November 2015
Flatt Lonesome headlines Harvest Jam
p. 5
Inside: Harvest Jam preview 5 | JedFest! 8 | MBOTMA Calendar 9 | Phil Nusbaum 11 |
Free the Honey review 13 | Board of Directors ballot & bios 15–18 | Curtis & Loretta’s new CD 21 | Coming Up 22 | ‘Mister Bluegrass’ 27
November 2015 Vol. 41 No. 10 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: Ken Bloch, John Chabot, Bob Dodd, Larry Englund, Martha Galep, Ann Iijima, Jed Malischke, Jana Metge, Phil Nusbaum, Loretta Simonet Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, Pam Bowers, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Steve Chollar, Michelle Perrin Cover image: Kim Lancaster-Brantley, flattlonesome.com 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 May 1, 2015: 1,015
Patrons:
David Johnson Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Linda Kjerland Russell Lane Maxine Larson Richard Luckeroth Rolf & Lisa Lund Rodger McBride 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 David Tousley & Margaret Brandes Donna Velasco Steve Vincent & Jill Weese Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tim Wankel Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox
Sustaining:
Donald Jacques Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann Kagan Matthew Kaster Jim Lally Lloyd & Beverly LaPlant David Lee James Lee Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bob Lundeen Rudy & Jeanne Marti Bill Merrill Chad Mezera Ben Monk James Natwick Dennis & Jan O’Brien Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Dan Robinson Leo & Ann Rosenstein Rick Sanders Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Lynn & Carolyn Thorson R. & Elizabeth Vaughan David & Bonnie Warner Mark & Danelle Wolf
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 Brian Etling & Rebecca Lautenschlager William Fancher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane E. Gruber Michael & Paula Hildebrandt
Rod & Barb Anderson Paul Ashworth Fred Boyer Mark & Erdyne Briere 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 Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke
Letters Dear MBOTMA, I just had to say a few words. When I received the word that Jed Malischke was retiring I was stunned. We all knew it had to come one day, but stunned that this “one day” was now. As a volunteer, I have worked with Jed for 28 years now. As everyone knows, he is dedicated and committed to this organization. I have seen the number of events grow from 1 summer festival to five annual festivals, Community Concert Series, Lonely Pine concerts, State Fair competitions and fundraisers. I have seen the August Festival event staff grow from six volunteer festival staff to 36. I have watched other festival staffs likewise grow and develop, strengthening the organization and its volunteer base. I have seen that volunteer base grow from 20 to hundreds of committed members coming back every year, taking shifts and giving back to the organization. Personally, I have learned thousands of skills from Jed. I do my professional job better thanks to the skills I learned from Jed. I probably still have that job because of the skills learned! It has been a privilege and an honor to work with Jed Malischke. Thank you Jed, for all the years, for the constant 200% + you put into the job, for your love of the music and the love for this organization. You have made us all better volunteers. You have developed a strong organization. You have made us all better people. Thank you. You will be missed. Jana L. Metge
Hi Jed and Craig, After four months on the road with our banjo exhibit, we have arrived home a bit tired and road weary but quite happy. The whole experience was well worth the effort. We were quite taken by the warm receptions we received at each venue and were particularly grateful to all the organizers who went out of their way to make things so easy and comfortable. Being able to mount the exhibit at the MBOTMA festival was a real pleasure. Craig, you made us feel right at home and we thank you for all you did to accommodate us. Thank you, Jed, for providing such a good location for the exhibit and a convenient place to park our trailer. It was really great to meet many of the volunteers who helped make the festival a success. The community of musicians and volunteers you’ve assembled is very impressive. We were greeted with a host of helpers who treated us like old friends and who went out of their way to make us feel like a part of your organization. Craig, the contributions you made in promoting the exhibit were impressive and much appreciated. Each day we talked to many folks who had heard about the exhibit and made sure they visited because of the announcements and video clip on the festival web site. Getting to know a lot of the regulars who attend your events was an added benefit. You are all such an enthusiastic bunch.
We hope that the exhibit met your expectations and are honored to have been a part of this year’s event. Thanks for taking a chance on us. We had an absolutely great time. Best regards, Bob and Leilani Thornburg Sierra View Acoustic Music, Bishop, CA www.gourdbanjo.com https://vimeo.com/57209668
In memorium Roy & Gen Majaski exemplified volunteerism I first met Roy Majaski as MBOTMA August festival “Security” at Camp in the Woods in Zimmerman. I was a first year volunteer. Gen helped me with the Children’s Area, and then they joined the festival staff for years as the vendor coordinators. At El Rancho, Roy always helped with Showcase floor set up and Gen provided moral support, encouragement, cheerleading, smiles and hugs. Always hugs to the festival staff and volunteers. Gen and I always had to run those crucial and important errands via golf cart cruising the festival site, especially rough camping. It was a tradition with us. During those years I set up the Children’s Area for the festival. Gen and Roy had their trailer set up right beside the area and let me store supplies, materials for the area, and eventually myself. Taking me in from a pup tent camped along them to a member of their camp family into their RV. They were always afraid I would be run over in that little tent. Gen always had a home brewed cup of coffee for me while on the run and always invited me to join their meals. “Mom and Dad,” as I have called them for years, were staunch MBOTMA members, supporters, volunteers. Now they are leading volunteer crews in heaven. Gen passed away this past August and Roy in 2009. I hope to see them one day and will miss them terribly at our August Festival. I will miss their hugs most of all. Thanks “Mom & Dad” for wonderful memories over all these years. —Jana Metge, 27 year August Festival volunteer
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.
HARVEST JAM ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXPERIENCE
November 20-22 2015 Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel
Time to Pick!
9960 Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley MN
SAT NIGHT BALLROOM CONCERT Sat from 7PM to 11PM featuring
Race For A Place Champions, plus Pushing Chain and IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year The
Flatt Lonesome RACE FOR A PLACE BAND CONTEST Saturday from 10AM to 5PM. Ten groups will have a chance to compete to win a spot on the Saturday Main Stage of the 2016 MBOTMA Festival. Details at www.minnesotabluegrass.org/as_race-for-a-place-band-contest
FRIDAY NIGHT BALLROOM CONCERT Friday night from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM with
Bill & Kate Isles, Blue Yodel #9, plus Good Intentions SATURDAY BANQUET DINNER at 6:00 PM with dinner program and a performance by the Race For A Place Champions. Get the best seat in the house for the after-dinner concert.
Plus MUSIC VENDORS SUNDAY GOSPEL SHOW HAYLOFT JAM ROOMS
BAND WORKSHOPS
THEME JAMS KIP’S LIVE
1-800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org For Marriott Room Reservations: Call 952-544-4400
Cover
Flatt Lonesome’s winning sound “gets it right” By Martha Galep
The Harvest Jam Committee is very pleased to announce that the IBMA 2014 Emerging Artist of the Year, Flatt Lonesome, will be headlining this year’s event. We couldn’t have asked for a better group to celebrate our 10th Anniversary, especially as the Harvest Jam is specifically focused on band development, which this group has certainly mastered. This is a group of young talent that has energized the bluegrass community with their drive to succeed. They have traveled just about everywhere playing festivals, making records and building a fan base all over the country. They have a unique sound that derives not just from their three-sibling vocal harmony—guitarist Buddy Robertson, fiddler Charli Robertson and mandolinist Kelsi Robertson Harrigill— but from their selection of material as well. With solid support from Dominic Illingworth on bass, Paul Harrigill on banjo, and Michael Stockton on reso guitar, they play bluegrass for sure— high, low, lonesome, bluesy and often fast—and they dust off some country
tunes like “Jackson” and “Rose Colored Glasses” that really benefit from their treatment. It was no surprise that the band would win the 2014 Emerging Artist title as so many bluegrass fans want to encourage and Flatt Lonesome. Photo: Kim Lancaster-Brantley reward young talent that “gets At IBMA this past September, Buddy it right.” These young folks really deliver Robertson expressed how much the a fine show and serve as ambassadors to band was looking forward to coming to the music for people of all ages. Minnesota for the Harvest Jam. Get your Their recent release, “Runaway Train” tickets early for this festival and show has been getting lots of airplay and has these young pickers how much we appregarnered great reviews, all well deserved. ciate great bluegrass in Minnesota! If you have heard them before, you know what a fine show to expect and, if you have not, prepare to join the many who are fast becoming fans of this fine group.
