An amazing ride with Jed
p. 5
December 2015
December 2015 Vol. 41 No. 11 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: Peter Albrecht, henrypeteralbrecht@gmail.com Vice President: Jana Metge, 952-996-6490, singdancesavetheworld@gmail.com Treasurer: Sandi Pidel Secretary: Mary DuShane Board Members: Term expires 2015: Marilyn Bergum, Gary Germond, Greg Landkamer, Quillan Roe Term expires 2016: Alan Jesperson, Philip Nusbaum, Kenneth Bloch Youth Representative: Sarah Cagley For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: minnesotabluegrass.org/as_Board
MBOTMA Staff Executive Director: Jed Malischke, 715-635-2479 Administrative Assistant: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133
Minnesota Bluegrass Editor: JoAnne Makela, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: John Chabot, Bob Dodd, Adam Granger, Ann Iijima, Jed Malischke, Jana Metge, Phil Nusbaum Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, Pam Bowers, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Steve Chollar, Bob Dodd Cover image: Band promos from the collection of Dick Kimmel Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org. Minnesota Bluegrass is published monthly by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2015 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537.
Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of November 1, 2015: 1,106
Patrons:
Bridgit & Peter Albrecht Tony & Barbie Andreason Tony & Ann Anthonisen Mary Arntson Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Kenneth Bloch Ann & Barry Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Gary & Janet Cobus Katryn Conlin Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane E. Gruber Michael & Paula Hildebrandt David Johnson
Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Linda Kjerland Russell Lane Maxine Larson Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rodger McBride Mary McSorley Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Katy Olson & Ron Roller Harold Pederson David & Betty Pfeiffer David Rogers Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Tom & Margaret Schuveiller Penelope Scialla Michael Valentiner Donna Velasco Steve Vincent & Jill Weese Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tim Wankel Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox
Sustaining:
Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann Kagan Matthew Kaster Jim Lally Greg Landkamer & Jill Stefansen Lloyd & Beverly LaPlant James Lee Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Rudy & Jeanne Marti Bill Merrill Chad Mezera James Natwick Dennis & Jan O’Brien Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Dan Robinson Leo & Ann Rosenstein Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Roger Sweet Lynn & Carolyn Thorson R. & Elizabeth Vaughan David & Bonnie Warner Mark & Danelle Wolf
Rod & Barb Anderson Paul Ashworth Fred Boyer Mark & Erdyne Briere Brenda Burger Bill & Ann Bushnell Susan Christensen-Wichmann Dan & Marilyn Cook Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Garry & Linda Elfstrand Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland Mary & Fred Harms James Helig Thomas Hollenhorst & Karin Kraemer David Holm Dick & Sue Hopperstad
From the editor
Become a Member
Dear MBOTMA, It’s been exactly three years since I took on the job of editing Minnesota Bluegrass. It was a daunting task, following in the footsteps of Doug Lohman, a great interim editor, as well as his predecessor Bob Waltz, a beloved editor who had been at the helm for many years. With a new name and a charge to create a new layout and design, I took on the job happily. I had no previous knowledge of bluegrass or old-time music, other than what anyone who loves and listens to pretty much all types of music might be exposed to. I recognized the names of the big personalities, like Bill Monroe and Steve Martin, and many of the regulars on A Prairie Home Companion, but had no local experience of the wealth of talent living, literally, right down the street from me. Editing this magazine has allowed me to meet so many fine musicians, stars both national and local. I’ve also gotten to work with some of the most earnest volunteers on the planet. But, after three years, and several big changes in my life, it’s time for me to move on and let someone else put their stamp on this magazine. Doug will return as interim editor starting with the January issue. I’d like to thank the MBOTMA board members who take on the task of running a solid organization that puts music and musicians ahead of all else. And, in particular, thanks to Jana Metge, Sandi Pidel and Brett Day—the folks who hired me; amazing copy editor and pho offcionado Ann Iijima; stalwart, steadfast and true Coming Up editor Loretta Simonet; and the many writers, photographers and other contributors who made my job easy. I’d like to thank Bea Flaming for looking out for me and making everything run like a top. And, of course, Jed, a great boss and a focused and driven leader. You all have a hard task to replace him. This is my last issue. It is full of remembrances and farewells. But it also shines a light on the music you all know and love, and that I have come to admire. Peace. —JoAnne Makela, editor
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association is open to everyone. Our members include people who love to listen to music and people who love to make music. As a member, you’ll be invited to participate in bluegrass and old-time music events and celebrations. You’ll receive discounted prices on admission to events and merchandise, and you’ll receive a subscription to Minnesota Bluegrass magazine. Becoming a member of MBOTMA is easy and affordable. Your membership will not only nurture your own interests, but help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota.
And don’t forget: an MBOTMA membership makes a great gift for the music lovers in your life! Inside: Cover story 5 | JedFest 7 | MBOTMA Calendar 9 | Phil Nusbaum 11 | Review: When There’s Good to Be Done 13 | Review: David Grier 17 | Coming Up 18 | Member Bands 22 | Chart: “June Apple” 27
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.
Individual $35
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events discounts for one person, and a free classified ad.
Family $50
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, up to four discounted tickets per event, and a free classified ad.
Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual or family membership
Band $75
Sustaining Level $100
Patron Level $150
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance booking information for MBOTMA events, a free classified ad, and listings in the MBOTMA member band directory in print and on our website. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, two free concert tickets, and a free classified ad. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, four free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.
Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online and pay with PayPal. Or mail in your personal information and payment to: MBOTMA P.O. Box 16408 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you would like to join by phone.
FUNDRAISER 2015 A Celebration of Jed & his 29 years with the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
Saturday January 23, 2016 12 pm to 12 am (doors open at 11AM)
Kraus Hartig VFW Post 8100 Pleasant View Drive Spring Lake Park, MN
12 hours of concerts! 12 hours of jamming! 12 hours of fun!
