MN Bluegrass Magazine Jan/Feb 2017 by Minnesota Bluegrass

January/February 2017

Jan/Feb 2017 Vol. 43 No. 1 Newsstand: $3 Subscription: $35

MBOTMA Hot Line

(to subscribe and for other information) 612-285-9133 or 800-635-3037 info@minnesotabluegrass.org P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416 www.minnesotabluegrass.org Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass

MBOTMA Board of Directors

President: Laura Cooper - ldcoop08@gmail.com Vice President: Nic Henges Treasurer: Robbie Pohdug Secretary: Jed Malischke - jed@minnesotabluegrass.org Board Members: Term expires 2017: Alan Jesperson, Bill Lindroos, Rudy Marti, Ann Iijima Term expires 2018: Dale Gruber, Brett Day, Philip Nusbaum Youth Representative: Theo Hougen-Eitzman, 1 Seat vacant For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: www.minnesotabluegrass.org/board-minutes

MBOTMA Staff

Executive Director: Patricia Bungert executivedirector@minnesotabluegrass.org Administrative Assistant: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine

Editor: Doug Lohman, editor@minnesotabluegrass.org Contributors: Adam Granger, Philip Nusbaum, Eric Christopher, Anthony Ihrig Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Photography: Helios Photography Cover image: Helios Photography Back: Doug Lohman Deadline for submissions: The 1st of the month preceding publication Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: editor@minnesotabluegrass.org. Minnesota Bluegrass is published monthly by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2017 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537. 2

Thank you, MBOTMA members Membership as of January 1, 2017: 1000

Patrons:

Peter & Bridgit Albrecht Tony & Ann Anthonisen Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Barry & Annie Brooks Doug Chasar Paul Christianson Gary & Janet Cobus Laura Cooper Bob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jennifer Faulkner Mark & Kathleen Fisher Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Tom Furrer Jon & Sharon Garon Art Geffen Gary & Jae Germond David Glatt Dale & Diane Gruber Tom & Marlys Gustafson Michael & Paula Hildebrandt Mabel Houle

Sustaining:

Mary Ruth Alva Rod & Barb Anderson Vicki Anderson Daryll &Mary Arntson Paul Ashworth Vaughn Asselstine Kenneth Bloch Fred Boyer Susan Christensen-Wichmann Katryn Conlin Dan & Marilyn Cook Brian Cornell Bob & Vicki Dalager Hal Davis Doug Duncan Mary DuShane Matt Edwards Craig Evans Leon Evans Nathan Fjeld Jim Franczyk Warren Gumeson Timothy & Ginger Haaland David Holm Steven Holste Dick & Sue Hopperstad Mark Johnson John Johnson Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann Kagan

Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke David Johnson Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Maxine Larson James Lee Douglas Lohman Richard Luckeroth Bob Lundeen Rudy & Jeanne Marti Rodger McBride Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Milaca RecFest David & Betty Pfeiffer Lincoln Potter Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Thomas & Margaret Schuveiller Penelope Scialla David Tousley & Margaret Brandes Michael Valentiner Donna Velasco Jane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox

Jim Lally Greg Landkamer & Jill Stefansen David Lang Steve & Elaine LeVasseur Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler Travis Lockwood Rolf & Lisa Lund Michele Marshall Mac McKay Mary McSorley Bill Merrill Susan & Joe Meyer James Natwick Jerry Nelson Dennis & Jan O’Brien Linda & Tony Omann Dominic Orrico Bob Ostlund Bryan Ronning Mark & Jan Rubbert Marty & Carol Schirber Wendy Schoen Howell Smith Lynn & Carolyn Thorson Ross & Elizabeth Vaughan Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Tin Wankel David & Bonnie Warner Carole Wilson

January-February 2017

From the President If you don’t read this column in its entirety, please read the last paragraph. Before I launch into my message I want to thank some folks. 1) Thanks for electing me president. 2) Thanks to Earl Jarosh, my “opponent” for being so gracious to me and for the time and energy he continues to put forth for MBOTMA. 3) Thanks to Jed Malischke for his stepping back into the MBOTMA fray to help us transition into the next phase. 4) Thanks to all the volunteers including festival committees/staff, bands that donate their time, folks that offer their expertise in areas such as public relations, board members past and present, folks who show up to help at the festivals and other events. Volunteers actually make the MBOTMA world go around. 2016 was likely the most difficult year for MBOTMA since its inception. MBOTMA had been experiencing a gradual decline in attendance at events, resulting in similarly declining revenue. That along with Jed’s retirement put MBOTMA into a tailspin. We had limited reserves and were ill prepared for Jed’s departure. MBOTMA floundered without an executive director (ED) for the first part of the year. Subsequently, the newly hired ED struggled and then resigned unexpectedly shortly before the August festival, leaving much of the preparation incomplete. Thanks to the cadre of dedicated staff and volunteers, most of us who attended the festival were not aware that anything was amiss, and calamity was averted. At the January 3, 2017 board meeting, we filled the vacancies on the executive committee, the board at large, and the finance committee with an incredibly strong roster. We heard from Patricia Bungert, our new ED. She presented us with the results of the research she commenced in December 2016. In a much over simplified nutshell, Patricia identified potential corporate sponsors in Stearns County, the location of El Rancho Manana, and the basis for MBOTMA being in a strong position to ask those companies to sponsor our organization and/or events. The board also passed much overdue program plans for 2017 and 2018. Hopefully, by the time the Winter Bluegrass Weekend we will be out of survival mode and begin focusing on the future. From the President continued on page 5

Inside:

January-February 2017

The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is open to everyone. Our members include people who love to listen to music and people who love to make music. As a member, you’ll be invited to participate in bluegrass and old-time music events and celebrations. You’ll receive discounted prices on admission to events and merchandise, and you’ll receive a subscription to Minnesota Bluegrass magazine. Becoming a member of MBOTMA is easy and affordable. Your membership will not only nurture your own interests, but help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota. Individual $35

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events discounts for one person, and a free classified ad.

Family $50

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, up to four discounted tickets per event, and a free classified ad. Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance booking information for MBOTMA events, a free classified ad, and listings in the MBOTMA member band directory in print and on our website.

Band $75

Sustaining Level $100

Patron Level $150

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.

Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual, family or band membership. Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online and pay with PayPal. Or mail in your personal information and payment to: MBOTMA, P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416 Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you would like to join by phone.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

From the President 3 Election Results 5 Annual Fundraiser 6 Winter Bluegrass Weekend Preview 9 Cover Story: The New Riverside Ramblers 10 Race for Place Winner 13 Grass Seeds 14 Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 Coming Up 24 Tab 30

Become a Member

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

MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS RAFFLE

All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association

Choose Your Prize: $5.00 Prize #1: C.F. Martin DXMAE acousticelectric guitar

Prize #2: Deering Goodtime AMERICANAâ&#x201E;¢ Banjo value $599.00

value $729.00

Prize #3: Deering Goodtime Concert Size Banjo Ukulele value $499.00

Prize #4: Frost River Trading Travel Bag, value $250

Enter the Raffle at the

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Annual Fundraiser 2to10 - February 4 - Klaus VFW , Spring lake Park, MN Winter Bluegrass Weekend - March 3-5 - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Plymouth, MN Cabin Fever Festival, Mar 31-April 2 - Radisson Hotel, Duluth, MN

Drawing 7:00 PM, Saturday, April 1, 2017 Cabin Fever Festival MBOTMA, License #X-04879

January-February 2017

MBOTMA Election Results Elections for the Board of Directors were held in November. The polls closed on Novemeber 19th at the Harvest Jam at the Mariott in Minneapolis. The announcement of the winners was made shortly thereafter. And the envelope, please... Laura Cooper was elected to a two year term as president, Jed Malischke was elected to a two year term as Vice President. Brett Day, Phil Nusbaum and Dale Gruber were elected to two year terms as Board Members at Large. Next time you see them, thank them for their willingness to serve you on the Board of the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association

Jed Malischke Vice President

Brett Day Board Member at Large

From the President continued from page 3 I am in the midst of planning a daylong workshop, tentatively scheduled for March 25, with a working title of “Reimagining MBOTMA for Short Term Viability and Long Term Sustainability,” with the following goals: 1) Enhance the board’s effectiveness; 2) Review a “branding” project conducted for MBOTMA by graduate students from St. Thomas University; 3) Conduct brainstorming-to-action sessions on established priorities related to increasing memberships, attendance at festivals/events and revenues and expanding our volunteer base.

We need our members to be engaged and actively participate in the survival of MBOTMA. One of the easiest things you can do to help is to tell your family, friends, coworkers, Facebook friends, Twitter followers or whomever about the next MBOTMA event. You could start now talking about the Fundraiser on February 4 and the Winter Bluegrass Weekend (see ads in this issue for more information). Our best advertising doesn’t cost MBOTMA a thing; according to festival surveys, most people hear about MBOTMA events from a friend or family member. That’s an easy way to help out. I’ll be asking for your participation by other means in future columns.