Harvest Jam preview By Jed Malischke
November 2015
Stage Shows
Race For A Place
There will be stage shows on both Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and a Sunday morning gospel show from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Friday it’s The Good Intentions, Bill & Kate Isles Band, and Blue Yodel No. 9. On Saturday we’ll feature this year’s Race champions, last year’s Race second runner up Pushing Chain, plus the 2015 IBMA Emerging Talent of the Year, Flatt Lonesome. Sunday morning it’s gospel starting at 10:30 a.m. with the Gloryland Gospel Band followed by the last set of the weekend with Flatt Lonesome.
The Race For A Place Band Contest will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Ten groups will compete to win a $1,000 contract for a spot on the main stage of the 2016 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival and other prizes. The Race champions will be announced about 4:45 p.m. and be invited to perform later that evening at 7 p.m. Already scheduled to compete are No Man’s Stringband, Carver Creek, Blue Groove, The Rainbolt Mountain Project, Rosby Corner, and Scrapegoat Skin & Bones.
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience is scheduled for November 20 through 22, 2015, at the Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel. This tenth annual event is produced by the non-profit Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) and will feature stage shows, the Race For A Place Band Contest, Kip’s Live Open Mic, a “business of bands” workshop program, a Saturday night banquet dinner, music exhibitors, a Sunday morning gospel show, theme jams, and of course lots of impromptu jam sessions.
Kip’s Live Kip’s Live is an informal open mic in Kip’s Irish Pub located within the Marriott Hotel. It all starts on Friday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. and finishes up about 1 a.m. both days. Minisets will be divided into a 20-minute set and a 30-minute set within each hour, allowing for a 5-minute emcee and setup time between sets. This odd set timing has been designed to allow for some different impromptu acts that have a short list but would like some mic time. There will be a simple single mic setup. If you have interest or a unique idea or just want to get together with other band peers that you have always wanted to sing and play with, the Kip’s Live Open Mic may be the stage for you. To sign your group up for a slot prior to the festival, check out the schedule and Sign-up Genius link on the MBOTMA website. You can sign up to emcee, too! This is a great gateway to becoming a regular MBOTMA emcee at concerts and festivals.
Business of Bands Workshops
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
The Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience features a band development workshop series. You’ll usually find these workshops scheduled on Saturday morning and afternoon, with sessions designed specifically for bands and how to deal with the non-musical business side of being in a band as well as performing issues. We recently moved the workshops to a larger, more spacious location. Here is a sampling of the line-up of interesting topics for bands and musicians we have planned. We’ll post details on exact times as soon as it becomes available:
Blue Yodel No. 9 6
Tom Schrack will be presenting a workshop called “Absolute Beginners Mandolin.” From the very basic form of what a mandolin is, to body styles and types, to how it is tuned, how to play chords, picks and picking styles, melodies, and care for your mandolin, Tom covers it all. Plus Tom will give his take on music and why he loves it. This is designed for the beginner or the person who might be curious about playing mandolin. Bill and Kate Isles will be hosting our songwriter round table. They are wonderful folks, great performers and brilliant songwriters. So bring your songs and instruments and share, learn, ask questions, or just listen and have fun in a round table format songfest Blue Yodel No. 9 will be doing a workshop on “Practice and Rehearsal Techniques.” From individual practice or learning tips, ideas, and techniques, to working within a group or band setting, arranging, and learning songs with the goal of performance. Bring your ideas and questions and find out how to get the most bang from your practice time. Pushing Chain will be presenting a workshop entitled “You got the gig . . . now what?” Bump Blomberg and Adam Moe have a combined 65 years of performing and thousands of gigs between them. They’ll discuss stagecraft as well as how to work with venue managers, sound engineers, and other staff to produce the best possible show, with the ultimate goal of getting invited back. Flatt Lonesome, our headline act, will be hosting their own workshop, so come on in, meet the band, and ask them all the questions you’d like. From how they do it, how they play together, how they do their harmonies, to their gear, their instruments, their background, and what makes their band fun. They will talk, pick, sing and answer your questions about being a band and performing at a national level. This will be a real face-toface, one-on-one workshop with a professional band. Special treat here folks, so don’t miss this!
The Good Intentions
Banquet Dinner The festivities in the main ballroom continue after the Race For A Place band contest on Saturday starting with a pre-dinner reception at 5 p.m. and seating for the banquet dinner at 6 p.m. Banquet attendees get to keep their seats for the evening concert that follows at 7 p.m. with the newly announced Race Champions, Pushing Chain, and Flatt Lonesome. Our fall harvest menu includes grilled chicken breast with a Dijon red currant sauce, seasonal vegetables, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, garden salad, fresh bread with creamery butter, chef’s choice of dessert, and Starbucks coffee or tea. The dinner is not included with the general event admission, but it is part of the “VIP Ticket Package,” which includes your admission for the entire weekend. There are a limited number of VIP package tickets available and advance purchase is strongly recommended. In an effort to provide more social time to visit, rather than stand in line, the Harvest Jam Committee has arranged a new system for seating attendees at the Saturday night Banquet Dinner. During the social hour (5–6 p.m.), diners will be able to present their dinner tickets at the seating chart table and choose their seats by selecting a specific table. The seating table volunteers will trade a dinner ticket for a table tent place card, which will serve as admittance to the dining room. Diners will place their table tent at the seat of their choice at the table they have selected. All seating is on a first come basis. Since we cannot hold seats or reserve them for late November 2015
arrivals, groups who want to sit together (up to 10 at a table) should present all tickets at one time to be sure they are seated accordingly. So, if you cannot be at the social hour with your group, be sure that someone in your group has your dinner ticket to present to ensure that you get seated with your group. Following the dinner will be a short program that will include recognition of our current board of directors, the results from the annual election of new directors, a performance by the “Race for a Place” Champions, and more surprises.
Music Vendors Somewhere in the flurry of activity, you’ll need to find time to visit the vendor room. Right across from the main ballroom, the vendor room will be open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Already scheduled to be there are G. Edward Lutherie, Denny Mager Records, Blackbird Music, PennDan Banjos, Diffley Guitar Studio, Hinde Custom Instruments, and Earthway Farms Music.
Theme Jams Of course there will be plenty of space and opportunities for jam sessions. With the Hayloft jam rooms upstairs, plus spaces in the hotel lobby, side rooms, the ballroom foyer, the workshop
room at night, the ballroom late night, plus hallways and pool area, we count space for more than 20 simultaneous jams. This is a picker’s festival, and there will also be several “theme jams” planned. New committee member Bill & Kate Isles Tom Peschges is arranging a variety of these. Mary DuShane returns this year to lead an old-time jam. Jed Malischke will lead a jam centered on the music of Flatt and Scruggs. Need a little break from traditional bluegrass? Fiddle tunes are fun but sometimes “ya just wanna bust out and SING something, right?” Then try out the new Americana jam led by Tom Peschges. From Emmy Lou Harris to Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie to Crosby Stills and Nash, it’s all good. The Biscuit Boys will be hosting a jam called “Ya’ll Come,” intended to be a beginner friendly jam with three or four chord songs, nothing too complicated or too fast. We’re still looking for someone to lead a country jam and perhaps a gospel jam? Anyone interested? Contact Tom at tompeschges@gmail.com.