Food & beverages on sale provided byVFW $10 donation requested at the door 12-12:30 pm Pushing Chain 12:45-1:20 pm Alternate Route 1:30-2:10 pm The Middle Spunk Creek Boys 2:20-3:00 pm TBD 3:15-4:00 pm Ivory Bridge 4:15-5:00 pm Switched at Birth 5:15-6:00 pm The Platte Valley Boys 6:15-7:15 pm JedFest ( Jed’s Band) 7:30-8:15 pm The Nobodys 8:30-9:15 pm Jumpin’ Jo & Catie Cats 9:30-10:15 pm Mark Kreitzer Band 10:30-11:00 pm Seldom Herd 11:15 pm -12:00 am Cousin Dad Sound & Tech Support donated by Doug Lohman & Armadillo Sound
Cover
An amazing ride with Jed By Ann Iijima
December 2015
reps program coordinator, upper midwest regional representative), MBOTMA (board of directors), and Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association (SWBMAI; vice president). But when Jed in his office. We know there are a lot more stories out there. Please come and share a few at JedFest on January 23! his boots hit the ground as execMark Kreitzer, former board chair, had utive director in 2001, he exceeded worked with Jed since the mid-80s, MBOTMA’s high expectations. He when they both were involved with helped the board draft a new 5-year strathe SWBMAI, and had spoken to the tegic plan, fostering the organization’s board in support of hiring Jed. In his growth and adding a strong educational experience, both in Wisconsin and for component. Jana Metge, board vice presMBOTMA, everything ran smoothly ident, and long-time volunteer wrote: with Jed at the helm. If something came “I have watched programs grow from up in a meeting, Jed would take it on, two activities per year to what we have and the board could move on to other today. I have watched event staffs grow matters, confident that the matter would in numbers and experience. I have seen be taken care of. volunteer numbers grow from dozens to Jana noted that Jed would set aside hundreds and hundreds. I have seen the his own preferences in meetings and MBOTMA budget grow from thousands would try to draw out the thoughts and to hundreds of thousands.” desires of the others. Bea Flaming, who has been working with and for Jed since “I am honestly both sad and 1996, first as the coordinator of festival t-shirt booths and later as MBOTMA’s scared to have him retire from administrative assistant, praised Jed’s flexiblity. MBOTMA, though I’m glad It wasn’t just his skill as a manager for him that he will be able to that made him such an effective leader; when there was work of any sort to be jam and have more fun at the done, he’d be there leading the way, from setting up the festival grounds to events, since he won’t be runcleaning up afterwards. If any volunteer ning them . . .” —Bea Flaming shifts were left unfilled, he’d fill them, often missing banquets and headliner concerts. It was a rare (and fortunate) jamming circle that had Jed in it. Bea observed, “Jed has gone above and It was partly Jed’s skillful work with beyond the call of duty through his years the board that encouraged this growth. 5
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
You probably read in last month’s issue that Jed Malischke has announced plans to retire from his position as the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association’s Executive Director. Minnesota Bluegrass thought it would be appropriate to look back over his many years of service to the organization and tell a few stories. In the late ’90s, MBOTMA was closing in on the fifth year of a 5-year-plan, and the couple that had been handling some of the organization’s administrative functions was talking about retiring. The board decided to hire an executive director and found exactly who it was looking for in its own backyard—Jed Malischke. On paper, Jed was an excellent candidate. He had a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, having majored in Forestry–Parks & Recreation and minored in environmental interpretation and environmental law enforcement. He also had an MBA from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in strategic management and organization and in project management and operations. Moreover, Jed had decades of relevant experience. • Event production: Jed chaired or directed three festivals in Wisconsin, as well as the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff, and Winter Bluegrass Weekend, and produced three concert series in Minnesota and Wisconsin. • He managed four bands (hiring and supervising musicians, promotions, contracts, travel, bookkeeping, taxes, payroll). • He wrote for print media, including Inside Bluegrass, and wrote for and produced programs for broadcast media, including WOJB and Wisconsin Public Radio. • He had extensive experience working for bluegrass organizations, including the International Bluegrass Music Association (board of directors, regional
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
From the early days with Kimmel Rosenstein & Co. L-r: Paul Horrisberger, Dick Kimmel, Jed Malischke, Leo Rosenstein (1994)
as festival director and then as Executive Director and has repeatedly put the organization first. He has also put in many, many more hours than would be expected . . . [and] maintained his calm presence no matter what happened.” Folks who have worked closely with him have appreciated his quiet leadership, as well. Bea wrote: “Jed has been the best person I’ve ever worked directly with as he is so organized and has helped me to stretch and learn things I hadn’t known how to do before!” Jana Metge concurred: “Personally I have grown, gaining skills I use in my job daily. I learned them from Jed.” Because he’s generally working nonstop during festivals, some of his skills have not been as readily apparent. Mark observed: “Folks don’t realize what an accomplished musician he is on guitar, banjo, and dobro.” Dick Kimmel is one of the people who is very familiar with this side of Jed. “Jed was an important part of my bluegrass bands for about 10 years from the early 1990s through the early 2000s. He was a powerful banjo player and high tenor singer, but also did some lead vocals and played Dobro on some of the slower numbers. . . . Jed toured Europe with me at least twice during the 1990s, performing in England, Scotland, Wales, 6
version of the song.” Mark remembers one of Jed’s former bands, The Radio Bluegrass Show, which pretended to be performing on the radio, complete with fictitious sponsors. MBOTMA finds itself in one of those good-news-bad-news scenarios. We’ll miss Jed’s presence as executive director, but hope to see more of him performing on stage and jamming all around the hotels and campsites. Bea wrote, “I have great memories of Jed at events and have always enjoyed seeing him relax when they were all over and he didn’t have to be concentrating and ‘putting out fires.’ [I]t was always so good to see him smile and relax after the successful conclusion of an event. I am honestly both sad and scared to have him retire from MBOTMA, though I’m glad for him that he will be able to jam and have more fun at the events, since he won’t be running them (unless he can be persuaded to stay on as chair for a festival or two). I don’t think folks realize all that he has done and he will sincerely be missed! Especially by me, but I wish him the very best!” Jana probably spoke for hundreds of others in the Jed Malischke Fan Club when she wrote: “What can you say about Jed? He is a genius. He is dedicated. He breathes MBOTMA. Jed, you are amazing and you are so appreciated. It has been an amazing ride. Thank you.”
Switzerland, Holland, and Germany. He played on some of my CD’s: my clawhammer banjo recording from 2000, Dick Kimmel—Fishin’ Creek Blues; and our 1996 band release Kimmel Rosenstein & Co—Ramblin’ Away.” Even fewer folks realize that Jed has a strong comedic streak, typically of the more wry variety, and evidenced in his actions as frequently as in his words. Dick wrote: “Jed was a natural entertainer and always added a spark to our stage performances. For some of our tours he actually developed hilarious skits. My favorite was when he complained at the end of a set that he hadn’t played a banjo number and over my objections kicked off ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown.’ By the end of the song, all four of us had picked up a banjo, one person at a time, and we ended the set with Jamming at Kip’s Live at Harvest Jam. a four-banjo
December 2015
JedFest line up from 12 to 12 By Ann Iijima
On January 23, 2016, MBOTMA will revisit last year’s successful 12to12 fundraising event with “JedFest”—a tribute to Jed Malischke and the contributions he has made to MBOTMA during his 29 years with the organization. The Kraus Hartig VFW Post in Spring Lake Park has generously offered to donate their entire hall for our use. Confirmed bands:
12 Pushing Chain 12:45 Alternate Route 1:30 The Middle Spunk Creek Boys 2:20 Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum 3:15 Ivory Bridge
4:15 Switched at Birth 5:15 The Platte Valley Boys 6:15 JedFest 7:30 The Nobodys 8:30 Jumpin Jo & Catie Cats 9:30 Mark Kreitzer Band 10:30 Seldom Herd 11:15 Cousin Dad Making sure all the bands sound their best, Doug Lohman and Armadillo Sound will donate their expertise. In addition to 12 hours of stage shows, there will be workshops and plenty of jamming. Barbara Carlson will host a jam from 1 to 4 p.m., and there will be jamming space throughout the building.
