsoring a documentary at the Harvest Jam called Banjo Romantika about the history of bluegrass in the Czech Republic. The director and producer are both teachers at ETSU (East Tennessee State University) where a number of our young bluegrassers from MBOTMA have gone to school (including Becky Buller in the past and currently Sophie Galep, who saw and heard Malina Brothers in one of her classes at ETSU last year). There is the possibility that the director of Banjo Romantika will be attending the Harvest Jam as well. I hope you will consider coming. You will certainly see me there! So maybe it is not “goodbye”, but rather “na shledanou”, which is a Czech parting phrase similar to the French “au revoir” or “till we meet again”! 9
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The time has come for me to say “Good-bye” and thank all you folks who have been so good to me through the years! I may be around some, but will no longer be answering the MBOTMA phone line, processing memberships, and sending out tickets. It’s been a great job and I have been truly thankful for it! It all began for me when our oldest son, Benji, was taking banjo lessons at Homestead Pickin’ Parlor with Kevin Barnes. Kevin told us that there was a kid’s jam up in Zimmerman in June and we should bring Benji to it. We did and it was the first Homegrown Kickoff in 1993. While there, we picked up an old copy of Inside Bluegrass (an old name for the membership magazine now called Minnesota Bluegrass) with Stoney Lonesome on the cover. That is how we discovered the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association! While there we also found out about the MBOTMA festival and returned to Zimmerman that August for it. Our boys were young and I sat in the car with them just after we arrived, while Paul pulled poison ivy (which I used to get every summer growing up in Minnesota) out from the woods where we had to put our leaky tent, so we could put a tarp covered clothesline over it. The next year I helped Kevin’s wife in the T-shirt booth, which first became a volunteer job for me and then in 1999, Jed hired me and moved the MBOTMA Festival line to my house and I started taking orders as well as run the T-shirt booth at the festivals. In 2001 I became Administrative Assistant when Jed became Executive Director. In the past couple of years, MBOTMA has been through some tough times and I have been somewhat in limbo, first not knowing who I would be working with when Jed gave his notice two years ago and then not knowing how it was going to work out. Jed kindly came back this past March through August to get us through the festival season. We have sur-
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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You know Doug’s attention to detail in the live concert… Let him help you craft your next recording project.
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September 2017
Laurie Lewis performs private concert for Jim Whitney By Marv Menzel Photo by Marv Menzel
Question: How many world class bluegrass musicians will fit in a Minnetonka townhouse living room? Answer: Left to Right: Tom Rozum, Tatiana Silver Hargreaves, Laurie Lewis, Patrick Sauber & Max Schwarz. The denim clad knees on the right property of Jim Whitney.
September 2017
her that evening. The first time he met Laurie was in the late 90s when he was managing the showcases at the MBOTMA festival at Camp in The Woods in Zimmerman, MN. One of them was a fiddle workshop featuring Laurie among others. He met several artists while coordinating the workshops, but Laurie stood out as being the most accessible and friendly of them all and easy to talk with. The acquaintance that grew out of that MBOTMA festival meeting led to Jim joining a 1999 rafting trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, which Laurie and Tom guided. That 6-day, 5-night trip gave everyone lots of opportunities to get to know the people sharing the adventure. Jim was no longer just a fan of Laurie Lewis’ music. He now considered Laurie and Tom fast friends. Since that time, Jim has seen
11
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Yes, this was pretty special! There is no bigger fan of Laurie Lewis and her music than Jim Whitney. And on Thursday, August 3, Laurie Lewis and her band, The Right Hands, proved that there is no one in bluegrass music with a bigger heart. Jim Whitney’s first brush with Laurie Lewis’ music was in the early 90s when he heard it on public radio. He immediately went out and bought a couple of CDs. He was very smitten with her warm voice, and a few songs she did spoke directly to him. The sentiment expressed in Val’s Cabin reminded him of his times driving across the desert. Two more favorites are Texas Bluebonnets; and Sleepy Eyes. His first live concert with Laurie and Tom Rozum was at the Cedar Cultural Center in 1994 or ‘95. But the friendship that has grown between them had to wait a bit, as he did not get a chance to meet
Laurie and Tom perform in Hawaii, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Pasadena, San Diego, several sites in Northern California, the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, the Freight and Salvage Concert Hall, The State Theater in Minneapolis, Colorado, many MBOTMA festivals and concerts, Larry Fest in Wisconsin. There were three separate trips to Hawaii, each featuring several concerts. Many of their Minnesota concerts were made possible through Jim’s generosity and willingness to lend presenters (MBOTMA and Laughing Waters among them) a fiscal helping hand when needed. They have shared meals featuring reminiscences and laughs. I like to characterize his trips to these concerts as Jim Whitney’s Laurie Lewis Stalking Tours. He couldn’t begin to tell you how many concerts he’s attended, but I doubt there’s a fan anywhere that has seen more. Remember what I told you about a big heart. Laurie and Tom felt August 3 was payback time, not because they felt they owed Jim anything, but because theirs has been such an enduring friendship. Jim has been fighting MS for many years, but recently, a bout with prostate cancer has been a much stronger and aggressive opponent. A round of extremely toxic chemotherapy severely damaged Jim’s lungs leaving him dependent on supplemental oxygen since Memorial Day. He is currently at home but his opportunities to get out and hear music have been curtailed. Not to worry. Laurie and Tom, Patrick Sauber, Tatiana Silver Hargreaves and Max Schwartz were passing through the twin cities and appeared at Jim’s home on the afternoon of August 3. The private concert documented in the attached photos ensued. The inhabitants of the World of Bluegrass, artists and fans alike, are pretty special people.
Cover Story
My View From the Back Seat By David Robinson - Photos by Jamie Guy “How do you all travel?”… “Does everyone get along with each other?”… “Do you sleep on the bus, or do you all share a room?”… These are just some of the many questions we as members of Monroe Crossing are asked at almost every show. Along with a few other dandies such as “Do you all have real jobs? How do your parents feel about this?” and “Why so serious?” (Referring to the intense faces I make onstage), but those will have to wait for another time. Many wonder what life on the road as a band is like, imagining it to be a whirlwind of after-show parties, late sleepless nights, eating fast food every day and being away from home for months at a time like we’re the next top 40 sensation. Instead of correcting this perspective and stating how routine and oftentimes dull a day on the road can be, the best response I could say within a short sentence is “It’s a lifestyle and we enjoy it.”
“But the road has no end.. I’ve been there and back again.. The journey is what sets you free.”