A weekend ticket that includes everything except the banquet dinner can be had in advance for only $35 ($30 for members). A VIP ticket that includes the dinner along with weekend admission is $55 ($50 for members). Daily admission prices at the door will be $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday. Teens are half price and kids are free. For more information and advance tickets for the Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience call 800-6353037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass. org. For hotel reservations (you won’t want to go home) contact the Marriot Hotel at 952-544-4400 and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate. The Minneapolis Marriott West is located in Saint Louis Park, near the intersection of Hwy 169 and I-394.
-Bourgeois -Breedlove -Carmel -Fairbanks -Goodall -Hoffman -Huss&Dalton -Hill
-Kakos -Kennedy -Kopp -Kronbauer -Morris -Santa Cruz -Walden -Walker
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
New location! 4151 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis (612) 767-2800 podiumguitars@gmail.com
Tickets & Lodging
Premium Guitars, Amplifiers, and Repair November 2015
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JedFest to pick up where 12 to 12 left off By Ann Iijima
And now . . . heeeere’s . . . JedFest! Last year’s 12 to 12 fundraising party was a smashing success: MBOTMA fans filled the Kraus Hartig VFW Post in Spring Lake Park from 12 noon to 12 midnight. Everyone had a great time and the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association raised much-needed funds. On January 23, 2016, 12to12 will reemerge as “JedFest.” We’ll be celebrating the contributions that Jed Malischke has made to MBOTMA during his 29 years with the organization, most of them as its executive director. The Kraus Hartig VFW Post has generously offered to donate their entire hall for our use. The support of MBOTMA members also has been amazing. The instant word got out about the plans, bands started coming forward, offering to donate a set.
Confirmed bands include: • • • • • • • • • •
JedFest (the band) Alternate Route Cousin Dad Ivory Bridge Jumpin’ Jo and the Catie Cats Mark Kreitzer Band Platte Valley Boys Pushing Chain Seldom Herd Switched at Birth
And making sure all the bands sound their best, Doug Lohman and Armadillo Sound will be donating their expertise. Besides the 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.
Once again, there will be a silent auction and a raffle. Please contact board member Marilyn Bergum (mwbergum@ gmail.com) if you have auction items. And drop off smaller raffle items (valued under $20: band CDs and t-shirts, etc.) with board member Quillan Roe or other staff members at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. The tickets for this 12-hour extravaganza will be only $10! Donation jars will be out as well. Come one, come all to celebrate and roast toast MBOTMA’s Jed Malischke!
MBOTMA is celebrating Give to the Max Day on Thursday November 12! All monies donated through GiveMN this year will be dedicated to the MBOTMA Grass Seeds Program! March 2016 will mark the thirteenth year for the MBOTMA Grass Seeds program, which offers instruction on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and bass for musicians age 8 to 18 in a three day workshop held at the Winter Weekend Festival. Join us for Give to the Max Day on November 12, and you could help us receive a $1,000 Golden Ticket. Just make an online donation on GiveMN.org, and your donation will be entered into an hourly drawing for a $1,000 GiveMN Golden Ticket. That adds up to 24 opportunities for you to help us receive an extra $1,000!
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
And the really awesome part is that one donation made on GiveMN.org during Give to the Max Day will be randomly selected at the end of the day to receive a $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket. Help us increase our odds and make the most of your gift by making a donation on November 12 on GiveMN.org. Search for Minnesota Bluegrass, and then make your donation! Together, we hope to raise more than $3,000 for Grass Seeds on Give to the Max Day, and you can help us reach our goal! https://www.givemn.org/organization/Minnesota-Bluegrass-And-Old-Time-Music-Association 8
November 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 Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience, November 20–22, 2015, Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel, 9960 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park. This 10th annual event will feature stage shows Friday and Saturday night and Sunday morning with IBMA Emerging Artist of 2014 Flatt Lonesome, along with The Good Intentions, Bill & Kate Isles Band, Blue Yodel #9, and the Gloryland Gospel Band. Plus the Race For A Place Band Contest on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Saturday Banquet Dinner (get the best seats for the evening concert), Kip’s Live Open Mic in Kip’s Irish Pub throughout the weekend, workshops, musical exhibitors, a Sunday morning gospel show, and lots of jam sessions. For more information 800-6353037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Marriott at 952-544-4400 and ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass rate. 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.
Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, 2016, El Rancho Mañana Campground & Riding Stable, Richmond, MN. Three-day outdoor music and camping festival with 20 regional groups November 2015
Supported by MBOTMA Curtis & Loretta CD Release Concerts Saturday, November 21, 2015, 2 p.m., Owatonna Arts Center, 540 W Hills Circle, Owatonna, MN. Curtis & Loretta will play from the duo’s new CD featuring all original songs about real people who have overcome overwhelming challenges in their lives. Admission $5. For more information: 507-451-0533 or http://oacarts.wix.com/oacarts. AND Sunday, November 22, 2015, 7:30 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis. Curtis & Loretta are joined by bassist Sandy Njoes. Admission $12 advance / $15 door. For more information: 612-338-2674 or www.thecedar. org. Supported in part by MBOTMA. 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.
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.
performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Advance tickets are $52 for the weekend including camping ($42 for members) or $20 daily ($15 member). Gate prices are $60 for the weekend including camping and $20/Fri $25/Sat and $10/Sun. Teens are always only $5 and kids are free. For information and tickets call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.
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
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November 2015
Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum
World of Bluegrass
Business Support
I’ve been lucky to travel to World of Bluegrass (WOB), the annual meeting of the International Bluegrass Music Association, for several years running. 2015 is the third consecutive year that WOB has occupied the Raleigh convention center for about a week in fall. The first half of the week is devoted to the business of bluegrass and the second half is the Fan Fest, with the annual IBMA awards and Hall of Fame induction punctuating the middle of the event. I attend the business part. I go to the trade show, I interview artists for later broadcast on the Bluegrass Review and I go to many band showcases. During the business portion of the event, there are seven or eight venues in downtown Raleigh that present a different band every hour. To see the bands you’re interested in, you get a schedule and walk from venue to venue, or ride the free bus. Since WOB is in part a booking conference, all of the bands are well-rehearsed. Today, the stylistic shelf space for bluegrass is wider than ever, so the listener is able to hear varied approaches. To me, the great reward of doing bluegrass radio is the vantage point provided in tracking the new bands. At WOB I heard great shows by Bradford Lee Folk and the Bluegrass Playboys, Mipso, and Charm City Junction. The latter is a group consisting of fiddler Patrick McAvinue, button accordionist Sean McComiskey, Brad Kilodner on clawhammer banjo, and bassist Alex Lacquemont. The quartet moved effortlessly between bluegrass, old-time, Celtic and jazz. I’ve been an admirer of the songwriting of Donna Hughes for a long time, and I finally had the opportunity to sit down with her for an interview. She was happy for the recognition. I was happy because I got to hear her thoughts on some of her songs. Talk about a win-win situation! This year’s inductees to the IBMA Hall of Fame included Bill Keith, the banjoist whose melodic approach revolutionized banjo playing, and the great song interpreter Larry Sparks. In his introduction to Bill Keith, Alan Munde expressed the thoughts of many of us who have responded to the high standard set by Keith. Keith then delivered an articulate acceptance speech, thanking those who helped him over the years, including his pickin’ buddy Jim Rooney and to Bill Monroe, who gave Keith a big break. Alison Krauss introduced Sparks. She had a chance to interview him before the event and focused on his body of work and those who influenced him. Krauss related that during their interview, Larry had made mention of the fact that he is still going strong. Everybody got a chuckle when Larry got a chance to speak and again noted that he is still going strong with a recent CD titled 50, for his 50 years in the bluegrass business. I’ll present the interviews recorded in Raleigh and play the CDs I acquired there on upcoming programs.
