Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine December 2017 by Minnesota Bluegrass

December 2017

Ronald Poast: Hardanger Fiddle Maker Preserving a Norwegian Treasure Inside:

December 2017 Vol. 43 No. 11 Newsstand: $3 Subscription: $35

MBOTMA Hot Line

(to subscribe and for other information) 651-456-8919 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: Shane Zack 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

Events Manager: Matt Johnson eventsmanager@minnesotabluegrass.org Office Administrator: Darcy Schatz info@minnesotabluegrass.org

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine

Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Bob Douglas, Wayne Erbsen, Joe Hallman, Nic Hentges, Marv Menzel, Philip Nusbaum, Loretta Simonet, Carol Watson Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Rick Anderson Cover image: Carol Watson Back: Pat O’Loughlin 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 November 1, 2017: 952

Patrons:

Peter & Bridgit Albrecht Tony & Ann Anthonisen Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Barry & Annie Brooks Doug Chasar 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 David 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

Janine Kemmer 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 December 2017

From the President

December 2017

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 651-456-8919 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

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

I always find it a bit disconcerting, when I’m writing this column, that you all won’t be reading it for two to three weeks. Right now, my thoughts are on the Harvest Jam, happening this coming weekend. I hope you showed up and had a great time. Thanks to Martha Galup and the rest of the volunteers. Also, Give to the Max Day will have come and gone. If you missed it, anytime is a good time to support MBOTMA. Get your contribution in before the end of the year so you can claim it as a charitable deduction in 2017. MBOTMA is in better financial health than we were a year ago, but we’re not out of the woods yet. The 2018 Fundraiser is on Sunday, January 27th from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We are holding it at Crooner’s in Fridley. It’s a lovely music venue with great food and ambiance. We are grateful to the Kraus-Hartig VFW for hosting the fundraiser for the last few years. Please read Phil Nusbaum’s column in this issue, as he has more to say about the Fundraiser. We could use some help coming up with a new name for “the Fundraiser.” Last year it was called the Two to Ten; before that it was Jed Fest and the 12 to 12. Please submit ideas to me at president@minnesotabluegrass.org. In addition, plans are well underway for the 2018 Winter Bluegrass Weekend (WBW) which as always will be held the first weekend in March at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Plymouth. Matt Johnson, Event Manager, Jana Metge, WBW Committee Chair, and the rest of the committee have met a number of times, gearing up for that exciting event. I’m jazzed about what I know so far. The Freight Hoppers, a stellar Old Time band, will be the headliners in the Dance Parlor, and the Grascals will be holding court in the auditorium for the Saturday night concerts. If you haven’t seen the Grascals you are in for a treat; if you have, you know what I’m talking about. If you celebrate the holidays, consider giving the gift of music. Many of our talented member bands have recordings. You can find links to their websites through our minnesotabluegrass.org website under the member band drop down. Tickets to concerts or festivals, musical instruments, and music lessons are other options. Marv Menzel of the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor has a wonderful article in this magazine about Jim Whitney. I had the great honor of presenting him with MBOTMA’s Tom O’ Neill Lifetime Achievement Award. Despite his serious and chronic health issues, Jim has been amazingly generous and a wonderful and positive friend to many. Attending Jim’s celebration reminded me that this music that moves us is only one part of the equation. Newcomers who attend festivals often comment on the sense of connectedness and community they observe. I continue to feel awed by it after all these years and find it wonderfully mysterious/magical. Jim is a powerful and joyful conduit of that connectedness and community. We love you, Jim. Laura Cooper

Become a Member The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is

Inside:

December 2017

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Grass Clippings Loretta Simonet Awarded State Arts Board Grant

Loretta Simonet has just been awarded the Arts Tour Minnesota Grant from the State Arts Board. Her duo, MBOTMA member band Curtis & Loretta, will present story-songs of real-life Minnesota unsung heroes, highlighting extraordinary strength in those among us. These songs are all from their latest CD, When There’s Good to Be Done. The duo will appear in 22 locations across greater Minnesota, from October 2018 through April 2019.

Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz Holiday Show Friday, December 15 Landmark Center St. Paul

icana holiday concert including special guests and songs from their EP Christmas Came Early, “a soul-healing collection of songs that put you in the spirit of the season” (Rift Magazine). The first formal duo project from the married songwriters, it was produced by Ben Cook-Feltz and recorded by Bob Burns of the Flamin’ Oh’s. The special collaboration features guest performances by their bandmates and friends, including Dan Gaarder (electric guitar), Andy Schuster (electric bass), Cole Mickelson (acoustic guitar), Eric Paulson (upright bass), Joe Olsen (drums), Sarah Morris (vocals) and Norah Rendell (Irish whistle). Ranging from rocking Americana tunes to haunting carols, the EP features lesser known holiday songs, including the African American spiritual “Go Where I Send Thee,” the Mother Banjo original “Christmas Came Early” and a vibey treatment of traditional Irish tune “The Wexford Carol.” The concert will be preceded by a cocktail hour with light snacks and a chance to meet the artists and local DJs. F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, 75 W. 5th Street, St. Paul Cocktail Hour at 7 pm | Concert at 8 pm, Tickets & Info: www.landmarkcenter.org/landmarklive.html

Switched at Birth CD Release Party Sunday, December 3 Hook and Ladder Minneapolis

December 2017

Banjo Hour with Captain Gravitone Friday, January 5 Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis

The Banjo Hour with Captain Gravitone & the String Theory Orchestra is coming to the Cedar Cultural Center, January 5, 2018. The Banjo Hour is a vaudeville-style variety show, mixing music, magic, comedy and the adventures of Captain Gravitone, super-hero of the new millennia. The show features the music of Captain Gravitone & the String Theory Orchestra and music guest Pat Donohue (20 year veteran of Prairie Home Companion). The show is hosted by magician/comedian Michael Callahan, with announcer Ron Arsenault, and banjoists Phil Nusbaum, Tom Nechville and Gravitone’s Eli Hoehn…a wonderful mix of great music, banjos, pseudo-physics, super-heroes and circus themes. 5

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center is proud to present a special holiday show to finish up this year’s Landmark Live concert series at their 230-seat F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. Sponsored by KFAI Radio and the Minnesota Music Coalition, it will feature Minneapolis-based musicians Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz as they team up for an Amer-

This past year Switched at Birth recorded a new album, Labor of Love, and they will be having a CD Release Party at the Hook and Ladder. Join them on Sunday, December 3rd from 4 to 8 P.M. at the Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. So, Minneapolis. They will be joined by Cousin Dad for an afternoon and early evening show of original and classic American roots music.

MBOTMA’s Annual Fund Raiser, January 28, 2018 Bluegrass in Minnesota in January--Yikes By Phil Nusbaum This is an article promoting a bluegrass event taking place in the month of January in the state of Minnesota, MBOTMA’s Annual Fund Raiser Saying that, we have already lost some readers. “He’s off his rocker” some are saying, until they connect the dots between the writer and his serving on the MBOTMA Board of Directors. That realization brings a chorus of undisguised smirks and, “Hey, will somebody change the channel on the television, or find something good on Netflix?” Well. I have learned to anticipate opposition. Anybody who thinks you can’t have bluegrass in the state of Minnesota during the month of January should stick his head outside of the backyard igloo sometime. You’d learn that winter bluegrass has been done before in Our Town. Experience shows that bluegrass is good not only during months where you catch it standing under a shade tree, but also those when you position yourself to catch the draft from the furnace. Those same smirkers are wise guys that say the fourth week of January is a good time to set up the ice house on Lake Mille Lacs and hope a walleye swims into the hole.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Live Bluegrass is the Tonic for Your Midwinter Soul

On January 28, 2018, the last Sunday of our coldest month, you will likely feel like hunkering down. Resist! You have a reason to brave the frigid weather; you will feel warm all over because you get to hang out with your friends in bluegrass and support a great cause. Winter isolation is a bigger deal than many imagine. Everyone needs a bluegrass and social fix about the fourth week of January. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The MBOTMA Annual Fundraiser is what there is between November’s Harvest Jam and the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. Regardless of the number of channels that come over on your TV, if you are a bluegrass fan, you need this opportunity to be with like-minded people. 6

Now, if you want, you can use the Annual Fund Raiser as a concert experience. But if you want to hang out in a bluegrass environment and never get to the stage area that is also fine. That always means that you’re having too much fun otherwise. You’ll have the opportunity to jam, to bid on silent auction items, get a meal, a beverage, or just hang out with old friends and new ones that you meet. At a bluegrass occasion everybody is a bluegrass fan, so they all want to be your friend. MBOTMA events are very different from concerts at various venues; MBOTMA provides bluegrass cultural experiences.

The Lovely Venue

The 2018 Annual Fund Raiser takes place at Crooner’s, a beautiful club on MN-65, just north of Minneapolis (6161 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley). The club has parking a-plenty, but it is the inside of Crooner’s that is something to behold. Shortly after the club opened, bluegrass fans kept telling me that it was a really cool venue. Then, as part of my work

2018 MBOTMA Annual Fundraiser January 28 Crooner’s

6161 Hwy 65 - Fridley, MN

1-9pm

8 hrs Live Music Silent Auction Jamming

with KBEM-FM, I had the opportunity to see for myself as I got to interview some of the acts performing there. There is a lot of wood in the club, making it seem warm and inviting. However, the cool of the club comes not only from the beautiful surroundings, but from the vibe put out by Crooner’s management and staff. When you are inside, everybody is oriented towards making the musicians and the patrons comfortable. It is truly a spot that provides an oasis in the middle of whatever, including a Minnesota winter. But just because it is a nice place, the type the Chamber of Commerce would approve of, it is no shirt-andtie spot. Crooners is Minnesota casual, which can include everything from your ice house duds to what you picked up someplace at whatever Mall. That’s good for me because “comfortable” is all that is in my clothes closet.