There also will be a silent auction and raffle. Please contact board member Marilyn Bergum (mwbergum@gmail. com) if you have auction items. Drop off raffle items valued under $20 (band CDs, t-shirts, etc.) with Quillan Roe or other staff members at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. The tickets for this 12-hour extravaganza are $10! Donation jars will be out as well. See the ad on page 4 for more information.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Kimmel & Co. Jed, Paul Horrisberger (back), Dick Kimmel (front), & Tim Roggenkamp (1998) December 2015
7
A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance
March 4-6, 2016 - Crowne Plaza Mpls West (in Plymouth, MN)
3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth MN 55441 - exit I-494 at Hwy 55 (exit 22) and go East on 55, turn North at Northwest Blvd, then 1st left onto Campus Dr to parking ramp.
Saturday Headline Concert
Dan Paisley & Southern Grass 7:00 PM with special guest Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner 9:30 PM with special guest The Sawtooth Brothers
The Showcase Of Bands
Two Stages! Three Days! Fifty Groups Scheduled 6:45 PM Fri to 2:00 PM Sun.
The Old-Time Music & Dance Hall
Old-Time Dances & Music Friday Night & All Day Sat. Plus Sat Concert & Dance
Plus The Grass Seeds Music Academy, 3 Rooms of Instrument Exhibitors, Workshops, The Gathering Place, Jam Sessions, Spotlight On, & More!
For tickets or information call
800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Showcase Of Bands, Exhibit Rooms, Dance Parlour, Gathering Place & Workshops Admission Prices: $20 Fri/$25 Sat/$5 Sun at the door or a 3 day weekend pass is $40 in advance, $32 for MBOTMA members, $20 teens, or $45 at the door. Kids 12 & under free! Sat Headline Concert Prices: $25 day of show, $23 in advance, $20 MBOTMA members in advance, $10 teens & kids. BG Lovers Package: (All 3 Days + 1 Sat Concert): $58 in advance ($48 members, $29 teens), not available at the door. BG Extremist Package: (All 3 Days + Both Sat Concerts): $70 advance ($60 members, $35 teens), not available at the door. For hotel lodging call the Crowne Plaza (763-559-6600) or the nearby Residence Inn (763-577-1600) or Kelly Inn (763-553-1600).
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.
Presented by MBOTMA
Supported by MBOTMA
MBOTMA’s 2016 Fundraiser 12to12 JedFest, Saturday January 23, 2016, 12 noon to 12 midnight, Kraus Hartig VFW Post, 8100 Pleasant View Dr., Spring Lake Park, MN. A celebration of Jed Malischke’s 29 years of service with MBOTMA. Featuring: Pushing Chain, Alternate Route, The Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Seldom Herd Bluegrass Band, Ivory Bridge, Switched At Birth, The Platte Valley Boys, The Nobodys, Jumping Jo & The Catie Cats, Mark Kreitzer Band, Cousin Dad, JedFest, and more. Plus an old-time dance, workshops, theme jams, uke jam, silent auction, raffles, and lots of jam sessions. Suggested admission $10 with all proceeds to benefit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). Food and beverage available. For more information: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.
Dr. Ralph Stanley with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Friday, December 4, 2015, 8 p.m., The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis. The legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley returns to The Cedar for one last performance with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys. $50 general admission/$60 center section seating. For more information call 612-338-2674 or visit www.thecedar.org. Produced by The Cedar Cultural Center and supported in part by MBOTMA.
The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance, Friday-Sunday, March 4–6, 2016, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel, 3131 Campus Dr., Plymouth. Some 50 groups will perform bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages. The Saturday Night Headline Concert features Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit MinnesotaBluegrass. org. To book lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 or the nearby Residence Inn at 763-577-1600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.
The MBOTMA T-shirt team is looking for new members. They are in extreme need of volunteers to take charge of the merchandise booth at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend and the Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. Working at the t-shirt booth is a great way to meet people and support MBOTMA. If you’d like to coordinate the booth at a festival or co-run it with a teammate, please let us know. The team will gather in January to plan for the coming year. A big thanks to Ann Bloch who has taken over managing the sales item inventory from long-time volunteer Joann Larson. Ann will be in charge of the booth at the Harvest Jam. And thanks to the rest of the current committee members: MBTOMA August Festival booth coordinator Barb Schommer, volunteer recruiter Maggie Jorgenson, and Bea Flaming who oversees it all. Email Bea at bea@minnesotabluegrass.org or call 800-6353037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer.
Save the Date: Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 3–5, 2016, El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN. For information and tickets call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. December 2015
MBOTMA seeks new Executive Director
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Cabin Fever Festival, Friday-Sunday, April 15–17, 2016. New Location! Radisson Harborview Hotel, 505 W Superior St., Duluth. A weekend long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Weekend tickets are $29 in advance ($26 for members). Day of show: $15 Friday and $20 Saturday Teens half price and kids are free. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit MinnesotaBluegrass.org. For lodging contact the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and ask for the special Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival rate.
Help Wanted: T-shirt team
Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association is seeking candidates for the contract position of Executive Director for the organization. If interested, please forward your resume and cover letter to the search committee chair, Kenneth Bloch at kbloch@secabs.com. Applications must be received no later than December 7, 2015. 9
Lessons with Peter Ostroushko, world-class fiddle & mandolin player “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 then to share my musical knowledge and experience with others who are struggling with their own journeys of self-expression through music. Peter teaches in his studio at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis and via Skype with students around the world.
Nothing tickles me more then to see that light bulb go on above my student’s head.”
All ages. All levels. I would love to work with you.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
To arrange for in-person or Skype lessons with Peter, contact: Timothy De Prey | 612.767.5328 | deprey.timothy@macphail.org
10
December 2015
Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum
The KBEM Fund Drive
Business Support
The bottom line for any find drive is, well, the bottom line. In October 2015, the bottom line for KBEM’s bluegrass broadcasting was over $13,000, a very nice total indeed. The total of on-air pledges used to be much higher, but the station now conducts a lot of fund raising by other means. KBEM easily met its goal of $65,000 of pledges taken over the phone and by the website, www.bluegrassreview.com. For my part, I had fun working on the air with Janis Lane Ewart and Pete Lee. In recent drives, we’ve made the pitches shorter but more frequent. The idea is to keep alive the idea that we are raising important funds for the station, but maintain the lighthearted mood while conducting our main business of presenting music. Here’s a big thank-you to those who support KBEM financially, and we hope that all listeners continue to enjoy the service provided.
To promote your business through the Bluegrass Review, contact Phil Nusbaum (651-245-1527; pnusbaum@bitstream. net). For Bluegrass Saturday Morning, contact Kevin Barnes (612-668-1735; kbar264@aol.com).