Dale Gruber Board Member at Large

John Hugelen Cajun Music Scholarship

Sends aspiring mid-west Cajun musicians to music camps at Folklore Village (WI), Balfa Heritage Week (LA) & Augusta Heritage Center (WV)

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Laura Cooper President

January-February 2017

Phil Nusbaum Board Member at Large

Application deadline: January 27, 2017

For application and/or info:

johnhugelencajunscholarship.org

Email: cajunmusicscholarship@ earthlink.net 5

The Annual MBOTMA Fundraiser 2to10 February 4, 2017 by Phil Nusbaum

we know that venues and clubs that present bluegrass are staging some ‘grass during the months between November and March, the Annual Fund Raiser is the one and only out-and-out bluegrass event going. Don’t get me wrong. The clubs are fine, but the club experience can be sort of compressed into waiting for the first show to end so we can get in, and then quickly out at the end of the show. But at the Annual Fund Raiser, you pay your money and once inside, you have your choice of settings-withinthe-setting. Want to take in the fine and varied bands? Cool. Want to jam? Attend a workshop? Bid on the silent auction items? Or just hang out with friends! It’s all there. Sooner or later, most of us dig into the buffet. And why not? The Annual Fund Raiser is not really a show, not really a festival, but a party; and it is

what there is between the Harvest jam and the Winter Weekend. You know you are going to attend. And if you paid a good deal more than the $10 suggested donation, it would still be a bargain. Here’s the line up: 2:00 PM - Jack Klatt (solo), 3:00 PM - Switched at Birth, 4:00 PM - Bootlickers , 5:00 PM - Jumpin’ Jo and the Catie Cats , 6:00 PM - Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, 7:00 PM - Cousin Dad, 8:00 PM - King Wilkie’s Dream, 9:00 PM - Tony Rook Band That is as strong a lineup as you are likely to find anywhere, and with so many perks. Now, take the Bootlickers. Not only is this a great Skillet Lickersinfluenced group, but this group is the reason that Minnesotans have the cleanest shoes anywhere! The Barley

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

It cannot be called the Spring FundRaiser, not when it occurs in February in the state of Minnesota. Yes, it takes place a good six weeks after the winter solstice, but by any measure, it is not spring. It is not even time for baseball’s Spring Training which takes place in Florida and Arizona. And if logic means anything, we know that the event cannot be called “Spring” if it occurs before the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, which takes place in March. It is the Annual FundRaiser, taking place February 4, 2017 at the Kraus-Hartig VFW, 8100 Pleasant View Dr., Spring Lake Park, MN. Doors open at noon, and stage music starts at 2PM. The Annual Fund Raiser, née both 12 x 12 and Jedfest, is what there is between November’s Harvest Jam and the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. While

January-February 2017

Park. There is a sociological concept that applies to some of the most committed jammers at this event. The concept is selective disinterest. When pickers go to a venue that features a large concert area, but they use their time doing other things such as jamming, or checking out the options at the buffet, those behaviors represent selective disinterest. You hear some of them say, after coming early and leaving late, “I never made it to the stage even once.” There are still others to whom the silent auction is the main activity and the stage activity merely provides something to do between

checking on one’s bids. But however you view it, the Annual Fund Raiser is what there is between the Harvest Jam and the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. It is what reminds us that there is more to “Minnesota’s Best Season” than white and grey; and gives us reason to get out of the house to party, and support a most worthy cause, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association. The writer of this piece plans to be there just about the whole time. And I plan to get home after the late news. See you there.

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Jacks with Brian Wicklund is a group with a musical vision unlike any other band. The combination of that vision with musical ability leads me to believe that the band could go national. It’s no lie that the smart money sees them now, before that happens and you have to travel to Bean Blossom to hear them. Then there is Jumpin’ Jo and the Catie Cats. They were going to perform as the Fish Heads, but Catie is flying back from Europe to be part of the show, so boom! it shall be the Catie Cats. This group earned a well-deserved big ovation at last year’s event. Fresh from cutting their second CD, Cousin Dad will be ready to present some of their idiosyncratic takes on others’ songs plus imaginative originals. Check the list above and like me, you’ll probably see some familiar and unfamiliar bands. I can tell you that it was curated for quality and variety, and if you sit in front of the stage for the entire concert, you’ll be doing a great thing for yourself. But of course, you will not do that. Most of us sit for a while by the stage, then check out the first-class jamming, and hang out in the nooks and crannies of the Kraus Hartig VFW in Spring Lake

A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music and Dance 38th Annual

March 3-5, 2017 l Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West l Plymouth, MN

Saturday Concert Headliner: Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands 59th Annual Grammy Award Nominee for Best Bluegrass Album!

Invited 7:00pm Opening Band: Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers Invited 9:30pm Opening Band: The Bootlickers Stringband

$20 $20 Headline Concert Tickets Start at

General Admission Tickets Start at

Teen & kids tickets are just $10!

Old-Time Dance Band — Foghorn Stringband

Kids 12 & under free!

2 Stages with 40 Bands | Jamming | Workshops | Old-Time Dances | Exhibitors | Grass Seeds Music Academy General Admission Showcase Of Bands, Exhibit Rooms, Dance Parlour, Gathering Place & Workshops $20 Friday Door l $25 Saturday Door $5 Sunday Door l $10 Teens (Friday, Saturday Door)

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

3–Day Weekend General Admission Pass Showcase Of Bands, Exhibit Rooms, Dance Parlour, Gathering Place & Workshops $32 Advance or $45 Door (Members) l $40 Advance or $45 Door (Non-Members) $10 Advance Teens — Kids 12 & under free! Saturday Headline Concert (7:00pm or 9:30pm) $20 Advance (Members) l $23 Advance (Non–Members) $30 Door (Members & Non-Members) l $10 Teens & Kids

Bluegrass Lovers Package $48 Members l $58 Non-Members l $29 Teens — Pre–Sale Only. Not available at the door. Includes all 3 Days+ 1 Saturday Headline Concert ticket Bluegrass Extremist Package $60 Members l $70 Non-Members l $35 Teens — Pre–Sale Only. Not available at the door. Includes all 3 Days+ both Saturday Concerts Grass Seeds Music Academy $85 per Youth (8–18 years-old, includes a 3–Day Weekend General Admission Pass) Advance tickets are available by phone, paypal, or mail until Tuesday, February 28 at 5:00pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets call (800)635-3037 or visit www.minnesotabluegrass.org. Location & Hotel Information: Crowne Plaza (763)559-6600 — Location of Festival l Residence Inn (763)577-1600 l Ramada Inn (763)553-1600

January-February 2017

Winter Bluegrass Weekend preview: By Doug Lohman

January-February 2017

can be found in the Upper Midwest. I’m told that MBOTMA is the third largest bluegrass and old-time music association in the United States. The Winter Bluegrass Weekend is the perfect place to experience this exciting musical family. Whoa! There’s more. Instrument dealers, the Gathering Place, kids’ crafts,

dances, the Grass Seeds Academy, and… food, (can’t forget food…) all make this an excellent weekend to put a stamp on the end of winter. You can call the Crowne Plaza (763-559-6600) or the nearby Residence Inn (763-5771600) or Ramada Inn (763-553-1600) for reservations.

Thank You Give to the Max Day ‘16 Donors! Your kind gift gave the MBOTMA Grass Seeds Music Academy

$1655

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Coming up on March 3-5, 2017 is MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend. This is one of MBOTMA’s largest events and is jammed packed with things to do and see. It will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth. There are more details on the preceding page. By attending this festival of bluegrass and old-time string band music, you will be able to partake of the rich experiences of listening, jamming, performing and dancing. There will be jamming everywhere, you won’t have to go much inside the front door to see and hear people of all ages gathering in groups to share their music with each other and you. These jam sessions, in my humble opinion, exemplify what this musical scene is all about. Headlining the concert at this year’s WBW is Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands. Based out of the Bay area of California, Laurie and the band are sure to entertain you, whether you’ve heard them before or not. Laurie is the cream of the crop of the second generation of bluegrass players, steeped in the tradition of bluegrass and old-time while adding her unique stamp and mark on the beauty of the music. Year after year, she has done a marvelous job of putting her heart and soul into the music. Foghorn String Band will also be joining us. Based in the Northwest, they do so much traveling that one could say they are from everywhere. Foghorn’s knowledge and perception about old-time music is vast and varied, from the hoedowns of Appalachia to the earliest beginnings of country music. Couple this with their ability to use their instruments and voices to portray the wide range of feelings, stories and heritage of old-time music, they bring honesty and authenticity to their performances that makes them one of the best bands touring today. In addition to these 2 national acts, there will be three stages with over 40 bands showcasing the wide range of bluegrass and string band music that