A Great Cause and a Good Time

There will be a roster of great bluegrass and old-time bands, all donating their time. The musicians do it because they recognize the important work of MBOTMA, including presenting bluegrass and oldtime music performances, providing opportunities for our local bands, and promoting bluegrass through educational opportunities. Most importantly, MBOTMA creates events for fans and players to get together. You can of course donate to MBOTMA via www. minnesotgabluegrass.org at any time, but it is a lot more fun supporting MBOTMA by coming out of hibernation and attending the fundraiser with eight hours of continuous musical performances, jamming and other activities along with the run of a beautiful space. MBOTMA receives significant financial support from the $15 suggested donation and the silent auction. All I can say is, “See you there.” December 2017

All’s Fair in Love & Bluegrass By Nic Hentges

December 2017

away, because you’re entering into crack territory.” As we travel between home, jobs, and gigs, it can be challenging to maintain a safe environment for our instruments. I have on more than one occasion left a guitar or mandolin in a cold car against my better judgment. If you encounter this scenario, make sure to let the instrument return to room temperature in its case, as sudden changes in temperature and humidity are very hard on instruments and their finish. Our main defense lies in maintaining temperature and humidity. Josh says a healthy range for humidity is 40% 60%, and you can achieve this through humidifying an entire space, using the various products sold at your local music shop, or even a small piece of damp sponge in a ziplock bag with holes placed inside your case. Use a hygrometer to measure moisture levels and adjust accordingly. As a rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t be comfortable, neither will your instrument. If you avoid exposure to drafty rooms, fireplaces, attics, and other extreme environments, all the while keeping an eye on humidity, we may just find you at the next festival with happy, healthy instruments. If you want to learn more about Josh and his work, visit www. jrieck.com Yours in love and bluegrass.

LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

We are now well into fall, and in addition to preparing our homes and ourselves for the cool weather, we also need to be prepared to care for our instruments. I talked to my friend Josh Rieck from J. Rieck Lutherie in Sioux Falls, SD, who specializes in guitar and violin family care about the risks associated with winter and how we can avoid damaging our beautiful musical partners. When it comes to the cooling weather he says “things start to dry out which isn’t bad, to a point. Summers get so humid up here that instruments can get very swollen, making action higher and causing various adjustments to need to be made. We think a lot about humidifying things in the winter here, but to really keep your instrument at its best, you should also be dehumidifying in the summer. That said, fall is fairly kind to instruments, assuming you don’t let things get too dry. The main thing to be concerned about with the cooling weather is humidity levels. Humidity is relative to temperature, with warmer air being able to hold more moisture than cold air. In the winter, even if the humidity level outside is 50%, once you warm up your house, the relative humidity inside will drop considerably. Dry air will dry out the instrument, which can cause cracks, sharp fret ends, and any number of other issues depending on what instrument we are talking about. Violin family instruments can develop top cracks, or worse, the dreaded sound post crack. Violins have an advantage over guitars in that the top is lightly glued to the ribs, so if the top starts to shrink you will, in many cases, just pop a seam open. This is a good thing, it saves you from a top crack and a big repair bill. Since guitars are affixed much more firmly to the rim, you’ll see them start to distort a bit, often sinking around the sound hole, and the top will start to look like a Ruffles potato chip with lots of texture following the grain. If you see those signs, you need to get some humidity going right

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SWITCHED AT BIRTH • LABOR OF LOVE

CD Release Party!

Sunday, December 3, 2017, 4-8pm

With Special Guests, Cousin Dad!

Hook & Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Mpls. http://thehookmpls.com/ Advance tickets $7, or $10 at the door. https://fanlink.to/LaborLove

“Learning how to express who you are on your chosen instrument is a life-long challenge and ultimately the most satisfying thing you could do for yourself and for those around you. I truly believe this with all my heart. I can think of nothing better than to share my musical knowledge and experience with others who are struggling with their own journeys of self -expression through music. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Nothing tickles me more than to see that light bulb go on above my student’s head.”

December 2017

Volunteer Spotlight: Earl Jarosh By Joe Hallman

December 2017

Beginning with the June festival, Earl has chosen to hand over his responsibilities to Doug Chasar, another volunteer who has spent an incredible amount of time keeping the open stage running on schedule, monitoring the performances, getting people up and down on time etc. I know Doug will do a great job because he is so damn good at it. Good luck Doug! When I last spoke to Earl, he was with his wife. He said to me “I want to spend more time with this beautiful person.” My response: “I know what you mean Earl. I am fortunate enough to live with one too.” Many thanks Earl Jarosh! Dr. Joseph Hallman, aka, JOE AND FRIENDS.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

A Thanks to Earl Jarosh. For those who don’t know Earl, he has been the brains and effort behind the open mic sessions at our various festivals over the years, organizing via a website that he constructed for MBOTMA. When he began doing this several years ago, he had to, in his words, “twist arms” to fill the various 25-30 minute openings. For this last festival in August, all the openings filled within 48 hours, a great success story! My appreciation started from the beginning when Gary Stacken and I spontaneously began a brainstorm group, “JOE, GARY, AND FRIENDS.” Our idea was to encourage people with stage fright (which we all have to some degree or another) to come out of themselves on stage. My motivation was that of a teacher: if people perform in public before their peers, they will learn far more than playing and singing alone or with their friends, who are usually not critical listeners. They will get a clear sense of how good or bad they are in front of an anonymous audience. I had to learn this in my profession as a professor of theology. Like all disciplines, perhaps more than most, it is highly argumentative. By giving several papers at conferences all around the world, I was able to receive open criticism without which no one improves – and that for me is the key, not only whatever excellence one can attain in professional life and music, but constant improvement. I have kept this idea alive through the years under “JOE AND FRIENDS.” Personally, I have improved thanks to these experiences both as a singer and guitar picker. I have been a MBOTMA member for the past 15 years, starting literally from scratch with the guitar. Aside from a few, very few, snide remarks along the way, members of MBOTMA have always been helpful, supportive, and friendly, a real treasure for one who has no real roots anywhere in our country, but many connections in many places including Minnesota.

Jim Whitney receives MBOTMA’s Tom O’Neill “Lifetime of Service” Award by Marv Menzel

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

May I have the envelope please? was sealed the summer he attended the tening to KFAI and KBEM to be pleasant And the winner is – James Whitney! MBOTMA festival and found himself diversions. The winner of the Tom O’Neill ‘Lifecamping next to Debbie Boeh and across His first encounter with MBOTMA time of Service” award, that is. And it the road from The Fishheads. He had occurred when, on a visit to The Pickin’ could not have been more deserved. found a musical home. He was an incesParlor, he was told about an upcoming Jim Whitney sant volunteer and has been an amazcould be found puting supporter of ting up signs with folk music in the Larry Seldon at the Upper Midwest for Summer Festivals, many years. And to volunteering in a MBOTMA’s credit, number of ways at it was the first orother MBOTMA ganization to recevents, and becomognize his contribuing a board memtions in a significant ber. way. Jim has been a Jim first arhuge financial suprived in the Twin porter of folk muCities from his adsic throughout his opted Colorado in time in Minnesota. 1991. The dates Recipients of his mentioned in this largess have been article have been the Cedar Cultural dredged from two Center, The Laughsenior minds, Jim’s ing Waters BlueMBOTMA President, Laura Cooper, presenting the award to Jim and mine. Any grass Festival, the Photo by Rick Anderson variations between Great Minnesota the dates given and Ukulele Gathering reality may be kept to yourself. He was (GMUG) and, of course, MBOTMA. He festival. He was intrigued by the Russian sporting a newly minted Masters degree feels “fortunate in having the ability to band Kukuruza who was to appear at in computer science, having given up his support the music and the musicians he the event;. He remembers them playing veterinarian practice due to the ravages loves.” He has underwritten appearanc“Johnny Be Good,” and assumed that it of multiple sclerosis. The closest he had es by Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands was probably bluegrass to their classically

Jim Whitney has been an amazing supporter of folk music in the Upper Midwest for many years. come to bluegrass or folk music prior to that date was being a fan of Emmy Lou Harris. In reaching out to find recreation and interesting people, Jim soon found the Cedar Cultural Center and The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor, both of which he visited frequently. He also found lis10

trained lead singer. Jim took in a couple of showcases at the same event, but it was not love at first sight. He did decide to expand his knowledge of bluegrass music and used the BGRASS-L list server to that end. His fate within the bluegrass community

when they have appeared at MBOTMA or Laughing Waters, and he had a hand in bringing The Nashville Bluegrass Band to Minnesota for the most recent Laughing Waters event. He has been a long time supporter of the Cedar Cultural Center and has sponsored many ukulele cliniDecember 2017