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
“Chattanooga” by Derek Johnson
Not all bands take a very logical approach to touring. We’ve run into many of our fellow bluegrass bands at festivals who rush in to play a dinner hour show, jump back on the bus and drive through the night to make their next gig. The unfortunate reality for many bands is gigs can be hard to come by so you take the ones you can get and try to connect the dots somehow. This is the scenario where you get overnights on a bus, fast food to go and burning through a ton of gas. If you’re lucky you’ll still make a little money, but your travel expenses are through the roof. This is why I never really saw myself performing full time as a musician when I was first getting into bluegrass. It didn’t seem worth all the extra stress and burnout to play onstage. However, Monroe Crossing is not your average bluegrass band. The group has spent nearly two decades developing a network of venues and have built a strong audience following across the country. So the demand for our entertainment is there, we can work with venues’ schedules and plan out our gigs in a route that is both manageable and keeps expenses to a minimum. “What’s it like traveling together?”…
All photos by Jamie Guy 12
David Robinson “You all must have a lot of fun!”… While at a MBOTMA festival we were asked to present a workshop about life on the road. Though the seminar was canceled due to bad weather (as is common at festivals) at our set that evening we did give an exclusive insight as to what it is like in the Monroe Crossing van by putting on headphones and playing with our smartphones. That really is just about it. When you’re in the van for hours on end you learn to respect the quiet space and spend your time catching up on your book, listening to some tunes, or binge watching some Parks & Rec. Sure, I enjoy a good conversation as much as the next guy, but there’s a whole day of shaking hands, making small talk and many “Thanks for coming to the show”’s ahead. I do enjoy getting to know our audience and hearing about what led them to this particular show. More often than not it can be an interesting story but if you have three or four shows in a row it can wear you down a tad and you learn to appreciate the quiet moments you have during the day. I know, weird to hear that coming from a banjo player! Thus the respective personal space we give each other when we travel. At the end of the day we all look forward to retiring to our own SEPARATE hotel rooms and letting ourselves go. Yes, we could September 2017
save some cash by buddying up with each other and sharing a room, sometimes it’s unavoidable especially when we travel internationally, but some of us snore and we consider it essential that we get a break from one another. And people wonder why bands who travel on a bus go through members so frequently and/or eventually break up.
“Going back to Mountain View, bringing all my money.. Spend it by the river eating catfish and coleslaw and hush puppies” “Heavenly Table” by Lisa Fuglie
Trying local cuisine is always a plus. Catfish from Arkansas, boiled peanuts (or “bowled” as they say it) from Georgia, Lutefisk from… Somewhere. During our month long European tour of 2016 we played a show in Kaufbeuren, Germany where our good friend and bluegrass promoter Frank Rickal promised to serve us a home town delicacy for dinner. Imagine my surprise and high approval when it turned out to be Schwabische Kasespatzle, or, German style Mac & Cheese with fried onions. That was a personal favorite for me. Over all, the band eats pretty well on the road considering. The time it takes for us to get to a show always has time built in for us to
and drinks away for emergency situations.
“Your little house in the country.. cherished mementos within.. tell the story of your family.. some are chosen some are kin” “If The World Were Filled With You” by Lisa Fuglie
It’s never easy to be away from friends and family. It’s one of those unavoidable occupational hazards that often times discourages many from continuing the touring life. In the years Monroe Crossing has been together we have been very lucky to have made so many good friends throughout the country. Much of it is just how the bluegrass world works, a very tightly knit community fueled by kindness. As we go from one show to another on an extended tour it’s like visiting different sides of extended family. At just about each stop along our route we see people who have followed the band since its conception. People who make it a point to come and see us whenever we’re within 100 miles or even more. Wonderful people open up their homes to us to stay, or at least have a good meal. People make sure when we come to their town that we have a great time and leave with good memories. Being the new guy, it can be interesting navigating these new relationships that just sort of come with the job, but I 13
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
September 2017
sit down and have a decent meal and not have to resort to fast food. Though there are some lean moments when it almost turns into a survival scenario. You get to the hotel late, you haven’t had anything to eat for dinner and places are starting to close. So begins the scavenger hunt! Look for the nearest restaurant, then nearest take out, then the nearest grocery, then the nearest gas station (this is when we’re getting desperate). In the most extreme and rare cases the nearest hallway vending machine. This is why it’s a good idea to plan ahead and stash a few extra snacks
wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s a mixed up world you know it’s true, Spinning ‘round and ‘round feels like there’s nothing you can do, It’s easy to get lost when you don’t know where you’re going” “Easy To Get Lost” by Derek Johnson
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Where are we off to next? If you ask me this question on a typical day I often times will not know the answer. When you get off the road you don’t necessarily want to think about the particulars of the next show. You just know you have a show THIS day and you have to be at the van ready to go at THIS time. It’s a common habit when you travel for a living to fall into a routine: you wake up at 9, you’re on the road by 10 and you drive about 5 hours on average (plus time for food and gas). Once you arrive the same series of events kick in: find the door to load in, haul in the gear, set up speakers, mics, stands, in-
14
struments, find the dressing room, do a sound check, kill time for an hour or so, get dressed and then it’s show time. Once that first song kicks off and the adrenalin sets in you can just ride that high all the way to the end of the performance. Then
it’s tear down, pack up, load back into van and drive a couple hours to where we have lodging for the night. Then you repeat the whole process the next day. “How Often do you all practice?” Practice?… What’s practice? The band actually doesn’t put in a whole lot of “formal” practice time as a group. Since we average about 3 to 4 shows a week we have plenty of opportunities to work up and arrange songs during our pre-show sound check. In the case of recording a record such as our new album “Monroe Crossing Plays Classic Country,” we do put in some scheduled time as a band to hammer out song arrangements and record rough tracks to build on, otherwise much of our prep is done on our own personal time away from the road. In the year or two following my joining up with Monroe Crossing, I had a lot old friends from back home asking “Are you still with that band?” like it was just a temporary thing I was doing just for kicks. Joining a band and touring the country, for many I’m sure, ranks up there with other crazy professions like running away with the circus, which can be perceived as going one of two ways. It can be a hard and trying experience, but it can also be the time of your life. The way I see it, it has its pros and cons just like any other job. It requires skill, hard work and in the best of cases, passion. The real question is, “Do I enjoy it?”… It’s a lifestyle and I do enjoy it. September 2017