Bill Keith
Find Bluegrass Review playlists at www.bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “playlists” link you’ll find at the top of the page, then click on “archives.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88fm.com. At the top of the page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Search the right-hand column for “Bluegrass Saturday Morning.” Link to on-demand Bluegrass Review segments from the KBEM-FM home page. The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Bill Keith, one of the most important bluegrass banjoists ever, father of the melodic style of banjo playing, died on October 23. In the November issue of Minnesota Bluegrass, I reported on Keith’s induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, but I didn’t mention that it was plain to everyone that he was not in good health. His complexion was ashen, and he was in a wheelchair. Yet, he gave an articulate and gracious acceptance speech, which was preceded by remarks given by banjoists Steve Martin and Alan Munde. To give you an idea of Keith’s importance, at one of the first bluegrass shows I ever attended, the banjo player was playing a break using Keith’s melodic style. My friend, who was introducing me to things bluegrass, informed me that the banjoist was “Keith-ing.” The entire induction ceremony was moving and unforgettable.
Bluegrass Review supporters • Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • John Waddle Violins www.waddleviolins.com (dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases) • Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences)
Weekly Playlists
The Bluegrass Review in Minnesota Check www.bluegrassreview.com for a complete station list. Station
Day
Time
The only executive director MBOTMA has ever known, Jed Malischke, is leaving his post at the end of 2015. Under Jed’s leadership, the organization has increased its number of yearly bluegrass festival experiences from one to five. Each event has a core of similar experiences, but each event has its own identity. Two are located in the Twin Cities metro area, three are in Greater Minnesota, and all are run by committed staffs of volunteers that happily provide quality events. It’s all set in motion by Jed, whose wise and calm leadership has steered the MBOTMA through all sorts of weather. Hats off to Jed in honor of a job well done. Lasy year’s successful fund-raiser, 12 to 12, will be repeated in January 2016 under the name Jedfest. Let’s say thanks, too, to JoAnne Makela, editor of this newsletter, who is stepping down after this issue of Minnesota Bluegrass. During her tenure, many board members remarked on how good the magazine looks with the changes she made.
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
December 2015
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The Changing of the Guard
11
Review
Curtis & Loretta: When There’s Good to Be Done By Adam Granger
December 2015
write topical songs: one has to adhere to a narrative arc into which, because a true story is being told, words like “neurotypical” and phrases like “ovarian cancer” must be adroitly inserted. That it may sound like I’m trying to be funny here attests to the difficulty of this task. Never timid vocalizers, Curtis and Loretta sing with the confidence of a team who knows that they’ve got good material and Photo by Jennifer Bong; cover design by Crystal Rockvam good stuff. C & L’s promo sheet references instruments on When There’s Good to Curtis’s tight harmony singing, a charBe Done. Loretta is a fine guitar player acterization with which I disagree. Tight who understands the value of the bass harmony would have Curtis right next note and the strum as separate entities to Loretta, tonally, like the Navy’s Blue and handles them deftly. And her folk Angels flying in wingtip-to-wingtip harp playing just gets better and better. formation, but Curtis is everywhere, Curtis plays mandocello, banjo and in a good way. One of the benefits of guitar, managing, as he always does, an a two-voice configuration (as opposed alchemical combination of sangfroid and to three or four voices singing in hardevil-may-care in his playing. A host of mony) is that the second voice has lots of guests round out the album complement, leeway—tonal options. It can sing a third including a women’s choir that redefines harmony, or a fifth, or a seventh, or an “spirited” on the last cut, “Willmar Eight octave, or an accidental, or in unison, (We Are All Equal You Know). and Curtis does all of these. So rather When There’s Good to Be Done is a than the Blue Angels, the aeronautical gem, and would make one heckuva great image is more of a Simonet Regional Christmas present. Just sayin’. Airlines plane flying straight and true and a Teague Gyrocopter circling, dipping and diving, but never colliding. This is one of my favorite things about C & L: one never knows exactly where Curtis is going to line up vocally against any given note in Loretta’s melodies but—and this is critical—he always lands on a right note. His choices delight; he is the consummate Happy Wanderer. Instrumentally, the pair are a folkie power duo. Capable of double-digitry, they limit themselves to a half dozen 13
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Check your pulse. Got one? Okay. Then you’re not going to get through Curtis and Loretta’s new album, When There’s Good to Be Done, without shedding some tears. And not because this is a crappy album, but rather because it’s the best, most poignant, most powerful album of the nine this duo has recorded over the last quarter century. I slipped the CD into my car’s player on a return trip from a gig I had played, and had to pull over or risk driving through tears before the first selection— the title cut—was half over. The song was about a Florida woman who read about a Minnesota child who needed a kidney and decided to give her one of her own. This was not going to be your typical folk album; this was going to be more “Jimmy Crack Corn and I Do Care.” The genesis of this album was a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant given to Loretta Simonet, the pair’s songwriter. She used it to seek out and interview people with stories to tell and, with her partner Curtis Teague, created this fine album beautifully recorded by Doug Lohman at Armadillo Sound. These are amazing stories—of a survivor of the 35W bridge collapse, of Native children raised and abused in state schools, of the parents of severely autistic children—and each song is more powerful than the last. Some of them are sad, some of them make you angry and some are sweet-but-not-saccharin. I am appreciative of the inclusion of a lyric booklet with this CD, although I first listened to this recording in my car and was able to understand every word (it’s astonishing how many albums there are of which that can’t be said). At the front of each song is a picture of the song’s subject and a thumbnail of their story. This makes an already personal album all the more so. Loretta’s songwriting has improved steadily over the years and now, a hundred songs later, it sparkles. It’s hard to
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December 2015
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Dick Kimmel & Co publicity photo (2000). Left to right: Dick Kimmel, Ron Siegel, Bill Liners, Paul Horrisberger, Jed Malischke December 2015
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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December 2015
Review
David Grier does Duluth (and the rest of Minnesota, too) By Bob Dodd
December 2015
