Fit as Fiddles

SDPB’s Fiddles and Friends returns this August with three live concerts. A fan favorite since its inception in 2015, Fiddles and Friends features the fiddlers three: Kenny Putnam, Tom Schaefer and Owen DeJong. This year the performances include vocalist Kaija Bonde and beloved backing musicians.

Owen DeJong plays throughout South Dakota with the Poker Alice Band and the Public Domain Tune Band. Tom Schaefer is a former South Dakota State Fiddle Champion and belongs to several regional bands. Kenny Putnam is a member of the Red Willow Band and toured the United States as a member of Roy Clark’s band. Kaija Bonde is a vocalist with the harmony-rich East of Westreville and starred in Always, Patsy Cline.

“These three fiddle players have known each other a long time, are very accomplished in their own styles of professional music and in other careers, and these three guys are like our ‘Three Tenors,’ says Larry Rohrer, SDPB Director of Content and bassist. “It’s just magic. Everyone is great friends and there’s so much musical talent.”

The group has worked three-part fiddles into classics like “Goodbye Liza Jane,” “I Am a Pilgrim,” “Stumblin,” “Sure Beats Me,” “Battle of New Orleans, “Sweet Georgia Brown,” and theme music from Ken Burns’ PBS series Lewis & Clark.

August 26, 7pm at Watertown, Goss Opera House

August 27, 7pm at Sioux Falls, Riverview Barn

August 28, 7pm at Rapid City, Performing Arts Center of Rapid City

Visit SDPB.org/fiddles for more info!