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).
• Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • John Waddle Violins www.waddleviolins.com (dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases) • Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences)
Weekly Playlists Find Bluegrass Review playlists at www.bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “playlists” link you’ll find at the top of the page, then click on “archives.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88fm.com. At the top of the page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Search the right-hand column for “Bluegrass Saturday Morning.” Link to on-demand Bluegrass Review segments from the KBEM-FM home page. The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Bluegrass Review in Minnesota Check www.bluegrassreview.com for a complete station list. Station
Day
Time
KLQP-FM, 92.1 Madison
Monday
8 PM
KMSU-FM, 89.7 Mankato; 91.3 Austin
Sunday
10 AM
KBEM-FM, 88.5 Minneapolis
Saturday
11 AM
KSRQ-FM, 90.1 Thief River Falls
Sunday
11 AM
KQAL-FM, 89.5 Winona
Saturday
9 AM
KDDG-FM, 105.5 Albany
Saturday
9 PM
WTIP-FM, 90.7 Grand Marais
Thursday
10 PM
KUMD-FM, 103.3 Duluth
Saturday
4 PM
KRWC-AM, 1360 Buffalo
Sunday
5 PM
KOJB-FM, 90.1 Cass Lake
Sunday
6 PM
KSCR-FM, 93.5 Benson
Sunday
6 AM
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
November 2015
Bluegrass Review supporters
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Review
Free the Honey: Fine Bloom By Bob Dodd
Many readers will recall that guitar picker Adam Granger, the late Dick Nunneley and bassman Gordy Abel used to showcase a wide range of musical styles and influences hereabouts under the apt moniker “The Eclectic Brothers.” Under that standard, Colorado-based Free the Honey could, I suppose, be characterized as “The Eclectic Sisters.” While their overall style and instrumentation—twin fiddles, mandolin, banjo and vocal harmony—are firmly roots-based (they call it “Honeygrass”), their musical influences are clearly widespread. I wouldn’t really characterize Free the Honey as either consciously “traditional” or “progressive,” they just seem to be willing to take their music as it comes and where they find it. It’s an approach that works well for them on Fine Bloom. The band was formed in early 2013 by Lizzy Plotkin, Katherine Taylor and Jenny Hill (they have since added a male bass player, Andrew Cameron). The women are all southerners, but hail from Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas respectively, so their diversity is geographic as well as stylistic. Fine Bloom, their first full-length release, came out about two months ago, and showcases their talents
in an all-original set of nine songs and four instrumentals. Produced by KC Groves of Uncle Earl, the album feels as fresh as the field of mountain sunflowers on its inner sleeve. Jenny Hill’s “Take Me Home” is a great kickoff song, building from solo clawhammer to a driving beat and three-part harmony that usher in the overall mood of joy that pervades the album, even in the more introspective and bluesier numbers. An example of the latter is Katherine Taylor’s “Dark and Muddy,” which urges you to “get some good religion” and includes an exuberant bass solo and a little bluesy scat-singing. Taylor also contributes “Go With the Light,” a country waltz that surprises by finding its inner twang with the addition of pedal steel accompaniment. The first two words that popped to mind upon first hearing the very catchy “Crooked Child” were “John” and “Hartford.” That late, great musician is subtly evoked both musically and lyrically in Lizzy Plotkin’s song. Fittingly so, as it turns out: I learned later that the song took second place in the 2015 John Hartford Memorial Songwriting Competition. Even the title may be a tribute, as Hartford liked to make his
songs “crooked” in one way or another— time signature, rhythm, lyrics, whatever. The four instrumental tunes are wide-ranging, one with a back porch, down-home vibe, one characterized as a hymn, another taking a jazzy Klezmer tone with added clarinet, and the fourth being a bodhran-driven Irish jig. Instrumentally, the band members aren’t flashy bluegrass virtuosos, but the level of musicianship is high and consistent. Some of the vocal harmony makes you sit up and take notice, whether it’s the imitation of a train whistle, as in “Honey Blues,” or the sweeping three-part a cappella interplay on “Come Up to the Mountain” that closes the album. All in all, Fine Bloom is a pleasant experience, and one which makes me hope that Free the Honey wends their way northeasterly soon to a live gig in our neck of the woods.
Swedish music camp fellowships for young Midwestern folk musicians
November 2015
from folk musicians from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The festival will take place the first week of July, 2016. The fellowships underwrite the cost of airfare and participation fees plus travel, food and lodging in Sweden. Musicians should be 17 to 25 years old. Ethno Sweden is for young musicians to learn more about different music, to make new friends and grow as musicians
and human beings in workshops where the participants teach each other. The program has hosted participants from more than 70 countries all over the world. The committee will select fellowship winners in January 2016. You can find out more about Ethno Sweden and this festival and camp at www.ethno.se. Send fellowship inquiries to Peter Ahlbom, peter.ahlbom@gmail.com.
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MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Ethno Sweden, one of the largest and oldest international folk music camps for young musicians, gathers almost 100 participants from 15 to 18 countries for a week of workshops, concerts, jamming and networking in Sweden. A Minnesota foundation is funding the participation of four American young folk musicians for their 2016 festival. Last year, they provided full fellowships for four fiddlers from Minnesota. For 2016, they are seeking applications
CURTIS & LORETTA CD RELEASE CONCERTS
Saturday, November 21, 2pm Owatonna Arts Center 540 W Hills Circle, Owatonna 507-451-0533 $5 http://oacarts.wix.com/oacarts
Sunday, November 22, 7:30pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Cedar Cultural Center 416 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis 612-338-2674 $12 advance / $15 at door http://www.thecedar.org
This new CD is comprised of 12 songs Loretta wrote about unsung heroes. Several of them will be onstage with Curtis & Loretta at the concerts!
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Loretta Simonet is a fiscal year 2015 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Supported in part by MBOTMA and by the Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum.
November 2015
Fold #1 Fold #2 MBOTMA PO Box 16408 Minneapolis, MN 55416
PLACE FIRST CLASS STAMP HERE
MBOTMA Election Judge c/o Kenneth Bloch 19877 182nd Ave NW Big Lake MN 55309
Board of Directors Election Ballot
Please read the instructions carefully.
Mailed ballots must be received by November 18.
LOOSEN STAPLES
Step 1: Remove the ballot from the center of the magazine. Loosen the center staples and it will come right out. (You will still have a complete magazine after it has been removed.) Step 2: Cut the ballot in half along the fold. Return just this sheet. Step 3: Mark the ballot. Vote for TWO officers and FOUR At-Large Board Members. Step 4: Fold the ballot in thirds, with this side on the inside and the address on the outside. Do not place your return address on the ballot; your vote is confidential. Step 5: To vote by mail, staple or tape the ballot closed, apply a first class stamp, and mail. To vote in person, seal the ballot and bring it to the Harvest Jam, November 20–22, 2015.
Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association official
IMPORTANT Reminder: This page serves only as a Board Election ballot. Please do not include checks, membership renewals, or any other correspondence for MBOTMA. Ballots will not be opened until the Harvest Jam. Ballots received after the Harvest Jam will not be opened. Returning Board members: Peter Albrecht, President; Jana Metge, Vice President; At-Large: Kenneth Bloch, Alan Jesperson, Phil Nusbaum SECRETARY:
☐ Mary DuShane ☐ Greg Landkamer AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS (Choose 4):
☐ Chris Anderson ☐ Marilyn Bergum ☐ Sarah Cagley ☐ Ann Iijima ☐ Quillan Roe ☐ Other (Write-in):
This is your only ballot Additional ballots will NOT be available at the Harvest Jam Mailed ballots must be received by November 18, 2015 OR Bring it to the Harvest Jam by 3 p.m., Saturday, November 21, 2015 Harvest Jam, November 20–22, 2015 Marriot Minneapolis West 9960 Wayzata Boulevard Just west of Highway 169 and north of I-394. Coming from I-394, exit at Hopkins Crossroad and go east on the north frontage road. For more information, visit minnesotabluegrass.org.
