Minnesota Bluegrass March 2015 by Minnesota Bluegrass

March 2015

Becky Buller brings it all back home

March 2015 Vol. 41 No. 2 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, David Smith Youth Representatives: Sarah Cagley, Catie Jo Pidel 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: Chris Anderson, Rick Anderson, John Chabot, Kim Curtis-Monson, Jim Dostal, Adam Granger, Ann Iijima, Jed Malischke, Ben Manning, Phil Nusbaum, Rina Rossi Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, Rick Swanson Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Steve Chollar, Martin Chvatal, Barry Moore Cover: Becky Buller photo by Glenn Sweitzer 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.

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From the president

Become a Member

Thanks for making 12 to 12 a success

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 11 issues of 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.

As you may know, MBOTMA put on a twelve-hour (noon to midnight) fundraiser and 40th Aniversary Celebration on January 31, at the VFW in Spring Lake Park. If you were among the nearly 500 people who attended, you already know what a huge success it was. Board member and Treasurer Sandi Pidel came up with the idea, planned it, organized it, and worked very hard to pull it off. Twelve hours of music from twelve different bands. We all owe her a very big thank you. We netted nearly $7,000 from the event. But the purpose of this letter to our membership is more than to simply report the results. On behalf of your Board of Directors I want to thank everyone who was involved: those who volunteered for it and those who attended. Past President Gary Cobus wrote in this magazine a short while ago, explaining our financial situation and asking for everyone’s help. We were able to realize such a great return because our expenses were next to nothing. All of the bands volunteered their time, demonstrating their commitment to MBOTMA, its continued existence, and our great community of friends. Volunteers conducted workshops and jams for the same reason. Members donated items for a silent auction and hourly raffle drawings. Everyone pitched in, including all of you who came in answer to Gary’s request. It was not only impressive but downright heartwarming to see us come together as a community. Again, thank you to all who volunteered and to those who attended and generously contributed financially. —Peter Albrecht, President, MBOTMA Board of Directors

New rates in effect as of March 1, 2015 Individual $35

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

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March 2015

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

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Becky Buller brings it all back home By JoAnne Makela

Becky’s solo records include Little Bird (2004) and Rest My Weary Feet (2000). She also released a duet album with Valerie Smith, Here’s A Little Song (2007). She recently left the Aldridges to record a new solo album and front her own band while raising daughter Romy with husband Jeff Haley. The band debuted on Music City Roots last August in Nashville. The Becky Buller Band’s Beth Lawrence (bass, vocals) grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, playing with her family band, The Lawrence Family, and now makes her home in Nashville. She has played with The Stevens Sisters, The Mark Newton Band, Ron Block Band, Jerry Salley Band, The Daughters of Bluegrass, Alecia Nugent, Chris Henry and the Hardcore Grass, Larry Cordle, The Blue Laws, and Sister Sadie. Casey Campbell (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) is a Nashville native who brings a fresh perspective to the traditional mandolin style. Born and raised on bluegrass, his first steps were taken backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Bill Monroe’s dressing room. Recently, Casey has been playing with the Vickie Vaughn Band and Bryan Sutton Band.

Troy Engle (banjo, dobro, guitar, vocals) is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, studio musician, and composer. He has performed with Patty Loveless, Buddy Jewell, The Isaacs, Larry Sparks, and many other country, bluegrass, and gospel acts. Troy’s compositions have been heard on shows like Pawn Stars, American Pickers, and Last Call with Carson Daly. He has played on recordings by Tom T. Hall, Buddy Jewell, and Michael Martin Murphey. Daniel Boner (guitar, vocals) is Director of Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies at East Tennessee State University, where he leads the program’s renowned ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. Originally from Bridgeton, New Jersey, Daniel has shared bluegrass music in eight foreign countries and at St. Peter’s Basilica, NATO Headquarters, The Grand Ole Opry, and The White House. His music can be heard on dozens of bluegrass recordings that feature IBMA and Grammy Awardwinning artists. Becky’s new solo album, ‘Tween Earth And Sky, was released in late 2014 on the Dark Shadow Recording label. The album has an all-star cast that includes

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You’d be hard-pressed to find a fan of bluegrass in Minnesota who hasn’t heard of fiddler Becky Buller. Becky grew up in a very musical southern Minnesota family and she earned her musical chops in the family’s band, Prairie Grass, playing with her parents Emory and Linda along with band mates Gordy and Roxy Shultz. Becky studied classical violin with Patti Tryhus and Charles Gray and was in the Mankato Area Youth Symphony and the Minnesota All-State Orchestra throughout high school. But her heart was always that of a fiddler. A gifted singer and songwriter, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some of her songs out in the world. Becky’s compositions have been recorded by Ricky Skaggs (“Music To My Ears”), Rhonda Vincent (“Fishers of Men”), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (“Be Living”), Josh Williams (“You Love Me Today”), and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (“My Angeline” and “Rest My Weary Feet”). Becky graduated from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) where she took part in their Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music program. She won first place in the bluegrass category of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest in Wilksboro, North Carolina in 2001 and then spent ten years touring, writing for, and recording with Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, producing several of their most recent records. Since 2005, Becky has also been a member of the award-winning Daughters of Bluegrass. She is featured on three Daughters of Bluegrass albums: Pickin’ Like A Girl (2012), Bluegrass Bouquet (2008), and Back To The Well (2006). Becky penned the title cut of Special Consensus’ album Scratch Gravel Road, which was nominated for the 2012 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy. In 2013, she teamed up with Darin & Brooke Aldridge. She can be heard on their album Flying (2013) and their new album Snapshots (2015).

Cover photo and this page: Glenn Sweitzer March 2015

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Barry Bales, Ron Block, Kenny Smith, Rob Ickes, Bryan Sutton, Jesse Brock, Sam Bush, Peter Rowan, Roland White, Mike Bubb, Tim O’Brien, Darin & Brooke Aldridge and Ned Luberecki. All but one of the 12 songs were written or co-written by Buller. The album was at #4 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Airplay chart for February 2015, and was David Morris’ top pick for 2014 on Bluegrass Today: “I can’t stop listening to this wonderful solo project. It has everything you could ask for: top-notch picking, sophisticated songwriting and superb vocals.” As busy as she is, Becky was kind enough to answer a few questions for her MBOTMA audience. You’ve performed with several different bands on the MBOTMA stage before. How does it feel to be coming back as a headliner? Honored you guys would have me so soon … excited … nervous! I love coming back home to visit and perform. But the stakes are always higher when performing for the folks who know you and your abilities best. I want to make you all proud! What’s the biggest challenge of fronting your own band? Biggest reward? The biggest challenge is getting the band to the stage. Organization and planning months in advance doesn’t come easy to me. But I’m getting there! (I don’t have a choice now!) And I’ve got a great team of folks helping me out. The biggest reward: I can make my own schedule! I might actually be able to go on a vacation with my husband! (We’ve only been on one in six years of marriage.) And I can now more effectively work around my most important job—being Romy’s mama. Who do you most admire in your musical past? I have so many mentors and inspirations. I’ll stick to the Minnesotans. Please pardon me if I’ve forgotten somebody here. My piano teacher, Chris Pitcher. My violin teachers Patti Tryhus of the Mankato Suzuki School of Music and Charles Gray of St. Olaf College. Adrian 6

Lo, former conductor of the Mankato Area Youth Symphony and associate professor of music at Bethany College, also in Mankato. Mr. Jokumsen, former director of the St. James High School choirs. When I started learning to play fiddle, it had been 50 some odd years since my Grandpa Buller had really played. He was determined to teach me the tune “Snowdeer,” but his fingers wouldn’t respond and I just couldn’t make out the melody. Bill Hinkley came to my rescue! He wrote the melody out on a napkin! Wish I still had that napkin. Wish we still had Bill. He was such a treasure. As a kid, my family’s band was often on shows with the River Basin Bluegrass band and I really looked up to all those guys—Doug Pellymounter, Andy Thompson, Paul Horrisberger, and, especially, Matt Thompson—because I heard he cut class to practice mandolin and fiddle and I always wished I was brave enough to do that. (My parents would’ve killed me!) My mom and dad [Emory and Linda Buller] and Gordy and Roxie Schultz. I learned a lot performing with Prairie Grass. How has the world of bluegrass changed over your career and what do you see as trends for the future? Bluegrassers now have to focus on the visual aspect of performance like never before. Video is everywhere and it lasts forever on the internet. It’s also now an important marketing tool for a band to release a music video and it’s easier than it used to be with services like YouTube and Vimeo available as well as the band’s own website. And we have to up our game when it comes to the stage presence and entertainment factor. Things go in cycles. Monroe and the first generation bands used to carry a comedian with them because that was the standard of the time. Then the trends changed and the focus of a bluegrass performance centered more on a band’s picking and singing prowess. We generally were performing for fellow musicians; we wanted to