Cameron 12th Annual Bluegrass Festival September 8, 9, 10, 2017 Pioneer Village Museum 1866 13 1/2 14th Ave. (Cty. Hwy. W) Cameron, WI
Porcupine Creek
Featuring: • The Biscuit Boys • North of Dixie • Porcupine Creek • Kings Countrymen • Highview • River City Ramblers • Stringsmiths • Gospel Notes • Rosby Corner • John and Rose Band • St. Paul Mudsteppers Music begins Friday night at 5pm Vendors, Jammin‛, Workshops and more
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
For more information or directions contact Kathy Krug at (715) 458-0181 Food and refreshments available
Gate Fee: Fri. $10, Sat. $15, and Sun. $10; $30 for weekend pass Rough camping is an additional $10 per September 2017
untry o C ’s King
men
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MJG Productions is excited to partner with MBOTMA to bring bluegrass fans of all types to Como Dockside
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
MJG Productions is excited to partner with MBOTMA to bring bluegrass fans of all types to Como Dockside in St Paul! Sunday, September 17 will be the kick-off to the partnership featuring the incomparable Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper as well as Kind Country,
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The High 48s and Julian Davis acting as artist at large! Como Dockside has been a staple in the St Paul music community for decades, but it has never had its potential fully realized until this year. St Paul based book i ng /ma nagement /promot iona l
company MJG Productions has secured national acts Michael Cleveland, Leftover Salmon, George Porter Jr. and Jon Cleary with many more on the horizon. Coupled with strong local talent such as Big Pink’s Tribute to The Last Waltz and Frogleg, they bring a level of entertainment that the community has never seen before. Tickets are available online at https://w w w.ticketf ly.com/purchase/ event/1537478. Use special offer code: MBOTMA for discounted tickets while supplies last. Tickets are also available in person at Como Dockside, Electric Fetus, Amsterdam Bar and Hall, 331 Club and Agharta Records. The Como Dockside restaurant will be open for your enjoyment during the event featuring Classic Louisiana fare and full bar! There is also an outdoor concession stand serving ice cream and hand held eats. MICHAEL CLEVELAND AND FLAMEKEEPER. It comes as no surprise that Michael Cleveland, ten-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Fiddler of the Year Award - the most awarded in that category, is considered one of the premier bluegrass musicians of his generation. After picking up the fiddle at age 4, Michael’s musical momentum began to propel him forward towards early success. He debuted at the Opry as a guest of Alison Krauss and was handpicked for the IBMA Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14. His blistering prowess and technical fluency have since marked him as a sought-after guest, leading to performances with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, The Mark Newton Band, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Audie Blaylock and Redline, and Dale Ann Bradley in recent years. However, it wasn’t until 2006, when Michael formed his band Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, that he found the right vehicle for his musical vision. Since then, the band has earned numerous IBMA awards and nominations, toured extensively throughout the US and September 2017
September 2017
railroad slang for the boxcars originally used to transport troops on the front lines in WWI that could carry 40 soldiers or 8 horses, and were later used in the US on fast-moving “hot shot” freight trains by train-hoppers looking for work during the Great Depression. In the winter of 2014, The High 48s honored their namesake by recording an album of train songs in Nashville with Grammy-winning engineer and producer Randy Kohrs (Jim Lauderdale). The album features songs from the likes of Greg Brown, Robin and Linda Williams, Becky Schlegel, Darrell Scott, Muddy Waters and the 48s’ own Anthony Ihrig and Eric Christopher. JULIAN DAVIS. From humble beginnings, Julian Davis is a 17-yearold, flatpicking guitarist phenomenon and singer from Pittsburg, Kansas. He walks, talks, sings and looks like someone straight out of the 1940s or 50s, and his fast and fiery guitar playing encourages even seasoned professionals to want to
step up their picking game. Julian and his bluegrass band, Julian Davis and the Hay-Burners, were featured on season 11 of America’s Got Talent, and they flew to LA a few times for the production. Julian left home at an early age to play music on the road, traveling to cities all over the country. He currently calls the Lawrence and Kansas City areas home. At 16 years old, Julian won first place in the Kansas State Flatpicking Championship and Mandolin Championship. Julian also won first place in the Hillberry Arkansas 2016 flatpicking and mandolin competitions. Julian also has 2 albums released, “Who Walks In When I Walk Out” and “Make Americana Great Again,” both featuring plenty of original songs to tap your foot to and covers of traditional (and not-so-traditional) tunes to switch it up! Please join us for this special concert, the first of many more to come!
In Concert - Slewfoot Bluegrass Band and Jam
A Birthday Celebration and Fundraiser for
Church of the Good Samaritan turning 150 years old in 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017 - 6-8pm ElmerZ’s Event Center, Sauk Center Tickets - $20
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
internationally, and achieved the number one slot on Sirius XM Bluegrass Junction’s Most Played Albums chart for their second release Fired Up. Now, with the release of On Down the Line, their third album and first for new label home Compass Records, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper are poised to add fuel to the fire they’ve already sparked in the bluegrass world. KIND COUNTRY. Kind music for kind people. Kind Country is a Minneapolis based band that plays American standards as well as their own brand of Cosmic American music. Since their formation in 2012, the band has focused on creating live performances with high levels of improvisation and energy gathering with a goal of creating a moment of musical bliss that can be shared by audience members and band alike. Kind Country released their debut self-titled album “Kind Country” in the fall of 2013. Since then they have been bringing their music on the road playing live performances at theaters, bars, auditoriums, festivals, and everywhere in between all throughout the United States. The band released their second independently released full length album, Hwy 7, in the fall of 2015. Produced by Ryan Young of Trampled by Turtles, Hwy 7, thrust the band further into a regional spotlight. The guys quickly followed up with a 5 track studio EP, Mountains, which was released in the spring of 2017. The band has no plans of stopping and will be releasing new material on a regular basis for the foreseeable future. THE HIGH 48’s. Since forming in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude, original songs and a wide range of influences far beyond Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. In a genre created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were born and raised in the Upper Midwest. And 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 band takes their name from
Food-Drinks-Silent Auction-Entertainment
Purchase tickets at the event or to reserve call (320) 352-6882 goodsamaritansaukcentre.org 17
Albany Pioneer Days - Live music and much more By Chris Anderson Photos by Chris Anderson
When you think of a fun late summer weekend, next to Bluegrass Festivals and going fishing, do you think of Machinery? No? Have you ever stood next to steel wheels that are a larger diameter than
43rd ANNUAL
your CAR, with spikes of steel, totally mechanical with no bells or……..wait…. they DO have whistles! At Albany Pioneer Days in Albany, MN, Sept 15, 16, and 17 they hold a
ALL EXHIBITORS WELCOME!
Albany
THRESHING SHOW
SEPTEMBER 15, 16, 17, 2017 ALBANY, MINN.