CUT ALONG THIS EDGE
TREASURER:
Candidates for MBOTMA Board of Directors
Marilyn Bergum — At large I’m running for re-election on the MBOTMA Board of Directors in order to complete some projects that I started during my first term. Shortly after the Board orientation in 2014, I volunteered November 2015
to chair and organize a member project. At that time, MBOTMA membership was 962. As of May, 2015, membership stands at 1,015. This is a result of a combination of the president’s letter of finances in November, 2015, and more aggressive membership sales at the festivals. This upward movement can be continued with a more organized approach to membership sales at the festivals. Other areas that I’m passionate about are volunteer development and youth outreach, two areas that we need to strengthen in MBOTMA if we want to grow as an organization. My career background has prepared me to take a leadership role in both of these areas. This is an exciting and challenging time for MBOTMA and its membership with the upcoming changes in staff and board. I would like to continue to be part of these changes and growth. Sarah D. Cagley — At Large MBOTMA is near and dear to my heart and I would like to be elected for a seat on the board of directors. I know MBOTMA as someone who has grown up with this organization and experienced the caring community that MBOTMA supports. Recently, I have gained a new perspective of MBOTMA as a youth representative on the Board of Directors. During the two terms I spent as a youth representative, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the administrative side of the organization. I have served as MBOTMA Underground Chair and as a Finance Committee Member. If elected, I would like to further develop the sustainability of MBOTMA as an organization and continue my work on the finance committee.
Mary DuShane — Secretary I have enjoyed serving MBOTMA as Secretary of the Board and am ready to take on another term. I’ve been a member of the organization since the very beginning in the seventies, and I’m proud that, with Jed’s capable leadership over the years, we’ve grown to include two fabulous summer festivals plus the spring and fall events, the outreach to communities and kids, the jams—the whole picture. I’m one of many in the organization loving both old-time and bluegrass music, and I want to see both styles represented and funded. Thanks to our fabulous volunteers, and here’s to many more years of financial, musical and social health for MBOTMA. Ann Iijima — At Large I’m a relative new-comer to MBOTMA, having joined in 2011, but it quickly became an important part of my life. The people and music it supports have brought me joy, friendship, and a true sense of belonging. I’ve tried to support MBOTMA to the best of my abilities. Although I’m only an aspiring musician (bluegrass and old-time are both exerting strong pulls), I’ve found other places to lend a hand. I’ve served on the Harvest Jam, Kickoff, and August festival committees (vendors, workshops, jam with the bands) and volunteer at nearly all of the MBOTMA festivals and events (load-in, load-out, front gate, gofer, artist transport, dance floor assembly/disassembly). I’ve written a number of articles for Minnesota Bluegrass and often help the editor with proofreading. For the past two years, I’ve helped Jed with marketing the Minnesota Bluegrass & OldTime Music Festival, working on print, 17
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Chris Anderson — At Large My family has been active in MBOTMA for years and have loved bluegrass music and old time music as long as I can remember. Sharing music and singing is a lifelong passion. Passing that love and joy of music-making to other folks, especially young people, is what our involvement and passion for MBOTMA's attendees has always been about. I am a multi-instrumentalist, band member, songwriter, and harmony singer, with experience in public relations and as an executive secretary. As a mother of seven, avid tent camper, woodworker and horticulturist, I believe I have plenty of background (and empathy) that will help in growing MBOTMA and our festivals in quality, attendance and enjoyment by our attendees (potential MBOTMA members!). I've volunteered on Winter Weekend staff (Gathering Place Co-coordinator and Kids’ Area creator and activities instigator, plus hours of free face painting), hospitality tent and face painting for August Festival, and, with my family, construction crew volunteers for building the Showcase Tent dance floor for quite a few Augusts. When Kevin Barnes of Stoney Lonesome encouraged me to run for the board years ago, I said I didn't have time. Well, time is still limited, but now I don’t have to hire a babysitter while I volunteer! Four years’ attendance at and learning from workshops at IBMA in Nashville taught me a few things I’d love to help build here (besides jamming from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. each night!).
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
newspaper, mail, radio, and social media promotions. I’ve had extensive board experience, including Just Food Co-op Board of Directors, Labor & Employment Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association (Governing Council member and chair), National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Board of Directors, Carleton College (Alumni Annual Fund Board, Campaign Priorities Committee), Minneapolis Area YWCA Board of Directors (fundraising chair, vice president). I am semi-retired but spent the majority of my (somewhat checkered) career at William Mitchell College of Law, serving as a professor of law for 18 years and as vice dean for academic programs for two years. I greatly enjoy working collaboratively with others for mission-driven organizations, and hope to serve MBOTMA in this capacity. Greg Landkamer — Treasurer I have been involved with MBOTMA since 2005, serving on the Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large for the past two years. I have volunteered at the August festival every year. The past three years I served as the “Hands On Workshops” coordinator. I have volunteered with the dance floor construction, Winter Weekend, and Harvest Jam. With my recent retirement from teaching, I believe that I have the time to take on more duties in MBOTMA, so I am seeking the office of Treasurer. I have served on other committees in my “day job” for a number of years. I am on the Board of Directors of GO4ST8 Physics, a consortium of physics teachers who started “Physics Day at Valleyfair” and “Physics Day with the Twins”. While serving on this committee I’ve been involved with long range planning. I’ve also served on my local union committee as Co-President. I have played in a number of MBOTMA member bands (The RowBuckers, Prairiegrass, Seldom Herd, 18
Rosby Corner) over the past 10 years and can usually be found at a local jam session. Quillan Roe — At Large Along with his wife Kim, Quillan Roe leads The Roe Family Singers, a GoodTime, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippiheadwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, MN. The band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll urgency and influence. Joined by as many as seven musicians, and featuring banjo, autoharp, guitar, and washboard, the band and family of fans have been regularly filling Minneapolis’ 331 Club every Monday night since 2005. In 2010 the band opened for both Doc Watson and Del McCoury at the Cedar Cultural Center; and the Grascals at the MBOTMA Winter Bluegrass Weekend. In 2011 the band was awarded the prestigious McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians, and has previously won the title of “World’s Best” at the 29th annual Battle of the Jug Bands.