Paradise Center in Faribault on November 11, he looked a bit like the Buddhist monk of bluegrass, sporting a shaved head and a wispy white beard no wider than his mouth, but almost a foot long. Another surprise he brought this time around, which hasn’t appeared in all his considerable recorded Creek House owner Glenn Elvig and David Grier. output, was his voice. Photo: Bob Dodd In his opening set he included three vocals David Grier: A Select Discography on original songs, and took the lead • Freewheeling (1991). His first CD vocal when he joined Special C for an under his own name leads off with on-stage jam on the bluegrass chestnut his tune “Wheeling,” accompanied “Dark Hollow.” He did a creditable job. by Wyatt Rice, and shows the early Still, it is his guitar mastery that will influence of Wyatt’s brother Tony. always take the spotlight, and so it was • Climbing the Walls (1991). With this time around. His solo takes on old mandolin master Mike Compton. fiddle tunes such as “Red-Haired Boy,” A classic. Grier and Compton are “Blackberry Blossom,” “Midnight on the reunited in the Helen Highwater Band, Water” and others stretched them rhythwith Shad Cobb and Missy Raines. mically and harmonically, but never to • The View From Here (1998). By Matt the breaking point. Grier also played Flinner. Grier has done some of his beautiful versions of lesser-known tunes best recorded work with mandolinist such as a waltz he picked up in Finland Flinner, both on Flinner’s CDs and in (from performers billed as the Polka a trio with bass player Todd Phillips. Chicks) and Art Stamper’s latter-day • I’ve Got the House to Myself (2002). fiddle tune “John Riley the Shepherd.” Just Grier and his guitar. Old fiddle Some of the best moments came when tunes reconceived with remarkable he played his own compositions “High imagination and virtuosity. Atop Princess Cove,” “As It Rolls to the • Now Hear This (2006). By Psychograss. Sea” and the lilting “Cascade” (which, in With Grier, Darol Anger, Tony typical Grier fashion, he suggested could Trischka, Mike Marshall and Todd be named after either a waterfall or a Phillips. Progressive, pushing-thedishwashing detergent). limits bluegrass par excellence. If you want to find out more about • Fly On the Wall (2014). Recorded Grier, check out davidgrier.com, or, best in 1998 with fiddler James Leva and of all, listen to his music. banjo player Dirk Powell. With a great solo version of the old minstrel tune “Golden Slippers.” 17
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Bluegrass guitar player David Grier, resident of Nashville by way of Maryland, braved a frosty week in Minnesota and Wisconsin last month. His mini-tour took him to house concerts in Duluth, Lake City and LaCrosse, concerts at Recovery Bike Shop in Minneapolis and Creek House north of St. Paul, and an appearance in Faribault with Special Consensus. And speaking of consensus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a guitar player who wouldn’t place Grier at or near the top of his field, so it was a rare opportunity for northland bluegrass fans to see and hear one of the best. He didn’t disappoint. It’s pretty clear that when it comes to bluegrass, Grier was to the manner born. His father Lamar was an accomplished banjo player in the D.C. area, and David remembers attending jams with his folks from his earliest years. In the mid-60s Lamar got a call from Bill Monroe, and toured as a banjo-playing Bluegrass Boy through much of the decade, his growing son in tow. At age six, David picked up his dad’s 1955 D-18 and learned a few chords. He’s had one guitar or another in his hands pretty much ever since. Besides his father, early influences were Roland and Clarence White of the Kentucky Colonels. The latter’s innovative timing and phrasing remain an undercurrent in David’s style. Well, at least insofar as there is a Grier style. Somewhat paradoxically, Grier’s style consists largely of having the physical capacity and mental agility to be unconstrained by anything that would normally be characterized as a “style.” He tends to go where the moment takes him and, if the moment is right, it takes him places most bluegrass players never see. Minnesota audiences got to share some of those moments last month. A funny thing about Grier is that over the years his appearance is just about as unpredictable as his music. When he walked onto the stage of the
Coming Up Venue abbreviations 318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, www.three-eighteen.com 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mn ACA: Acadia Cafe, 329 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-874-8702, www. acadiacafe.com AGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.com APHC: “A Prairie Home Companion,” Minnesota Public Radio AST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www. astercafe.com BTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.org BoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 320-252-9475 CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-3382674, www.thecedar.org CJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www. thecelticjunction.com CrH: Creek House Concerts, www.creekhouseconcerts.com, 651-633-5353. MUST call and reserve for these events. DAK: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www. dakotacooks.com DUL: 607 W Lake St, Mpls, 612-827-1726, www.dulonos.com DuG: Dunn Brothers on Grand, 1569 Grand Ave, St. Paul EAG: Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St, Mpls, 612-729-4469, www. Mplseagles34.org
FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-2901200, www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org GINK: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul, 651-645-2647, www.ginkgocoffee.com GKb: Grand Kabaret, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 507-3599222, www.thegrandnewulm.com HB: Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis HOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com HOPK: Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.hopkinsartscenter.com KIP: Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85 6th St N, Mpls, 612-339-4499, www. kierans.com OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612-7294200, theriverview.com ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-2224353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-7327616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com
To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS December 3
December 6
December 31—New Year’s Eve
Whiskey Junction Bluegrass/ Americana Night, 901 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-338-9550 9pm The Moss Piglets 10pm Blue Groove 11pm Jackson and the Roosters
The Platte Valley Boys and Blue Hazard 7th Annual Christmas Show Tickets $10, food available, Oak Park Heights Hall & Club, 5880 Omaha Ave N, Oak Park Heights, MN, 651-342-1249, 3:30–6pm
• Mike Dowling & Randy Sabien, Creek House, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, Sheldon Theater, Redwing, 7pm • Southside Aces & Patty and the Buttons, Eagles Club, 6:30pm
• Contra Dance with Danebodium, TAP, 7:30pm • Gales of November, with Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Ruth MacKenzie, Eric Peltoniemi and more, Concert version of the play “Ten November,” about the Edmund Fitzgerald, FITZ, 8pm • Long Time Gone, 5th Annual Holiday Bluegrass Show, HOB, 7pm
• Pushing Chain, Cannon River Winery, 421 Mill St W, Cannon Falls, MN, 1pm • Pushing Chain, DUL, 8pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
November 27—Friday • Leo Kottke with Nick Forster and Friends, FITZ, 8pm • Nordic Bees, Christmas at the Fort & Runestone Museum, Alexandria, 3pm • Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing, 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Mpls
November 28—Saturday
• APHC broadcast from The Town Hall, New York City, 4:45pm
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November 29—Sunday
• Gales of November, with Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Ruth MacKenzie, Eric Peltoniemi, Concert version of “Ten November,” about the Edmund Fitzgerald, FITZ, 2pm • Jack Klatt and His Band with Barbara Jean & Molly Dean, CED, 7:30pm December 2015
• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
November 30—Monday
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 1—Tuesday
• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • The Gibson Brothers, DAK, 7pm • Mark Kreitzer & Dean Harrington, Noonartsounds, University of St. Thomas (main library), 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, 1pm
December 2—Wednesday
• Katy Vernon, AST, 9pm • Monroe Crossing, City Center Atrium, 40 S 7th St, Mpls, 11:30am
December 3—Thursday