Feature Chairpersons: Jim Wuertz 612-419-5014 njwuertz@peoplepc.com Ron Becker 763-478-9477 ronjbeck@outlook.com
CTORS PARADE OF TRA SUN. 1:30 PM SAT. &
M INNEAPOLIS - MOLINE TWIN CITY & AVERY Antique Tractors and Equipment
Threshing Show, a huge flea market, food stands, re-occupied antique buildings -- including a one-room Country Schoolhouse, demonstration and handson areas for needlecrafts, blacksmithing, rugmaking, woodworking, and more; Kids’ Areas and Ride-On Train, Model Railroad Display, amazing Antique Tractor and Machinery Parades (Saturday & Sunday 1:30) & for music-lovers, LIVE MUSIC!!! Country Music, Polka and Old-Time Music and of course, a bluegrass open stage! Thanks to ‘Sota Grass, Pioneer Days attendees have enjoyed a BLUEGRASS OPEN STAGE from morning ‘til late evening in the Red Barn for years. Their involvement and dedication is what hooked me into attending, by the way! The Red Barn
Gas Engine Feature: ture: ECONOMY Chairperson:
Rick Notsch 320-288-8923
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Parade of Tractors: tors: 1:30 pm Saturday and Sunday • MORE THAN 400 tractors on Display • Collector Car & Truck Displays • Snowmobile Displays • Over 500 Gas Engines on Display • Threshing Demonstrations • 2 Huge Stationary Steam Engines Running • Lumber Mill, Shingle Mill, & Flour Mill in Operation • Big Rope Making Machine • Miniature Land Machines in Operation • Farm Museum • Working Models
• Print Sh Shop in Operation • Souvenir Shop • Country School in Session • General Store - Lots of items for Sale • Blacksmith Shop • Lots of Food and Snacks • Kids Activities and Play Area at the Just for Kids Building • Kids Train Rides • Model Railroad Museum by Central MN Railroad Club • Arts & Crafts • Rug Weaving • Pioneer Displays in Ladies Building • Quilting-Tied & Stitched
RAFFLE Drawing Dra in SUNDAY - 3 P.M.
LOCATED IN FEATURE BUILDING
Silent Auction
LOCATED IN FEATURE BUILDING
EVENTS ON THE GROUNDS
• Pioneer Queen and Pioneer Princess Coronations Friday Evening 7 PM in the Saloon • Log Sawing Contest Saturday Evening Starts at Dusk • “WILD WEST SHOW” Sunday 11:30 AM by Wild Creek Entertainers
FLEA MARKET
Music All Three Days! Friday Evening 6 p.m. - Old Tyme & Country in the Saloon - Bluegrass in the New Feature Building Lots of dealers! - Country in the Flea Market Building CONTACT: Jeff Mortenson - Karaoke in Saloon Friday & Saturday 320-339-5071 - Gospel Singing in the Saloon Registration @ 5 pm - Musicians Welcome CHURCH SERVICES SEWING CIRCLE IN THE PARLOR Catholic: Sat. 5 pm, Sun. 8 am Quilting, Knitting, Crocheting, Tatting & More! Ecumenical Sat. 7 pm.
GARDEN TRACTOR PULL
John Achmann 320-573-1996
GATES OPEN: Friday, Saturday & Sunday • 7 a.m. ADMISSION: $10 per day • $18 per season pass • $20 camping donations Kids 12 and under FREE (when accompanied by an adult) Service Dogs Only. EVENT SPONSORED BY: THE STEARNS COUNTY PIONEER CLUB (a nonprofit organization)
NO ATV’S. NO GOLF CARTS WITHOUT PROOF OF NEED OR HANDICAP - CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE REQUIRED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL 320-845-7410
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•
WWW.ALBANYPIONEERDAYS.COM
September 2017
had to be moved, and sadly ‘Sota Grass shows are gone, but their bluegrass continues in the “New Features Building” on the grounds, with a stage, sound system and organized sign-up boards to assure groups or individuals can predict when they play (for adoring family and friends)! Musicians are welcome and encouraged to perform, and should check in at Gate #2 to sign in and get their buttons to wear -- FREE ADMISSION for playing musicians! Come up for the day, or come and camp for the weekend, play on the Jam Wagon! Daytime and evening jamming as well as after the Parade on Sunday (in the 4-H end of the New Features Building -- by the Ice Cream stands!) Because machinery must be stored in that building, the sound system and stage are taken down at 1:00 Sunday, so the bluegrass jamming is all acoustic but moved over by the food. Any questions? Call Chris Anderson, 651208-4211
Bill Monroe
September 2017
www.cs-center.org
Building a “Civil Society” throughout the entire state of Minnesota
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
“I was determined to carve out a music of my own. I didn’t want to copy anybody.”
Malina Brothers: www.malinabrothers.com Banjo Romantika: www.banjoromantika.com Druhá Tráva: www.druhatrava.us
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Every Musician’s Second Home
Get Ready for Summer Festivals We have what you need! New & Used Martin Guitars
Protective Cases
Gigbags
Capos Strings Picks Straps Tuners Harmonicas Tin Whistles Jaw Harps Even Hats!
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
www.elderly.com Family Owned and Operated Since 1972
Toll-Free in the USA 888-473-5810
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September 2017
FRIENDS OF MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS MUSIC STORES A to G Music
Fein Stringed Instruments
All Strings Attached
Haas Musical Instrument Repair
Osseo, MN - 763-420-5500
Minneapolis, MN, - 763-542-9542
Saint Paul, MN - 651-228-0783
Blackbirds Music
Arden Hills, MN - 651-631-8820
Cadenza Music
Red Wing, MN - 651-388-8400
Christian Eggert Violins
Minneapolis, MN - 612-338-1079
Minneapolis, MN, - 612-326-5745 Saint Paul, MN - 651-644-3611 Duluth, MN - 218-726-1970 Fargo, ND - 701-280-7017
Classical Guitars Etc
Apple Valley, MN - 952-322-1310
Dave’s Guitar Shop
La Crosse, WI - 608-785-7704
Eclipse Music
West Saint Paul, MN - 651-451-8878
Evans Music
White Bear Lake, MN - 651-429-0236
My Favorite Guitars Naples, FL - 239-530-7425
Nelson Music
Erhard, MN - 409-939-3062
Rhapsody Music
Hobgoblin Music
Mankato, MN - 507-387-2562
Hoffman Guitars
Waite Park, MN - 320-257-7676
Homestead Pickin Parlor
Mankato, MN - 507-387-3881
Kenny’s Music
Rosemount, MN - 651-344-8177
Kezar Music Company
Minneapolis, MN - 612-759-5987
Marguerite’s Music
Owatonna, MN - 507-451-5196
Mr Mark Music
Waseca, MN - 507-835-2980
Richfield, MN - 612-861-3308
Grand Forks, ND - 701-772-8670 Thief River Falls, MN - 218-681-2148 Moorhead, MN - 218-233-7546
Rocktown Music Scheitel’s Music
The Guitar Shop The Podium Tone Music
Waseca Music Co
Anoka, MN - 763-421-5455
Wegen’s Guitar Picks ®
6625 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308
Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music since 1979
September 2017
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.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
www.homesteadpickinparlor.com folkmuse@aol.com and you can find us on Facebook
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.