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607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 612.827.1726
November FRI SAT FRI SAT FRI SAT
13 – Famous Volcanoes 14 – Tangled Roots 20 – Detroit Don King 21 – Becky Schlegel 27 – Daniel Champagne 28 – Pushing Chain
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
December FRI SAT FRI SAT SAT
11 – Roe Family Singers 12 – Ivory Bridge 18 – Phil Kitze & The Resonators 19 – Captain Gravitone & The String Theory Orchestra 26 – The New Distractions
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! Lloyd “Doc” Wallin, D.D.S. Cosmetic Dentistry Burnsville, MN 55337 952-892-5050 (Free Consultation for MBOTMA Members)
www.dulonospizza.com 20
November 2015
Curtis & Loretta’s new CD tells stories of resilience by Loretta Simonet
November 2015
with many MBOTMA bands) played a Gary Bartig Eminence bass on nine tracks. Jacqueline Ultan added bowed cello on three songs. Curtis and I play folk harp, guitars, mandocello, and clawhammer banjo on the recording. We gathered together a women’s choir, many of whom are MBOTMA members, to sing on the chorus of “Willmar 8.” Pam Bowers, Sarah Cagley, Bonnie Donnay, Liz Ferron, Mary Henderson, Pam Photo by Jennifer Bong; cover design by Crystal Rockvam Kolupailo, Sherri Leyda, Sherry Minnick, Leandra battling ovarian cancer since 2008 with Peak, and Barb Ryman sing about eight an amazingly positive attitude, and the female bank employees in Willmar, story of my parents and how the odds Minnesota, who went on strike in 1977 were stacked against their marriage in because they were required to train 1947. in men who would then become their Please join us November 21 at supervisors and earn almost twice as Owatonna Arts Center in Owatonna much as they did. Letters of support at 2 p.m., or November 22 at the Cedar from women around the world kept Cultural Center in Minneapolis at 7:30 them going. Our choir “sings the letp.m. Sandy Njoes will join us on bass at ters” that were sent. “The whole globe the Cedar, and several of the “Willmar is watching you, it’s starting now to 8” choir will be there to sing on that improve . . .” I was totally blown away by song. Many of the people about whom I the beautiful wall of female sound they wrote will be at the CD release concerts created in the recording studio. to greet the audience. I interviewed one of the Willmar 8, What is the most important thing I Glennis Ter Wisscha, and after she heard learned through this project? If we only the song, I asked if any changes were search, we find that ordinary people needed. She said, “You are amazing in among us often possess extraordinary that you were able to capture that hisqualities. I have fulfilled my dream to tory so completely in a song. The song is share their stories with the world. beautiful and I can’t imagine it getting When There’s Good To Be Done any better.” is available at the Homestead Pickin’ There’s a song about Garrett Ebling, Parlor, at the CD release concerts, and at one of the worst injured of the 35W www.curtisandloretta.com. bridge collapse survivors, a song about a WWII Navy veteran who helped save another man when his ship was sunk, a song about a woman who has been 21
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
What do a woman who donated a kidney to a toddler she didn’t know, a Native American who grew up with abuse and discrimination in the ’30s and ’40s at the state orphanage in Owatonna, a WWII POW who survived the German Death March, and a woman who grew up in great poverty and hardship in Somalia and is now a nurse at Mayo Clinic have in common? They all faced great challenges in their lives, and came out stronger for it. These stories, plus eight more, are all stories that I crafted into songs for our new CD, When There’s Good To Be Done. I have always been drawn to the stories of the “common folk” among us. I was awarded an Artist Initiative grant in music from the Minnesota State Arts Board this year, and my project is to develop my songwriting skills, particularly in the genre of story-songs. I assembled a stellar cast of characters (mostly all Minnesotans), interviewed each one, and got to know them well. After I wrote each song, I got back together with that “subject” to go over the lyrics, making some minor changes and polishing the edges. MBOTMA connections abound in this recording. Curtis and I recorded the CD at Armadillo Sound, owned by Doug Lohman, who does the sound for all the MBOTMA festivals. MBOTMA member band Singleton Street also played a key role. Band members Chuck and Sherri Leyda have three beautiful children, two of whom are autistic. I’ve spent a little bit of time with the family and witnessed their huge commitment to and acceptance of each child. To see their family is to see happiness and pure love. The name of their song is “What Each One Needs,” and Chuck and Sherri honored us by playing pennywhistle and mandolin on the song with us. MBOTMA member Peter Ostroushko came in to lay down fiddle tracks on five songs, and Sandy Njoes (who has played
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 November 7 First Annual Sound Strings Gala & Silent Art Auction (to support string music education for Red Wing youth), The Hot Flashes, Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com, 6pm
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
October 30—Friday • Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant’s 50th Anniversary Tour, Paramount Theater, 913 W St Germain St, St. Cloud, MN, 320-259-5463, 7:30pm • Barley Jacks, Juniors Bar & Restaurant, 414 So Main St, River Falls, WI, 8pm • Pushing Chain, GKb, 8pm
October 31—Saturday
• Beg for Justice, GKb • Bill Staines, HOB, 7:30pm 22
November 21
November 28 & 29
Bob Bovee, Old School Variety Show with multiple musicians and storytellers, Pump House, 119 King St, La Crosse, WI, 608-785-1434, 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, Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2pm
November 1—Sunday
November 2—Monday
• Bill Staines, CrH, 7pm • Bob Bovee, Here’s to the Roots, The Dubliner, Kansas City, MO, 4pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Prairie Lutheran Church 11000 Blossom Rd, Eden Prairie, Singing at church service & short concert between services. Prairie Lutheran Church, 9am & 11am • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
• Bob Bovee, Olathe Public Library, Olathe, KS, 6:30pm • The Milk Carton Kids with The Goodbye Girls, FITZ, 8pm • The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
November 3—Tuesday
• Dick Kimmel with Lori Jean, Mankato Brewery, 1119 Center St, North Mankato, MN, 6pm • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm November 2015
November 4—Wednesday
November 9—Monday
• Pushing Chain, Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 West Division St, Chicago, IL, 10:30pm
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
November 5—Thursday
• Pushing Chain, Barking Spider Tavern, 11310 Juniper Rd, Cleveland, OH • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm
November 6—Friday
November 10—Tuesday
• A Branson Country Christmas, Paramount Theater, 913 W. St. Germain St, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, 1:30pm & 7pm • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
November 11—Wednesday
• Gales of November, with Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Ruth MacKenzie, Eric Peltoniemi and more, BoDD, 7:30pm • Martin Sexton, CED, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, St. Croix Festival Theater, 210 No. Washington St, St Croix Falls, WI, 7:30pm • Pushing Chain with Kiss Me Deadly and Vanity Crash, Shakers Tavern, 2350 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH
• A Branson Country Christmas, Paramount Theater, 913 W St. Germain St, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, 1:30pm • Special Consensus with David Grier, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave, Faribault, MN, 7:30pm
• APHC broadcast from the Sanford Center, Bemidji, 4:45pm • Contra Dance with Northern Aire, TAP, 7:30pm • High 48s, OAK, 7pm • Laura MacKenzie, The Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave N, St. Paul, CD Launch, $15 door, 7:30 • Mama’s Stolen Horses, AGr, 10am • Monroe Crossing, HOPK, 8pm, Social Hour, 7pm • Papa John and The Hot Club, Merlins Rest, 8:30pm • Roseanne Cash, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Dr SE, Rochester, MN, 7:30pm • The Hot Flashes, First Annual Sound Strings Gala & Silent Art Auction (to support string music education for Red Wing youth), HOB, 6pm • The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Paramount Theater, 913 W. St. Germain St, St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, 7:30pm
November 13—Friday
November 7—Saturday
November 8—Sunday
November 2015
• David Bromberg Quartet, CED, 7:30pm • David Grier, Recovery Bike Shop, 2504 Central Ave NE, Mpls, $20. RSVP to brentfuqua@gmail.com, 7pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm • The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, Manitou Station, 2171 4th St, Mpls, 9pm • Chuck Suchy, BoDD, 7:30pm • David Grier, CrH • Pushing Chain, Castle Danger Brewery, 17 7th St, Two Harbors, MN, 7pm
November 14—Saturday
• APHC broadcast from the State Theatre, Cleveland, OH, 4:45pm • Barbara Jean with special guest Molly Jean, ZUM, 7:30pm • Bob Bovee, Omaha Folksong Society, house concert, 402-320-7597, 7:30pm • Chuck Suchy, OAK, 8pm • Contra Dance with the Moon Light Trio, TAP, 7:30pm • David Grier, house concert, LaCrosse, WI • Monroe Crossing, Mantorville Opera House, Hwy 57 and 5th St, Mantorville MN, 2pm & 7pm • Riverside Bog Stompers, AGr, 10am • Tangled Roots, DUL, 8pm
November 15—Sunday
• Bob Bovee, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City, IA, 2pm • David Grier, house concert hosted by Ben Manning and Katryn Conlin, Lake City, MN, $20, limited seating, contact ann@silvercranes.com for reservations, 7pm
November 16—Monday
• Pushing Chain, Harmony for Mayo, Lips Atrium, Charlton Building, Mayo Campus, Rochester, 12:10pm • The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
November 17—Tuesday
• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN, 7pm
November 18—Wednesday
• Iris DeMent with Pieta Brown, CED, 7:30pm • Lenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm, members of Pert Near Sandstone, Farmhouse Band, Sans Souci Quartet and Row of Ducks • The Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, Vieux Carré, 480 St. Peter St, St. Paul, 8pm
November 19—Thursday
• Four Mile Portage, AGr, 5pm • Mother Banjo with Mikkel Beckmen, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 5pm • Pushing Chain, ROCK, 7pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
November 20—Friday