December 2017

ARMADILLO SOUND & DESIGN Minneapolis, MN

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cians who have appeared at GMUG. To call him a supporter is an understatement. Prior to the MS and the prostate cancer which was diagnosed in 2003 or 2004, Jim’s only musical instrument had been the piano of his youth. He was content to be a grinner and not a picker until the ukulele entered his life about ten years ago. On a visit to the Pickin’ Parlor, he mentioned his interest in playing an instrument to Bruce Johnson. Bruce steered him to the ukulele. Jim bought an inexpensive one and spent some time exploring the internet and came to the realization that it was possible he could become a uke player. A year after his discovery, he began attending jams and enjoyed calling out and playing tunes. As his health deteriorated, he was content with calling the tunes and letting someone else play lead. He enjoyed hearing the ukulele played well as much as he enjoyed playing it himself. Since that time, Jim has been a collector and disseminator of ukuleles. He has given away dozens of them to enthusiastic ukulele followers. His being an avid devotee of ukuleles played a big role in the actual presentation of his Tom O’Neill award. Tony Anthonisen and Sandy Pidel have been close associates of Jim’s in his ukulele adventures. On October 21st, the day of the award presentation, they had told Jim there was to be a ukulele jam session at the VA and a bunch of uke players would be showing up to jam with him – a ‘Jim Jam’ if you will. Jim’s sister Wendy and nieces Erica, Diana and Meghan, from Colorado and Nevada, were also in attendance. A good time was had by all with Jim thoroughly enjoying the jam session. Dozens were in attendance, a dozen or more of whom had been given their ukuleles by Jim. In Jim’s words, “I saw quite a few ‘cool’ people in attendance and was wondering what was going on. When MBOTMA president, Laura Cooper, came forward to present the award, I had to fight back tears.” Most in attendance could not fight them back and there were an abundance of wet eyes throughout the gathering.

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Creek House by Loretta Simonet

Sweat poured down his face, making trails through the dust, getting caught in his face mask. It was a hot day last July when Glenn Elvig rented the 85 pound jackhammer and started destroying the concrete fireplace in his living room. Even with an industrial fan turned on high, the heat and dust were unbearable, but he was determined to finish the job. Why would a Minnesotan get rid of a nice big fireplace? So he could add more seats to his house concert venue, of course! Glenn, a professional high end woodworker and a musician himself, started Creek House Concerts, in New Brighton, in 2010. From humble beginnings, starting with his friends as the audience, the shows often sell out now. Acoustic Guitar Magazine dubbed it the “Cadillac of House Concerts.” I met Glenn Elvig in the 1970s when we were both students at Stillwater High School, working on the Pony Express student newspaper. We both remember singing and playing guitar in the annual high school Talent Show too. What was the inspiration for Creek House Concerts? Glenn told me, “I first was inspired by going out to a club in Minneapolis to see Lonnie Knight, and there were just eight of us in the crowd, because we had all called each other. I’m guessing he made a little...as little as can be. And I thought, ‘We can do better than

The Cadillac of House ConcertsS

Bill Staines onstage at Creek House blues, and old-time, including MBOTMA members Pop Wagner and Bob Bovee. He presents about 18 concerts a year, typically taking the summer off. Curtis and I have played at many house concerts across the U.S., but we can testify that there is no place like Creek House. Seating 100 plus, Glenn’s expansive living room features a raised stage with professional sound and lights. He also video-tapes each show.

working, and there were shows where I made great money, but there were often shows where I didn’t make a dime. That’s been a primary driver, to make sure the artists get paid, because they are artists. They’ve worked their tails off to produce something that is worth paying for.” After the very first show with his friends in attendance, word of mouth took over, and friends of friends, then their friends started coming. Why? First

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

“There’s no presenter that comes close to Glenn.” - David Mallet that.’ I thought this man was such a wonderful artist; he should be recognized as such.” The first concert Glenn presented was Chicago singer-songwriter Michael Smith (“The Dutchman,” “Spoon River”). The second was Jon Vezer (“Where’ve You Been,” a big hit for his wife, Kathy Mattea). Soon Lonnie Knight appeared onstage (Lonnie passed away this past May). Most often Glenn books singer/songwriters, though he’s also had country, acoustic 12

On September 23, Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett took the stage. The entire audience joined in, singing, “Inch by inch, Row by row, Gonna make my garden grow...” on “The Garden Song,” the folk standard he penned. David says, “There’s no presenter that comes close to Glenn.” One performer after another echoes that sentiment. Glenn sheds light on why he wants to take such good care of his musicians; “I was on the road for 25 years as a craft artist, doing wood-

off, the musicians are world class, and it is a consummate listening room. Beyond that, Creek House has become a community. It’s Glenn’s living room, where everyone feels welcome. I always see other musicians and music lovers I know in the audience. On October 29, the legendary Bill Staines, who plays guitar left-handed and upside down, filled the house, with the whole audience joining in on his folk “hits,” like “Roseville Fair,” “My Sweet December 2017

Glenn joined David Mallet onstage

December 2017

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

he’s still at it, setting out food and helping Wyoming Home,” and “River.” with clean-up afterwards. Glenn usually opens each show. As home imHe told me that was a provements tend secondary inspiration to do, the fireplace to start the series. “I saga ended up taking thought, here’s a chance longer than expectfor me to practice and ed. After jackhamget a little stage time in, mering, having high and play music with peoschool boys carry ple, but it’s become much out 50 pound pieces more than that.” of concrete impaled Besides booking the with rebar, re-doing concerts, he often picks the floor, and cleanup musicians at the airing up, it turned into port, and puts them up. a month-long job. He starts getting the But Glenn said with a house ready the day begrin, “I added 16 seats fore a show, cleaning to the house!” bathrooms, vacuuming, Up next at Creek and buying and preparMBOTMA’s own Doug House: ing food (he puts out a Chasar puts chairs away Dec 9 - The Don delicious spread, plus after David Mallet concert. Juans (Don Henry audience members bring and Jon Vezner) munchies too), and setDec 31 - Mike Dowling and Randy ting up chairs. He’s also got volunteers, Sabien including MBOTMA member Doug More info at www.creekhouseconChasar. Asked how he found out about Creek House, he told me MBOTMA certs.com. For reservations and directions, contact Glenn at 651-633-6363 or member Roger McBride told him about it. glenn@elvig.com Doug said, “I’m pathologically early.” He Loretta Simonet, of MBOTMA band showed up before anyone else that first member Curtis & Loretta, has been the edtime, found the door open, and asked if itor of the Coming Up section since 1988. he could help. One hundred shows later, 13

Cover Story:

Preserving A Norwegian Treasure Ronald Poast

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

by Carol Watson

Almost 400 years have come and gone since the first Hardanger fiddle was created in a small village near the Hardanger fjord in south-central Norway. The Hardanger (in Norwegian, hardingfele) is a stringed instrument, similar to a violin, used to play the traditional music of Norway. Unlike the violin, which has four strings, Hardanger fiddles have eight or nine strings and are constructed of much thinner wood. The top four strings are strung and played like a violin, while the bottom four understrings resonate under the influence of the top four, providing a haunting, almost echo-like sound. Traditionally used for dancing at such events as weddings and other family gatherings, the Hardanger fiddle is often accompanied by loud and rhythmic foot-stomping. While many cultural traditions of American immigrants are left behind or simply forgotten over the course of generations, the proud tradition of the Hardanger fiddle is kept alive by Black Earth, Wisconsin resident Ron Poast. Born in rural southwestern Wisconsin, to first-generation Norwegian immigrants, Poast’s early years were filled with the sound of music. “My father and both my grandfathers played the violin, my uncle played the dobro, and my mother played just about anything she could get her hands on,” says Poast. “Music was the central part of our family life.” In the days before computers and television were ubiquitous, the playing of music served not only as entertainment but also a way to remain connected to 14

neighbors and friends, many of whom lived far from the Poast family’s two-hundred-acre farm. “On weekends, we would bring our instruments to our neighbors’ homes, play music and dance,” says Poast. “It was lively entertainment as well as a way for people to catch up on each other’s lives.” By age twelve Poast had taught himself the guitar, and in his late teens he

decided to teach himself the banjo. Eventually he purchased a used one in the nearby city of Madison. “Despite all my efforts to play that old instrument, it never had a good sound, and [so] I decided to try and make a better one,” he says. “I had always liked working with my hands, and I was able to put together a pretty decent-sounding instrument. Pretty soon I

was building banjos for all my friends.” Initially his interest in instrument building was limited to banjos and guitars, which Poast built for friends and family alike. Then he learned about the Hardanger fiddle. “One day my mother told me about a ‘very fancy violin’ my Uncle john had owned called a hardangerfele, the national instrument of Norway,” says Poast. “Because of my Norwegian heritage, I was anxious to take a look at it, but my uncle had been forced to sell it during the depression. Sadly, a lot of family heirlooms were lost during those years,” he adds. A few weeks later, however, Poast was visiting the town of Mt. Horeb when he saw two very fancy looking violins in a storefront window; he knew immediately what they were. “When I saw the intricate scrollwork and the pearl inlay, I knew they were the fiddles my mother had told me about,” says Poast. “I couldn’t afford to buy one, but during a visit to the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, I saw several on display . . . The museum allowed me to take pictures and measure each fiddle, and, as soon as I got home, I started building my first Hardanger. I’ve built over seventy since then.” The body of a Hardanger is made with curly and bird’s-eye maple on the back and sides, while spruce is used for the top. Poast notes how he can find most of the wood he needs in the Black Earth area. “I used to go out and harvest trees myself after searching for just the right wood,” he says, adding that “the wood has December 2017

to dry for several years before the tops and backs can be cut.” After the wood has dried, Poast cuts and shapes the fiddle’s body and adds the traditional artwork, including floral images drawn on the top, back, and sides of the fiddle, and a carving of a lion or dragon’s head on the scroll (where the tuning pegs meet the strings). “I use a technical pen filled with India ink to draw the floral designs,” he says. “The process is called rosing, and the designs have been handed down for generations.” The carved dragonhead scroll is from Norwegian mythology, and although minor variations in the artwork are acceptable, I am always careful to stay within the realm of tradition.” In addition to the traditional draw-

Ronald Poast - Photo by Carole Watson

“If the craft and tradition aren’t passed on, one day it will all be gone. My ultimate goal is to ensure that never happens.”