be taken seriously. So we were serious on stage to the point that pickers wouldn’t move at all. I think we lost something when this happened and that it held us back from appealing to a larger audience. Organic, authentic, natural movement to the music is ok. Visually, it makes for an all around more interesting show. A little comedy helps, too, especially when kept in good taste. Audience attention spans are so short now. Artists have mere seconds to grab folks and keep them engaged for a full set. Keep the music varied in tempo, feel, key, and subject matter. Keep it visually interesting. I’m so grateful to Valerie Smith for mentoring me about this aspect of the business. She studied musical theater in school and she brought elements of it to every show. What would you like to say to upcoming musicians? Learn as much about every aspect of your craft and industry as you can. Learn to play at least a little bit on all the instruments. Learn to sing all the parts. Keep your appearance hip and well kept; figure out your style and rock it. Learn the business as well as the music. Never be too proud to ask for help. Surround yourself with positive people who are at the top of their game who will push you to keep at the top of yours. And, if you’re asked to fill in with a band, do your homework. Get your breaks as close to the album breaks as possible. That’s just being respectful. Plus you might learn a lick or two you can add to your own catalog to draw from later on. One more: study as many different styles of music as you can. All the new skills you learn will enhance your bluegrass pickin’ abilities. For example, Kenny Baker was a big Stéphane Grappelli fan. Anything else you’d like the MBOTMA audience to know? I’ve been an MBOTMA member at least since high school. It’s a great organization and puts on some of the best festivals anywhere! For more information, visit Becky Buller’s website: beckybuller.com. March 2015

Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival Of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance A preview from the WBW planning committee The Winter Bluegrass Weekend is always an exciting time of year for MBOTMA. It is especially so this year as we go celebrate our 40th anniversary. Here is a preview of all the activities planned for this event. First, we extend a heartfelt “Thanks!” To the Winter Bluegrass Weekend planning committee volunteers: Mark Pederson (Nechville Banjos stage), Ann Bloch and Joann Larson (MBOTMA merchandise), Pamela Kolupaillo (raffle), James Dostal (Gathering Place), Rina Rossi and Adam Kiesling (Deering Banjos Dance Hall), Sandi Pidel (Grass Seeds Academy), Phil Nusbaum (Spotlight On), Jasper McCroskey (headline concert), Ben Manning (exhibitors), Bob Bayers (My Favorite Guitars stage), Ken Bloch (workshops), Brett Day (ticket table), and Rick Anderson (committee chair). The Showcase of Bands This year we offer a wide array of MBOTMA member band showcases at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. Starting at 6 p.m. Friday and ending at 2 p.m. Sunday (new end time), there will be 40 bands covering bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related music genres on two different stages (the Nechville stage in the auditorium and the My Favorite Guitars stage located in the Europa room). There will be many of your favorite groups returning along with some exciting new bands! —Rick Anderson

March 2015

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Good Times To Be Had in the Old-Time Dance Hall We have a great line-up of fun for all ages in the Dance Hall this year and we hope you will join us! Friday night is your chance to dance, dance, dance. That’s right folks, we have not one but TWO square dances, featuring caller Matt Cartier and local band the Gritpickers from 7 to 8:30 p.m., followed by our visiting guests the

Red Squirrel Chasers from 8:30 to 10 p.m. That might tire you out, but we know your feet will drag you back to the floor again when the New Riverside Ramblers get the Cajun tunes cranking from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday will bring Jamming in the lobby is a common site at the WBW. more dancing and also the chance to take some old-time music workshops from to try slightly more challenging squares the Red Squirrel Chasers. At noon, the and move a little faster to the fine playWild Goose Chase Cloggers will do their ing of a fine band. —Rina Rossi always-popular Appalachian clogging demonstration and participatory workSpotlight On Clawhammer Banjos shop. Don’t miss your chance to learn “Spotlight On” is the annual Winter some clogging! At 1:15 p.m., Stephanie Bluegrass Weekend curated musical Coleman will teach old-time fiddle event that presents various aspects of tunes. Jim Collier will teach old-time old-time and bluegrass music. The 2015 mandolin at 2:15 p.m. The master of Spotlight On presentation will feature old-time guitar himself, Mr. Jim Nelson, old-time banjo playing and will take will teach old-time back-up at 3:15 place in the Dance Hall on Saturday p.m., while Dedo Norris will teach bass from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. basics. Then sit back and relax as the Today, when you see a performance Red Squirrel Chasers play a concert for of old-time music, you are likely to take us from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Spotlight On in a style of playing called clawhammer will follow, so you may continue resting banjo. However, the variety of the banjo your feet in preparation for the evening used can affect the overall sound of the dances. clawhammer style. Although clawhamFrom 7:30 to 8:45 p.m., we will have a mer banjo seems to be the choice of Family Dance with music by the Winter current players, there are many more Weekend String Ticklers and calling by choices out there. During Spotlight On, Shawn Glidden. The Family Dance is players will talk about their banjos and open to all ages and dances will be kid the ways in which they play them. The and beginner friendly. From 9 to 10:30 roster of players includes John Heine, p.m., dancing will continue with the Red Adam Keisling, Rob Daves, and Aaron Squirrel Chasers and Shawn Glidden for Tacke. dancers 12 years and up. This part of the A banjo program put together by Bill evening is the “Adult Swim”: a chance Cagley and held at the Underground

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Music Café in Falcon Heights in December 2014 inspired this event. Cagley says that the original program was instigated by John Heine and by all accounts was a most successful one. As a result, it was thought that a re-staging at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend would be appropriate. —Phil Nusbaum A World Of Workshops We have another fine list of workshops planned for the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. They will all be on Saturday in upstairs conference rooms and there may be additional workshops in the Gathering Place or the Dance Hall, so please look at the schedule on page 16. Here is a run-down of what’s in store. 10 a.m. Introduction to Clawhammer Banjo with Quillan Roe 11 a.m. Clawhammer Backup to OldTime Fiddle with Craig Evans. By itself, clawhammer banjo is a beautiful thing. But did you know it can even make a fiddle sound good? Craig Evans, of the Eelpout Stringers, shares some of his learnings from Dwight Diller and other performers. Banjo players and fiddlers welcome. Taught to Liberty (D), Goin’ Down to Cairo (G) and Ora Lee (G). 12 p.m. Beginning Old-Time Fiddle with Nick Rowse. The Eelpout Stringer’s Nick “Fin” Rowse will teach one or two easy tunes by ear. The focus will be primarily on bowing, which is at the heart of old-time fiddle music. Cross tunings will also be discussed and demonstrated. 1 p.m. Walking the Bass with Eric Paulson. Eric’s workshop will be about how the bass player can play more than just the 1, 5, 1, 5 pattern, and still stay on beat, drive the music, and stay out of the way of the lead players. 2 p.m. Introduction to Autoharp with Kim Roe 3 p.m. Mandolin: Tricks, Licks, Tunes & Techniques with Nic Hentges and Justin Rosckes. Nic and Justin of No Man’s String Band will discuss, teach, and demonstrate the mandolin and its role in bluegrass music. 4 p.m. The Art of Building A Great Set List and Why with Karl Burke. Having a great list of tunes and songs for your show is just part of a great concert. 8

Learning how to take the audience on a dynamic musical journey is the rest of it. A good set list also helps keep your time on stage flowing easier. Taught by Karl Burke of the Eelpout Stringers. A handout will be included. —Ben Manning The Gathering Place The Gathering Place at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend is a great place to meet old friends, make new acquaintances, and find out more about MBOTMA. This year we will have a number of activities that are about developing music skills. On Friday, starting at 8 p.m., we will have a Songwriters Round Robin hosted by Paul Schulte and featuring people presenting their latest creations. This is an opportunity to share your original music in an acoustic non-amplified setting. Participants will have the option to give a 1- to 2-minute introduction and then play one song, before we move on to the next songwriter.