• Bob Bovee/Charlie Parr, Lanesboro Arts at St. Mane Theater, 103 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN, 507-467-2446, $12, 7:30pm • Punch Brothers with Gabriel Kahnane, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-2787, 8pm • Sherry Minnick and Phil Nusbaum play the Great American Songbook, Club Prior at Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave, Prior Lake, 7pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm • Whiskey Junction Bluegrass/Americana Night, 901 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-3389550, 9pm The Moss Piglets, 10pm Blue Groove, 11pm Jackson and the Roosters
December 4—Friday
• Dr. Ralph Stanley with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, CED, 8pm • Lonesome Dan Chase, DuG, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Marion Ross Performming Arts Center, 147 N Broadway, Albert Lea, MN, 7:30pm • Pat Donohue, BoDD, 7:30pm • Pushing Chain, Pearl Street Brewery, 1401 St. Andrew St, La Crosse, WI, 6pm • Singleton Street, Schram Vineyards, 8785 Airport Rd, Waconia, MN, 6pm
December 5—Saturday
December 2015
December 6—Sunday
• Monroe Crossing, Pine City Schools Auditorium, 1400 Main St, Pine City, MN, 3:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • 7th Annual Platte Valley Boys ~ Blue Hazard Christmas Show, Oak Park Heights Hall & Club, 5880 Omaha Ave N, Oak Park Heights, MN, 651-3421249, $10, 3:30pm
December 7—Monday
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 8—Tuesday • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
December 9—Wednesday • • • •
Cooker John, DuG, 7:30pm-9:30pm Katy Vernon, AST, 9pm Mark Stillman & Francine, EAG, 8pm Pop Wagner: Rolling on a Winter’s Night celebrates U of M Libraries’ new Minnesota folk music archive, 120 Elmer L. Andersen Library, Mpls, 7pm
December 10—Thursday
• Pushing Chain at Charlie Roth Song Circle, Veranda Lounge, 22 5th Ave S, Saint Cloud, MN, 4pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm
December 11—Friday • Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas, The O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin St SW, Hutchinson, MN, 7pm • No Man’s String Band and Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures, HB, 7 pm • Okee Dokee Brothers, CED, 8pm • Pushing Chain, BoDD, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, DUL, 8pm-10pm • Sara Pajunen, New York Mills Cultural Center, 24 Main Ave N, New York Mills • The Don Juans (Jon Vezner & Don Henry), CrH, 7pm
December 12—Saturday
• Ace in the Hole, GKb, TBA • APHC from The Town Hall with The DiGiallonardo Sisters, Heather Masse, NYC, 4:45 pm • Bob Bovee, Roots Cellar, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, $15; $10 students/seniors, 7pm • Contra Dance with Contratopia, TAP, 7:30pm • Creek House Christmas, CrH, 7pm • The Don Juans, ZuM, 7:30pm • The High 48s, Holiday Show, New London Little Theater, 24 Central Ave E, New London, MN, 7pm • Ivory Bridge, DUL, 8pm-10pm • King Wilkies Dream, Bluegrass / Christmas show, HOB, 7pm • Michael Johnson, HOPK, 8pm, 7pm Social Hour • Okee Dokee Brothers, CED, 11am & 2pm • Riverside Bog Stompers, AGr, 10am • Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, EAG, 2pm & 5pm
December 13—Sunday
• Elizabeth Ghandour & The Heighburners, AST, 8pm • High 48’s, St Paul Yacht Club, 375 W. Water St, St. Paul, Holiday Concert • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
December 14—Monday
• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, Cajun/ Zydeco Dances, $8, 7:30pm • The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 15—Tuesday • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• APHC broadcast from The Town Hall, with guest Heather Masse, NYC, 4:45pm • Contra Dance with Greenwood Tree, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, The Landing, 2187 E Hwy 101, Shakopee, 763-694-7784, 1pm
• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake, MN, 9am • The High 48s, AST, New holiday album CD release, $15, reservations: 612-3793138, 9pm • Jillian Rae and Band, OAK, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, MN, 2pm & 7pm • Nordic Bees, American Swedish Institute, Annual Julmarknad (Christmas Market), 10:15am • Pushing Chain, Elmaro Vineyard, N14756 Delaney Rd, Trempealeau, WI, 1pm • Pushing Chain, Leo and Leona’s Tavern & Dance Hall, W1436 State Road 33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Simple Gifts with Billy McLaughlin, ZuM, 7:30pm • Singleton Street, Delano Olde Fashioned Christmas, Delano,MN • Steven Earl Howard - Hillbilly Music for the Soul, Hog N the Road BBQ, 218 Atlantic Ave W, Grove City, MN, 320-857-2333, 6:30pm
December 16—Wednesday • Bill Cagley, DuG, 7:30pm • Lenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Pushing Chain, Bent Paddle Taproom, 1912 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN
December 17—Thursday
• Annual Louisiana Rhythms Christmas Benefit for Second Harvest, EAG, 7:30pm • Four Mile Portage, AGr, 5pm • Lonnie Knight, DuG, 7:30pm
December 18—Friday
• Ann Reed with Joan Griffith, ZuM, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Uptown Bill’s, Iowa City, IA, 7pm • Fendrick and Peck, BoDD, 7:30pm • Pushing Chain, Castle Danger Brewery, 17 7th St, Two Harbors, MN, 7pm
December 19—Saturday
• Andrea Lynn & Friends w/ Dick Kimmel, GKb • APHC broadcast from FITZ, 4:45pm • Captain Gravitone and The String Theory Orchestra, DUL, 8pm • Charlie Parr, OAK, 8pm • Contra Dance with Pig’s Eye Landing, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Hickory Ridge Concerts, at Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL, 7pm • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake, 9am
• The High 48s, holiday show, ZUM, $16/$19, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, The Historic Palace Theater, 104 E Main St, Luverne, MN, 7:30pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm
December 20—Sunday
• High 48’s, Pleasant Corner Schoolhouse, W11798 Pleasant Corner Rd, Stockholm, WI, 1pm • Monroe Crossing, Pioneer Place on 5th, 22 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN, 7:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
December 21—Monday
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 22—Tuesday • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
December 23—Wednesday • Katy Vernon: Holiday Residency, AST, 9pm
December 26—Saturday
• Contra Dance with Light of the Moon, TAP, 7:30pm
December 27—Sunday
• Pat Donohue, AST, 8pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
December 28—Monday
• Millie & the Heavyweights with Blake Miller, EAG, 7:30pm • The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 29—Tuesday • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
New location! 4151 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis (612) 767-2800 podiumguitars@gmail.com
-Bourgeois -Breedlove -Carmel -Fairbanks -Goodall -Hoffman -Huss&Dalton -Hill
December 30—Wednesday • Katy Vernon, AST, 9pm
December 31—Thursday • Mike Dowling & Randy Sabien, CrH, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, SHL, 7pm • New Year’s Eve with Southside Aces & Patty and the Buttons, EAG, 6:30pm
January preview
• 7, Thur. The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm • 9, Sat. Dan Newton’s Cafe Accordion Orchestra, CED, 8pm • 11, Mon. Terr-Douglas Quintet, EAG, 7:30pm • 14, Thur. Southside Aces, EAG, 8pm • 15, Fri. King Wilkie’s Dream, Granite City Folk Society, BoDD, 7:30pm • 16, Sat. APHC from War Memorial Opera House, with Ellie Dehn, Heather Masse, San Francisco, CA, 4:45pm • 16, Sat. No Man’s String Band, 318, 8pm • 23, Sat. APHC from San Diego Civic Theatre with Chris Thile, Heather Masse, San Diego, CA, 4:45pm • 23, Sat. MBOTMA’S 2016 Fundraiser JedFest! Celebration of Jed Malischke’s 29 years of service with MBOTMA, VFW, 8100 Pleasant View Dr, Spring Lake Park, 12pm–12am • 23, Sat. Swamp Pop Extravaganza Number 7, Fundraiser for 2nd Harvest, EAG, 7:30pm
-Kakos -Kennedy -Kopp -Kronbauer -Morris -Santa Cruz -Walden -Walker
Premium Guitars, Amplifiers, and Repair 20
December 2015
Wegen’s Guitar Picks Ž
6625 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308
www.homesteadpickinparlor.com folkmuse@aol.com and you can find us on Facebook
December 2015
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
Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music since 1979
Michel Wegen is a recognized Dutch model maker using sculpting and airbrush art techniques to meet the needs of clients such as theme parks, ad agencies and museums.