• Cactus Blossoms, Landmark Center, 75 5th Street West St Paul, 8pm • Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience, Marriot Minneapolis West Hotel, Nov 20–22. See p. 5. Friday Night Ballroom Concert: Bill & Kate Isles Band, Blue Yodel #9, The Good Intentions, Check onsite schedule for times • Mama’s Stolen Horses, AGr, 6pm
November 21—Saturday
• APHC broadcast from the Palace Theater, with special guests Heather Masse, Craver, Hicks, Watson, and Newberry, Waterbury, CT, 4:45pm • Becky Schlegel, DUL, 8pm
23
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Monroe Crossing, Bluegrass Mass with The University Singers, Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 So. 4th St, Mpls, 4pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Tim Sparks and Phil Heywood, AST, 8pm
November 12—Thursday
• Monroe Crossing, Mantorville Opera House, Hwy 57 and 5th St, Mantorville, MN, 2pm • Singleton Street, Stockholm Lutheran Church, 16113 Co Rd 30 SW, Cokato, MN, 10:45am • Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik, CED, 7:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
November 21—Saturday • Bob Bovee, Old School Variety Show with multiple musicians and storytellers, Pump House, 119 King St, La Crosse, WI, 608-785-1434, 7:30pm • Contra Dance with Contratopia, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta & Friends, CD Release, Owatonna Center for the Arts, 540 W Hills, Owatonna, 507-451-0533, 2pm • Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience, Marriot Minneapolis West Hotel, Nov 20–22. See p. 5. Saturday Night Ballroom Concert: Race For A Place Champions, Flatt Lonesome, Pushing Chain, Check onsite schedule for times • James Keelaghan, BoDD, 7:30pm • John Gorka, CED, 8pm • Lonnie Knight, CrH, 7pm
November 22—Sunday
• Curtis & Loretta with Sandy Njoes & Friends, CD Release, CED, 7:30pm • Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience, Marriot Minneapolis West Hotel, Nov 20–22. See p. 5. Gloryland Gospel Band, Flatt Lonesome. Check onsite schedule for times • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am • Victorian Christmas with Greenwood Tree, Historic Courthouse, 101 West Pine St, Stillwater, MN, 12pm
• 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
December 3—Thursday
• 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 • Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
December 4—Friday
November 29—Sunday
November 30—Monday
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
December 1—Tuesday
• Mark Kreitzer & Dean Harrington, Noonartsounds, University of St. Thomas (main library), 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, 1pm
• The Moss Piglets, Blue Groove, Jackson and the Roosters, Whiskey Junction, 901 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 9pm • 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 • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm • Dr. Ralph Stanley with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, CED, 8pm • Pat Donohue, BoDD, 7:30pm • Pushing Chain, Leo and Leona’s Tavern & Dance Hall, W1436 State Road 33, Bangor WI, 7:30pm
December 5—Saturday
• Contra Dance with Greenwood Tree, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, The Landing, 2187 E Hwy 101, Shakopee, 763-694-7784, 1pm • Pushing Chain, Elmaro Vineyard, N14756 Delaney Rd, Trempealeau, WI, 1pm
November 23—Monday
• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
November 24—Tuesday • Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
November 27—Friday • Leo Kottke with Nick Forester and friends, FITZ, 8pm • Nordic Bees, Christmas at the Fort & Runestone Museum, Alexandria, 3pm • Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing, 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Mpls
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
November 28—Saturday
• APHC broadcast from The Town Hall, New York City, 4:45pm • Contra Dance with Danebodium, TAP, 7:30pm
Play with your friends at Kip’s Live at Harvest Jam, Nov. 20–22. See page 5. 24
November 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
November 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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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 TBA 9:30 PM with special guest TBA
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).
‘Mister Bluegrass’
Country music hall shows it sure can pick ’em with induction of Mac-Grove’s Nusbaum By Larry Englund (Reprinted with permission from the Villager, September 12, 2015)
November 2015
would guide his future work as both a radio host and folklorist. “Yurchenco had a lot of bluegrass players in her class and we’d say, ‘Words don’t matter, it’s the mood, the playing,’ and she’d say, ‘Yes, words matter,’” Nusbaum said. He started in broadcasting at City College Radio. “It was probably December of ’66 that I did my first show, a folk music show,” he said. “I also did a bluegrass show and did play-by-play for basketball games.” After graduating from college in 1970, Nusbaum worked as a substitute teacher for a year, then drove a cab. He later took Yurchenco’s advice to attend graduate school. He chose the Folklore Institute at Indiana University and once again hosted a radio show on the university’s station, WFIU. He found an outlet for his appreciation for lyrics while in grad school. “My first publication was about country music lyrics,” he said. Later he would write about other topics as well. “Bluegrass is what got me into the Folklore Institute, but I found lots of other things of interest,” he said. “My Ph.D. dissertation was about the communication styles of the guys in the bagel bakery where my dad worked. I also wrote about New York City cab drivers, since I’d been one.” In the spring of 1977, as Nusbaum was completing his doctorate, he learned of a job opening at KUNI at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. “Part of me was waiting for an academic job,” he said, “but they were scarce.” He ended up working at KUNI for nine years. “I hosted a folk variety show featuring bluegrass, blues, singer-songwriters, Cajun, klezmer, Mexican, everything,” Nusbaum said. “Then I did a show called ‘Music in the Air’ that was
basically recordings I made in the studio and in the field.” It was while doing field recordings that Nusbaum first met music festival founder Everhart. “On four occasions I was able to record the Old-Time Music Festival,” he said. “One year I recorded about 25 hours of tape and turned it into a radio program.” Nusbaum still enjoys broadcasting music he has recorded during live performances. “In one respect, when you’re just playing records you’re doing a commercial for the record company,” he said. “It’s a higher calling to go out and record the music in your area, frame it and put a context around it.” In 1986, Nusbaum moved to the Twin Cities to become the folk arts coordinator for the state of Minnesota. He was out of the radio business for about six years, with one exception. “Early in my career, I created two 13-week series on the Minnesota folk art experience,” he said. “They were five-minute radio shows that were aired on about a dozen stations in the state. Some were on polka music, some on Hmong storytelling, and a whole lot of different things.” As the state folk arts coordinator, Nusbaum oversaw several projects. “We did a series of LPs and then CDs documenting traditional music in Minnesota,” he said. “We put on an annual class for teachers to help them put folk art materials in their teaching plans. I also wrote and published articles, including one about Minnesota music traditions.” Nusbaum started “Bluegrass Saturday Morning” in 1993 and “Bluegrass Review” in 2003 when his job with the state ended. “I had to figure out something to do, and my wife suggested I become Mr. Bluegrass, so to speak,” he said. 27
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Phil Nusbaum hosts “Bluegrass Saturday Morning” as well as the nationally syndicated “Bluegrass Review” radio shows on KBEM-88.5 FM. He contributes to many National Public Radio music programs, plays banjo for several musical groups, teaches aspiring banjo players and radio producers at McNally Smith College of Music, and has written numerous articles about traditional music. On September 3, the New York City native and current Macalester-Groveland resident [was] inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame during the 40th annual National OldTime Music Festival [...] in LeMars, Iowa. Bob Everhart, president of the sponsoring National Traditional Country Music Association, said the festival and hall of fame are meant to keep rural acoustic music alive. “For people who live in rural areas, today’s country music is not country at all,” he said. “Folks who used to listen to Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and similar artists don’t listen to today’s country music. There’s no connection to the past.” Nusbaum’s path from New York City to the hall of fame in Iowa had a few twists and turns along the way. He first heard bluegrass the summer before he started attending City College of New York in 1966. He considered playing the electric guitar, but that required dragging around lots of equipment, so he chose to study the banjo. In college, one of his teachers exposed him to folk music. “I remember studying with Henrietta Yurchenco,” Nusbaum said. “Henrietta was a Woody Guthrie biographer. She knew Woody, Pete Seeger and all the New York folkies.” It was in that class that Nusbaum also developed an interest in lyrics, which
He knew that in order to get syndicated, he had to come up with a concept that would catch the ears of station managers around the nation. “I had to start treating bluegrass as a serious idiom and provide really good context for it,” he said. Nusbaum came up with a segment called Gems of Bluegrass. “It’s multiple song clips unified by my commentary,” he said. “That little six-minute feature takes me three hours to prepare because it’s scripted and highly edited.” He also does interviews with artists and bluegrass scholars. “We focus on the aesthetics and history of the idiom,” he said. “The artists will also play to illustrate a point.” “Bluegrass Review” currently is syndicated to more than 95 stations around the country. It airs locally from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays on KBEM and is preceded by “Bluegrass Saturday Morning” from 9 to 11 a.m. Nusbaum also continues to play banjo. “I have a new duet with Sherry Minnick, which I have high hopes for,” he said. “Her singing is as good as it gets, if you ask me. Steve Howard and I have a duet, and I also have the Blue Drifters Quartet.” He recently released a CD titled The Dark Before the Storm. According to Everhart, Nusbaum is a “very, very worthy member of the Hall of Fame. He plays bluegrass, he’s a very good banjo player, and he’s a long-time promoter and advocate of traditional music in the Midwest.”