On Saturday, Mabel Houle will be doing some “Kids Stuff!” crafts, games, and fun from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bill Cagley will host beginning and intermediate jams at 1 and 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., Bill hosts the TLC stage where people can perform music that they have been working on. There will be one more jam with Bill Cagley on Sunday before we close for the year. See you there. —Jim Dostal Early Bird Jam We are glad to be able to once again host the “Early Bird Jam” on Thursday evening before the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. We’ll have lyrics sheets for beginners to use with chords to read, but other than that and your own jamming etiquette, we really let the jam form up and grow on its own as the evening goes on. We’ll hold the jam in the lobby area called The Fireplace Lounge, and there is both food and drink available at the hotel restaurant and bar in the next room over. We love to have more folks join in, including unsuspecting hotel guests. —Chris Anderson

Don’t miss the vendor tables March 2015

Review

Waterbound! The Eelpout Stringers By Adam Granger

March 2015

Bluegrass Renaissance man David Tousley works his engineering magic once again on Waterbound! If I had a nickel for every good album I’ve reviewed that has come from his Root Bass Records studio . . . well, I wouldn’t be rich, but I’d have more than a quarter. I’ve come to trust that a TousleyKeeper, Gill, Fin, and Bullhead. Photo: Barry Moore produced album is going to be technically does a soulful job singing “St. James good. Waterbound! is Hospital.” recorded fairly dry (i.e., without much “Hunting the Buffalo,” a southern reverb), which is the old-timey way, cretune with Arkansas bones, proves, as the ating a sound that is crisp but not britband’s liner notes state, that “meaningtle—golden toast but not zwieback. The ful, sensitive banjo is not an oxymoron,” guitar and bass are mixed just enough and in “Darlin’ Come Dance with Me,” into the background for the fiddle and the boys salute the songwriter, dear, banjo to be two feet in front. And, to my departed Deb Sorensen-Boeh, with beauear, there was relatively little knob-twidtiful vocals by Evans and Mitchell, and a dling going on during the recording profine Evans guitar solo as a bonus. cess, a nod to careful mic placement and More swell tunes follow, and then the good musicianship. boys end up with, of all things, a fun, As was the case with Rockin’ the silly 1963 offering from The New Christy Boat, Waterbound! contains a pleasMinstrels, “I Was Born 100,000 Years antly eclectic mix of acoustic string Ago” (whose version is a tad cleaned music. After a few dandy traditional up from original Oscar Brand/Cisco fiddle tunes, the Stringers launch into Houston incarnations). Uncle Dave Macon’s “Grey Cat on the It bespeaks the boys’ confidence in Tennessee Farm,” in the refrain of which their trad music credentials that they’re the following couplet is found: comfortable closing with a song from a Big cat spittin’ in the little cat’s eye group that is, in the twentyfirst century, Little cat, little cat, don’t you cry more or less vilified by traditionalwhich exemplifies the problem with the ists. And the Minstrels aren’t alone on good old days: oftentimes, the wrong the gallows: also condemned are The entity was addressed with the wrong Kingston Trio, The Chad Mitchell Trio, protocol. It was the big cat that should The Rooftop Singers, and all others of have been admonished, not the little one. their ilk. Today, we know that their repOur realization of this today is proof that ertoire was suffused with unauthentic we’ve become a slightly better world. and derivative elements but, at the time, Next comes the great northern these groups provided an invaluable tune “The Hangman’s Reel.” Then service by introducing us to music and “Swannanoa Waltz,” a Rayna Gellert instruments we would not otherwise composition, demonstrates that the have heard. Latter-day critics of these banjo can play a waltz, and Mitchell 9

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First, a disclaimer: I know this band; I’ve hired them to play contra dances since their inception in 2005, I’ve emceed festivals where they have appeared, and some of them have studied with me. Notwithstanding, I pledge accuracy and honesty in this review. Naming one’s band after a fish as butt-ugly as the eelpout takes guts, and I don’t mean fish guts. If the band is lousy, people will say, “No wonder they call themselves The Eelpout Stringers—have you heard them?” And if the band is good, well, there’s still that strike-two eelpout image to overcome. And, mind you, these are reasonably nice looking fellows: visually, eelpouts are downward comparisons, although I won’t say by how much. With the release of their second album, Waterbound!, the Stringers continue their trend of aquatic titling (if two titles can be a trend). This album is a little better than their first album, Rockin’ the Boat, which I reviewed in these pages four years ago. This is neither thinly veiled insult nor damning with faint praise: a little better is what one wants. A lot better would mean that the first album sucked, but no better would mean that there was no improvement so, like Goldilocks’ third bowl of porridge, a little better is just right. The band sounds four more years like a band than it did four years ago, if you follow my syntax. This is significant, because the fishboys had already been together for half a decade when they recorded album number one, so it was more polished and together than a normal first album. The four musicians who make up the band, Loyd “Keeper” Mitchell on guitar, Karl “Gill” Burke on bass, Nick “Fin” Rowse on fiddle, and Craig “Bullhead” Evans on banjo, have all improved individually—tempos a little more even, vocals a little sweeter, grooves a little groovier—and thus, following some mathematical principle whose discussion I slept through in high school, the ensemble is a little better.

white bread bands don’t understand— or don’t remember—that in 1960 they were the only common access to genres we love today. While it’s true that the righteously authentic Pete Seeger and his sometime-group The Weavers were around, they were not recorded on major labels nor played on top-40 radio, and, in fact, were blacklisted and persecuted—and Seeger jailed for a time—for their political affiliations. Thus, the first “folk” banjoist I heard was not Pete Seeger, but Dave Guard, on the Kingston Trio’s hit, “Tom Dooley,” in 1958 and, although I now hear how rudimentary Dave Guard’s banjo playing was, it turned me on to the instrument and made me want to hear and learn more about it. But enough about commie-sympathizing rabblerousers; let’s get back to The Eelpout Stringers. Waterbound! is a fine album. The band has just the right amount of tightness, the Mitchell/Burke rhythm section does yeoman duty, the banjo and fiddle sound great, the vocals are heartfelt and engaging and, maybe most importantly, The Eelpout Stringers sound like they had a good time recording this album. Would that that quality shined through on every album made. Adam Granger is a Twin Cities writer, musician and guitar teacher. He’ll be touring the Caribbean with Garrison Keillor in March, Europe with Alan Munde and Dick Kimmel in May and, in June, he’ll be teaching and performing at the International Fiddle Camp in Manitoba.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

The 19th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival is again

sponsoring a songwriting contest. Winners receive cash prizes and other amenities, including the opportunity to appear on stage during the August 6–9 Festival held in Hebron, Connecticut. The contest entry deadline is May 1, 2015. Rules plus an entry form can be found at www.podunkbluegrass.com.

Free workshops at MN Music Summit April 9–11 The Minnesota Music Coalition (MMC) will hold its fourth annual MN Music Summit, April 9–11 in downtown St. Paul. This three-day festival will feature industry workshops, concerts and social networking opportunities for artists, fans, and local industry movers and shakers. Expanding on last year’s successful event, this year’s Summit will include Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival’s exclusive screening of “MN Made Music Videos.” There will also be a panel about how to make compelling music videos and an opportunity to meet local videographers and filmmakers. Thanks to the support of the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, St. Paul Cultural STAR, Summit Brewery, McNally Smith College of Music, the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, Minnesota Public Radio and the ongoing support of the McKnight Foundation, daytime events are free and all events are all ages. The MN Music Summit kicks off with a social hour at Summit Brewery on Thursday, April 9 from 6-8 p.m. Musicians and fans will have the opportunity to mingle with the region’s most important industry VIP’s over free food and beer, tapping into the MMC’s vast network of music supporters. On Friday, April 10, the Summit continues with a national keynote address at the Minnesota Public Radio Forum and afternoon workshops and mentoring sessions at McNally Smith College of Music. The day is capped off with an all ages concert at Amsterdam Hall, headlined by folk/Americana songwriter Chastity Brown. The Summit winds up Saturday, April 11, with another afternoon of workshops, industry panels, and mentoring sessions at McNally Smith. Following that, there will be a 6-7 p.m. happy hour at Amsterdam, which will give musicians and fans one final time to network with each other before the grand finale concert of the weekend, which will include a special presentation of the inaugural ”MN Music Champion Award.” For more information on the MN Music Summit and the MMC’s various artist programs, please visit www.mnmusiccoalition.org. The MN Music Summit is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. —Ellen Stanley, Director, MMC

MBOTMA band takes top honors at SPBGMA awards MBOTMA member band No Grass Limit took home 7 out of the 13 awards they were nominated for at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) 41st Annual Midwest Awards Show in Jefferson City, Missouri on January 10, 2015. They won: Band of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Album of the Year. Individual band members also fared well, with Clint Birtzer guitar player of the year, Chuck Millar mandolin player of the year, Mike Hedding banjo player of the year, and Sandi Millar songwriter of the year. MBOTMA was nominated for Bluegrass Promoter of the Year, an honor won by BMAI in Missouri. Congratulations to all the winners. And way to go, No Grass Limit!

March 2015

Review

The Lonesome River Band: Turn on a Dime By John Chabot

Lonesome River Band’s sixteenth album, Turn on a Dime, released October 2014, is proving to be no less than you would expect from a group known as “one of the most respected names in bluegrass music.” This contemporary bluegrass band features Mike Hartgrove on fiddle, Randy Jones on mandolin, Barry Reed on bass, Brandon Rickman on guitar, and Sammy Shelor on banjo, guitar, and bass. Sammy is a recent recipient of Steve Martin’s “excellence in bluegrass and banjo (of course) award” and Alan Jackson enlisted him for The Bluegrass Album

(2013). I haven’t heard it yet, but I did hear that people are buying it just because they like Alan Jackson—and I would too, especially with Sammy Shelor doing murder banjo. Turn on a Dime’s 13 songs have everything you might be looking for in bluegrass. Cover song “Her Love Won’t Turn on a Dime” has great banjo and instrumentation. And great lyrics like “throw your wallet in the river because your heart don’t see dollar signs.” In “Gone and Set Me Free,” the words really take you back to the Smoky Mountains (where I grew up—but, that’s another story) and in “Cumberland Gap,” you can easily

imagine the scenic beauty overlooking the valley. This album makes you want to plan that trip to The Crooked Road music trail in Southwest Virginia. Ballads abound with “Lila Mae” and “Shelly’s Winter Love;” their plaintive high lonesome sounds reminiscent of Bill Monroe. Numbers like “Don’t Shed No Tears,” “Holding to the Right Hand,” and “Every Head Bowed” will have you clapping and toe tapping as though you were listening to country gospel. After listening to “Teardrop Express” and “Bonnie Brown,” you’ll want to rent the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou. Turn on a Dime has terrific lyrics. It’s definitely an album you should have in your play list.