December 2017

- and he will not hurry his work despite a backlog of orders. “It takes over 200 hours to complete a Hardanger, including over two months just for the glue and finish to dry,” he says. “While I do try to make parts such as fingerboards or tops and

backs ahead of time, the lead time is still between five and six years.” In addition to becoming a master luthier, Poast has also mastered the difficult task of playing the Hardanger fiddle. For the last twenty-five years, he has been a

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

ings and carvings, each fiddle is embellished with abalone and mother-of-pearl. “I inlay mother-ofpearl into the fingerboard and the tailpiece, and sometimes around the top and bottom of the body,” says Poast. “While I can get mother-ofpearl out of the Mississippi river, I prefer to import it from Australia and New Zealand, as it is usually a better quality.” The fiddle body is finished with bits of ebony which Poast imports from Africa and Sri Lanka. The final feature of a Hardanger, the one that distinguishes it from all other violins, is the set of five understrings. Placed beneath the fingerboard, the understrings stretch from the tailpiece to the tuners, giving the instrument a total of nine strings. “The second set of strings beneath the fingerboard are not played but are placed there to enhance the sound,” says Poast. “You still play on the top four strings with the understrings adding an echoing overtone. It creates a beautifully clear sound.” Poast views each Hardanger fiddle he crafts as an individual work of art - requiring his total commitment and focus

member of the Southern Wisconsin Old Time Fiddlers’ Association (swotfa.com). Members of SWOTFA can be found playing at venues throughout southern Wisconsin, including the St. Mary’s Care Center in Madison and the Folklore Village in Dodgeville (a complete schedule of performances and events can be found online at folklorevillage.org). Poast also hosts a monthly music jam the second Friday of each month at the Black Earth State Bank. Over the years, Poast has taught his craft at cultural exchange programs from Japan to Washington, and, in 1992, Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson nominated him for a National Living

Ronald Poast Treasure Award. The art world took notice, and in 2003, he was presented with a prestigious National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship Award, joining the ranks of previous Heritage fellows Doc Watson, Michael Flatley and B.B. King. Poast’s reaction to receiving the honor is typically modest. “I was quite surprised to receive the honor, and do feel a responsibility to teach the younger people how to build these instruments and how to play them,” he says. “If the craft and tradition aren’t passed on, one day it will all be gone. My ultimate goal is to ensure that never happens.”

The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association presents...

The Grass Seeds Music Academy 2018 faculty featuring the members of

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

THE HIGH 48s plus Chris Silver and Hannah Kalisch

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 2-4 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. Registration fee is $85 and includes admission to the festival. For more information contact eric@thehigh48s.com - 651-271-4392 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To register: http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/register-for-grass-seeds.html or call MBOTMA at 651-456-8919 or info@minnesotabluegrass.org 16

December 2017

“Just when you think it can’t get no better, then it does.”

John Hartford

John Hugelen Cajun Music Scholarship

Sends aspiring Midwestern Cajun musicians to music camps at Folklore Village (WI) - March 23-25 Balfa Heritage Week (LA) - April 21-26 Augusta Heritage Center (WV) July 29-August 3 Application Deadline: January 31, 2018 For application and/or info: johnhugelencajunscholarship.org Email: cajunmusicscholarship@earthlink.net

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

December 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.

December 2017

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Roll on Buddy by Wayne Erbsen

While doing some research on one of the songs for my book Bluegrass Jamming on Mandolin, I uncovered some interesting things about the song “Roll On Buddy,” which is considered a bluegrass standard as recorded by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. On May 17, 1924 Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters recorded “Baby Your Time Ain’t Long” with Charlie Bowman on fiddle. Four years later, Charlie Bowman & His Brothers used this exact same melody on a song they called “Roll On Buddy.” Although usually thought to be a traditional song, “Roll on Buddy” was apparently composed by Charlie Bowman for their recording on October 16, 1928. The first line of the song has consistently confused the many people who have recorded and sung it over the years. This line is usually sung as: “I’m going to that east pay road.” Researcher Bill Cox managed to get his hands on a copy of Charlie Bowman’s original handwritten lyrics to the song. What Charlie actually sang was “I’m going to that east Cairo.” Cairo referred to a town in southern Illinois at the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Now that we have the lyrics cleared

Roll on buddy, roll on, Roll on buddy, roll on. You wouldn’t roll so slow if you knew what I know, So roll on buddy, roll on. I’m going to that east Cairo, I’m going to that east Cairo. I’m going to the east I’m going to the west, I’m going to the land that I love best. (Chorus) You better quit your rowdy ways, You better quit your rowdy ways. If you don’t quit your ways it’ll lay you in the grave, You better quit your rowdy ways. (Chorus) My home’s down in Tennessee, My home’s down in Tennessee. In Tennessee is where I always want to be, Way down in sunny Tennessee. (Chorus) I’ve got a good woman just the same, I’ve got a good woman just the same, My woman just the same Fanny Bowman is her name

up, let’s play it on the mandolin or the fiddle. Below you’ll find both musical notation and a new kind of tab that I invented for my book, Bluegrass Jamming on Mandolin. Instead of using numbers to represent the frets, I use the name of the

note on the string that it is played on. For me, at least, this kind of tab makes sense, because mandolin players and fiddlers need to know the names of their notes in order to play their instrument by ear without being addicted to tab. Wayne Erbsen has specialized in teaching total beginners to play the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele and guitar for over fifty years. Check out his many easy instruction and song books at www. nativeground.com

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

December 2017

www.elderly.com

Since 1972

Your home for New & Vintage Open Back Banjos and Accessories 888-473-5810

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

(toll-free in USA)

December 2017

MBOTMA Member Bands Bluegrass Bands

High Plains Jamboree

Sawtooth Brothers

The Gentlemen’s AntiTemperance League

Highview

The Seldom Herd

anti.temperance.league@gmail.com

Jerome Knopik, 651-208-5565 jerryknopicks01@gmail.com

Bob Andrewson, 715-891-2645 splitshot@yahoo.com

Alternate Route

The Alzen Family Brad Alzen, 715-749-3977

Brennen Leigh, 512-507-8435 brennenleigh@icloud.com

Tom & Jed

Jed Malischke jmalisch@centurytel.net

Art Stevenson & Highwater

King Wilkie’s Dream

Assisted Picking

King’s Countrymen

Biscuit Boys

Long Time Gone

Art Stevenson, 715-884-6996 artstevenson@hotmail.com Jon Garon, 612-839-2277 jon@myfavoriteguitars.com Daniel Fish, 763-434-2734 nowandthencountry@gmail.com

Blue Groove

David Smith, 952-974-5121 bluegroovebluegrass@gmail.com

Blue Hazard

Hannah Johnson, 651-500-0747 info@bluehazardband.com

Blue Wolf Duo

Shirley Mauch, 612-724-1482 samauch@worldnet.att.net

Borderstone

Ryan Morgan, 715-781-2989 info@borderstonetheband.com

Broken Heartland String Band

Wilson Goss, 310-310-4198 brokenheartlandstringband@ gmail.co

Buffalo River Ramblers

Marty Solmon, 218-850-8715 mmsolmon@arvig.net

Carver Creek Bluegrass

Julie Monsen, 952-466-2089 carvercreekbluegrass@gmail.com

Chuck Lahr

& The Purdy River Band Chuck Lahr, 563-929-0771 chucklahrmusic@gmail.com

Crow River Junction Tom Gustafson, 320-212-9163 tagus@frontiernet.net

Def Lester

Lincoln Potter, 651-483-0469 potter@umn.edu

Dick Kimmel & Co

Dick Kimmel, 507-359-1163 kimmel@newulmtel.net

The Good Intentions Grass Run Band

Annie Rude, 319-230-7403 annierude@aol.com

Halvorson Family Band

Loren Halvorson, 507-345-7431 loren@birchcovesoftware.com

Hand Picked Bluegrass

Joe Cronick, 715-966-6463

handpickedbluegrass@charter.net

December 2017

Lorn Schultz, 715-495-5275 schultzfam92@yahoo.com

Ben Manning, 651-448-8216 mndawg@gmail.com

The Lost Tracks

David Tousley, 612-788-2995 dtousley@gmail.com

Mahlstedt Family

Isaiah Mahlstedt, 320-583-2255 isaiah@procaremn,com

Mark Kreitzer Band Mark Kreitzer, 612-724-7334 mark@markkreitzer.com

The Middle Spunk Creek Boys

Alan Jesperson, 612-727-2489 alanjesp@gmail.com

Monroe Crossing

Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349 art@monroecrossing.com

No Man’s String Band Nic Hentges, 612-387-0196 nihentges@gmail.com

Noah John & Ringing Iron

Noah John Klingeisen, 920-229-5283 noahjohnklingseisen@gmail.com

Olive Sings

Kayla Zoltak, 715-296-0998 olivesingsmusic@gmail.com

Ophoven Family Band Molli Ophoven, 218-327-2058 jmophoven@q.com

The Platte Valley Boys Ron Colby, 651-458-0804 roncolby@comcast.net

Porcupine Creek

Sarah Birkeland, 218-624-1781 arahsay328@gmail.com

Prairiegrass

Bonnie Hallett, 701-429-1666 bkhallett@yahoo.com

Pride of the Prairie Bill Cagley, 651-636-9542 bcagley@comcast.net

Rainbolt Mountain Project

David Kuenstler, 763-268-9291 orthotree1@hotmail.com

Riverside Bog Stompers

David Darnell, 218-260-6546 davestreetrod@hotmail.com

Sarah Mae & The Birkeland Boys Wendy Birkeland, 218-624-1781 arahsay328@gmail.com