#RoundOfApplause Richard L. — Saint Cloud, MN

Elizabeth P. K. — Maple Grove, MN

Catherine B. — Hopkins, MN

Douglas C. — Afton, MN

Kimberly Z. — St Paul, MN

Jim L. — Richfield, MN

Soren O. — Birchdale, MN

Thomas S. — Brooklyn Center, MN

William L. — Woodbury, MN

Lynn D. — Minneapolis, MN

John A. — Richfield, MN

Rhonda G. — Minneapolis, MN

Cover Story

The New Riverside Ramblers A History of Cajun Music in Minnesota By Adam Granger

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Photos by Helios Photography I was the emcee for the 2016 Minnesota Americana-Roots Band Contest, sponsored by MBOTMA and held at the Minnesota State Fair on September 3. As group after group strutted their stuff, I was happier and happier to be part of the staff for the event, as opposed to competing in it. To say that the afternoon was an embarrassment of riches, talent-wise, is an understatement. When the smoke cleared, the emergent winners were the New Riverside Ramblers, the upper Midwest’s premier Cajun band. Surprise, and yet, no surprise – surprise because we’re a long way from Louisiana, and one would expect a Minnesota Cajun band to be, well, dilettantish. No surprise because 10

the Ramblers have been together a whopping twenty-five years and have Cajun creds that don’t quit. Allow me to introduce this band: The New Riverside Ramblers’ current lineup includes John Terr on accordion and vocals, Eric Mohring on fiddle and vocals, AJ Srubas on fiddle and pedal steel guitar, Karen Kleinspehn on rhythm guitar, Paul Loughridge on percussion, and Karl Smelker on bass. Their music is the real deal – hot Cajun music of southwest Louisiana. Their repertoire covers the spectrum from old-style fiddle tunes to a more pluggedin, rockin’ country sound – echoes of the old dance halls of Louisiana. The Ramblers play festivals, dance halls, concerts, fairs (including our state fair),

Mardi Gras parties and, of course, bars and brewpubs. They had a regular berth for years at the Half Time Rec in St Paul and currently hold forth monthly at the Eagles Club in south Minneapolis – one of the premiere homes of roots music in the Twin Cities. The New Riverside Ramblers have released two recordings, Saute la Barrière (Jump the Fence) in 2003 and Les Grands Bois (The Big Woods) in 2007, both of which won the Prix Dehors de Nous from the Cajun French Music Association, awarded annually for the best recording of Cajun music outside Louisiana. That these awardwinning recordings can still be heard on Louisiana radio stations to this day attests to the Ramblers’ musicianship as January-February 2017

well as to the respect the Louisiana locals have for them. The band originated as a trio in 1990 after Kleinspehn and Mohring met founding accordionist Bob Nelson at the Augusta Heritage Center’s Cajun & Creole Week in West Virginia, an event where many an aspiring musician has gotten a start playing Cajun music. The current Ramblers membership, which includes baby boomers, gen-Xers, and millennials, is harvested from the crop of

Terr Brothers Cajun Band in Chicago, possibly the first Cajun band north of Louisiana. Eric Mohring, a Twin Cities native, first heard Cajun music in 1980 at the Minnesota and Winnipeg Folk Festivals. He was playing bluegrass mandolin and fiddle at the time with the Jugsluggers (go into your basements and dig out the November 1980 MBOTMA magazine for more information on this legendary group). He was instantly transfixed by

that was to change their lives. Meanwhile, Millie Ortego, originally from Opelousas, Louisiana, was then living in the frozen up-river outpost of Minneapolis and getting homesick for the music and dance of her youth. She began teaching Cajun dance in the 1980’s and, needing musicians for dances, brought in the Terr brothers from Chicago together with Tracy Schwarz (yes, that Tracy Schwarz – of the New Lost City Ramblers – also a

“...the Ramblers’ history, expanded, is the history of Cajun music in the Upper Midwest.”

January-February 2017

Cajun music – by the way the fiddle is used as a rhythm instrument, by the fact that it’s primarily dance music, and by the North American French heritage it represents. He set about trying to learn the genre from whatever LPs he could find (remember: there weren’t nearly the shortcuts in that pre-internet era that exist today). In 1985, a young sign painter from Platteville, Wisconsin, named Gary Powell was equally stricken by the

Cajun-music bug and proceeded to hole up in a farmhouse to teach himself Cajun accordion. About that time in Minneapolis, Matt Haney, old-time and bluegrass fiddler extraordinaire, was also getting drawn to Cajun music. These folks all began to network, running into each other at gatherings, festivals, dances, and jam sessions. Powell and Mohring made their first visit to Louisiana for the 1986 Mardi Gras, a trip

big proponent of Cajun music) to play with local musicians for dances that she produced. Gary Powell’s arrival in the Twin Cities in 1987, with his escalating proficiency on the Cajun accordion, provided the critical mass needed to jump-start a homegrown Cajun band, eventually called the Bone Tones. Somewhere around a dozen people passed through this ensemble, but a much-beloved initial configuration consisted of Powell on accordion and vocals, Mohring on fiddle and vocals, Haney on fiddle and steel guitar, Ortego on percussion, Maureen Mullen on guitar, and Doug Lohman (of Stoney Lonesome, The Buffalo Gals and Armadillo Sound fame, and currently the editor of Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine) on bass. Because Millie Ortego had primed the pump by generating interest in Cajun dance, it was an instant scene. The Bone Tones played to packed dance halls and toured music festivals for the next 13 years. Initially, the Bone Tones were the sole voice of Cajun music in the region, but the music was simply too compelling, and soon others in the area were learning to play the music. At one time, Minnesota boasted as many as nine different bands playing Cajun music or Zydeco, Cajun music’s Creole cousin. (It’s 11

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

traditional musicians which grows in the fertile soil of the Twin Cities. To get a sense of the New Riverside Ramblers, one has to understand how Cajun music came to have such a strong foothold at the northern end of the Mississippi River. The band’s history winds its way like a braided stream through several decades of the traditional music communities in the Twin Cities and Chicago. The reader will see that the Ramblers’ history, expanded, is the history of Cajun music in the Upper Midwest. Read on. Like the old-time and bluegrass genres, Cajun and Zydeco started in one region of the United States, remained geographically parochial for a time and then spread like wildfire to other regions. The folks profiled below were the Upper Midwest’s arsonists. In 1967, Charlie Terr was exposed to Cajun music at the University of Chicago Folk Festival. By 1972, he was playing tunes on the Cajun accordion and enticed brother John Terr to try his hand at Cajun music. By 1975, a year out of high school, John was down in Louisiana and, come 1976, he was living there and learning from some of the great Cajun musicians of the past generations. In 1983, with Charlie on accordion and John on guitar, they began playing as the

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

no surprise that the Twin Cities continue to host a thriving community of Cajun and Zydeco music and dance.) Karen Kleinspehn, originally from upstate New York, was first exposed to Cajun music in the late 1970’s while interviewing for jobs in New Orleans and was immediately captivated. She initially helped bolster the Cajun music scene through dance instruction but finally left her training in classical music and gravitated to rhythm guitar in 1989. By the late 1980’s, Bob Nelson, who grew up playing polkas on piano accordion in Pine City, MN, was also making the transition to the Cajun accordion. It is this Kleinspehn-Nelson-Mohring collaboration that gave rise to the New Riverside Ramblers. Drummer Paul Loughridge came onto the scene in 1994. He was playing with alt-rock bands at places like First Avenue and 7th Street Entry to, as he describes it, “glowering, dark, angry and silent audiences.” The Bone Tones were looking for a drummer and invited him to one of their shows at the Cedar Cultural Center. Paul was so impressed with the participatory, joyful, friendly

dance-hall scene that he signed on right away. In addition to his duties with the Bone Tones, Loughridge recorded with the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band on their 2000 CD release, Sam’s Big Rooster, and is the rhythm machine behind the band, JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt. The New Riverside Ramblers recruited both Lohman and Loughridge to their lineup in 2000 as they expanded to a full 5-piece Cajun dance band. John Terr (of the aforementioned Terr Brothers of Chicago) moved to the Twin Cities in 2001. He played and recorded with both the Cajun Hot Soles and with Kevin Anthony and the Twin City Playboys. While part of that band, they received the 2012 Prix Dehors de Nous for their recording, Old Time Cajun Music. His expertise has been tapped repeatedly as staff musician for Cajun Weekend at Folklore Village in Wisconsin and at Augusta Heritage Center’s Cajun & Creole Week in West Virginia. John joined the Ramblers in 2014, adding his considerable mastery of the Cajun accordion and deep knowledge of the music and Cajun culture to the mix. “I finally got to be in a band with John Terr!” said Mohring. “I’d been hoping for years this would happen.” The tragic, untimely passing of John Hugelen in 2009, fiddler and vocalist for the Cajun Hot Soles, led to establishment of a scholarship fund in his name. The John Hugelen Cajun Music Scholarships have done much to boost the regional Cajun music scene by sending younger musicians to annual “immersion” camps such as the above-mentioned Folklore Village and Augusta Heritage Center events and the Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week in Louisiana. One recipient of a Hugelen scholarship, A.J. Srubas, is a 2015 addition to the Ramblers’ lineup on fiddle and pedal steel guitar. As young boy in Green Bay, WI, he grew up fiddling in a musical family that played mostly Irish music. By the end of his teens, however, he began to get interested in other fiddle styles like old-time, bluegrass and Cajun. He is an exceptional Irish and Old-Time fiddle player (with the Bootlickers), and also has become, in short time, a top-notch Cajun fiddler.