MBOTMA 2014 Membership Survey results By Marilyn Bergum, Membership Committee Chair

March 2015

happy and having a good time. Hence the survey, which was open for comment from June 1 through August 15, 2014. Almost 250 people went on-line to complete the questionnaire that resulted in 93 pages of compiled data. Respondents were current, former, and prospective members. The survey gathered demographics—age, gender, location, level of music experience—and asked questions on what you like about the activities sponsored by MBOTMA, what you’d like to see added or changed, how much you use the website or magazine, and left space for comments on each topic. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of who we are, based on those responses: • almost half of us are between the ages of 50 and 64; • more than half of us live in the metro area; • we like our festivals, whether in the great outdoors or in a hotel; and • we all have opinions!

As expected in any survey, there were “drop the new and keep the classic” balanced out by the “drop the old and bring in the new” type of responses on many subjects. There were also some very good suggestions from festival attendees. One example was a request to provide an electronic charging station for phones and tablets at the Gathering Place during the August festival. What an easy way to cater to the plugged-in generation while we introduce them to our bluegrass world. By expressing your opinions and sharing your good ideas, you help to make our organization stronger, more appealing to new and old members, and help us in our recruitment efforts to bring in younger musicians to keep our music (and our organization) alive and well. You can find the unedited survey results—all 93 pages of it—online at minnesotabluegrass.org/as_Board.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Remember the magazine blurb, email notices, and survey business cards that were passed out, starting at the June 2014 Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff, about the membership survey? We hope you took the opportunity to fill out the on-line survey that gave you a chance to let MBOTMA board and staff know who you are, what you like, and what you’d like to see improved or changed in MBOTMA. The survey was part of a membership project that was begun in March in response to a decline in membership. Although the board agreed that we wanted and needed to recruit new members to support our organization and activities, we also realized that we need to retain current members. The message was “recruitment is one thing–retention is everything.” So, how do we recruit and then retain a strong, vibrant and active membership base? The first step is by asking you what’s needed and/or wanted to keep you

Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum

The Winter Bluegrass Weekend

Bluegrass Review supporters

I view the Winter Bluegrass Weekend as one of the yearly signposts that lead to spring. As we know, humans, technically, do not hibernate, though some of us come pretty darned close to it in January and February. Call it hibernation, malaise, seasonal affective disorder, or lethargy; the Winter Bluegrass Weekend (March 6–8, 2015) puts an end to it. At the WBW, people re-discover that it is fun to experience bluegrass music with thousands of others, through listening, jamming, or just hanging out in a bluegrass environment. I think of the warm weather months in our town as a sprint to get it all done before you can no longer count on the weather. At the time of the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, we’re revving our engines, preparing for the yearly sprint.

• Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • Minnesota Bluegrass & 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)

Spotlight On Old-Time Banjo It’s been my privilege to be associated with Spotlight On, a yearly program within the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. It takes place, this year, in the Old Time Dance Hall from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. Old-time music is a happenin’ thing. You can tell from the number of jam sessions in our town. Old-time players frequently look at the history of old-time music for inspiration. This year’s Spotlight On focuses on the banjo. Over time, there have been many types of banjos used in old-time music, and there have been many playing techniques. On this year’s program, we talked to local players John Heine, Adam Kiesling, Rob Daves, and Aaron Tacke. Each player occupies a niche in old-time music. During the program, each player will play for us, and also talk about their playing techniques and their instruments. By the way, this year’s Spotlight On is a partial re-staging of a program held at the Underground Music Café. Bill Cagley presented it, and he says that the program was inspired by an idea of John Heine’s.

Radio Fund Raising

March 2015

Bluegrass Review playlists are located 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. The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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

Day

Time

KLQP-FM, 92.1 Madison

Monday

8 PM

KMSU-FM, 89.7 Mankato; 91.3 Austin

Sunday

10 AM

KBEM-FM, 88.5 Minneapolis

Saturday

11 AM

KSRQ-FM, 90.1 Thief River Falls

Sunday

11 AM

KQAL-FM, 89.5 Winona

Saturday

9 AM

KDDG-FM, 105.5 Albany

Saturday

9 PM

WTIP-FM, 90.7 Grand Marais

Thursday

10 PM

KUMD-FM, 103.3 Duluth

Saturday

4 PM

KRWC-AM, 1360 Buffalo

Sunday

5 PM

KOJB-FM, 90.1 Cass Lake

Sunday

6 PM

KSCR-FM, 93.5 Benson

Sunday

6 AM

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

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

On the Bluegrass Saturday Morning and Bluegrass Review shows of March 20 and 27, 2015, KBEM-FM will conduct its annual spring on-air fund raising campaign. It’s a great time for listeners to act to make sure bluegrass stays strong on Twin Cities radio. KBEM-FM loves credit card pledges of support. Listeners can set up their pledges so that a set amount comes to the station via credit card monthly. Monthly support helps create reliable cash flow for the station. Also, there will be good ways for businesses to get involved, and get some promotional announcements in the process. My goal for the fund-raiser is to get the message out there with listeners responding in a big way, as we continue to play a lot of good bluegrass and old-time music.

Weekly Playlists

Lloyd “Doc” Wallin, D.D.S. Cosmetic Dentistry Burnsville, MN 55337 952-892-5050 (Free Consultation for MBOTMA Members) 13

Get the fever. Cabin Fever. By Kim Curtis-Monson

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

As I write this, we are in a virtual “heat wave” of winter, with January temps rising into the 20s. Winter feels almost spring-like. But I know the old man well. He sneaks in sometimes and, just when you aren’t looking, sends a snowstorm for the record books. Up here in the northeastern part of the state, we Duluthians thrive on things like skiing, ice fishing, and winter camping. But every year, when you are ready for a thaw and know it ain’t comin’ anytime soon, we have Cabin Fever. The Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival has taken place in Duluth for the past nine years. Actually, there’s a bit of an argument about how long we’ve been having this gathering. You see, we started out just wanting to get together and pick. Just pick! The event had a loose theme with local bands and jamming. The name “Cabin Fever” came much later than the birth of the event. What began as a gathering of likeminded, flannel-wearing pickers, has since turned into a full-fledged, honest to goodness, great little winter diversion at the Inn on Lake Superior in the historic Canal Park waterfront district of Duluth. Past years have brought the talents of Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice, and Grasstowne, among others. This year will be as exciting as ever with The Walker/Stargel Band, the Good

Intentions, Porcupine Creek, and many other great bands. Cory Walker and Jake Stargel are both recent winners of Momentum Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and both tour with Good Intentions Sierra Hull. Cory has also performed with Marty Rabon, Joe Diffey, and Ricky Skaggs. Jake has recently performed with the Green Cards as well as Mountain Heart. They will be backed up by a band consisting of Jon Garon, Tom Schaefer, Mark Kreitzer, Pete Mathison, and Elizabeth Ophoven. The Good Intentions is a new group in Minnesota from Chris Silver that includes Mike Cramer (Minnesota State Flatpicking Guitar Champion 2012), Heath Loy, and J.D. Shaffer. And Porcupine Creek won the 2014 Race For A Place Championship at MBOTMA’s Harvest Jam. There will be lots of jamming for sure, and workshops from mandolin to fiddle and then some. You will see first class talent on the Northern Lights stage with the headliners as well as the always fun and entertaining “Draw Bands.” What’s a draw band? You put your name and what instrument you play

in a bucket, then your name is drawn and put into a random group with whom you perform two to three songs. It’s fun! Honest. People who have done this before are hooked. In the heart of Duluth, you will be surrounded by a beautiful view of Lake Superior. If you have never experienced a sunrise over the lake in the winter, well, you do not know what you’re missing. You are in the middle of fine dining and shopping (longjohns being on sale) with many retail places and restaurants in Canal Park just a block or two away, and all while being bathed in the warmth of bluegrass. Whether you are from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada or the surrounding states, there is never enough picking time. So, drop the shovel, grab your axe, and head north. The snow will still be there when you get back. You will be a little closer to spring and a lot warmer for the music and friendship that Cabin Fever holds for you.