Gary Cobus, 612-859-9013 garycobi@charter.net

Timbre Junction

Karen Radford, 612-623-0261 KarenJRadford@eaton.com

Tony Rook Band

Tony Rook, 612-669-3511 tonyrook57@gmail.com

Trackside

David Anderson, 952-474-0981 renee_ballroom2@yahoo.com

The Woodpicks

Joel Kezar, 218-681-2148 kezarmusic@mncable.net

Daniel Rosen, 218-464-2887

Georgia Rae Band

Ronilyn Mussared, 815-675-2554 mussared@mchsi.com

Tom Draughon, 715-682-9362 tom@heartistry.com

Hole in the Bucket

John Trelstad, 701-212-0015 jdtrelstad@aol.com

Mark Rubbert, 612-387-8189 mjrubbert@gmail.com

John Wenstrom, 651-500-0671 wenstrom11@yahoo.com

Karen Mueller & Friends

Mary DuShane, 612-715-5090 marydushane@gmail.com

Benji Flaming

Benji Flaming, 612-326-6521 mbotma@benjiflaming.com

Bernie King & The Guilty Pleasures Bernie King, 763-242-6943 bkandthegps@gmail.com

Bill & Kate Isles

Bill Isles, 218-340-4404 bill@billandkateisles.com

Blessings Gospel Trio Timothy Johnson, 763-464-3481 timkarin@comcast.net

The Common Ground Company Jordan Wadkins II,605-237-6178 jorgen.wadkins@gmail.com

Cousin Dad

John Soderberg, 612-441-7382 john.soderberg@gmail.com

Curtis & Loretta

Loretta Simonet, 612-781-9537 loretta@curtisandloretta.com

Don D Harvey & the Ultrasonic Duo

Switched At Birth

The Hacklewrappers

Vicki Andersen, 952-457-7672 glorylandgb@gmail.com

Barb Carlson, 763-784-7881 Blinkbug@aol.com

Brian Wicklund, 651-402-5435 brian@fiddlepal.com

Roger Cuthbertson rojo@visi.com

Rick Anderson, 651-230-2431 ricktune56@gmail.com

Karen Mueller, 612-270-4740 karen@karenmueller.com

The Barley Jacks With Brian Wicklund

String Beans, Chick Pea & Garbonzo

Gloryland Gospel Band

Related Bands Barb & Gary

Steven Howard, 952-595-9819 hsteven02617@gmail.com

Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan Mother Banjo

Ellen Stanley, 612-281-12364 motherbanjo@gmail.com

New Riverside Ramblers

Karen Kleinspehn, 612-724-4687 info@newriversideramblers.com

Now and Then

Daniel Fish, 763-786-2524 nowandthencountry@gmail.com

One Ukulele

Aaron Lockridge, 612-670-3941 alockridge@gmail.com

True Grass

Tucker’d Out

Old-Time Bands A Time to Dance

Terrence Smith, 218-728-1438

Bob & Lynn Dixon Lynn Dixon, 612-377-6819 lmdixon45@gmail.com

Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner

Bob Bovee, 507-498-5452 bobbovee46@gmail.com

The Bootlickers

Irina Rossi, rinarossi@gmail.com

The Broadfork String Band

Aaaron Murray, 612-816-0646 aaron.murry@zieglercat.com

Dick Kimmel & Pam Longtine

Dick Kimmel kimmel@newulmtel.net

Pants on a Chair

The Eelpout Stringers

Pert’ Near Sandstone

Four Mile Portage

Dewy Roy Hucklenut wenstrom11@yahoo.com

Pat May, 612-998-8647 patmay@crossovertouring.com

Pushing Chain

Boyd Blomberg, 218-370-0910 boyd@pushingchain.com

The Radio Wranglers

Karl Burke, 651-784-7323 bltfolk@aol.com

Tom Maloney, 18-464-3808 fourmileportage@gmail.com

The Gritpickers

Rob Daves, 612-822-0085 gritpickers@gmail.com

Poor Benny

Blaine McQuinn, 608-728-2455 blaine.mcquinn@gmail.com

David Furniss, 651-699-0557 dfurniss50@gmail.com

Rosby Corner

The Roe Family Singers

Jeanne Marti, 763-559-7552 romarti3@aol.com

S R Dugan

Donald Harvey, 608-781-3456 dondharvey@centurytel.net

Shawn Dugan, 952-737-7705 srdugan@gmail.com

Thomas Peschges, 612-232-5292 tompeschges@gmail.com

Holle Brian, 612-822-6593 holleb@aol.com

Quillan Roe, 612-599-0266 pappyroe@yahoo.com

Rush River Ramblers Eric Hatling, 715-772-4421 ehatling@gmail.com

Double Down Daredevils

Scrapegoat Skin & Bones

Due North

Sherry Minnick & Jackson Buxton

Tickwood String Band

Sloughgrass

Wild Goose Chase Cloggers

Louise Wiermaa, 218-721-5250 lew3355@hotmail.com

The Fish Heads

Kim Curtis-Monson, 218-8315181 - KMonson802@aol.com

The Flemming Fold

Sandra Flemming, 952-758-7522 troynsandra@hotmail.com

Gated Community

Sumath Gopinath, 612-332-2006 thegatedcommunity@gmail.com

Sherry Minnick, 651-644-8682 minnicksherry@gmail.com Soren Olesen, 218-634-2800 sloughgrass@gmail.com

Spiritwood Homesteaders Linda Schwartz, 701-659-3154 lspollanthra@gmail.com

Steven Earl Howard Hillbilly Music

St. Paul Mudsteppers Michael Sawyer, 651-698-7520 unarnedjounal@hotmail.com

Doug Wells, 218-736-4469 betsyanddougwells@gmail.com

Jim Brooks, 612-419-4576 brooks@csp.edu

Wink The Other Eye

David Gourhan, 651-674-8668 dgourh@aol.com

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Chris Silver, 651.491.4013 chrissilverband@gmail.com

Robbi Podrug, 612-562-8402 booking@kwdream.com

MJ Moravec, 507-990-6456 info@sawtoothbrothers.com

Celebrate the holiday season with us! A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing Friday, December 1

7:30 p.m

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center 147 North Broadway

Albert Lea, MN

507-377-4371

Saturday, December 2

7:30 p.m.

Lakeville Area Arts Center 20965 Holyoke Avenue

Lakeville, MN

952-985-4640

Wednesday, December 6

2:00 & 7:30 p.m.

Le Musique Room 4300 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Day Avenue

St. Michael, MN

612-314-9199

Saturday, December 9

7:30 p.m.

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 800 Waconia Parkway North

Waconia, MN

952-442-2101

Thursday, December 14

7:00 p.m.

Chisholm Baptist Church 901 6th Street SW

Chisholm, MN

Friday, December 15

7:00 p.m.

Backus Auditorium 900 Fifth Street

International Falls, MN

218-285-7225

Saturday, December 16

7:00 p.m.

Grace Covenant Church 3030 North Broadway

Fargo, ND

701-235-4622

Sunday, December 17

7:30 p.m.

Pioneer Place on Fifth 22 Fifth Avenue South

St. Cloud, MN

320-203-0331

Wednesday, December 20

7:30 p.m.

Bloomington Center for the Arts 1800 West Old Shakopee Road

Bloomington, MN

952-563-8575

Red Wing, MN

800-899-5759

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Ringing in the New Year in Red Wing Sunday, December 31

7:00 pm

The Sheldon Theatre 443 West Third Street

Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for the latest information on all of our concerts. Booking: Derek Johnson, 612-720-3746 or derek@monroecrossing.com

December 2017

Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum

The End of the Year It’s just the end of the twelfth month and the beginning of the first, but as we know, the season is so much more. We’ll be playing Christmas-related music from mid-December on, and that’ll be the main focus on Dec 23. Our last show of 2017 takes place on December 30. On that final show of the year, we will play the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards Ceremony recorded in Raleigh, NC in September 2017. Then, on the Bluegrass Review we’ll play highlights of 2017. Bluegrass music respects its own history and also encourages experimentation. We’ll hear great examples of both impulses on the December 30 show. I’d like to think too, that every broadcast features traditional and and progressive bluegrass and old-time approaches. Now let’s have a great 2017. The October Fund Drive It seems far in the rearview mirror now. It’s fun to be on the radio, selling the joys of bluegrass on non-commercial radio with friends. And thanks to Pete Lee and Joni Peterson for helping push the fund drive along through their appeals to listeners. When all was said and done, our little show raised about $13,000 through over-the-air appeals, plus an unspecified amount from KBEM sustainers and other means. I’d like to think that our fund drives are listenable, and I know they are necessary. But on-air fund drives are not the best thing we do. Programming is. Here’s a big thank-you to listeners who support bluegrass on the radio and who hang with us regardless. We’ll continue to supply an entertaining set of shows moving forward.