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MBOTMA Member Bands BLUEGRASS BANDS Alternate Route, Jerry Knopik, 651-208-5565, jerryknopicks01@ gmail.com Alzen Family, Brad Alzen, 715-749-3977, bwalzen@pressenter.com Art Stevenson & Highwater, Art Stevenson, 715-884-6996, artstevenson@ hotmail.com Assisted Picking, Jon Garon, 612-8392277, jon@myfavoriteguitars.com Benson Family Singers, Peter Benson,, bensonpd@yahoo.com Biscuit Boys, Daniel Fish, 763-434-2734, radiocty@skypoint.com Blue Groove, David Smith, 952-9745121, ds5string@gmail.com Blue Hazard, Hannah Johnson, 651-500-0747, info@bluehazardband.com Blue Wolf, Shirley Mauch, 612-724-1482, samauch@worldnet.att.net Borderstone, Ryan.Morgan, 715-7812989, info@borderstonetheband.com Buffalo River Ramblers, Marty Solmon, 218-850-8715, mmsolmon@arvig.net Cabin Fever, Jeanie Wyttenbach, 507635-5625, wyttenbach.lou@mayo.edu Carver Creek Bluegrass, Tom Monsen, 952-466-2089, carvercreekbluegrass@ gmail.com Def Lester, Lincoln Potter, 651-4830469, potter@umn.edu Dick Kimmel & Co, Dick Kimmel, 507-359-1163, kimmel@newulmtel.net The Fake McCoys, Bob Cameron, 807-626-0568, BigDaddyBobCameron@ gmail.com The Fish Heads, Kim Curtis-Monson, 218-729-5326, KMonson802@aol.com The Good Intentions, Chris Silver, 651491-4013, chrissilverband@gmail.com Halvorson Family Band, Loren Halvorson, 507-345-7431, loren@ birchcovesoftware.com Hand Picked Bluegrass, Joe Cronick, 715-966-6463, handpickedbluegrass@ charter.net The High 48s, Eric Christopher, 651-271-4392, eric@thehigh48s.com Ivory Bridge, Kathe & Bill Liners, 952-237-0913, boliners@gmail.com
JedFest, Jed Malischke, jmalisch@ centurytel.net The Kalisch Family, Sandy Kalisch, 507-744-3348, skalisch7@lonstel.com King Wilkie’s Dream, Robbi Podrug, 612-562-8402, booking@kwdream.com King’s Countrymen, Lorn Schultz, 715-495-5275, schultzfam92@yahoo.com The King’s Highway, Eddy Van Pamhorst, 807-630-9914, gemvan@ tbaytel.net The Kingery Family, Christy Kingery, info@thekingeryfamily.com The Lonesome Tradition, Tim Roggenkamp, 218-568-5559, rogge@ uslink.net The Long Shots, Sophie Galep, 715-2330181, sophie.galep@gmail.com Long Time Gone, Ben Manning, 651-388-7383, mndawg@gmail.com Luda and the Fisks, Jeanne Rostad, 952-807-3253, jabeanbags@gmail.com Mark Kreitzer Band, Mark Kreitzer, 612-724-7334, mark@markkreitzer.com The Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Al Jesperson, 612-727-2489, alanjesp@ gmail.com Minnesota Blue, Kelton Parrish, 651-697-0209, kgparrish@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 Northern Lights Bluegrass, Mary Campbell, 320-679-3094, qbchurch@q.com Northern Posse, Arlette Solom, 218463-0710, Bluegrass@NorthernPosse.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, 320-4853310, bkhallett@yahoo.com Pride of the Prairie, Sarah Cagley, sdcagley@comcast.net Purdy River Band, Chuck Lahr, 563-927-2457, purdyriver@gmail.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 Sawtooth Brothers, MJ Moravec, 507990-6456, info@sawtoothbrothers.com The Seldom Herd, Gary Cobus, 612-859-9013, garycobi@charter.net Shadow Grass, Katy Valine, 651-9820599, ktvaline@msn.com Singleton Street, Sherri Leyda, 763-972-2341, singletonst@yahoo.com Timbre Junction, Karen Radford, 612623-0261, KarenJRadford@eaton.com Trackside, David Anderson, 952-4740981, renee_ballroom2@yahoo.com The Woodpicks, Joel Kezar, 218-6812148, kezarmusic@mncable.net
OLD-TIME STRINGBANDS Bob & Lynn Dixon, Lynn Dixon, 612-377-6819, dixon@visi.com Bob Bovee, 507-498-5452, bobbovee46@gmail.com The Bootlickers, Irina Rossi, rinarossi@gmail.com The Eelpout Stringers, Karl Burke, 651-784-7323, bltfolk@aol.com The Gritpickers, Rob Daves, 612-8220085, gritpickers@gmail.com Poor Benny, David Furniss, 651-6990557, david.w.furniss@uwrf.edu The Roe Family Singers, Quillan Roe, 612-599-0266, pappyroe@yahoo.com Rush River Ramblers, Eric Hatling, 715-772-4421, ehatling@gmail.com Tickwood String Band, Doug Wells, 218-736-4469, betsyanddougwells@ gmail.com The Tune Jerks, Bob Douglas, 651-7781395, rjdouglas@stthomas.edu Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, Jim Brooks, 612-419-4576, brooks@csp.edu Wink The Other Eye, David Gourhan, 651-674-8668, dgourh@aol.com
RELATED GENRE BANDS
December 2015
New Riverside Ramblers, Eric Mohring, 612-724-4687, info@newriversideramblers.com No Grass Limit, Sandi Millar, 763-4393515, sandi@lessonpros.com Nordic Bees, Renee Vaughan, 651-2954200, renee@nordicbees.com Now and Then, Daniel Fish, 763-7862524, radiocty@skypoint.com O’Neil Family Band, Jeanne O’Neil, 218-773-3850, oneil@rrv.net Pert Near Sandstone, Michael McGregor, 612-998-8647, michael@ hellobooking.com Peter Ostroushko, 612-529-2884, postroushko@visi.com Pickin’ Up Steam, Dale Martell, 612-387-0152, info@dalemartell.com Pushing Chain, Ann Iijima, 651-7073545, ann@silvercranes.com Rosby Corner, Jeanne Marti, 763-5597552, romarti3@aol.com S R Dugan, Shawn Dugan, 952-737-7705, srdugan@gmail.com Scrapegoat Skin & Bones, Holle Brian, 612-822-6593, holleb@aol.com Sherry Minnick & Jackson Buxton, Sherry Minnick, 651-644-8682, minnicksherry@gmail.com Sloughgrass, Soren Olesen, 218-6342800, sorenjudith@centurytel.net Steven Earl Howard - Hillbilly Music, Steven Howard, 952-595-9819, hsteven02617@gmail.com String Beans, Chick Pea & Garbonzo, Roger Cuthbertson, 612-474-2476, rojo@visi.com Switched At Birth, Rick Anderson, 651-230-2431, ricktune56@gmail.com T & L Schwartz & Family, Linda Schwartz, 701-659-3154, lspollanthra@ gmail.com Trinity Trio, Jay Forney, 218-681-8172, wjwforney@gmail.com Tucker’d Out, John Trelstad, 701-2120015, jdtrelstad@aol.com Wayne Hamilton, 612-508-0768, wayne@waynehamilton.com The Weasels, George Rothenberger, 612724-6911, grothenberger@edilimited.com Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers, Joe Hart, 414-439-2004, joseph_hart@frontiernet.net