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r te
A M A
t ! Be er v e n a th
P
Duet Contest
Band Contest
West End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair
West End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair
State Fair ribbons and cash prizes ($500/ $250/$100) to the top three duos. First Place Duo wins: • 5 hours of studio time at Wild Sound Recording Studio • A cover article in Minnesota Bluegrass
G
S E Z RI
Friday, September 1, 2017 3:00–5:45 PM
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
ZI N
Saturday, September 2, 2017 3:00-5:45 PM
State Fair ribbons and cash prizes to the top three bands ($1,000/$500/$250). First Place Band wins: • A paid set at the 2018 Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff • A cover article in Minnesota Bluegrass • 5 hours of studio time at Wild Sound Recording Studio • A video session at Baby Blue Arts
Go to www.minnesotabluegrass.org for guidelines and to register. Register early - the contests fill fast! Gold Sponsors
Baby Blue Arts Wild Sound Recording Studio 22
SILVER SPONSORS
Homestead Pickin’ Parlor Hoffman Guitars LaPlant Instruments
The Guitar Shop, Rosemount Tim Reede Guitars Willie’s American Guitars September 2017
Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum
Core Values A couple of important CDs landed on my desk within the past few days. One is “Just Tunes” by the local mandolin player Bob Douglas. The other CD, by Iowa City fiddler Alan Murphy is named for one of the tunes on the project, “Hogs in the Cornfield.” These two projects amply display the strength and character of old-time music. The Bob Douglas project represents Bob’s work with three bands, and interweaves North American fiddle dance music and Celtic music. In a world where glitz seems to matter above substance, it is refreshing that “Just Tunes” delivers more than what it promises: It isn’t “just” tunes, but interesting tunes that are very well played. Al Murphy’s project is in part a tribute to the musicians from whom Al learned his repertoire. Funded by the Iowa Arts Council, there is an accompanying booklet about the fiddlers from whom the tunes were learned. Al has been a fiddling presence in the Iowa City area for about a half-century. Backing Al are Al’s wife Aleta Murphy (bass); guitarist Warren Hanlin, and Marc Janssen (mandolin) and Brandi Janssen (banjo). The types of tunes on both CDs have been called different things at different times: Hoedown music, square dance tunes, fiddle dance music, and Celtic traditional music are a few names. Whatever you call them, they are the results of the collective imagination of those who play them. Each of the traditional dance tunes on the Douglas and Murphy CDs is a complicated melody that has gone through the hands of many players over the years. In the process of being passed around, the tunes are polished up. Some players add modernistic touches, while others add touches that make them sound old. Both approaches have existed over time, and add up to a continual refreshing of the traditions represented. Fans of traditional music will be able to tell that the tunes on the CDs represent acts of curation by the players, and the creating of interpretations that owe to previous versions of the tunes as well as the genius of the players. We’ve begun playing these projects on Bluegrass Saturday Morning and the Bluegrass Review. Hats off to Bob and Alan! And I hope that listeners enjoy these additions to the broadcasts.
September 2017
Weekly Playlists, Listen Online 1. PRX To locate Gems of Bluegrass and the Bluegrass Review online, type either in the search box at www.prx.org and you should get many hits. Bluegrass Saturday Morning is streamed and, also, archived at the new url for KBEM 88.5 www.jazz88.fm. 2. www.bluegrassreview.com Bluegrass Review playlists are located at www. bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “programs” link you’ll find at the top of the page. Then look for the show for whichever week is current. The current week’s show should come to the top, and scroll down to view earlier playlists. Scroll down all the way to access a player enabling you to stream the show. 3. www.jazz88.fm To stream KBEM programming, at www.jazz88.fm, click on “listen live.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88.fm. At the top of the home page on the right-hand side, select “playlists.” Then click on the desired date. To listen to archived shows, at www.jazz88.fm, click on “on-demand” Then click on the date and show.”
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 23
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
That Labor Day Thing at Minnehaha Falls Many people approach me during the course of any given year to express their devotion to the annual Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival, held Labor Day from 1-6:30PM. It’s a day when fine Twin Cities bluegrass groups strut their stuff on stage. In 2017, there is the addition of one of the greatest bluegrass groups of all time, the Nashville Bluegrass Band. See you there.
Bluegrass Review Supporters Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association www. minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences) John Waddle Violins: www.waddleviolins.com (Dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases)
Harvest Jam
Acoustic Music Experience November 17-19, 2017 | Minneapolis Marriott West Hotel | St. Louis Park, MN The 2017 Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience will be Friday through Sunday, November 17–19 at the Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel. The 12th annual Harvest Jam will feature stage shows with headliner Malina Brothers from Czech Republic on Saturday evening, a 30 minute set by them on Friday, and a gospel set Sunday morning. Several bands will also perform on Friday and Saturday evenings, including Little Rev, Noah John and Ringing Iron & more! Race for the Place Band Contest is held on Saturday from 10:00am–5:00pm, the Saturday Banquet Dinner (get the best seats for the evening concert), Kip’s Live Open Mic in Kip’s Irish Pub throughout the weekend, a workshop program,including a documentary film called “Banjo Romantika” about the history of bluegrass in the Czech Republic (sponsored by the Czech & Slovak Cultural Center of MN), music vendors, Sunday morning gospel show, and lots of jam sessions! To book lodging contact the Marriott at 952-5444400 and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass festival rate!
Saturday Night Ballroom Concert with
Malina Brothers & Sunday Gospel set!
Advance price and member discount tickets for the Harvest jam are on sale as of October 1. A general admission weekend ticket (without the banquet dinner) is $35 for adults, $30 for members, and $15 for teens. Children 12 and under are free. A VIP weekend ticket that includes the banquet dinner is $55 for adults, $50 for members, $25 for teens, and $10 for kids. Banquet dinner tickets are not sold separately but only as part of the VIP package. Single day tickets are not available in advance. Gate prices will be $15 on Friday and $25 on Saturday, with teens half price and kids free. Special Event: Minnesota Songwriters Association will host workshops in the Hayloft area!