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) Weekly Playlists, Listen Online 1. PRX To locate Gems of Bluegrass and the Bluegrass Review online, type 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.

December 2017

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

After you start learning all about the mechanics of piloting a riverboat, you stop seeing all the pretty sunsets and you start thinking about the weather. -John Hartford

Don’t miss these future

MBOTMA Events

Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association The 39th Annual

A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance

March 2-4, 2018 Crowne Plaza Hotel I-494 & Hwy 55 in Minneapolis, MN

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Featuring

MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend is a Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Stringband Music & Dance. The Showcase of Bands features more than 50 groups on 2 stages all 3 days. The Saturday Night Headline Concert will feature: All at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, Minnesota (on the NW edge of Mpls). Call 763-5596600 for lodging and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.

The 26th Annual

June 1-3, 2018 El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St. Cloud, MN

A three day outdoor music and camping festival with stage shows by more than twenty regional performers of traditional bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Plus workshops, “Jam With The Bands,” the Gathering Place, and plenty of jam sessions. El Rancho Mañana is the largest campground in Minnesota and boasts horse back riding, a swimming beach, boating, fishing, showers, and other amenities. Join us for an intimate musical weekend with some of the friendliest folks you will ever meet!

The 39th Annual

Aug 9-12, 2018

El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St. Cloud, MN Four big days of top national and regional bluegrass and old-time stringband music on six separate stage venues. Over thirty hours of main stage concerts. Plus instrument showcases, nightly dances, over thirty workshops, kids activities, good food, and plenty of campground jam sessions. Come for the day or camp for the weekend. Come see why the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival has been nominated five times (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, & 2014) for the EVENT OF THE YEAR Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in Nashville.

For More Info: 651-456-8919 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org These festivals are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Call and ask to be on our mailing list.

December 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.

January 28, 2018 - Sunday MBOTMA’s 2018 Fundraiser Party: 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM,

Crooner’s, 6161 Hwy 65 - Fridley, MN. A celebration of all things MBOTMA featuring 8 bands and more. Plus silent auction, raffles, and lots of jam sessions. Suggested admission donation of $15 with all proceeds to benefit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). Food and beverages available. For more information call 651-456-8919 or visit www. MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

March 2-4, 2018 - Friday-Sunday The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass

& Old-Time Music & Dance, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth, MN (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 the Saturday Night Headline Concert and the Dance Hall. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. Early Bird Jam starts Thursday, March 1, at 6:30pm. For more information call 1-651-456-8919 or visit www. MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 or the nearby Residence Inn at 763-5771600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.

April 6-8, 2018 - Friday-Sunday Cabin Fever Festival: Duluth MN: Cabin Fever Festival,

Radisson Harborview Hotel (505 W Superior St). A weekend long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, old-time dances, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Performers TBA. Weekend tickets are $29 in advance ($26 for members). Day of show $15 Friday and $20 Saturday. Teens are half price and kids are free. For more information call 651456-8919 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).

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Contribute to Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine.

MBOTMA’s Website: www.minnesotabluegrass.org

December 2017

ATTENTION BLUEGRASS JAMMERS!

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Info and news about our events. Buy tickets on line Donate History Complete calendar of Festivals Magazine, read past issues Links to Member Bands

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

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, 888-2448368, 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, 651645-2647, 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, 507753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls,

612-729-4200, 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 December 2 Saturday

Wild Goose Chase Cloggers Holiday Show

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Eagles Club #34 2507 E. 25th St, Mpls Shows at 2pm and 5pm

11/27 – Monday

December 3 Sunday

Switched at Birth CD Release

with Cousin Dad Hook and Ladder 3010 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls 4pm

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Leo Kottke, Guthrie Theatre, Mpls, 7:30pm • John Gorka, Lips Atrium Charlton Bldg, 201 W Center St, Rochester, 12pm

December 20 Sunday

Monroe Crossing

Bloomington Center for The Arts 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington 7:30pm

• Zydeco Dance with JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt, EAG, 7:30pm

11/28 – Tuesday

• The Langer’s Ball, Haye’s Public House, 112 1st St S, Buffalo, 7pm

11/29 - Wednesday

• Dustbowl Revival, DAK, 7pm

11/30 – Thursday

December 30 Saturday

Bill & Kate Isles

Crossings at Carnegie 320 East Ave, Zumbrota 507-732-7616 www.crossingsatcarnegie.com 7:30pm

• Greenwood Tree, UMC, 7pm • Big Trees, Viking Bar, Mpls, 8pm • Ari Hest, AST, 8pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm

12/1 Friday

• Claudia Schmidt w/ Dean Magraw, GINK, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Marion Ross December 2017

• Betty & Ocho, GKb, 7:30pm • Barley Jacks, OAK, 8pm • Mother Banjo, Tavern of Northfield, 212 Division St, Northfield, 507-6630342, 8pm • The High 48s, AST, 9pm • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, Broadcast live from The Town Hall, NYC • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • The Lowest Pair, CED, 8pm • Wild Goose Chase Cloggers Holiday Show, EAG, shows at 2pm and 5pm • Curtis & Loretta, Forest Park Nature Center (Holiday Show), Peoria, IL • Pushing Chain - Brunch, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 11am • Frances Luke Accord, WmH, 8pm

12/3 – Sunday

• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Switched at Birth CD Release with Cousin Dad, Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 4pm • Phil Heywood - Brunch, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 11am

12/4 – Monday

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• •

12/2 – Saturday

• The Barley Jacks, OAK, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, Lakeville Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, 7:30pm

December 2017

12/5 – Tuesday

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7:30pm • Hello Heartache, West Bank School of Music, 655 Fairview Ave. N, St. Paul, 6PM • Kevin Odegard’s Better Angels, AST, 8pm

12/6 – Wednesday

• Monroe Crossing, Le Musique Room, 4300 O’Day Ave, St Michael, 7:30pm • MN Songwriter Showcase with Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm • The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162 W University Ave, St Paul, 9pm • Amanda Grace & Joyanne Parker, WmH, 8pm

12/7 – Thursday

• The Barley Jacks, Lift Bridge Brewery, 1900 Tower Dr. W, Stillwater, 7pm • Granger’s Moonshine, UMC, 7pm • Brian Wicklund & Mike Cramer, Lift Bridge Brewery, Lift Bridge Brewing Co., 1900 Tower Dr W, Stillwater, 6:30pm

Mandolin and banjo player,

new to the Brainerd, MN area, seeks people to play with. Mitchell Scott, 218-513-8642

Acoustic bass for sale:

Brand-Lewis, plywood, decent shape, good tone, new adjustable bridge. $1000. Doug, 612-306-3490

• Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault, CED, 7:30pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm • Jon Dee Graham & Bonnie Whitmore, WmH, 8pm • Curtis & Loretta - Holiday Music, Historic Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House, 405 N Chestnut St, Belle Plaine, 952-873-6109, 6pm

12/8 – Friday

• The Barley Jacks, Juniors Bar and Restaurant, 414 So Main St, River Falls WI, 7pm • Tristan Blue, GKb, 7:30pm • The Gated Community, Palmer’s Bar, 500 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 10pm • Pushing Chain, 218 Taphouse, Virginia, MN, 7pm • The Barr Brothers with Nathan Moore, CED, 8pm • Sally Barris, Grassroots Concerts, At Journey Church, 5459 Cty Rd 18, Nisswa, grassrootsconcerts.org, 7:30pm • Dick Kimmel, The Pantry, New Ulm, 7pm • The Dead Pigeons, Wiese Auditorium/KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, 844-2005235, 8pm • Teague Alexy & Stanton Wes, BoDD, 7:30pm

12/9 – Saturday

• Monroe Crossing, Faith Evangelical Luth Church, 800 Waconia Parkway N, Waconia, 7:30pm • Andrea Lyn Duo, GKb, 7:30pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • The Don Juans, CrH • Curtis & Loretta, Dakota City Heritage Village (Holiday Show), 27

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

•

Performing Arts Center, 147 N Broadway, Albert Lea, 7:30pm Raldo Schneider, Larry Long, Clay Riness & Eddie Allen, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm Jim Czechowicz, The Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www. contentedcow.com, 8pm The Fish Heads, Beat Farm Radio KTWH.99.5 FM, Harbor Landing Building, 629 7th Ave, Two Harbors, 218-595-6195, 7pm Jeff Arundel, AST, 7pm Curtis & Loretta, Two Way Street Coffee House, Chicago, IL Jake Manders, Wiese Auditorium/ KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, MN, 844-200-5235, 8pm The OK Factor, WmH, 9pm Cathie English & Tim Fast, BoDD, 7:30pm