Race for a Place winners Porcupine Creek. Photo: Steve Chollar 14

March 2015

Exhibit Rooms

Thursday

(Conference Rooms B & C & D)

The Get-a-Head-Start Jam

Fireside Lounge 6:30 PM to ? Thursday Night March 5th

A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance

Friday 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Gathering Place (Conference Room E)

Friday

Nechville Stage (Auditorium)

Friday MC: Dan Fish 6:00 Luke Warm & The Cool Hansds 6:45 The Flemming Fold 7:30 Blue Groove 8:15 The Eelpout Stringers MC: 9:00 The Bootlickers 9: 45 Bernie King & the Guilty Pleasures 10:30 Sawtooth Brothers 11:15 Ivory Bridge

Saturday 11:00MBOTMA General Membership Meeting MC: Kim Monson 11:45 Ophoven Family 12:30 Due North 1:15 Timbre Junction 2:00 Biscuit Boys MC: Katryn Conlin 2:45 Dick Kimmel & Co 3:30 Porcupine Creek 4:15 The Platte Valley Boys

Headline Concert BECKY BULLER BAND

7:00 PM w/Wild Goose Chase Cloggers (doors open 6:30), and 9:30 PM w/King Wilkie’s Dream (open 9:15)

Sunday

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

8:15 Non Denominational Church Service with Richard Dugan 10:00 AM-1:00 PM Gospel Show MC: Barb Carlson 10:00 Borderstone 10:45 Singleton Street 11:30 Blessings Gospel Trio 12:15 Sherry Minnick & Jackson Buxton 1:00 Grass Seeds Recital

My Favorite Guitars Stage (Europa Room)

Deering Old-Time Music & Dance Hall

Saturday MC: Barb Carlson

10:30-12:00 Open Stage

(sign up in Gathering Place starting at 7:00 PM Friday) 12:00 Curtis & Loretta 12:45 Tickwood String Band MC: Mary DuShane 1:30 Purdy River Band 2:15 Poor Benny 3:00 The Hacklewrappers 3:45 The Long Shots

Dinner Celebration

5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (dinner served until 8PM) with entertainment by: MC: 5:00 The High 48s 5:45 The Good Intentions 6:30 Alabaster Falls 7:15 The Fish Heads MC : Martha Galep 8:00 Cousin Dad 8:45 Sloughgrass 9:30 Halvorson Family Band

Sunday 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon Sunday Morning Brunch

Friday 7:00 Square Dance with The Gritpickers 8:30 Square Dance with The Red Squirrel Chasers 10:00 Cajun Dance with The New Riverside Ramblers

Saturday 9:30 Learn to Back Up Fiddlers. A workshop for mandolin, guitar, and banjo players from the Minnesota Fiddlers Association. 12:00 Clogging Demo & Workshop with The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers 1:15 2:15 3:15 3:15

Fiddle Workshop with Stephanie Coleman Mandolin Workshop with Jim Collier Guitar Workshop with Jim Nelson Bass Workshop with Dedo Norris

4:15-5:30 Concert with The Red Squirrel Chasers 5:45-7:15 Spotlight On: Old-Time Banjo Styles 7:30-8:45 Family Dance with the Winter Weekend String Ticklers 9:00-10:30 Adult Swim Square Dance with The Red Squirrel Chasers

Sunday No Activities Scheduled

Gathering Place Opens Open Stage Signup Begins Songwriters Round Robin with Paul Schulte

Saturday

(Downstairs)

Friday MC: Margaret Brandes 6:00 Rosby Corner 6:45 The Alzen Family 7:30 Pushing Chain 8:15 The Moss Piglets MC: Tom Schrack 9:00 Longtime Gone 9:45 Mark Kreitzer Band 10:30 Switched At Birth 11:15 Now and Then

6:00 7:00 8:00

9:00

Mandolin Workshop with Clay Hess, Nick Keen & Liz Ophoven 10:00 Guitar Workshop with Clay Hess, Mark Kreitzer & Jon Garon 10:30-12:30 Kids Stuff with Mabel Houle (games, crafts, fun) 1:00 Beginner’s Jam led by Bill Cagley 3:00 Intermediate Jam led by Bill Cagley 5:00 Bill’s TLC Stage with Bill Cagley (until 6:30)

Sunday 9:00 Gathering Place Opens 12:30 Intermediate Jam with Bill Cagley 4:00 Gathering Place Closes

Workshops Sponsored by

Homestead Pickin’ Parlor

Saturday (2nd Floor Conf)

10:00 Introduction to Clawhammer Banjo 11:00 Clawhammer Backup to Old-Time Fiddle Music 12:00 Beginning Old-Time Fiddle 1:00 Walking The Bass 2:00 Introduction to Autoharp 3:00 Mandolin: Tricks, Licks, Tunes & Techniques 4:00 The Art of Building A Great Set List

Saturday (2nd Floor Conf)

Beginner Instrument Workshops 1:00 Bluegrass Banjo with Bruce Johnson 2:00 Bluegrass Mandolin with Mark Briere 3:00 Bluegrass Bass with Holle Brian 4:00 Old-Time Banjo with John Wallace March 2015

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

March 2015

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 Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance, March 6–8, 2015, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel, 3131 Campus Dr, I-494 & Hwy 55, Plymouth. More than 50 groups will be performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages, including The Becky Buller Band for the Saturday Night Headline Concert and The Red Squirrel Chasers in the Dance Hall. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 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. Cabin Fever Festival, Friday–Sunday, March 20–22, 2015, Inn On The Lake, 350 Canal Park Dr., Duluth. A weekend-long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Featuring The Walker/Stargel Band Friday and Saturday nights. Plus: The Good Intentions, Porcupine Creek, Pushing Chain, and many more. 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 1-800-6353037 or visit MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Lodging: Inn On The Lake at 888-668-4352, ask for the special Festival rate. Minnesota Bluegrass Community Concerts featuring King Wilkie’s Dream Friday, April 24, 8 p.m., Holy Angels Catholic Church, 60 Hartman Dr., Moose Lake. With Blue Groove. Saturday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., Historic Chief Theater, 314 Beltrami Ave, Bemidji. With the Froemming Family. Community concert double-header with two Minnesota groups. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 teens, kids 12 and under, free. 800-635-3037, www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, August 6–9, 2015, El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN. Fourday outdoor music and camping festival with stage shows, dances, workshops, showcases, children’s shows, demonstrations, crafts, and good food in five stage areas. 2015 performers will include a Hot Rize Reunion with Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers, Entertainers & Vocal Group of the Year Balsam Range, Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray, Red Molly, The Jumpsteady Boys, The Bucking Mules, and many more. $20 to $30 daily at the gate or $85 for all four days in advance including camping ($79 before March 1). Additional discounts for MBOTMA members. For information or tickets call 800-6353037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

Supported by MBOTMA Culver’s Jammers Fisher House Fundraiser, Saturday, February 28, 1:30-4 p.m. Culver’s Restaurant, 10550 Baltimore St NE, Blaine. Bluegrass jam to collect donations for wounded and recovering service men and women to be donated to the Minneapolis Fisher House. For more information call 763-7847881. Presented by Culvers Jammers and supported in part by MBOTMA. Bluegrass concert with The Platte Valley Boys, Blue Hazard, Thrift Store Sonata, and Brian Wicklund’s Fiddle Students. Sunday, April 19, 1-6 p.m., St Croix Valley Bluegrass, Heights Hall & Club, 5880 Omaha Ave, Stillwater. Admission $18. Food & Beverage available. For more information call 651-439-8368 or visit www.stillwaterareakiwanis.org. Produced by The Stillwater Area Kiwanis Club and supported in part by MBOTMA.

March 2015

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival, May 29–31, 2015, El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN. Threeday outdoor music and camping festival with 20 regional groups performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Advance tickets: $52 for the weekend including camping ($42 for members) or $20 daily ($15 member). Gate price: $60 for the weekend, including camping; $20 Friday; $25 Saturday; and $10 Sunday. Teens are $5 and kids are free. 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. 19

Concert Dates: March 2015 Sunday, March 1

2:00 pm

Kezar Music, 315 Duluth Avenue North

Thief River Falls, MN

321-222-7797

Thursday, March 5

7:30 pm

Fiddler’s Dream Coffehouse, 1702 East Glendale Avenue

Phoenix, AZ

602-997-9795

Friday, March 6

12 noon

Saturday, March 7

2:10 pm

Bluegrass on the Beach Lake Havasu State Park Site #4, 699 London Bridge Road

Lake Havasu City, AZ 209-480-4693

Sunday, March 8

3:00 pm

American Lutheran Church Concert, 17200 Del Webb Blvd

Sun City, AZ

623-974-2512

Monday, March 9

7:00 pm

Augie’s Quail Trail RV Park, 800 Butterfield Road

Gila Bend, AZ

928-683-2850

Tuesday, March 10

7:00 pm

Carefree Village Resort, 39th Street 8 ½ E

Yuma, AZ

928-342-3701

Wednesday, March 11 7:00 pm

Desert Gold RV Park, 46628 East Highway 60

Brenda, AZ

316-640-1627

Friday, March 13

TBA

Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Resort , 1794 West Newell Street

Naco, AZ

520-432-3091

Saturday, March 14

7:00 pm

Vail Theatre of the Arts, 10701 East Mary Ann Cleveland Way

Tucson, AZ

520-879-3925

Sunday, March 15

7:00 pm

Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Road NE

Albuquerque, NM

505-299-3621

Tuesday, March 17

7:00 pm

Community Bluegrass & Gospel Concert Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, 401 South Third Street

Muskogee, OK

918-687-0800

Friday, March 27

7:00 pm

Community Bluegrass & Gospel Concert Lion’s Club Fairgrounds Meeting Hall, 347 Gilead Street

Hebron, CT

860-987-7744

Saturday, March 28

7:30 pm

The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with The Heritage Chorale Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, 207 Washington Street

Wellesley Hills, MA

508-270-3999

Check out our new CD

“Because you asked ”

at monroecrossing.com

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

noun, often attributive 1: A pattern of parallel lines where any two adjacent rows slope in opposite directions. 2:a; An inlayed trim feature (purfling) on Martin guitars that signifies hand scalloped braces for greater projection. 2:b; Cuts through banjos without breaking a sweat.