Uke Festival | Hayloft Jam Rooms | Band Workshops | Sunday Gospel Show | Theme Jams | Kip’s Live | Music Vendors
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
BANJO ROMANTIKA (film documentary) — introduces the musicians who play this unique bluegrass hybrid. Czechs first heard bluegrass during World War II, when it was broadcast to American soldiers. The music represented freedom to dissatisfied Czechs living in a communist state. Czechs’ love for the music was solidified when Pete Seeger visited and performed in 1964. Inspired by classic American bluegrass sounds, an assortment of musicians from across the formerly communist Czech Republic have melded the Sponsored in past, the political and the part by present into a lively musical tradition entirely its own. www.banjoromantika.com
Great Minnesota Uke Gathering @ Harvet Jam Workshops | Jamming | Friday Eve Concert 2017 Headliner Lil Rev — a Milwaukeebased, songwriter, instrumentalist, storyteller, historian, educator and interpreter of American roots music and culture.His fascination with all things ukulele and harmonica keep him busy teaching and performing all across North America. Find out more at www.bluegrassfun.com.
Harvest Jam Tickets Available Sunday – October 1, 2017! Find all the details online at www.minnesotabluegrass.org or call 800-635-3037.
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September 2017
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.
September 1 and 2, 2017 - Friday and Saturday 2017 Minnesota Americana-Roots Music Contests:
At the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN.. For more information 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass. org. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).
September 4, 2017 - Monday Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival: Minneapolis, MN,
1:00-6:30pm, Minnehaha Park. The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Becky Thompson and Old School, Middle Spunk Creek Boys, King Wilkie’s Dream, Sawtooth Brothers, Pride of the Prairie. Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).
September 9, 2017 - Saturday Washington County Bluegrass Festival: Lake Elmo,
MN: 2:00-6:00pm, Lake Elmo Park Reserve at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 (one mile north of Interstate 94) in Lake Elmo. For additional information and festival details, see www.co.washington.mn.us/bluegrass or call the park contact station at 651-430-8370. Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA)
September 17, 2017 - Sunday Pickin’ Dockside: 1360 Lexington Parkway No., St. Paul, MN:
3pm. Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The High 48s, Kind Country, Julian Davis. Sponsored by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA)
Write a Review of a favorite concert or CD. Write an article about your favorite jam. Tell us about how you came to like Bluegrass and Old-Time String Band Music.
editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
September 2017
St Louis Park MN: Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel (9960 Wayzata Blvd). This 12th annual event will feature stage shows Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning featuring the Malina Brothers, Lil Rev, Noah John & Ringing Iron, and more. Plus the Race For A Place Band Contest on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Saturday Banquet Dinner (get the best seats for the evening concert), Great Minnesota Uke Gathering, Kip’s Live Open Mic in Kip’s Irish Pub throughout the weekend, workshops, musical exhibitors, a Sunday morning gospel show, and lots of jam sessions. For more information 800-635-3037 or www. MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Marriott at 952-544-4400 and ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass rate. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old- Time Music Association (MBOTMA).
Get a PDF of Minnesota Bluegrass before eveyone else... If you are already a member and want
to receive Minnesota Bluegrass in electronic form instead of by postal mail, it will be emailed to you directly before it is available to the general public. If you only want the digital copy or you have problems opening the file, please contact the Minnesota Bluegrass editor at editor@minnesotabluegrass.org.
ATTENTION BLUEGRASS JAMMERS!
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Contribute to Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine.
November 17-19, 2017 - Friday through Sunday Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience:
In the next couple of months, MBOTMA will be updating and converting its jam schedule to a link connected to our website. That way it will be available 24 -7 at your fingertips. If you head up a jam, attend a jam, or know of a jam, please contact Tony Stachnik at tdjejs@msn. com. Thank you and keep on jamming! 25
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 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 BSC: Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, 651-554-0155, www.blacksheepcoffee.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 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www.dakotacooks.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 HOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com MER: Merlins Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 612-216-2419 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 VC: Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St, St Paul, 651-291-2715, vieuxcarre.com WmH: The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, lower level, Mpls, 877-987-6487, thewarminghouse.net 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 September 1,2 Friday-Saturday
MN Americana-Roots Music Contests
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
MN State Fair 3-5:45pm
8/27 – Sunday
September 4 Monday
Laughing Waters Bluegrass festival Minnehaha Park Minneapolis, MN 1-6:30pm
• Roe Family Singers, Music in The Parks, Longville, 5pm • David Bromberg Quintet, CED, 8pm • Minnesota State Fiddle Contest, West End Market, State Fair, 3pm • The Pines, West End Market, State Fair, 8pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm
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8/28 – Monday
September 9 Saturday
September 17 Sunday
Washington County Bluegrass Festival Lake Elmo Park Preserve Lake Elmo, MN 2-6pm
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 7:30pm • Root River Jam, Nicollet Island Park, Mpls, 7pm • The Riddle Brothers, West End Market, State Fair, 11:30am, 12:30pm,
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Kind Country, High 48s, Julian Davis Como Dockside, St. Paul, MN 3pm
1:30pm • Pat Donohue, West End Market, State Fair, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm • Pop Wagner & Bob Bovee, Ramberg Center, State Fair, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm • The Slew Foot Family Band, Ramberg Center, State Fair, 3:15pm, 4;30pm, 5:45pm September 2017
8/29 – Tuesday
• Boiled In Lead, Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd W, St Paul, 6:30pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • The Riddle Brothers, West End Market, State Fair, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30 pm • Pat Donohue, West End Market, State Fair, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm • Pop Wagner & Bob Bovee, Ramberg Center, State Fair, 3:15pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm • The Slew Foot Family Ban, Ramberg Center, State Fair, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm
8/30 – Wednesday