Additionally, within a short period, he has become an outstanding Cajun-style pedal steel guitar player. “The Ramblers were lucky to have snatched him up,” said Mohring. “It’s great to have twin fiddles again, and his groove on the pedal steel is truly inspiring.” Karl Smelker is recognized by many as bass player with the legendary local blues band, the Fabulous Minnesota Barking Ducks. But even a dyed-in-thewool blues man like Karl was powerless to escape the mighty pull of Louisiana music. Decades ago, Karl was drafted for the sound crew at Augusta Cajun Week where he became fast friends with Charlie Terr. Follow-up gigs with Canray Fontenot, Bois Sec Ardoin, Delton Broussard and Calvin Carrier proved to be transformational experiences for Smelker. Late-night sessions at Augusta with accordionist Dan Newton, Charlie Terr and guitarist Lee Tedrow (a MN Barking Ducks alumnus who later moved to Louisiana to play with Geno Delafose) instigated the Zydeco band, the Swamp Sextet, whose enthused performances delighted dancers in the Upper Midwest starting in the 1990’s. (The Swamp Sextet had only four members, but they just had to have the word “sex” in their band name). Karl and Gary Powell also served up a hoppin’ Zydeco combo for several years, the Faux Playboys. Karl is a 2016 addition to the Ramblers, but is no stranger to the band or their fans, having been the first-call substitute on bass for many years. So, there’s a brief history of Cajun and Zydeco music in the Upper Midwest intertwined with the stories of some very dedicated, very knowledgeable and very good musicians who call themselves the New Riverside Ramblers. We owe a debt of thanks to them, and to the other musicians mentioned in this article – they are serious students, devotees who surrender their lives to their art with a passion that others reserve for far more trivial pursuits. For more info and CDs go to http://www.newriversideramblers.com. Experience the band for yourself. Catch one of their live performances, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. January-February 2017

Mother Banjo wins MBOTMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Race for Place at the Harvest Jam and better engagements of any kind. It also provides an alternative method for MBOTMA to select the best acts to appear at its festivals. The winner was Mother Banjo, the first runner up was The Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anti Temperence League and second runner up was Noah John and Ringing Iron. Congratulations to all!

LaPlant Instruments maker of fine mandolins & guitars

The 11th annual Race For A Place Band Contest took place on Saturday November 19 during the Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience at the Marriott Minneapolis West Hotel. Bands had a chance to compete to win a spot on the Saturday Main Stage of the 2017 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival. The next two runners-up received

contracts for the 2017 Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff and the 2017 Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience. Echoing the Harvest Jam theme of helping good bands become better bands, the contest helps educate bands and the general public about what characteristics and talents are needed for prospective bands to perform well and get more

Buy - Trade Sell - Repair (stringed instruments)

31751 LaPlant Road Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218-326-4456

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

January-February 2017

Grass Seeds 2017 Guitar, Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro and Bass

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

by Eric Christofer and Anthony Ihrig

Grass Seeds and GS2 are MBOTMA sponsored youth workshops held in conjunction with the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, March 3-5, 2017. This will be our thirteenth year! We meet for one session Friday night, two on Saturday and one Sunday morning. The kids will then have the opportunity to show us all what they have learned with a concert on Sunday at 1:00. Some of the things we work on are jamming etiquette, ensemble playing, how to play back-up and take a lead break on your instrument, plus singing lead and harmony vocals. The kids have a lot of fun, but they work hard too. Grass Seeds is NOT just for beginners or “little kids,” nor are we only looking for those who are advanced players. While the kids will get a chance to show off a little bit onstage, if they’re so inclined, the focus of Grass Seeds is on group playing. So, whether you can play just a few common chords or fiddle a few tunes, or if you are a really “hot picker,” it doesn’t matter. Grass Seeds is about working together to make good music and have a good time. If you’re between the ages of 8 and 18 or so and you like playing music with friends, there is a place for you. We spend most of the weekend in small groups, each one becoming a “band” for the weekend. We do our best to group kids according to their ability and comfort level, so a band can be as few as three or as many as seven or eight kids, in any combination of instruments. 14

One of the requirements for GS2 is to be at least 14; however, teenagers are not limited to that group. Less experienced older players typically benefit more from Grass Seeds. At Grass Seeds, our main goal is fun. Our hope is that by creating a positive experience and the opportunity to build friendships, we will instill a love of the music, a sense of community and the desire to continue playing. Our faculty is always kid-friendly, local and accessible. We provide a noncompetitive, friendly atmosphere for kids to meet and get to know people

their age who enjoy the same music. Typically, by the end of the weekend, many phone numbers and email addresses have been exchanged and new Facebook friendships made. We work on a few common jam tunes and encourage everyone to go out and jam in the evenings. So if you see a young person out there with an instrument, please invite them to join in or stop and play a song or two with us. WHAT IS GS2? It has always been a struggle in Grass Seeds to accommodate such a wide variety of ages and ability levels.

The past several years, we couldn’t help but notice how many young, advanced players were showing up at the festivals. There has also been an increase in the number of Grass Seeds registrations in the 14- to 18-year-old age group, many who have attended Grass Seeds several times. It was obvious these older kids needed a very different, more ageappropriate experience than we were offering in Grass Seeds. We needed to provide them with their own social experience and move away from teaching only the traditional bluegrass tunes. They clearly want to learn to play what they listen to. We experimented with a few different things, but didn’t really hit on anything that worked. That is until 2011, when we started GS2. Now in its sixth year, GS2 has been quite a success! These kids have had a great experience and are really an inspiration to the younger ones. Our goals for GS2 are the same as Grass Seeds and the structure of the weekend is pretty much the same, we are just raising the bar by including advanced instrumental technique, three and four part vocal harmonies and improvisation. GS2 decides as a group what songs to work on. We encourage them to choose more progressive songs from the contemporary artists they enjoy listening to. Then they get to work creating their own arrangement, not just reproducing it as recorded. They will focus in on what it takes to be a member of a performing group. The discussion topics are also determined by the group so we can best meet the specific needs of January-February 2017

the kids that year. The minimum age to participate in GS2 is 14 and space is limited to about 10 students. We recommend at least four to five years of playing with a good working knowledge of common chords and scales. Basic instrumental technique should be solid and familiarity with ensemble playing is expected. Students must be able to learn quickly by ear. Previous participation in Grass Seeds is not required. Everyone who is interested in GS2 will participate in a jam session first thing Friday night and the instructors will make their decision at that time. All participants must register for Grass Seeds and we cannot guarantee your child will be selected for GS2 at time of registration. There is no additional cost for GS2 and no refunds will be given if your child is not selected. GS2 will have the same schedule as Grass Seeds and students will be required to perform in the concert on Sunday. OUR FACULTY This year Grass Seeds favorite, The High 48â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (thehigh48s.com), winners of the 2009 Rockygrass band competition will return as instructors. They were also a huge success as the faculty of jam camp at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival. Marty Marrone, Anthony Ihrig, Rich Casey,

Mike Hedding and Eric Christopher will offer instruction on guitar, banjo, dobro, bass, mandolin and fiddle. This year Chris Silver (chrissilver. wix.com) will teach GS2. If there are strings on it, Chris plays it -- and plays it well. Before the Chris Silver Band, he was a member of Stoney Lonesome and is also well known for his songwriting. Chris has firm roots in Bluegrass but has honed his own sound from many influences, making him perfect for GS2. REGISTRATION Grass Seeds Schedule Fri: 7- 9pm Sat: 10am - noon and 1- 4pm Sun: 10am - 12:30pm The concert is at 1pm The registration fee for the 3-day workshop is $85 per student. Students can only register for one instrument. Be sure to register early, as space is limited. Fiddle tends to fill the quickest. To register, please call MBOTMA at 1-800-635-3037. If you have any further questions, please email Eric Christopher at eric@thehigh48s.com or 651-271-4392. Grass Seeds is a unique opportunity for the young people in our area; there are very few programs like this one. Our goal is to keep the registration fee as low as possible and the quality of instruction as high as possible. Tuition alone, does not cover the cost of the program. Please

consider making a donation to help keep this valuable program alive. You may do so by sending a check to MBOTMA at PO Box 16408 Mpls, MN 55416. Please specify that your donation is for Grass Seeds. All donations are tax deductible, you will receive a tax receipt by mail.

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

The Grass Seeds Music Academy 2017 faculty featuring the members of THE

HIGH 48s plus Chris Silver MinnesotaBluegrass.org

All musicians age 8 to 18 (or so) are invited to register for the Grass Seeds Music Academy during the Winter Bluegrass Weekend on March 3-5 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth MN. You will learn jamming etiquette, ensemble playing, how to play back-up and take a break, lead and harmony vocals, as well as instruction on your own instrument. The workshop begins Friday night with registration and a jam to get ready for a full weekend of playing. Participants will also meet for two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday morning, and will finish with an onstage group performance on Sunday. Registration fee is $85 and includes admission to the festival. For more information contact eric@thehigh48s.com - 651-271-4392 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To register call MBOTMA at 1-800-635-3037 or info@minnesotabluegrass.org January-February 2017

Mar 31-Apr 2 2017 Radisson Harborview Hotel, Duluth (505 W Superior St)

Another MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS weekend of fun, featuring Fri & Sat:

THE HIGH 48S

PLUS

      

Friday Night Live! open mic starts at 7PM Saturday Afternoon & Evening Stage Shows Bands TBA Sunday morning Gospel show NEW! Friday Night Old-Time Barn Dance Workshops Draw Band Competition Lots of All-Day & Late-Night Jam Sessions! You’ll want to be there the entire weekend, so order your tickets in advance, then book a room at THE RADISSON HARBORVIEW HOTEL at 218-727-8981. Tell them you’ve got CABIN FEVER!.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Sponsored by:

BULLYAN RV, STEWART TITLE, SAINT LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER, FROST RIVER TRADING CO, REPUBLIC BANK, SIR BENEDICT’S TAVERN, and CHRISTIAN EGGERT VIOLINS

Tickets: Advance $29Wknd; Gate $15Fri/$20Sat/$35Wknd (teens½, kids free)

800-635-3037 or MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Advance tickets are available online or by phone. This event is presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) and made possible In part by This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

January-February 2017

7th Annual

April 7-9, 2017 River Falls, WI 50+ hours of foot stompinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bluegrass!

beer & wine tasting* roots & bluegrass band competition singer/songwriter competition workshops, open jams & more!

art stevenson & high water

*fees apply call 715.425.2533 visit www.riverfallsbluegrass.com

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

SIC U M E E FR EKEND WE

kind country

@ rfbluesfest

January-February 2017

Great Banjo Workshop Helps Banjoists Make Up Their Own Solos January 30, February 6, 13, 20 - 7pm

Held during woodsheddin’ time! Homestead Pickin’ Parlor - 6625 Penn Avenue South, Richfield, MN 55423

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Get the needed nudge to get started making up your own solos; the most fun you can have playing. A True Workshop: Participants share banjo playing ideas with the group, which includes the convener, Phil Nusbaum, veteran banjoist. “Band mates telling me my solos and originals sound good was my entry point into making it up myself. It’s a process that builds on itself, and I’ve never looked back.” Listen to any of Phil’s recordings and you will hear well-constructed song solos and original tunes. Here’s what we’ll do: • Get playing ideas from what melodies and chords suggest • Locate the ideas on the banjo • Share ideas with other workshop participants • Have tons of fun And we’ll have plenty of dialog about great solos we’ve heard, about colorizing them, creating moods, song kickoffs, different kinds of breaks for different kinds of songs....and whatever else comes up. • Total Cost for the Four Sessions: $40. Definitely worthwhile and definitely worth it. • Space is limited so sign up now at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor: folkmuse@aol.com; 612/861-3308 • Or talk to Phil: pnusbaum@bitstream.net; 651/245-1527

January-February 2017

Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum

The Lengthening Days The third week of January is the statistical coldest week of the year in Minnesota, but by the time it comes, we’re already a third of the way to the Spring equinox. Now this is what I call progress! However, we all look for events that break up the Long Cold Winter here in the Great White North. Fortunately for us, we have great opportunities to do just that.

The MBOTMA Annual Fund Drive

There is an article elsewhere in this installment of Minnesota Bluegrass that tells you all about it. Just briefly here, the event takes place on February 4, 2017. There is a great and varied lineup of bands, jamming, a comfortable restaurant and lounge to hang out in, and a silent auction and raffle. The requested donation is $10 but attending is worth a lot more than that.

Banjo Playing Workshop Coming

I am convinced that while playing from tablature is useful, players should be training themselves to make up their own solos. After all, that’s what the pros do. Over the years, I have learned that if I make up, I remember it! Banjoists who have been playing long enough to play some songs using the Scruggs rolls will benefit from the banjo workshop that I am running at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. Held over four Monday nights, Jan 30, 2017 and Feb 6, 13 and 20, 2017, these workshop activities build on themselves. Each of these sessions will truly be a workshop with a lot of space to work on music and then try things out in front of other participants. These four sessions will be popularly-priced, and give everybody space to create in an encouraging atmosphere. For info, talk to Marv at the Pickin Parlor (folkmuse@aol.com, 612/861-3308; or give me a shout to talk about the activities (pnusbaum@bitstream.net; 651/2451527).

Programming on the Bluegrass Review

We’ll have additional pieces relating to northwest fiddling with Phil and Vivian Williams. Also, watch out for an interview with Caleb Klauder, whose group the Foghorn String Band plays the Winter Bluegrass Weekend, and one with Laurel Premo and Anna Gustavsson. The duo combine Swedish nyckelharpa playing with Appalachian fiddle and banjo. By the way, they are touring North America in February and March 2017 • Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs) • Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences) • John Waddle Violins: www.waddleviolins.com (Dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases) The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant the National Endowment for the Arts. January-February 2017

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. At the top of the home page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Then 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 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

Contribute to Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine. Write a Review of a Favorite concert or CD. -

Write an article about your Favorite jam.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

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Weekly Playlists

Tell us about how you came to like Bluegrass and Old-Time String Band Music.

editor@minnesotabluegrass.org 19

Don’t miss these future

MBOTMA Events

Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association The 38th Annual

A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance

The 13th Annual

March 3-5, 2017

March 31-April 2, 2017

I-494 & Hwy 55 in Minneapolis, MN

505 W Superior St., Duluth, MN

Crowne Plaza Hotel

MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend is a Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Stringband Music & Dance. The Showcase of Bands features more than 50 groups on 2 stages all 3 days. The Saturday Night Headline Concert will feature:

Radisson Lakeview Hotel

A weekend long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, old-time dances, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Performers TBA. Weekend tickets are $29 in advance ($26 for members). Day of show $15 Friday and $20 Saturday. Teens are half price and kids are free. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. For lodging contact the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and ask for the special Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival rate.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands

All at the beautiful Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, Minnesota (on the NW edge of Mpls). Call 763-559-6600 for lodging and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate. Or the nearby Residence Inn at 763-5771600.

The High 48s

The 25th Annual

June 2-4, 2017

El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St. Cloud, MN

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

For More Info: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org These festivals are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Call and ask to be on our mailing list.

January-February 2017

MBOTMA Calendar of Events Concerts and events presented or supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association

The following events are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) or supported in part by MBOTMA, and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Februaray 4, 2017 - Saturday MBOTMA’s 2017 Fundraiser 2to10 Party: 2:00 PM

to 10:00 PM, Spring Lake Park MN: Kraus Hartig VFW Post (8100 Pleasant View Dr). A celebration of all things MBOTMA featuring 8 bands and more, se ad page 6. Plus silent auction, raffles, and lots of jam sessions. Suggested admission donation of $10 with all proceeds to benefit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). Food and beverage available. For more information call 800-635-3037 or visit www. MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

March 3-5, 2017 - Friday-Sunday The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass

& Old-Time Music & Dance, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth (3131 Campus Dr, I-494 & Hwy 55). Some fifty groups will be performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages, including Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands for the Saturday Night Headline Concert and The Foghorn String Band in the Dance Hall. Plus workshops, dances, instrument exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit www.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.

April 15-17 2016 - Friday-Sunday Cabin Fever Festival: Duluth MN: Cabin Fever Festival,

Radisson Harborview Hotel (505 W Superior St). A weekend long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, (the High 48s) draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the

Get a PDF of Minnesota Bluegrass before eveyone else... If you are already a member and want to receive Minnesota Bluegrass in electronic form instead of by postal mail, it will be emailed to you directly before it is available to the general public. If you only want the digital copy or you have problems opening the file, please contact the Minnesota Bluegrass editor at editor@minnesotabluegrass.org.

Help Wanted: T-shirt team

The MBOTMA T-shirt team is looking for new members. They are in extreme need of volunteers to take charge of the merchandise booth at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend and the Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. Working at the t-shirt booth is a great way to meet people and support MBOTMA. If you’d like to coordinate the booth at a festival or co-run it with a teammate, please let us know. The team will gather in January to plan for the coming year. And thanks to the current committee members: MBTOMA August Festival booth coordinator Barb Schommer, volunteer recruiter Maggie Jorgenson, and Bea Flaming who oversees it all. Email Bea at bea@minnesotabluegrass.org or call 800-6353037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer.

-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

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 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. For lodging contact the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and ask for the special Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival rate. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA).

Premium Guitars, Ampliﬁers, and Repair January-February 2017

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.

Minnesota

Bayport: Bayport Library, 582 N 4th

St, 651 275-4416, Mary, 651 439-8055, M3oberg@yahoo.com, Acoustic, Mon, 5:30-8:00pm 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 (Highway 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, 320743--3133, Dick Pickens, 406-868-9205, , Bluegrass, Gospel, Amps permitted, May - Sep, 3rd Sat, 6-9:30pm

Delano:

Crow River Guitar and Sound, 45 Babcock Blvd W, 763 972-7200, Molly, hoofparker@frontiernet.net, Bluegrass, Sat, 11am-1pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Duluth:

Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, 805 Superior St, 218-728-1192, http://sirbens. com, • Bluegrass, Wed, 7-9pm • Celtic, Thu, 7-9pm Fergus Falls: The Spot, 220 W Lincoln Ave, 218-998-2551, http://www. thespotpaniniandwine.com, 218-7366198, redblug@yahoo.com, Celtic, 3rd Thu, 7-9pm

Fergus Falls:

Westridge Mall, 2001 W Lincoln Ave, 218-739-4439, Bob Johnson, 218-7366198, redblug@yahoo.com, Acoustic, 1st Sun, 1-5pm

Ham Lake:

• Glen Cary Lutheran Church,

S, 612-209-5311, Roy, revanster@ gmail.com, Bluegrass, Last Mon, 7-10pm

Monticello:

VFW, 713 Cedar St,, 763-807-6431, Milo Olson, mardellolson@yahoo.com, Acoustic & Amplified, May - Nov, Last Sun, 2-5pm