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Coming Up Venue abbreviations 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mn 3Cr: Three Crows Cafe, 225 N River St, Delano, 763-972-3399, www.thethreecrows.com 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, New Brighton, 651-633-5353, www. creekhouseconcerts.com 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 KRAM: Kramarczuk’s Deli, 215 E Hennepin Ave, Mpls, 612-379-3018, www.kramarczuks.com OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-2224353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-7327616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

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

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS February 25 Mark Kreitzer, St Paul Yacht Club, 375 Water St W, St. Paul, Swing music jam and workshop, 7pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

February 17—Tuesday • Bill & Kate Isles Band w/ Sarah & Derek Birkeland plus The Roe Family Singers, Clyde Iron Works, 2920 W Superior St, Duluth, $10 Adv, $15 Door, 7pm • DL Cajun Band, Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Ave, St. Paul, Mardi Gras Party, Dance with Lesson by Flory Katz, 6pm

March 6

March 14

Ring of Kerry with St Paul Irish Dancers, Jordan High School Auditorium, 600 Sunset Dr, Jordan, MN, benefits Jordan Area Food Shelf, 952-564-4718, 7pm

Sherry Minnick, University Baptist Church Auditorium, 1219 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-1768, New Roots Cellar Series features a rare solo performance of ballads and old-time songs, 7pm

• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, Mardi Gras Party; 4 bands, Cover charge includes Cajun food, 7pm • Roots Music Jam with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm

February 19—Thursday

February 18—Wednesday

• Country Music Showcase with Bill Travers and Laura Moe, UMC, 7pm • John Evans and Dan Perry, Manitou Station, 7:30pm

• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, Cajun Dance for Louisiana Rhythms Night, $5, 7:30pm

February 20—Friday

• Becky Schlegel, DUL, 8pm • The May North, Minocqua Brewing, Minocqua, WI, 8pm

February 21—Saturday

• Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am March 2015

• • • • •

Cajun Music Jam, UMC, 11am Charlie Parr, CED, 8pm Claudia Schmidt, CrH, 7pm Pat Donahue, UMC, 7pm Sawtooth Brothers, DUL, 8pm

February 22—Sunday

• Bill Staines, OAK, 3pm • Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, CED, 11am • Singleton Street, UMC, Bluegrass Brunch, 11am • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

February 23—Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 9pm

February 24—Tuesday

• Bluegrass Showcase with Sarah Cagley, UMC, 7pm

February 25—Wednesday

• Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, 651-690-6700, 7:30pm • Bill Cagley, DuG, 7:30pm • Bill Staines, BoDD, 7:30pm • John Evans and Dan Perry, Manitou Station, 7:30pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Mark Kreitzer, St Paul Yacht Club, 375 Water St W, St. Paul, Swing music jam and workshop, 7pm

February 26—Thursday

• Mother Banjo, Hell’s Kitchen, 80 9th St S, Mpls, 6pm

February 27—Friday

February 28—Saturday

• Barley Jacks, OAK, 8pm • Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am • Bob Bovee, Bloomington House Concert, Bloomington, IN, 8pm March 2015

March 1—Sunday

• Beverly Smith and John Grimm, House Concert, South Minneapolis, fcontact ajsrubas@gmail.com, 7:30pm • Bill Staines, OAK, 3pm • Monroe Crossing, Kezar Music, Thief River Falls, MN, 2pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

March 2—Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 9pm

March 3—Tuesday

• Mipso with Sleeper and the Sleepless, CED, 7:30pm • Roots Music Jam with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm

• Moonlight Duo, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Minneapolis, Family Night, 5:30pm • Peter Mulvey, BoDD, 7:30pm • Ring of Kerry with St Paul Irish Dancers, Jordan High School Auditorium, 600 Sunset Dr, Jordan, MN, benefits Jordan Area Food Shelf, 952-564-4718, 7pm • The Kingston Trio, Paramount Theatre, 913 W St Germain St, St Cloud, 320-259-5463, 1:30pm, 7pm • Winter Bluegrass Weekend, Presented by MBOTMA, Sawtooth Brothers, Mark Kreitzer Band and others. See pp. 15–17

March 7—Saturday

• APHC, State Theatre, Minneapolis, 4:45pm • Barley Jacks, HB, 8pm • Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am • Cajun Music Jam, UMC, 11am • Contra Dance with Moonlight Trio (Mary DuShane, Nick Jordan & Adam Granger), TAP, 7:30pm • Highland Traditions (Celtic Dance), Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St. Paul, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, Bluegrass on the Beach, Lake Havasu City, AZ • Peter Mulvey, GINK, 8pm • Winter Bluegrass Weekend, Porcupine Creek, and others. See pp. 15–17 • Ring of Kerry, Wilson Performing Arts Center, Red Oak, IA, 7:30pm

March 8—Sunday

March 6—Friday

• George Kahumoku Jr with Da Ukulele Boyz, CED, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, American Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ, 3pm • Pat Donahue and the Prairie All Stars, FITZ, 7pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Winter Bluegrass Weekend, Presented by MBOTMA. See pp. 15–17

• Amanda Grace, GINK, 8pm • Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul (Celtic), Orchestra Hall, 8pm • Greenwood Tree, Sail Away Cafe, 3121 St Croix Trail, Afton, 6:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Bluegrass on the Beach, Lake Havasu City, AZ

• “Joe Fingers,” Certifiable Guitar Player, DuG, 7:30pm • Jumbo YaYa, EAG, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Augie’s Quail Trail RV Park, Gila Bend, AZ, 7pm • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 9pm

March 5—Thursday

• Monroe Crossing, Fiddler’s Dream Acoustic Music Showcase, Phoenix, AZ, 7:30pm • Patty and the Buttons, 331C, Traditional Jazz, 11pm • Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm

March 9—Monday

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

• The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, Manitou Station, 2171 4th St, St. Paul, 651-426-2300, 9pm • Dan Newton and Pat Donahue, UMC, 7pm • Dick Kimmel & Co, BMAI Bluegrass Festival, Des Moines, IA • Monroe Crossing, New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN, 7:30pm • Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Possessed by Paul James, CED, 8pm • Rod Bellville & Friends , DUL, 8pm

• The Bootlickers, EAG, CD Release Square Dance Party. $10 Admission, $15 CD, $20 for both, 8pm • Dick Kimmel & Co, BMAI Bluegrass Festival, Des Moines, IA • Mother Banjo, Sun Dog Farm Concerts, Maple Plain, 763-479-4396, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, The Historic Chief Theater, Bemidji, MN, 7:30pm • Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Town Mountain, CED, 8pm • Ring of Kerry with the St. Paul Irish Dancers, New London Little Theatre, 24 Central Ave E, New London, Tickets: 320-354-2559, 7pm • Singleton Street, The Finnish Bistro, 2264 Como Ave, St Paul, 6:30pm • The May North, Cavalier Theater and Lounge, LaCrosse, WI, 7pm • Walter’s Wheelhouse, Paramount Theatre, 913 W. St. Germain St, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, 7:30pm

March 10—Tuesday • Bill Cagley, DuG, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Carefree Village Resort, Yuma, AZ, 7pm

March 11—Wednesday

• Clint Black, Burnsville Center for the Performing Arts, 12600 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN, 800-745-3000, 7:30pm • Ewan Dobson with Tim Sparks, CED, 7:30pm • Folk Showcase with Larry Carpenter, UMC, 7pm • Mark Kreitzer, St Paul Yacht Club, Swing Jam/Workshop, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, Desert Gold RV Park, Brenda, AZ, 7pm