Minnesota Bluegrass
January 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips
Deadline: December 1, 2015
Send to: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org 28
AUTHORIZED WARRANTY SERVICE for
QUALITY REPAIRS & ACCESSORIES For All Fretted Instruments
C.F. Martin Sigma Gibson Epiphone
CHARLES A. HOFFMAN, INC. 2219 East Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404 612–338–1079 November 2015
Grass Clippings
Becky Buller claims three IBMA awards
Husband and wife duo Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams return to the Twin Cities on Tuesday, November 10 to perform with Jackson Brown at the State Theater. Hand-picked by Browne as the support act for his 3-month fall US tour, Larry & Teresa will perform their own set of material from their acclaimed self-titled debut on Red House as well as joining Browne in his band each evening. Larry & Teresa’s impeccable harmonies and song-craft have brought accolades for the pair as they step into the spotlight for the first time in their careers. The Wall Street Journal describes them as “a powerhouse country, blues, gospel and honky-tonk singer [meets] a maestro of Southern roots music” and MOJO Magazine christened them “the first couple of Americana.” Between them they’ve played with Paul Simon, Mavis Staples, BB King, Elvis Costello, The Dead, Roseanne Cash, and many more, and they led Levon Helm’s band for the last years of his life. Larry also spend eight years before that as Bob Dylan’s guitarist (Rolling Stone called Larry’s 8-year tenure “the greatest period of the ‘Never Ending Tour’“). The husband and wife duo’s long partnership, on and offstage, is really evident in their live shows— they’re in a different musical league. Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams (supporting Jackson Browne) Tuesday, November 10, 7:30pm The State Theater, Minneapolis 612-339-7007; ticket info $61.50 to $103.50 —Angie Carlson / Red House Records
Becky Buller claimed three International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards on Thursday, October 1 during the association’s annual conference held in Raleigh, North Carolina. During the Special Awards luncheon, Buller was named the IBMA’s Songwriter of the Year. Later that evening, Buller was awarded Emerging Artist of the Year and also Recorded Event of the Year for “Southern Flavor,” a special performance with Bill Monroe’s former Blue Grass Boys, Michael Feagan, Peter Rowan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White, and Blake Williams and written by Monroe, DeWayne Mize and Guy Stevenson. Although Buller is a previous winner of an IBMA Award through her work with the Daughter of Bluegrass, these are her first IBMA accolades as a solo artist. “I’m honored and scared and excited,” states Buller. “This happens to my heroes! I love bluegrass music and am so honored that other folks are enjoying my interpretation of it. Thank you to my husband, Jeff and my daughter Romy for putting up with me and helping me pursue this dream. Thank you to the Blue Grass Boys who joined me on the recording of “Southern Flavor,” to Guy Stevenson and DeWayne Mize for the lovely words, and to Stephen Mougin of Dark Shadow Recording for his hard work and faith in this project; this track
Michael Feagan, Stephen Mougin, Becky Buller, Blake Williams and Guy Stevenson pose after winning IBMA’s Recorded Event of the Year. Photo: David Brainard
was pure magic because of them. I’m feeling so blessed and grateful. God has brought me to a spacious place.” Buller’s critically acclaimed album, ’Tween Earth and Sky has garnered much attention over the last year. The album was produced by Stephen Mougin for Dark Shadow Recording and has spent 11 months on the National Bluegrass Survey’s Top 15 Albums and currently resides at number 10. For more information on Becky Buller, please visit www.beckybuller. com.
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
“Goin’ to the Harvest Jam, Pop?” “Sure am, Bob. See ya there!” November 2015
29
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association presents‌
The Grass Seeds Music Academy On March 4-6, 2016 at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend
March 2016 will mark the thirteenth year for the MBOTMA Grass Seeds program, and on Thursday November 12th we’ll be raising money through GiveMN Day to help pay for it. You can help! Just make an online donation on GiveMN.org, and your donation will be entered into an hourly drawing for a $1,000 GiveMN Golden Ticket. That adds up to 24 opportunities for you to help us receive an extra $1,000!
And the really awesome part is that one donation made on GiveMN.org during Give to the Max Day will be randomly selected at the end of the day to receive a $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket. Help us increase our odds and make the most of your gift by making a donation on November 12 on GiveMN.org. Search for Minnesota Bluegrass, and then make your donation!
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Together, we hope to raise more than $3,000 for Grass Seeds on Give to the Max Day. Please help us reach our goal! On November 12th make a tax deductible donation by visiting https://www.givemn.org/organization/Minnesota-Bluegrass-And-Old-Time-Music-Association
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November 2015
On the road in in November & December 2015 Friday, Nov. 6
7:30 pm
St. Croix Festival Theatre, 210 Washington Street
St Croix Falls, WI
715-483-3387
Saturday, Nov. 7
8:00 pm
Hopkins Center for the Arts , 1111 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN
952-979-1111
Sunday, Nov. 8
4:00 pm
The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with The University Singers Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th Street South
Minneapolis, MN
612-624-2345
Saturday, Nov. 14
2:00 & 7:00 pm
13th An nual Monroe Crossing-Cabin Fever Bluegrass Shows Mantorville Opera House, Highway 57 & Fifth Street
Mantorville, MN
507-635-5625
Sunday, Nov. 15
2:00 pm
4th Annual Monroe Crossing-Cabin Fever Gospel Show Mantorville Opera House, Highway 57 & Fifth Street
Mantorville, MN
507-635-5625
Make your plans now to join us for “A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing�
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
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 844-monroeX or 763-213-1349, art@monroecrossing.com
November 2015
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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit 343
MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 16408 Mpls, MN 55416
TIME VALUE DATA
“Hey, Phil!” “Yes, Mary?” “I see there’s a nice article about you getting into the Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame.” “Yep, page 27.” “So, does this mean you’re famous now?” “Yep . . . Now, stop talkin’ and start fiddlin’.” Photo: Steve Chollar