Northfield:

• Contented Cow, 302B Division St, 507-663-1351, http://www. contentedcow.com/ongoing-events/ Northern Roots, Mon, 7:30 PM • Northfield, MN, Contented Cow, 302B Division St, 507-663-1351, http://www.contentedcow.com/ ongoing-events/ Acoustic, Tue, 7:30-10 PM

Oakdale:

Silver Lake Methodist, 5399 Geneva Ave N, 651-777-2920, Junior, MNrover@juno. com, Acoustic, 3rd Sat, 10am-noon

Red Wing:

Winter Farmer’s Market, Sargent’s Nursery, 3352 N Service Drive, , Dave, 651-388-3847, Old Time, Nov-Mar, Sat, 9am-Noon

Richfield:

Homestead Pickin’ Parlor, 6625 Penn Ave S, 612-861-3308, http:// homesteadpickinparlor.com, • Slow Fiddle tunes, 1st,3rd, 5th Mon, 7-9pm • Flatpicking Guitar, Thu, 7-9pm • Beginning Bluegrass, 2nd, 4th Tue, 7-9pm • Advanced Bluegrass, Sat, 3-6pm • Fiddle tunes, Wed, 7-9pm • Folk Jam, 1st, 3rd, 5th Tue, 7-9pm

Rochester:

Peace UCC, 1503 2nd Ave NE, http:// peacechurchucc.org, Pat Lehey, 507-2617128, Bluegrass, Fri, 6:30 PM

Rogers:

Rogers Community Center, 21201 Memorial Dr, Dave Christen, 612859-5847, quickieauct@hotmail.com, Acoustic & Amplified, 1st Sun, 1-6pm

Roseville:

Ken’s Market, 788 Cleveland Ave SW,, Doug Chasar, 612-802-0833, dchasar@ att.net, Acoustic, Mon, 6:30-8:30 pm

Rushford:

Good Shepard Home, 800 Home St, Roberta Albertson, 507-864-8109,

155531 Central Ave NE (Hwy 65), 612-366-1359, Joe Walters, 736-4345695, WhenWillitSnow@mac.com, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, 2nd Fri, 6:30-9pm • Ham Lake Senior Center, 15544 Central Ave NE (Hwy 65), Maxine Larson, 763-434-6750, Country, Bluegrass, Old-Time & Horns, 2nd Thu, 7-10pm • Ham Lake Senior Center, 15545 Central Ave NE (Hwy 65), Maxine Larson, 763-434-6750, Acoustic & Amplified, 3rd Tue, 1-4pm

Hancock:

• By Lo Gas and Groceries, 969 6th St, (320) 392-5244, Bob, 320 392-5662, Blurgrass, Oldtime, Thu (Winter), 6:45-7:45 • Della Conroy Studio, Della, 320 392-5662, Bluegrass, Oldtime, Thu (Spring-Fall), 6:45-7:45

Minneapolis:

• Blackbird’s Music, 3445 Cedar Ave S, 612-326-5745, http:// blackbirdsmusicstore.com, , Blackbirdmusicmpls@gmail.com, • Bluegrass, Thu, 7-9pm • Adult Learners, Tue, 6:30-8pm • Bluegrass, Every other Sat, 10am - noon • Elliot Park Recreation Center, 1000 14th St E, www.TCUkeClub.com, tcuker@icloud.com, Ukulele, Blues, Jazz, Swing Group Lesson, 2nd, 4th Thu, 7-9pm • Kenwood Park Community Center, 2101 Franklin Ave, , www. TCUkeClub.com, tcuker@icloud. com, Ukulele, Bluegrass, 2nd, 4th Mon, 7-9pm • Kenwood Park Community Center, 2101 Franklin Ave, , www. TCUkeClub.com, tcuker@icloud. com, Ukulele, Americana, 1st, 3rd Thu, 7-9pm • Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave S, 612-339-4499, http://www.kierans. com, Irish, Sun, Noon-2pm • Lunds & Byerlys Community Room, 1450 W Lake Street, , Donna, 651 698-4971, andaghs@earthlink.net, Acoustic, 2nd Friday, 7-9pm • Walker Community United Methodist Church, 3104 16th Ave January-February 2017

semba@acegroup.cc, Bluegrass, NovMar, 3rd Sun, Noon-5pm

North Dakota

Menomonie:

Culvers, 4004 Silver Lake Road, , Barb, 763-784-7881, Sponsored by MBOTMA; all levels welcome. Bluegrass, Sat, 1:304pm

Red Raven Expresso Parlor, 916 Main Ave, 701-478-7337, Bob Johnson, 218736-6198, redblug@yahoo.com, • Celtic, 4th Thu, 7-9pm • Old-Time, 2nd Thu, 7-9pm

Rice Lake:

St Anthony:

Saint Cloud:

Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr, Ken Hoest, 320-260-3348, Acoustic & Amplified, 1st Tue, 6:30-9pm

Saint Paul:

• Burn Unit Coffee Ward, 945 West 7th St, Doug Chasar, 612-802-0833, dchasar@att.net, Acoustic, Thu, 6:30-8:30 pm • Dubliner, 2162 University Ave, 651646-5551, http://thedublinerpub. com, • Sea Shanties, 2nd Mon, 7:30 PM • Traditional Irish Session (Advanced Players), Fri, 6-9pm • School of Rock Lowertown, 417 Broadway St, Donna, 651 698-4971, andaghs@earthlink.net, Acoustic, 3rd Sunday, 3-5pm • Underground Music Cafe, 1579 Hamline Ave N, 651-644-9959, http://undergroundmusiccafe.com, , , Roots Music (Bluegrass, Old-Time, Country), 1st, 3rd Tue, 7-9pm • Underground Music Cafe, 1579 Hamline Ave N, 651-644-9959, http://undergroundmusiccafe.com, Cajun, 1st, 3rd Sat, 11am-1pm

Sartell:

The Legends at Heritage Place, 673 Brianna Dr,, Gary Loomis, 320-223-2537, garymusic@midco.net, Acoustic, 4th Tue, 6-9pm

Spring Valley:

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 805 S Broadway, Roberta Albertson, 507-8648109, semba@acegroup.cc, Bluegrass, Nov-Mar, 1st Sun, Noon-5pm

Taylors Falls:

Wyoming:

Wyoming Methodist Church, 5459 E Viking Blvd, Stephen Whiting, 651464-7442, whitingsranch@gmail.com, Acoustic, Gospel, 2nd & 4th Thu, 7-9pm January-February 2017

Christ Lutheran Church, Elm & Wilcox Streets, Donna Harschlip, 715-673-4885, Mountain Dulcimer, Tue, 1-3pm

Valley City:

Barnes County Historical Society, 315 Central Ave. N, John Andrus, 701-7218296, 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

Lewis:

Lewis Methodist Church, 3482 115th Street, Starr Warndahl, 715-653-4262, warndahl@yahoo.com, Gospel, Oct May, 1st Sat, 6-9pm

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 Streets, 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, 751-2484800, Jerry, Acoustic, Tue, 2-9pm

Call for Fundraising Raffle Items If you have services or items valued at $400 (or more!) that you would like to donate to our MBOTMA Fundraising Raffle, please contact us now! Please help us accumulate at least a dozen items by January 20, 2017! We will have the raffle open during spring MBOTMA events. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Memorial Community Center, 312 Government Street, Brian Pigott, 651465-5551, popspeejou@frontier.com, Acoustic & Amplified, Mon, 6-9pm

Fargo:

Email a description of the item, a photo (at least 500 pixels wide), and the estimated value to info@minnesotabluegrass.org, subject line: “Fundraising Raffle Item.”

e 23

Coming Up Venue abbreviations 318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, www.three-eighteen.com 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mn AGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.com APHC: “A Prairie Home Companion,” Minnesota Public Radio AST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www. astercafe.com BSC: Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, www.blacksheepcoffee.com BTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.org BoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 320-252-9475 CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-3382674, www.thecedar.org CJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www. thecelticjunction.com CrH: Creek House Concerts, www.creekhouseconcerts.com, 651-633-5353. MUST call and reserve for these events. DAK: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www. dakotacooks.com DUL: Dulono’s Pizza, 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 MER: Merlins Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 612-216-2419 OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612-7294200, theriverview.com ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-2224353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com VC: Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St, St Paul, 651-291-2715, vieuxcarre.com WmH: The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, lower level, Minneapolis, 877-987-6487, thewarminghouse.net ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-7327616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

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

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS February 4 Saturday

MBOTMA Annual Fundraiser Kruas Hartig VFW Spring Lake Park, MN SEE AD page 6

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

1/14 - Saturday

• No Man’s String Band, Enki Brewing, 1495 Stieger Lake Ln, Victoria, 7:30pm • Layne Yost, ZUM, 7:30pm • American Roots Revue, DAK, 7pm

1/15 – Sunday

• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm • Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rodgers, ZUM, 7:30pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am

February 17-18 Friday-Saturday

Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with The Lil Smokies and Fruition Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls, MN 8pm

• Joshua Davis with Erik Koskinen, CED, 7:30pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm

1/16 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

1/17 – Tuesday

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

1/18 – Wednesday

February 26 Sunday

Monroe Crossing

Adath Jeshurun Congregation 10 Hillside Lane W Minnetonka, MN 2pm • MN Songwriter Showcase hosted by Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm • The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm • Ashley Groves, The Last Jackson, WmH, 8pm

1/19 – Thursday

• Bob Bovee, Daniel Boone Regional Library, Columbia, MO, 7pm • SisterTree, Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, 7890 Main St N, Maple Grove, 7pm January-February 2017

• Amanda Standalone, Meg Ashling, WmH, 8pm

1/24 – Tuesday

• Pushing Chain, 318,8pm • The Fish Heads, Sir Benedicts Tavern, 805 E. Superior St., Duluth, 218-7281192, 6pm • We Banjo 3, Paramount Theater, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 320259-5463, 7:30pm • Emot, Val Son, WmH, 8pm

1/25 – Wednesday

1/20 – Friday

1/21 – Saturday

• The Pines, OAK, 8pm • Soggy Prairie Boys, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Greenwood Tree, River Falls Community Barn Dance, River Falls Acad. 211 No Fremont, River Falls WI, 7pm • Bob Bovee, Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd - Maplewood, MO, 8:00 PM • The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, WmH, 8pm • The Gritpickers, Duluth, Tamarack Square Dance, 7:30pm • John Gorka, BoDD, 7:30pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • The Crow’s Delight, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612-331-1768, 7pm • All Strings Considered - Guitarathon with Dan Rein, Dan Estrem, Carl Street Mandolin Quartet, Rocky Mjos, Peter Ostroushko, Sundin Hall, Hamline University, 612-677-1151, mnguitar.org, 8pm • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, with Ryan Adams, Broadcast live from Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 4:45pm • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Contra Dance with Light of the Moon, TAP, 7:30pm • Americana Song Circle, WmH, 10am • Ina Yukka, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer.weebly. com, 2pm • We Banjo 3, CED, 7:30pm

7:30pm

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Zack Williams, DAK, 7pm • St Paul Mudsteppers, DuG, 7pm • MN Songwriter Showcase hosted by Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm

1/26 – Thursday

• Beneath The Crow, 331C, 9:30pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Black Dog Cafe & Wine Bar, 308 Prince St, St Paul, 8pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm • Four Pints Shy, Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant, 7890 Main St N, Maple Grove, 7pm

1/27 – Friday

• Machinery Hill, DUL, 8pm • The Biscuit Boys, KBEK Weise Auditoruim, KBEK Radio, 208 Broadway Ave. S, Braham, 7pm

• Brass Messengers with Bernie King, EAG, 4pm • Honey Bottoms, Matt Lattertell & MIke Munson, AST, 9pm • Ilusha with Srazhalys, CED, 8pm • The Northerly Gales, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm • The Tim Malloys, Morrisey’s Irish Pub, 913 W Lake St, Mpls, 9:30pm • Michael McDermott, WmH, 8pm

1/28 – Saturday

• John Gorka, ZUM, 7:30pm • Reina del Cid, OAK, 8pm • Minnesota Blue, DUL, 8pm • Roe Family Singers, Kingfield Farmers Market, 43rd & Nicollet, Mpls, 11:30am • The Rainbolt Mountain Project, Opinion Brewing Company, 374 21st St., Newport, 651-459-7511, 9 p.m. • Bob Bovee, Vicksburg House Concert, Vicksburg, MS, FFI: hollycrk@ netdoor.com, 7pm • Art Stevenson & High Water, Central Waters Brewery, 351 Allen St, Amherst, WI, 3pm • The Fish Heads, Foster’s Sports Bar,

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

1/22 – Sunday

• Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • Parisota Hot Club, AST, 8pm • The Suitcase Junket, WmH, 8pm • Mary DuShane and Nick Jordan, Dubliner Pub & Cafe, 2162 University Ave, St Paul, 5pm

1/23 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Upper Mississippi Cajun Band, EAG,

January-February 2017

4767 W. Arrowhead Rd, Duluth, 218727-7002, 9pm • The Biscuit Boys, American Legion #566, 7731 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, (651) 783 - 0055, 7pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Bachman’s Floral Winter Market, 6010 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls, 9am • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Contra Dance with Fiddle Buddies, TAP, 7:30pm • Americana Song Circle, WmH, 10am • Land At Last (CD Release), WmH, 8pm • Mayyadda, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer.weebly. com, 2pm

1/29 – Sunday

• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Beacon Hill Senior Residence, 5300 Beacon Hill Road, Minnetonka, (952) 988-8800, 4:00pm • Bob Bovee, Birmingham House Concert, Pelham, AL, FFI: lou. heerten@gmail.com, 4:00pm • Catie Curtis, CED, 7:30pm

ARMADILLO SOUND & DESIGN

Serving the acoustic music community for over 35 years.

Complete production services, sound and lights.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

You know Doug’s attention to detail in the live concert… Let him help you craft your next recording project.

612-306-3490 douglohman@aol.com 26

• Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • Mississippi Hot Club, AST, 8pm • Locklin Road, Cannon River Winery, 421 Mill St W, Cannon Falls, 1:30pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm • 1/30 – Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Catie Curtis, BoDD, 7:30pm • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm

1/31 – Tuesday

• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Bill Cagley, DuG, 7pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

2/1 – Wednesday

• Dan Rumsey, 331C, 7pm • The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm

2/2 – Thursday

• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm • Ben Lubeck, Brianna Kocka, WmH, 8pm

2/3 Friday

• Wheelhouse, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 8pm • Bob Bovee, Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse, Christ Unity Church, Chattanooga, TN, 8pm • Sweet Rhubard, BoDD, 7:30pm • Bethany Battafarano, Ritika Ganguly, Dameun Strange, CED, 8pm • Locklin Road, Haye’s Public House, 112 1st St, Buffalo, 7pm • Rachel Ries (with Hilary James) & Starfolk, WmH, 8pm

2/4 – Saturday

• MBOTMA Annual Fundraiser, Kruas Hartig VFW, Spring Lake Park, SEE AD page 6 • The New Riverside Ramblers Trio, Como Dockside, Como Park, St. Paul, 12pm • Singleton Street, Rosemount Steeple Center, 14375 So, Robert St Rosemount, 7pm • Mother Banjo, 318, 8pm • Greenwood Tree, TAP, 8pm • Bob Bovee, Whistlepig House Concert, Atlanta, GA, FFI: https://www.facebook.com/ wppconcerts/?fref=ts , 7pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Inbound Brewing, 701 N 5th St, Mpls, 7pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile,

Broadcast live from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, 4:45pm • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Krissy Bergmark, Zack Baltich, See More Perspective, CED, 8pm • Ladysmith Black Mambazo, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-2787, 8pm • Uke Jam, WmH, 10am • Chistopher Becknell, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer. weebly.com, 2pm

2/5 – Sunday

• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • SisterTree, Como Conservatory Music Under Glass, Como Park, St Paul, 4:30pm

2/6 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

2/7 – Tuesday

• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

2/8 Wednesday

• Doug Otto and The Getaways, 331C, 7pm • Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 10:30am

2/9 – Thursday

• Lonesome Dan Kase and Brady Perl, 331C, 9:30pm • Tim Houlihan, 318, 8pm • Bob Bovee & Hunter Holmes, Fountain Inn Museum, Laurens, SC, 7pm • Dean Magraw & Dan Newton with Special Guest Pat Donohue, AST, 8pm • Anda Union, CED, , 7:30pm • South Side Aces, EAG, , 8pm • Elizabeth Ghandour, WmH, 8pm

2/10 – Friday

• Charlie Parr, ZUM, 7:30pm • Daisy Dillman Accoustic, 318, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, Prairie Arts Center, 506 6th St, Madison, 7:30pm • Art Stevenson & High Water, SwampnGrass Festival, Victorian Village Resort, 276 Victorian Village Dr, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 53020, 12pm • The Pachanga Society with Dan Newton – “Woody Guthrie songs,” CED, 8pm

2/11 – Saturday

• Gary Powell, John Terr, AJ Scrubas, January-February 2017

Como Dockside, Como Park, St. Paul, 12pm • Ann Reed w/ Joan Griffith, ZUM, 7:30pm • DD & Roscoe, GKb, 7:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Lake Benton Opera House, 120 Benton St, Lake Benton, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, Lowry Nature Center, 7025 Victoria Dr., Victoria, 6pm • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, South Lake Village 16731 Hwy 13, Prior Lake, 9am • Bob Bovee, Brevard House Concert, Brevard, NC, FFI: 828-577-0878, 7pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Friendship Church, 17741 Fairlawn Ave, Prior Lake, (952) 447-8282, 5pm • Broken Heartland String Band, DUL, 8pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, Broadcast live from the FITZ, 4:45pm • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Sister Species, Seasaw & Laska, AST, 9pm • Keller Williams, CED, 8pm • Michael Johnson, CrH • The Northerly Gales, Merlin’s Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 8:30pm • Old Time Jam, WmH, 10am • Olivia Rojas & Kris “El Cuervo” Hill, with Flamenco Dancer, WmH, 8pm • Ritika Ganguly, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer. weebly.com, 2pm

2/12 – Sunday

• Monroe Crossing, The Historic Palace Theatre, 104 E Main St, Luverne, 2pm • Parisota Hot Club, AST, 8pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm

2/13 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • New Riverside Ramnblers, EAG, 7:30pm

2/14 – Tuesday

2/15 – Wednesday

• The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm • The Home Fires, The Young Novelists, WmH, 8pm

2/16 – Thursday

• Russ Parich w/ Pelham, 318, 8pm

January-February 2017

• Peter Ostrouschko w/ Dan Chouinard, ZUM, 7:30pm • Chris Silver Band, Juniors Bar and Restaurant, 414 So Main, River Falls WI, 8pm • Bob Bovee, Front Porch Gallery, Galax, VA, 7pm • The Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, 805 E. Superior St., Duluth, 218-7281192, 6pm • Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with The Lil Smokies, CED, 8pm • Fathom Lane, Sleeping Jesus, WmH, 8pm

2/18 – Saturday

• Shawn Glidden, Maurine McCort, Gary Powell, Como Dockside, Como Park, St. Paul, 12pm • Sawdust Symphony, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 8pm • Monroe Crossing, OAK, 8pm • Blue Groove, DUL, 8pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Sir Benedict´s, 805 E. Superior St., Duluth, 218-728-1192, 9pm • Broken Heartland String Band, AGr, 10am • Pert Near Sandstone Winter String Band Gathering, CED, 8pm • Sara Thomsen, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612331-1768, 7pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile, Broadcast live from FITZ, 4:45pm • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Pert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Fruition, CED, 8pm • Americana Song Circle, WmH, 10am

2/19 – Sunday

• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm • Chris Silver Band, Papa Charlies, Lutsen MN, 3pm • Monroe Crossing, First Lutheran Church, 15 East Sawyer St, Rice Lake, WI, 7pm • Gloryland Gospel Band, Summit Place Senior Home, 8505 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, (952) 9951000, 3pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • The Gentleman’s Anti-Temperance League, AST, 8pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

2/17 – Friday

2/20 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm

2/21 – Tuesday

• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, , 7pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

2/22 – Wednesday

• Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Mary DuShane and Andy Cohen, 331C, 7pm

2/23 – Thursday

• Broken Heartland String Band, Black Dog Cafe & Wine Bar, 308 Prince St, St Paul, 8pm • Bill Staines, BoDD, 7:30pm • The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm

Buttons, AST, 11am • Parisota Hot Club, AST, 8pm • Open Mic, WmH, 6:30pm

2/27 – Monday

• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Como Town Hotshots, EAG, 7:30pm

2/28 – Tuesday

• Ventanas, CED, 7:30pm • The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm • St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

3/2 – Thursday

• Solas, CED, 7:30pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm

3/3 – Friday

• MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, SEE AD page 8 • Bob Bovee, The Root Note, 115 4th St S, La Crosse, WI, 8pm • Sawtooth, Steeple Center, 14375 So Robert Trail, Rosemount, 7:00

3/4 – Saturday

• MBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, SEE AD page 8 • The New Riverside Ramblers Trio, Como Dockside, Como Park, St. Paul, 12pm • Angie Citlali, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer.weebly. com, 2pm

2/24 – Friday

• Dead Pigeons, Leo and Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 5:30pm • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, Ingredients Cafe, 4725 Hwy 61, White Bear Lake, 651-426-6611, 6pm • Mobius Trio, Sundin Hall, Hamline Univeristy, 612-677-1151, mnguitar. org, 8pm • Matt Hannah (CD Release), WmH, 8pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

2/25 – Saturday

• Dan Newton, Como Dockside, Como Park, St. Paul, 12pm • Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge, Hopkins Center for The Arts, 1111 Main St, Hopkins, 8:30pm • Roe Family Singers, George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th St, St Paul, 11:15am • Mary DuShane, Adam Granger, Nick Jordan, TAP, 7:30pm • Broken Heartland String Band, Contented Cow, 302 Division St S, Northfield, 8pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • High 48s Bluegrass Brunch, AST, 11am • Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-2787, 8pm • Americana Song Circle, WmH, 10am • Siama, Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Mpls, musicathosmer.weebly.com, 2pm

2/26 – Sunday

• Monroe Crossing, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10 Hillside Lane W, Minnetonka, 2pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the

January-February 2017

January & February with Monroe Crossing Friday, January 20

8:00 pm

Randy Wood Guitars, 1304 East Highway 80

Bloomingdale, GA

912-748-1930

Saturday, January 21

7:00 pm

Oconee River Basin Emmaus Community Fundraiser Greensboro First United Methodist Church, 4741 Carey Station Road

Greensboro, GA

Sunday, January 22

3:00 pm

Barking Legs Theatre, 322 Dodds Avenue

Chattanooga, TN

423-624-5347

Monday, January 23

7:00 pm

KASU Bluegrass Monday Concert Series Collins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street

Paragould, AR

870-972-2367

Friday, February 10

7:30 pm

A Valentine’s Day with Monroe Crossing Prairie Arts Center, 506 6th Street

Madison, MN

320-598-7301

Saturday, February 11

7:30 pm

A Valentine’s Day with Monroe Crossing Lake Benton Opera House, 120 Benton Street

Lake Benton, MN

507-368-4620

Sunday, February 12

2:00 pm

A Valentine’s Day with Monroe Crossing The Historic Palace Theatre, 104 East Main Street

Luverne, MN

507-283-4339

Saturday, February 18

8:00 pm

Oak Center General Store , 67011 Highway 63

Lake City , MN

507-753-2080

Sunday, February 19

7:00 pm

Community Bluegrass & Gospel Concert First Lutheran Church, 15 East Sawyer Street

Rice Lake, WI

715-458-0181

Sunday, February 26

2:00 pm

MICAH Fundraiser Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 Hillside Lane West

Minnetonka, MN

651-646-0612

Brand new!

Monroe Crossing plays Classic Country

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Inspired by the greatest hits of the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s, Monroe Crossing covers new ground with a selection of country classics — songs like “Today I Started Loving You Again” by Merle Haggard, “If I Could Only Win Your Love,” by the Louvin Brothers, and “Ramblin’ Man” by Hank Williams. Available at all of our shows and on monroecrossing.com.

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

January-February 2017

Tab: Soppin’ the Gravy from the playing of Vern Solomon (1924-1991) By Bob Douglas and banjo as well as sometimes words and melody notes for songs. Of course this was back before the Google when everything is accessible online. In May of 1976 (Vol 2, no. 5), Dick included this notation of Vern Solomon’s first time through Soppin’ the Gravy. The tune performance was from the 1965 LP Texas Hoedown, the County 703 recording. The record featured the fiddling of not only Vernon Solomon, but also Benny Thomasson and Bartow Riley. If you appreciate Texas fiddling, the LP sold out and so did the County rerelease several years later. However, it is now available for digital download on several online sites. Soppin’ the Gravy is a classic Texas fiddle tune played at contests that allow

and celebrate Texas fiddling. There are numerous YouTubes of the tune from players like Stuart Duncan, Alison Krauss, Ivy Phillips, Mark O’Connor (who titled his 1978 Rounder recording Soppin’ the Gravy), the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and others. Dick’s notation here is of Solomon’s first time through and is, to my ear, accurate to how Solomon played. Of course being a Texas fiddler he then continued five more times through, each time with a different variation. But the basic melody is well stated in Dick’s notation and what a great tune to challenge yourself with on fiddle, mandolin or guitar. Bob Douglas Dougfuls@usgo.net

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

I am enough of a packrat to have kept a number of the early MBOTMA Newsletters. By early, I mean back when they were 6-8 mimeographed pages stapled together of submitted articles, band news, hand-drawn ads, coming-up calendar, help requests, and tablature. The MBOTMA newsletter was then published by Tom O’Neill, articles written and edited by Bruce Jaeger and a subscription was $2.50 for twelve newsletters. I know. It was a very long time ago. And the editor of the tune notations (and also one of my best lifelong tune sources) was Dick Rees. In those early mailings of MBOTMA, there were always several tune TABs and notations for fiddle

January-February 2017

www.dulonospizza.com 607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 612.827.1726

January

Friday13 - Captain Gravitone & The String Theory Orchestra Saturday 14 - Pushing Chain Friday 20 - Parisota Hot Club Saturday 21 - The Swamp Kings Friday 27 - Machinery Hill Saturday 28 - Minnesota Blue

February

Friday 10 - Briz and Lady Saturday 11 - Broken Heartland String Band Friday 17 - Moxie Blue Saturday 18 - Blue Groove Friday 24 - Amanda Standalone Saturday 25 - Detroit Don King

Authentic Pizza - Craft Beer Live Music

Wegenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guitar Picks ÂŽ

6625 Penn Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 (612) 861-3308

Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music since 1979

January-February 2017

In his search for new markets, Michel some years ago took on the design of the lowly pick. The results have been phenomenal. Wegen Picks endanger no animal species, and they are a fraction of the price of the illegal picks that do. We have eight models for guitar and mandolin on hand in a variety of thicknesses. Try one out on your next visit.

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

www.homesteadpickinparlor.com folkmuse@aol.com and you can find us on Facebook

Michel Wegen is a recognized Dutch model maker using sculpting and airbrush art techniques to meet the needs of clients such as theme parks, ad agencies and museums.

Non-ProямБt 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

MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, Aug 2016