March 12—Thursday

• Celtic Music Showcase with Paul Garding, UMC, 7pm • Daddy Squeeze Dan Newton, DuG, 7:30pm • No Man’s String Band, Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, $7, 7pm • Solas, CED, 7:30pm • Southside Aces, EAG, 8pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

March 13—Friday

• Ring of Kerry with the St Paul Irish Dancers, Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St, St. Croix Falls, WI, 715-483-3387, www.festivaltheatre. org, 7:30pm • Sherry Minnick, University Baptist Church Auditorium, 1219 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-1768, New Roots Cellar Series features a rare solo performance of ballads and old-time songs, 7pm • Singleton Street, Dayblock Brewing Co., 1105 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, 9pm

March 15—Sunday

• Finn Hall, EAG, 6pm • Monroe Crossing, Covenant Presbyterian, Albuquerque, NM, 7pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

March 16— Monday

• “Joe Fingers” Certifiable Guitar Player, DuG, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 9pm

March 17— Tuesday

• Roots Music Jam with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm • Tannahill Weavers, ZUM, 7:30pm

• Crooked Grass, The Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, 612-354-3402, Second Friday of every month, $5, 7pm • Gregg Hall, Leo & Leona’s, Newburg Corners, WI, www.leoandleonas.com, 7:30pm • Minnesota Blue, DuG, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Turquoise Valley Golf and RV Resort, Naco, AZ • Ring of Kerry, Paramount Theatre, 913 W. St. Germain St, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, 1:30pm and 7:30pm

March 18—Wednesday

March 14—Saturday

• Pert Near Sandstone, Top Hat Lounge, Missoula, MT, 9:30pm • Roots Music Showcase with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm • Tom Paxton and Janis Ian, DAK, 7:30pm

• Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am • Contra Dance with Pat O’Loughlin & Friends, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta and Glenn Elvig, CrH, 7pm • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, City Hall, 4646 Dakota St SE, Prior Lake, 9am • High 48s, DUL, 8 pm • Inish Mohr, UMC, 7pm • Monroe Crossing, Vail Theatre of the Arts, Tucson, AZ, 7pm

March 20—Friday

• February Sky, BoDD, 7:30pm • Pert Near Sandstone, Nectar Lounge, Seattle, WA, 8pm • Platte Valley Boys, DUL, 8pm • Singleton Street, Kip’s Irish Pub, 9970 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park, 8pm • The May North, Mountain Top Music Festival, Wakefield, MI, 1:10pm • Cabin Fever Festival, Duluth, Presented by MBOTMA, The Walker/ Stargel Band, Chris Silver and The Good Intentions, see p. 18

• Country Music Showcase with Bill Travers and Laura Moe, UMC, 7pm • Pert Near Sandstone, Filling Station, Bozeman, MT, 8pm • Tom Paxton and Janis Ian, DAK, 7:30pm

March 19—Thursday

March 21—Saturday • Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am • Cajun Music Jam, UMC, 11am • Contra Dance with Ken Steffenson & Friends, TAP, 7:30pm • Lunasa, CED, 8pm • Patty & The Buttons with The Hula Peppers, EAG, 8pm • Pert Near Sandstone, White Eagle Pub, Portland, OR, 9pm • Cabin Fever Festival, Duluth, Presented by MBOTMA, Porcupine Creek, see p. 18 • Sawtooth Brothers, Wabasha Broadway Theater, 611 Broadway Ave, Wabasha, MN, 7pm, For info: 651-564-0569 • Scandinavian Music Showcase with Renee Vaughn, UMC, 7pm • The May North, Carousell Works Historic Event Center, Big Lake, MN

March 22—Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Cabin Fever Festival, Duluth, Presented by MBOTMA

March 23—Monday

• Mill City Cajun Heavyweights, EAG, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 9pm

March 24—Tuesday

• Bluegrass Showcase with Sarah Cagley, UMC, 7pm • Pert Near Sandstone, Humbrews, Arcata, CA, 9pm

March 25—Wednesday

• Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9pm • Mark Kreitzer, St Paul Yacht Club, Swing Jam/Workshop, 7pm • Pert Near Sandstone, Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Valley, CA, 7pm

March 26—Thursday

• Roots Music Showcase with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm

March 27—Friday

• Jonathan Edwards, CrH, 7pm • Mill City Hot Club, BoDD, 7:30pm • Pert Near Sandstone, Treefort Music Festival, Boise, ID, 7pm

March 2015

March 28—Saturday

April 2—Thursday

• Bill Giese Band, DUL, 8 pm • Bluegrass Brunch with the High 48s, AST, 11am • Brian Miller and Randy Gosa, Hardy Performing Arts Center, 430 8th Ave. NW, Cambridge, MN, 7:30pm • Contra Dance with Pig’s Eye Landing, TAP, 7:30pm • High 48s, Hobgoblin Music Loft, Red Wing, MN, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, Wellesley Hills, MA, 7:30pm • Pert Near Sandstone, The State Room, Salt Lake City, UT, 7pm • The May North, Leo and Leona’s Tavern, Bangor, WI, 8pm

• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm

• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • The May North, 331C, 3pm

April 8—Wednesday

March 29—Sunday

March 30—Monday

• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm

April 3—Friday

• Greenwood Tree, Sail Away Cafe, 3121 St Croix Trail, Afton, 651-4366555, 6:30pm • John Gorka, BoDD, 7:30pm

April 4—Saturday • • • •

Cajun Music Jam, UMC, 11am Claudia Schmidt, ZUM, 7:30pm The Lowest Pair, CED, 8pm The Skally Line, ACA, 11:30pm

April 5—Sunday

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

April 7—Tuesday

• Jaspar Lepak, AST, 8pm • Roots Music Jam with Bill Cagley, UMC, 7pm • Folk Showcase with Larry Carpenter, UMC, 7pm

April 9—Thursday

• Celtic Music Showcase with Paul Garding, UMC, 7pm

• Purdy River Band, Rosemount Community Center, 13885 S Robert Tr, Rosemount, 952-388-8652, $7, 7pm • South Side Aces, EAG, 8pm

April 10—Friday

• Curtis & Loretta, Cafe Carpe, Ft Atkinson, WI • Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer, BoDD, 7:30pm • Jeffrey Broussard & The Creole Cowboys, EAG, • Livingston Taylor, ZUM, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, OAK, 8pm • Pieta Brown & the Sawdust Collective w/ Chatham County Line, CED, 8pm

April 11—Saturday

• Curtis & Loretta, Acorn Coffee Bar, Wheaton, IL • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, City Hall, 4646 Dakota St SE, Prior Lake, 9am • Okee Dokee Brothers, Hardy Performing Arts Center, 430 8th Ave, NW, Cambridge, MN, 3pm • Paul Rishell & Annie Raines, CrH, 7pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

March 2015

Y’All Come Looking for a place to play with others? Jams are open to the public, but musical tastes and etiquette vary from place to place. A call is recommended before your first visit. Let us know of any changes or misinformation regarding these listings. Please update your own jam information or send us details about new ones at editor@minnesotabluegrass.org.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

MINNESOTA Blaine: Culvers, 10550 Baltimore St NE, 763-784-7881. Barb: 763-784-7881. Sponsored by MBOTMA; all levels welcome. Bluegrass. Sat. 1:30–4pm Brainerd: Coco Moon Coffee Bar, 601 Laurel St, 218-825-7955. Bluegrass. 1st, 3rd & 5th Thu. 6:30–8pm Cannon Falls: First Congregational Church, 220 Main Street W (Hwy 19). Mary Pat Kleven: 507-298-3016, mpkleven55@gmail.com. Old-time. 2nd Fri. 6:30-8:30pm Clear Lake: Travelers on the Mississippi, 11290 80th Ave SE, 320-743-3133. Dick Pickens: 406-868-9205. Bluegrass, Gospel; amps permitted. May–Sep, 3rd Sat. 6–9:30pm Duluth: Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, 805 Superior St, 218-728-1192, sirbens.com • Bluegrass. Wed. 7–9pm • Celtic. Thu. 7–9pm Fergus Falls: • The Spot, 220 W Lincoln Ave, 218-998-2551, thespotpaniniandwine. com, Bob Johnson: 218-736-6198, redblug@yahoo.com. Celtic. 3rd Thu. 7–9pm • Westridge Mall, 2001 W Lincoln Ave, 218-739-4439, Bob Johnson: 218-7366198, redblug@yahoo.com. Acoustic; “1st Sunday Mall Jam”. 1st Sun. 1–5pm Ham Lake: • Glen Cary Lutheran Church, 155531 Central Ave NE (Hwy 65), 612-3661359, WhenWillitSnow@mac. com. Bluegrass, Country, Gospel; community dinner at 6pm. 2nd Fri. 6:30–9pm 26