• Kathy Mahoney, 318, 8pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Blue Groove, Triangle Park, 24100 Rouillard Ave, Rogers, 6:30pm • Bobby & Christine, Minnehaha Regional Park, 4801 S Minnehaha Dr, Mpls, 7pm • Alpensterne, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, State Fair, 10:30am, 11:45am • Redhead Express, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, State Fair, 1pm, 2:30pm
8/31 – Thursday
• Shawn’s All Purpose Cajun Band, EAG, 8pm • Sister Tree, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm • Greenwood Tree, Centennial Lakes Farmers Market, 7499 France Ave So, Edina, 3:45pm • Monroe Crossing, Grand Marais Playhouse, Arrowhead Cntr, 51 W 5th, Grand Marais, 7:30pm • Nathan Anderson, 318, 8pm • Alpensterne, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, State Fair, 11:45am • Redhead Express, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, State Fair, 1pm, 2:30pm
9/1 - Friday
September 2017
9/2 – Saturday
• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, Main St, Prior Lake, 9am • Pushing Chain, 318, 8pm • Steve and Stacie Jane, Falconer Vineyards, 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 1pm • St Paul Mudsteppers, Fultons Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am • Quinn And Meyer, UMC, 7pm • Bob Bovee, Lola Bistro, 16 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 6pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Bonnie Raitt, BTC, 7:30pm • Brass Lassie, International Bazaar, State Fair, 10:45am, 12 pm 1:15 pm • Contra Dance with Pat’s Propellers, TAP, 7:30pm • Georgia Rae Family Band, Walworth County Fair, Elkhorn, WI • Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Contets, West End Market, State Fair, 3pm • Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, West End Market, State Fair, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
9/3 – Sunday
• Monroe Crossing, Leinie Lodge, Mn State Fair, 10:30am, 11:45am • Neal Doss, Kingfield Farmers Market, 4310 Nicollet Ave So, Mpls, 10am • Georgia Rae Family Band, Walworth County Fair, Elkhorn, WI • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
9/4 – Monday
• Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 1-6:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Leinie Lodge, Mn State Fair, 10:30am, 11:45am
9/5 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm
9/6 – Wednesday
• Roe Family Singers, Nokomis Farmers Market, 5167 Chicago Ave S, Mpls, 5pm • Lehto and Wright, Excelsior Brewing Co, 421 3rd St, Excelsior, 6pm • Rob Donovan, UMC, 7pm • The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band,
Classified Ads Scrapegoat Skin & Bones seeking experienced, quality upright bassist. Email interest to scrapegoat@ comcast.net Mandolin and banjo player, new to the Brainerd, MN area, seeks people to play with. Mitchell Scott, 218-5138642 State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 800-982-2787, 7:30pm
9/7 – Thursday
• Scottie Miller, 318, 8pm • Judy Thomas, 318, 8pm • Jason Wilber (John Prine’s guitarist), CrH • Dick Kimmel, NU-Telecom Customer Appreciation Event, New Ulm Civic Center, 4:30pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm
9/8 – Friday
• Dustin Lee, 318, 8pm • Patchouli, Falconer Vineyards, 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 6pm • Ray Bonneville, GKb, 8pm • Antoine Dufuor and Ian Ethan Case, HOB, 7pm • John Prine w/ Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Northrup Auditorium, Univ of MN, 8pm • Joan Osborne, O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, 7:30pm • Church of Cash, Steeple Center, Rosemount, 7pm • Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, 805 E. Superior St, Duluth, 218-728-1192, 6pm • Legacy, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St, Stillwater, 7:30pm • Pioneer Village Museum Bluegrass Festival with The Biscuit Boys, Porcupine Creek, Rosby Corner, The Stringsmiths, Kings Countrymen, Barron County Museum, Cameron, WI, barroncountymuseum.com • Singer/songwriter Showcase with Molly Maher, Nathan Frazer, more, Wiese Auditorium/KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, 844-2005235, 8pm
9/9 - Saturday
• Washington County Bluegrass 27
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Monroe Crossing, Edge Center for The Arts, 101 Second Ave, Bigfork, 7pm • Amanda Grace, 318, 8pm • Brass Lassie, International Bazaar, State Fair, 10:45am, 12 pm, 1:15pm • Minnesota Americana/Roots Music Contest, West End Market, State Fair, 3:00 PM • Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, West End Market, State Fair, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm
• Minnesota Show - Hosted by Garrison Keillor, with Aoife O’Donovan & Heather Masse, State Fair Grandstand, 7:45pm • Rod Picott, WmH, 8pm
Festival with Sawtooth Brothers, Monroe Crossing, Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Lake Elmo Park Preserve, 1515 Keats Ave No, Lake Elmo, 651430-8370 • Greenwood Tree, Walker Ethnic Fest, Walker • Daisy Dillman Accoustic, 318, 8pm • Claudia Schmidt, ZUM, 7:30pm • Ginger Bones, Fultons Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am • Bob Bovee with Chirps Smith & Dot Kent, Lanesboro Barn Dance, Sons of Norway Hall, Lanesboro, 8pm • Four Mile Portage, East Grand Forks Community Senior Center, East
Grand Forks Community Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr SE, E Grand Forks, 7:30 pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Contra Dance with Danebodium, TAP, 7:30pm • JAERV (Swedish group), CED, 8pm • The Eddies, Mill City Farmers Market, 2nd St, by Guthrie Theater, Mpls, 11am • Rock Bend Folk Festival with Becky Buller Band, Bullypulpit, Ray Bonneville, and more, Minnesota Square Park, 224 W Elm St, St Peter, www.rockbend.org,
9/10 – Sunday
• Roe Family Singers, Como Dockside,
1360 No Lexington Pkwy, St Paul, 9:30am • Monroe Crossing, Atwater Threshing Show, 1100 Kandi-Meeker Rd, Atwater, 2pm • Tommyknocker String Band, Kingfield Farmers Market, 4310 Nicollet Ave So, Mpls, 10am • Four Mile Portage & O’Neil Family Band, Polk County Historical Museum, Pioneer Days, Polk County Historical Museum, Crookston, 12 noon • Fish Heads, Radio Waves Music Festival, Campground/Park, Grand Marais, MN, 11:20 am • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • Kids Open Mic, WmH, 4pm • Rock Bend Folk Festival with Minnesota Barking Ducks and more, Minnesota Square Park, 224 W Elm St, St Peter, www.rockbend.org
9/11 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm
9/12 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm
9/13 – Wednesday
• Bill Hartong and Evan Bartels, 318, 8pm • Bob and Lynn Dixon, Nokomis Farmers Market, 5167 Chicago Ave So, Mpls, 5pm
9/14 – Thursday
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Willy Porter and Carmen Nickerson, Leo And Leonas, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm • The Irish Brigade, Claddagh Irish Pub, 7890 Main St N, Maple Grove, 6pm • Laura MackKenzie / Celtic Music Showcase, UMC, 7pm • Open Mic, New York Mills Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, 7pm • Roger McGuinn, Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 800982-2787, 8pm
9/15 – Friday
• Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 5:30pm • Billy Johnson, 318, 8pm • Joe and Vicki Price, 331C, 10pm • Richard Mittelstet, RIV, 8pm • Scrapegoat Skin & Bones, Wiese
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September 2017
Auditorium/KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, 844-2005235, 8pm
9/16 – Saturday