• Monday Night Square Dance, EAG, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, The Rivers Senior Community, 11111 River Hills Dr, Burnsville, 3:00pm

Classified Ads

• •

• • •

4008 220th St W, Farmington (Dakota County Fairgrounds), 4pm Larry Long, Folk House Concerts, Golden Valley, Call for info and address: 651-274-6604, 7:30pm Four Mile Portage (Workshop - How to Be a Dance Band), Headwaters School of Music & Arts, 519 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, 3pm The Northerly Gales, Merlin’s Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 8:30pm Four Mile Portage - Contra Dance, Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad St SW, Bemidji, 7pm Zachary Scot Johnson, Roots Cellar Concerts, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612331-1768, 7pm Celtic Thunder, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 800982-2787, 7:30pm Xavier Jara, Sundin Hall, Hamline University, www.mnguitar.org, 8pm APHC with Bon Iver, Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn, Broadcast from

Town Hall, NYC

12/10 – Sunday

• Todd Thompson Band, The Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, www.contentedcow.com, 4pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Parisota Hot Club, AST, 8pm • Iris Dement, CED, 8pm • Dan Rein CD Release, Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 6pm • Curtis & Loretta, The Landing (Folkways of the Holidays), 2187 County Rd 101, Shakopee, 763-6947784, 1pm-4pm

12/11 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30 pm • The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas, Paramount Theater, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 320259-5463, 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm

12/12 – Tuesday

• Mother Banjo, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 612-276-6523, 9pm • The Texas Tenors: Deep in the Heart of Christmas, Paramount Theater, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 320259-5463, 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm

12/13 – Wednesday

• MN Songwriter Showcase with Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm • Lojo Russo, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-276-6523, 7:30pm

12/14 Thursday

• Monroe Crossing, Chisholm Baptist Church, 901 6th St SW, Chisholm, 7pm • The Fish Heads, Lakeshore Ecumen, 4002 London Rd, Duluth, 218-6257848, 1:30 pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm

12/15 – Friday

• Monroe Crossing, Backus Auditorium, 900 Fifth St, International Falls, 7pm • Mike Munson & Jake Ilika, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Mother Banjo, Landmark Center-F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, 75 W. 5th St, St Paul, 8pm • Family Three (Gospel Folk), AST, 9pm • Four Mile Portage, Sir Benedicts, 805 E Superior St, Duluth, 6pm • Gravel Roads, Wiese Auditorium/ KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave S, Braham, MN, 844-200-5235 • Pat Donohue, BoDD, 7:30pm

12/16 – Saturday

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

• Monroe Crossing, Grace Covenant Church, 3030 N Broadway, Fargo ND, 7pm • DL Cajun Trio, Como Dockside, 1360 N. Lexington Ave, St. Paul, 12pm • Ann Reed, ZUM, 7:30pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Wicked Wort Brewing Company, 4165 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, (763) 504-9977, 7:30pm • The Kingery Family, The Mahlstedt Family, and The Kellen Family, Dassel/Cokato Performing Arts Center, 4852 Reardon Ave, Cokato, 6:30pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Pushing Chain, Carlos Creek Winery, Alexandria, 2pm - 6pm • Pushing Chain, Disgruntled Brewery, Perham, MN, 8pm

December 2017

• Tim Sparks & Gary Raynor, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 6:30pm • Sue Hagge Band - Barn Dance, Mohaupt Block, 24 W Superior St, #2022, Duluth, 7:30pm • APHC with Jeff Tweedy, The Stave and yMusic, Punch Brothers, Tom Papa, Broadcast from Town Hall, NYC

Ukulelezaza's Twin Cities Tour

12/31 – Sunday

• Monroe Crossing, The Sheldon Theater, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 7pm • Mike Dowling & Randy Sabien, CrH

12/17 – Sunday

• Monroe Crossing, Pioneer Place on Fifth, 22 Fifth Ave S, St Cloud, 7:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • The Blacksmith Daughters, AST, 8pm • The High 48s - Bluegrass Holiday Show, Encore Performing Arts Center, Cloquet, 218-878-0071, 2pm

12/18 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

12/19 – Tuesday

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 8pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Mizpah Church of Christ 412 5th Ave N, Hopkins, 1:00pm

12/20 Wednesday

• Monroe Crossing, Bloomington Center for The Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, 7:30pm • MN Songwriter Showcase with Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm • Four Mile Portage, Bent Paddle, 1912 W Michigan St, Duluth, 6pm • The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162 W University Ave, St Paul, 9pm • Jack Klatt, Hook and Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 6pm

12/21 – Thursday

• DL Cajun Band, EAG, 8pm • The Longest Night Music Festival, New York Mills Cultural Center, 24 Main Ave. N., New York Mills, 218385-3339, 7pm • Wheelhouse, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm

12/22 – Friday

12/23 – Saturday December 2017

1/1 – Monday

• Pushing Chain, Brunch, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 11am

zazamn.weebly.com Europe's premier ukulele instrumentalist January 3rd to 10th, 2018. House Concert, Cedar Cultural Center, Workshops for Beginners to Professionals and more! Visit zazamn.weebly.com or call 651.368.6316 for information or to reserve a ticket and workshop seats

• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Tim Sparks & Gary Buckley, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 6:30pm • Morning Community Sing, WmH, 11am

12/24 – Sunday

• The She Shells, UMC, 11am

12/26 Tuesday

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 8pm

12/27 – Wednesday

• Lonesome Dan Kase, 331C, 9:30pm • MN Songwriter Showcase with Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm

12/28 – Thursday

• Sarah Voswinkel & Auralia, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm

12/29 – Friday

• Mike Gunther, 331C, 10pm • Fellow Pynins, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Tony Rook Band, AST, 9pm

1/4 – Thursday

• Granger’s Moonshine, UMC, 7pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm • Fellow Pynins, BoDD, 7:30pm

1/5 – Friday

• New Riverside Ramblers, VC, 9pm • Fellow Pynins, AST, 9pm • The Banjo Hour with Captain Gravitone & The String Theory Orchestra with Pat Donohue, Tom Nechville, Phil Nusbaum, CED, 8pm

1/6 – Saturday

• New Riverside Ramblers Trio, Como Dockside, 1360 N. Lexington Ave, St. Paul, 12pm • Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11am • Dick Kimmel & Andrea Lyn, Bothy Folk Club, Mankato • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Dan Newton’s Cafe Accordion Orchestra with Ukulelezaza, CED, 8pm • Harbor City Stringband - Barn Dance, Powless Hall, 204 W 2nd St, Duluth, 7:30pm • APHC, Broadcast from Davis Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

1/7 – Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • 1/08 – Monday • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm

1/12 – Friday

• Bryan Bowers, ZUM, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, Rosemount Area Arts • Little Diamonds, UMC, 5pm

12/30 Saturday

• Bill & Kate Isles, ZUM, 7:30pm • Chris Holm, GKb, 7:30pm 29

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

• Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas, O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, 7:30pm • Jamie Kallestad, UMC, 6:30pm • Charlei Parr, OAK, 8pm • The Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, 805 E Superior St, Duluth, 218-7281192, 6pm • Tim Sparks & Gary Buckley, Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave S, Mpls, 612-2766523, 6:30pm

• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Woolsock Winter Camping - OldTime Dance Weekend, Finland Town Hall to 1/1/2018 • Switched at Birth, Merlin’s Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 8:30pm • Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, Ney Nature Center, Henderson

Places to jam!

Looking for a place to play with others? Jams are open to the public, but musical tastes and etiquette vary from place to place. Events are weekly unless noted. A call may be advisable before your first visit, especially to check holiday and weather schedules. We apologize for any errors in the list; please let us know of any changes.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Jams

MON • Nordic NORTHFIELD, 7:30-10:00 p.m. The Contented Cow; 302B Division St S, 507-645-1351; www.contentedcow.com MON • (1st) HUTCHINSON. 6:30–9:30 p.m. The Oaks Assisted Living Center. Gene Wiedenroth, 320–587–2210 (CMM) MON • (1st) Sea Shanties SAINT PAUL. The Dubliner, 2162 University Ave. 7:30 p.m. MON • (1st & 3rd) Flatpicking (slow fiddle tunes) RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. MON • (2nd & 4th) Ukulele RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. MON • (2nd & 4th) Flatpicking ST. PAUL 7:00-9:00 p.m. All 12 Notes, 2057 Randolph Ave. 651–699–2924, www.all12notes.com MON • (Last) Roy’s Jam - MINNEAPOLIS 7:00–10:00 p.m. Minnehaha Methodist Church; 3701 E. 50th St. Roy, 612–209– 5311 or revanster@gmail.com TUE • Bluegrass & Old-time NORTHFIELD 7:30–10:00 p.m. The Contented Cow, 302B So. Division St., 507– 663-1351. www. thecontentedcow.com TUE • (1st, 3rd, 5th) Folk RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. TUE • (2nd & 4th) Bluegrass — Beginning RICHFIELD 7:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor, 6625 Penn Ave. S. 612–861–3308. TUE • (2nd & 4th) SAINT CLOUD 6:30–9:45 pm Whitney Sr. Center, 1125 Northway Dr. Jim Wasdyke 320–656–8962 (CMM). TUE • (3rd) SAINT CLOUD 1:30–3:30 p.m. Whitney Sr. Center, 1125 Northway Dr. Greta Leen 320–743–2826 (CMM) TUE • (3rd) MANKATO. Bethany Lutheran College in the Bethany Annex 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. http://halvorsonfamily.com/jams WED • Bluegrass DULUTH 8:00 p.m. Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, 805 Superior St. 218–728–1192. WED • Irish MINNEAPOLIS 9:00 p.m. Kier an’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave. S. 612–339– 4499. WED • Intermediate Flatpicking/fiddle tunes RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. THU • Flatpicking RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. THU • Acoustic SAINT PAUL. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Mad Hatter Coffee Café (945 West 7th Street). Doug Chasar 612–802–0833 THU • Celtic DULUTH 8:00 p.m. Sir Bene