• Ham Lake Senior Center, 15544 Central Ave NE (Hwy 65). Maxine Larson: 763-434-6750 • Country, Bluegrass, Old-Time & Horns. 2nd Thu. 7–10pm • Acoustic & amplified. 3rd Tue. 1–4pm Minneapolis: • Blackbird’s Music, 3445 Cedar Ave S, 612-326-5745, blackbirdsmusicstore. com. • Bluegrass. Thu. 7–9pm • Adult learners; $5 fee. Tue. 6:30–8pm • Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave S. Jug Band Jam hosted by Fat Chance. 1st Tue. 7:30pm • Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 14th St E, tcuker@icloud.com, www. TCUkeClub.com. Sponsored by MBOTMA; $5 suggested donation. Ukulele, Blues, Jazz, Swing. 1st & 3rd Tue. 6–8pm • Kenwood Park Community Center, 2101 Franklin Ave. tcuker@ icloud.com, www.TCUkeClub. com. Sponsored by MBOTMA; $5 suggested donation. • Ukulele, Bluegrass. 2nd & 4th Mon. 7–9pm. .Instruction provided 6pm • Ukulele, Americana. 1st & 3rd Thu. 7–9pm. Instruction provided 6:30pm • Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave S, 612-339-4499, kierans.com. Irish. Sun. noon–2pm • Walker Community United Methodist Church, 3104 16th Ave S, 612-209-5311, revanster@gmail. com. Roy’s Jam, Bluegrass. Last Mon. 7–10pm • West Bank School of Music, 1813 S 6th St, 612-333-6651, info@wbsm.org. Bluegrass; led by Bill Cagley, $5 fee. 3rd Sun, 2–4pm Monticello: VFW, 713 Cedar St,, 763-807-6431, mardellolson@yahoo.com. Acoustic & amplified. May–Nov, last Sun. 2–5pm

Northfield: Contented Cow, 302B Division St, 507-663-1351, contentedcow. com • Northern Roots. Mon. 7:30pm • Acoustic. Tue. 7:30pm Oakdale: Silver Lake Methodist, 5399 Geneva Ave N (Century Ave), 651-7772920, MNrover@juno.com. Acoustic. 3rd Sat. 10am–noon Red Wing: Winter Farmer’s Market, Sargent’s Nursery, 3352 N Service Dr. Dave: 651-388-3847. Old-time. Nov–Mar, Sat. 9am–noon Richfield: Homestead Pickin’ Parlor, 6625 Penn Ave S, 612-861-3308, homesteadpickinparlor.com • Slow fiddle tunes; all bluegrass instruments welcome. 1st, 3rd, 5th Mon. 7–9pm • Flatpicking Guitar. Thu. 7–9pm • Beginning Bluegrass, $1 donation for leader. 2nd & 4th Tue. 7–9pm • Advanced Bluegrass. Sat. 3–6pm • Fiddle tunes, intermediate level; all Bluegrass Instruments welcome. Wed. 7–9pm. • Folk Jam. 1st, 3rd, 5th Tue. 7–9pm Rochester: Peace UCC, 1503 2nd Ave NE, peacechurchucc.org. Pat Lehey: 507-261-7128. Bluegrass. Fri. 6:30pm Rogers: Rogers Community Center, 21201 Memorial Dr. Dave Christen: 612-859-5847, quickieauct@hotmail.com. Potluck at 4pm. Acoustic & amplified. 1st Sun. 1–6pm Roseville: Ken’s Market, 788 Cleveland Ave SW, Doug Chasar: 612-802-0833, dchasar@att.net. Acoustic. Mon. 6:30–8:30pm Rushford: Good Shepard Home, 800 Home St. Roberta Albertson: 507-8648109, semba@acegroup.cc. Bluegrass. Nov–Mar, 3rd Sun. noon–5pm Saint Cloud: Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr. Ken Hoest: 320-2603348. Acoustic & amplified. 1st Tue. 6:30–9pm Sartell: The Legends at Heritage Place, 673 Brianna Dr. Gary Loomis: 320-2232537, garymusic@midco.net. Acoustic. 4th Tue. 6–9pm

March 2015

Spring Valley: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 805 S Broadway. Roberta Albertson: 507-864-8109, semba@ acegroup.cc. Bluegrass. Nov–Mar, 1st Sun. noon–5pm Saint Paul: • Burn Ward Coffee Unit, 945 West 7th St. Doug Chasar: 612-802-0833, dchasar@att.net. Acoustic; call for space availability. Thu. 6:30–8:30pm • Dubliner, 2162 University Ave, 651-646-5551, thedublinerpub.com • Sea Shanties. 2nd Mon. 7:30pm • Traditional Irish (advanced). Fri. 6–9pm • Underground Music Cafe, 1579 Hamline Ave N, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com • Roots Music (Bluegrass, Old-time, Country). 1st, 3rd Tue. 7–9pm • Cajun. 1st, 3rd Sat. 11am–1pm Taylors Falls: Memorial Community Center, 312 Government St. Brian Pigott: 651-465-5551, popspeejou@frontier.com. Acoustic & amplified. Mon. 6–9pm Wyoming: Wyoming Methodist Church, 5459 E Viking Blvd, 651-464-7442, whitingsranch@gmail.com. Acoustic, Gospel. 2nd & 4th Thu. 7–9pm

NORTH DAKOTA Fargo: Red Raven Expresso Parlor, 916 Main Ave. Bob Johnson: 701-478-7337, redblug@yahoo.com • Celtic. 4th Thu. 7–9pm • Old-Time. 2nd Thu. 7–9pm Valley City: Barnes County Historical Society, 315 Central Ave N. John Andrus: 701-721-8296. Bluegrass. Sep–May, 2nd Sat. 1–5pm

WISCONSIN La Crosse: Southside Neighborhood Center, 1300 6th St S. Ron Sackett: 608-498-0020, ronaldsackettsr@yahoo. com. Bluegrass, Gospel. Sep–May, 2nd Sun. 12–4:30pm Menomonie: Christ Lutheran Church, Elm & Wilcox Streets. Donna Harschlip: 715-673-4885. Mountain Dulcimer; other acoustic instruments welcome. Tue. 1–3pm

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

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

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

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

Rice Lake: First Lutheran Church, 15 E Sawyer St, 715-458-0181, curlupndye@ mosaictelecom.net. Acoustic, Bluegrass, Gospel. Sep–May, 2nd Sat. 6–9pm River Falls: • Farmers Market, 2nd & Locust. Ben Toppel: 715-688-3112, Benatoppel@ yahoo.com. Old-time; bring a chair. Tent available, but may cancel if it rains. Jun–Oct, Sat. 9am–noon • Funktion Junction Antiques and Local Goods, 125 North Main St., Ben Toppel: 715-688-3112, Benatoppel@yahoo.com. Old-time. Nov–May, Sat. 9am–noon Star Prairie: This Old Store, 301 Main St., Jerry: 751-248-4800. Acoustic. Tue. 2–9pm

Premium Guitars, Ampliﬁers, and Repair March 2015

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MinnesotaBluegrass.org

612-306-3490 douglohman@aol.com

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607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 55408 612.827.1726

March SAT 13 – The High 48s FRI 20 – The Platte Valley Boys SAT 28 – Bill Giese and the Pedestrians

April

FOR SALE: Vintage Martins,

The music starts at 8pm.

Gibsons and other fine pluckables for sale. Ukuleles, Banjo-ukuleles, old-time banjos and more. Stop by the Banjo Futures table at the Winter weekend or contact Corey at 651-368-6316, coreymohan@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for updates on what’s happening and when!

LaPlant Instruments

FRI 10 – Moxie Blue FRI 17 – Switched At Birth SAT 18– Seldom Herd SAT 25 – Cousin Dad

maker of fine mandolins & guitars

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Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments)

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

For more information go to:

218-326-4456

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MinnesotaBluegrass.org

March 2015

5th Annual

IC S U M D E E FR EKEN WE

April 10-12 2015 River Falls, WI 50+ hours of foot stompinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bluegrass!

live music at 12+ locations throughout historic main street

wisconsin flatpicking guitar championshipsm singer/songwriter competition beer & wine tasting workshops, open jams & more! Presented by:

@ rfbluesfest

Call 715.425.2533 or visit www.riverfallsbluegrass.com for details

Minnesota Association of Songwriters

Songwriting Workshop Series

Sally Barris Minnesota native Sally Barris is a Grammy-nominated Nashville songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride and Lee Ann Womack. Dirty Linen magazine says, “Barris knows how to write lyrics that are as forthright as a stream of clear water and how to support them with melodies that share that quality.” At this workshop, Sally will discuss her songwriting process, then participants will share songs. Please bring a song that needs tweaking or is providing a more difficult challenge. PLEASE also bring ten (10) copies of that song’s lyrics to share with the class! Play your song live or from a CD - a CD player will be provided.

Schmitt Music 2906 W. 66th St. Edina, MN 612 238 9930

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Saturday, March 21, 2015 2 - 5 pm $25 at the door

www.mnsongwriters.org March 2015

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

March 2015

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

Minnesota Bluegrass April 2015

Festival Issue! Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips

Deadline: March 1, 2015

Send to: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org