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Alabaster Falls, Julie Kaiser, 218-3083131, tiedyechick40@yahoo.com The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, Brian Wicklund, 651-4334564, brian@fiddlepal.com Benji Flaming, Benji Flaming, 612-3266521, mbotma@benjiflaming.com Bernie King & The Guilty Pleasures, Bernie King, 763-242-6943, bkandthegps@gmail.com Bill & Kate Isles, Bill Isles, 218-3404404, bill@billandkateisles.com Blessings Gospel Trio, Timothy Johnson, 763-464-3481, timkarin@ comcast.net Blue Yodel #9, John Whitehead, 651-641-0752, jfw@bitstream.net Cousin Dad, John Soderberg, 612-4417382, john.soderberg@gmail.com Crooked Grass, Matt Johnson, 612-4623546, nosnhojm2@yahoo.com Culver’s Jammers, Barb Carlson, 763-784-7881, Blinkbug@aol.com Curtis & Loretta, Loretta Simonet, 612781-9537, loretta@curtisandloretta.com DL Cajun Band, Doug Lohman, 612-306-3490, DougLohman@aol.com Don D Harvey & the Ultrasonic Duo, Donald Harvey, 608-781-3456, dondharvey@centurytel.net Due North, Louise Wiermaa, 218-5907654, lew3355@hotmail.com The Flemming Fold, Sandra Flemming, 952-758-7522, troynsandra@hotmail.com Gloryland Gospel Band, Vicki Andersen, 952-457-7672, glorylandgb@ gmail.com Greenwood Tree, Bill Cagley, 651-6369542, bcagley@comcast.net The Hacklewrappers, Mark Rubbert, 612-387-8189, mjrubbert@comcast.net John & Rose Band, John Vincent, 218-766-1925, fiddling@hotmail.com Karen Mueller & Friends, Karen Mueller, 612-270-4740, karen@ karenmueller.com McInnis Kitchen, Susan Spencer, 218391-4735, suespencer@pondstage.com Moonlight Duo, Mary DuShane, 612-724-5341, marydushane@gmail.com The Moss Piglets, Ian Gamble, 651644-0810, themosspiglets@yahoo.com Mother Banjo, Ellen Stanley, 612-2811364, motherbanjo@gmail.com
23
Minnesota Bluegrass
February 2016
Articles, Ads, Coming Up, MinnesotaBluegrass.org
and News Clips
Deadline: January 1, 2016
Send to: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org 24
LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars
Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments) 218-326-4456
31751 LaPlant Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744 December 2015
Don’t miss these future
MBOTMA Festivals Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
The 12th Annual
The 24th Annual
April 15-17, 2016 Radisson Lakeview Hotel Downtown, Duluth MN
The newest of MBOTMA’s festivals, this event is growing leaps and bounds. We are moving to a new venue in 2016, back to our original location at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Duluth, where they will let us jam all night long (yippeeee!). We’re planning stage shows, a draw band contest, workshops, a Saturday headline concert with TBA, and lots of jam sessions. Get your reservation in now before all the rooms are gone! Call the Radisson for our special lodging rate at 218-727-8981 and tell them you have “Cabin Fever.”
The 37th Annual
Aug 11-14, 2016 June 3-5, 2016
El Rancho Mañana
El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St Cloud, MN
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!
These festivals are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Celebrate the holidays with Monroe Crossing! A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing Wednesday, Dec. 2
11:30 am to 1 pm
City Center Holiday Concert Series City Center Atrium, 40 South 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN
612-384-1229
Friday, Dec. 4
7:30 pm
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center 147 North Broadway
Albert Lea, MN
507-377-4371
Saturday, Dec. 5
2:00 & 7:00 pm
Lakeville Area Arts Center 20965 Holyoke Avenue
Lakeville, MN
952-985-4640
Sunday, Dec. 6
3:30 pm
Pine City Schools Auditorium 400 Main Street South
Pine City, MN
Friday, Dec. 11
7:00 pm
Peace Lutheran Church 400 Franklin Street SW
Hutchinson, MN
320-587-3031
Saturday, Dec. 19
7:30 p.m.
The Historic Palace Theatre 104 East Main Street
Luverne, MN
507-283-8294
Sunday, Dec. 20
7:30 pm
Pioneer Place on Fifth 22 Fifth Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN
320-203-0331
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
A New Year’s Eve with Monroe Crossing Thursday, Dec. 31
7:00 pm
The Sheldon Theatre 443 West Third Street
Red Wing, MN
800-899-5759
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 844-monroeX or 763-213-1349, art@monroecrossing.com
26
December 2015
7th Annual
Platte Valley ~ Blue Hazard Christmas Show
Sunday, December 6th, 2015; 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Platte Valley Boys
Featuring Fiddlers Tom Schaefer & Catie Jo Pidel
TICKETS:
Blue Hazard
$10 at door
Oak Park Heights Hall 5880 OmahaAve. No. Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 651-342-1249
Merry Christmas
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Food and Beverages Available!
Sponsored in part by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association December 2015
27
Non-ProďŹ t Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit 343
MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 16408 Mpls, MN 55416
TIME VALUE DATA
The T-shirt Team needs some help selling merchandise at MBOTMA festivals and events throughout the year. Find out how you can join this lively group of volunteers on page 9 under Help Wanted. Photo: Steve Chollar