Y’All Come dict’s Tavern. THU • CANNON FALLS, 7–9 p.m., Wangen Prairie Church, 34289 Co. Rd. 24, 507–263– 2483, cschiell@frontiernet.net. THU • (1st, 3rd, 5th) Bluegrass BRAINERD 6:30–10:00 p.m. Coco Moon, 601 Laurel St. 218–825–7955. THU • (1st & 3rd) Chippewa Falls, WI. Ojibwa Bowl. 3 miles east of Highway 53 & County Road S. 6:30 p.m. 715-458-0181. THU • (1st & 3rd) PLAINVIEW Community Center, 346 W. Broadway,. 507- 534-6682; 507-534-3802. 7:00-10:00 p.m. THU • (2nd) HAM LAKE 7:00–10:00 p.m. Ham Lake Senior Center, 15544 Central Ave. NE. Maxine Larson, 763–434–675 THU • (3rd) FOREST LAKE, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Maranatha Church, 24799 No. Hwy 61, 651464-5509; jvoxland@aol.com THU • (3rd) GRAND RAPIDS, 6:30 p.m., Assembly of God Church, 1585 E. Hwy 169, 218–326–2497, 218–245–1062. THU • (3rd) MILACA, 6:30-9:00 p.m.; Park Sr. Apts. 240 2nd Ave. 320-980-7609; 320983- 2468 THU • (Last) MONTICELLO Middle School, Broadway Ave. across from Hospital. 6:30 p.m. Milton or Milo Olson, 763–497–2383, 763–261–4933. FRI • Bluegrass ROCHESTER Peace UCC, 1503 2nd Ave, NE, 507–282-5807, 507-2851239. 6:30 p.m. FRI • (2nd) HAM LAKE Glen Cary Lutheran Church, 15531 Central Ave. NE (Hwy 65). 6:30 p.m. 612–366–1359, 763–434–5695, WhenWillitSnow@mac.com SAT • MBOTMA/COON RAPIDS. Culvers, 611 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW. 1:30 p.m. Barb, 763–784–7881 SAT • WILLMAR. Whitney Music, 913 Hwy 71 NE. 9:00-11:00 a.m. 320-214-9433;; sales@whitneymusic.com SAT • (1st, 3rd) MINNEAPOLIS 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Linden Hills Park Comm. Center, 3100 43rd St. (at Xerxes). 612–922– 9453; 651–762– 8036 SAT • (2nd) ZIMMERMAN. American Legion (3 blocks W of stoplight on 169). 763-8562131. April-October SAT • Bluegrass (Advanced) RICHFIELD 3:00 –6:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. SAT (Periodic) • Acoustic BLOOMINGTON 10:00–2:00. Nechville Studio showroom, 9700 Humboldt Ave S. 952–888–9710. Call to check schedule SAT • (1st & 3rd) Cajun SAINT PAUL. 11:00 a.m.-1 p.m. The Coffee Grounds, 1579 Hamline Ave, 651– 644–9959. SAT • (2nd) Bluuegrass RICE LAKE, WI. 6:00 p.m. 1st Lutheran Church, Sawyer St. 715458-0181

SAT • (3rd) NORTH SAINT PAUL 10 a.m. - Noon, Silver Lake Methodist, Century Ave (between Hwy 36 & I-694). 651–777– 2920; MNrover@juno.com SUN • Northern Roots NORTHFIELD 7:3010:30 p.m. The Contented Cow, 302B So. Division St., 507– 663-1351. www.thecontentedcow.com SUN • (1st) ROGERS. Amplified. 1–5 p.m. Rogers Community Center (3 blocks S of I94).Dorothy Auld, 763–494–8530 (CMM) SUN • (1st) Acoustic FERGUS FALLS 1:005:00 p.m. Westridge Mall. SUN • (1st) • Potluck & Jam SPRING VAL LEY 12:00-5:00 p.m. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 805 S.Broadway. 507- 8648109; semba@acegroup.cc. SUN • (1st, 3rd) Bluegrass/Acoustic MINNE APOLIS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 42nd Avenue Station, 4171 Lyndale Ave. N. Don Hunker, 612-521-2831, donaldh105@comcast.net SUN • (2nd) LaCROSSE, WI. Southside Cen ter, 6th & Hood Sts, 608-783-6565. 1:004:00 p.m. SUN • (2nd) DURAND, WI. Shari’s Chippewa Club. 6:00-10:00 p.m. 715–672–8785 SUN • (3rd) • Potluck & Jam RUSHFORD 12:00-5:00 p.m. Good Shepherd Home, 800 Home St. 507-864-8109; semba@acegroup.cc. SUN • (4th) MINNEAPOLIS. Twin Cities Autoharpers, Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church., 511 Groveland Avenue, Mpls, MN 3:00–5:00 p.m. Tony Wentersdorf, 612–872–0233 or afwentersdorf@ hotmail.com

Jammers: We only know about jams through you! Please let us know about changes.

Same Time, Same Place Kieran’s Irish Pub — 330 2nd Avenue S., Minneapolis, 612–339–4499. Minnesota Pipe Band first Friday of every month; Traditional Irish Music every Saturday. “St. Brendan’s Voyage” brunch with music every Sunday 12:00–2:00; “New Age Celtic” every Wednesday Dulono’s Pizza — 607 W. Lake at Garfield, Minneapolis, 612–827–1726. Live bluegrass and related music every Friday & Saturday, 8:00 p.m.-midnight. 331 Club — 331 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, 612–331-1746. Live old time music from the Roe Family Singers every Monday night, 9:00–10:30 p.m. No cover.

December 2017

Tab: Santa Claus By Bob Douglas

Bill Monroe learned this tune from an old time fiddler living in the northern Kentucky-southern Indiana area. The fiddler called it “I Don’t Love Nobody” but Monroe changed the tune’s name to Santa Claus. There may be some misunderstanding about that name. Bill did not name it for the rotund elf dressed in red who flies from rooftop to rooftop on Christmas Eve. Monroe named the tune after Santa Claus, Indiana. Santa Claus has the only post office with the name Santa Claus. Each year they receive thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world. A group of volunteers known as Santa’s Elves ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus, keeping a longer than one-hundred-yearold tradition according to Wikipedia. In 1962, Monroe and his band were

Santa Claus

overshadowed by Flatt and Scruggs who achieved national fame with “The Ballad of Jed Clampett,” theme song for The Beverly Hillbillies. Ralph Rinzler of the Greenbriar Boys, who greatly admired, followed, and befriended Monroe, began helping Monroe’s band get performances in NE folk venues. In an early 1963 phone call to Monroe, Rinzler suggested Bill listen to the young New England banjo player, Bill Keith. Keith began his banjo career with Pete Seeger’s “How to Play 5-String Banjo” and then moved on to the “Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo” LP. While playing weekly with June Hall, a fiddler from Nova Scotia, Keith worked out a chromatic style of banjo playing so he could play the actual tunes with Hall. Keith won the 1962 Philadelphia Folk Festival banjo contest with his versions

Rosenberg and Wolfe, The Music of Bill Monroe, University of Illinois, 2007 p 149 December 2017

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

of Devil’s Dream and Sailor’s Hornpipe. Monroe listened to Rinzler, and, though he had just invited Del McCoury to join his band as banjo player, he gave Keith a chance on banjo instead. Wanting to benefit from McCoury’s vocals, Monroe asked him to switch to guitar so Keith could play the banjo. McCoury wasn’t interested in guitar and Monroe gave him only two weeks to learn to play up to Monroe’s standards to get the job. But McCoury did it and Keith joined the band on banjo. Ten days later, the band was in the studio recording the instrumentals Salt Creek, Devil’s Dream, and Sailor’s Hornpipe. Seven days later, 27 March 1963, they returned to the studio to record Pike county Breakdown, Shenandoah Breakdown, and Santa Claus with Bill Keith on banjo, Kenny Baker on fiddle, Jackie Phelps on guitar, and Bessie Lee Mauldin on bass. Like a fox on the run... Note the notation given here is not Monroe’s mandolin break. Monroe begins his break in third position coming down to first on an G scale. Keith recalled Monroe usually played the tune differently from what was on the 1963 recording: “Every other time he played it, except the time it was recorded, it was upbeats he was playing it in, and I copied the rhythm in my banjo break from what he was doing on the mandolin; and then so did the fiddle; and so when we got to the studio, he said, ‘Well, I’m not going to do it, everybody else is doing it.”1 The notation here is for the tune as played on banjo and fiddle with a few variations. It is cheery tune, not too difficult, and a good one to pull out in the midst of all the caroling. Call if you need more tunes. I’ve got a few... -Bob Douglas 651-778-1395

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2017 MN Bluegrass Festival - Photo by Pat O’Loughlin