• Michael Monroe, 318, 8pm • Pieta Brown, DAK, 7pm • Bob Bovee, Hickory Ridge Concert, Dickson Mounds Museum, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd., Lewistown, IL, 7pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Contra Dance with Northern Aire, TAP, 7:30pm • Jeff Olson, Roots Cellar Concerts, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612-3311768, 7pm • Curtis & Loretta, Owatonna Arts Center, 540 W Hills Circle, Owatonna, 2pm • Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, Remer Public Library (Children’s Show-Fiddle Fun; Passing the Music Down), Remer • Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, Big Foot Music Festival, Remer
9/17 – Sunday
• Roe Family Singers, Kingfield Farmers Market, 4310 Nicollet Ave So, Mpls, 10am • Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Kind Country, High 48s, Julian Davis, Como Dockside, 3pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am
9/18 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
9/19 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Betsayda Machado Y La Parranda El Clavo and Vox (Global Roots, Standing Show), CED, 7:30pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm
9/20 - Wednesday
9/21 – Thursday
• Chastity Brown, 318, 8pm • Blue Groove, River Rendezvous, Pond-Dakota Mission Park, 401 E 104th St, Bloomington, 7pm • Tuomo & Markus with Erik Koskinen, CED, 7:30pm
September 2017
9/22 – Friday
• Chastity Brown, 318, 8pm • Suzzy Roche And Lucy Wainwright Roche, ZUM, 7:30pm • Dan Sebranek And Eric Lambert, Leo And Leonas, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • David Mallett, CrH • Vasen, CED, 8pm • Patchouli, Folk House Concerts, Golden Valley, Call for info and address: 651-274-6604, 7:30pm • Tiller Black, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St, Stillwater, 7pm • Alison Perkins & Nicolas Brown, Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave N, St Paul, 8pm • Sawtooth Brothers, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave, Faribault, 507-332-7372, 7:30pm
9/23 – Saturday
• The May North, Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, 4:35pm • Roe Family Singers, Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Dr, Eagan, 11am • Monroe Crossing, Prairie Arts Center, 506 6th St, Madison, 7:30pm • Two Girls and A Boyd, 318, 8pm • Jimmy Webb, DAK, 7pm • Bob and Lynn Dixon, Fultons Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am • The Organic Cowboys, GKb, 8pm • New Riverside Ramblers, Powderhorn Porchfest, 3316 17th Ave S, Mpls, 8pm • Pat Donohue & the Prairie All Stars, ACA - Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West 5th St., Grand Marais, 218387-1284, 7:30pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Contra Dance with Moonlight Trio, TAP, 7:30pm • David Mallett, CrH • Eelpout Stringers, Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, 3:20pm • Phil heywood & Tim Sparks, Sundin Hall, Hamline University, www. mnguitar.org, 8pm
9/24 – Sunday
• Annie Humphrey, CED, 7:30pm • Eelpout Stringers, Music on the Overlook, at Roadside Park, St Croix Falls, 6:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am
9/25 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Cajun Dance with the Como Town Hotshots, EAG, 7:30pm • G B Leighton, 318, 8pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
9/26 – Tuesday
• Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm
9/27 – Wednesday
• Greenwood Tree, Plymouth Farmers Market, 15500 Cty Rd 6, Plymouth, 3pm • Rebel Fiddle, 318, 8pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Suzy Bogguss, DAK, 7pm • The Bootlickers, Nokomis Farmers Market, 5167 Chicago Ave So, 5pm • Ten Strings and A Goat Skin, CED, 7:30pm
9/28 – Thursday
• Punt On Third, 318, 8pm • Suzy Bogguss, DAK, 7pm • Due North, UMC, 7pm • DL Cajun Band, EAG, 7:30pm
9/29 – Friday
• Martin Sexton, DAK, 7pm • Hootenanny Annies, GKb, 8pm • Kardemimmit (Finnish music), CED, 8pm • Curtis & Loretta, Nobles County Art Center, 407 12th St, Worthington, 507-372-8245, 7:30pm • Tony Rice Tribute Concert with Sawtooth Brothers, Tony Rook Band, Dick Nunneley Tribute Band, more, The Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls, www. thehookmpls.com, 8pm • Corpse Reviver (Adam Kiesling, Jillian Rae, Mikkel Beckmen), Wiese Auditorium/KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, 844-2005235, 8pm
9/30 – Saturday
• Greenwood Tree, Northeast Farmers Market, 629 NE 2nd St, Mpls, 9:30am • Martin Sexton, DAK, 7pm • Steve Palmer, Fultons Farmers Market, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls, 10am • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Contra Dance with Kenn Steffenson, TAP, 7:30pm • Garifuna Collective, CED, 8pm • Curtis & Loretta, Plainsong House Concert, Lincoln, NE, 402-421-7678, 7pm
10/1 – Sunday
• Curtis & Loretta, House Concert, Manhattan, KS, 2pm 29
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Welcome Drive, 318, 8pm • Maria Muldaur, DAK, 7pm • Ginger Bones, Nokomis Farmers Market, 5167 Chicago Ave So, Mpls, 5pm • Rhiannon Gibbons, O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, 7:30pm
• The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
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September 2017
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Tab: Durham’s Bull By Bob Douglas
Here’s a really fine tune associated with fiddler, Buddy Durham. Not much is known of Buddy Durham except by those who listened to his performances on WWVA radio in Wheeling, West Virginia in the late 1950s and early 60s. Buddy never recorded for a major label but he did record his tunes on a series of 45rpm discs and EPs on his Emperor label in Wheeling. The tune is often mistakenly called Durham’s Reel. There is indeed a different tune called Durham’s Reel and it happens to have been the B-side of the original 45 of Durham’s Bull. It’s believed that the pairing has caused much of the present name confusion. And there’s some debate whether the tune is actually Buddy’s own composition or a tune written for him, or a tune he played so often that it became associated with his name. Whatever the origin, the tune is a dandy and is challenging leaning toward advanced if played at the tempos of either Buddy Durham or Paul Warren. Durham’s Bull was often played by fiddler Paul Warren to open Flatt and Scruggs live performances. The tune played by Buddy Durham himself is available on YouTube and recommended if you are unfamiliar with the melody or with Buddy’s fiddle playing. It has since been recorded by a number of well-known fiddlers and pickers like Michael Cleveland, Lonnie Robertson, Benton Flippen, and Clarence White. But if you like your tunes played really hot, I recommend finding the YouTube live recording of Hot Rize from June 1976 under the name Durham’s Reel. It was recorded at a bluegrass festival when the band was just settling into its best remembered line-up. Charles Sawtelle had just moved from playing bass to guitar thanks to the addition of Nick Forster. Of course, Tim O’Brien and Peter Wernick both turn in excellent renditions on the fiddle and banjo respectively, but Sawtelle’s playing is enough to make a flat picker swallow her or his pick! The tune is played in the key of A (three sharps) and most often played in an AABA pattern. The notation presented here is influenced by not only Buddy Durham, but also Lyman Enloe, David Grisman, and, without argument, some of my own meddling. Listen to as many renditions as possible to get the flavor and richness of the tune. Then take as much as you like for your own interpretation. That’s getting into the tune tradition! Bob Douglas - dougfuls@usgo.net
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
September 2017
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Cousin Dad- Minesota Bluegrass & Old-time Music Festival 2009 Photo by Doug Lohman