1. December 2016
Sherri and Chuck Leyda
2016 State Fair Duet Champions
Inside: From the President 3 | Twas the Night Before Christmas 5 | Grass Clippings 7
Random Acts of Kindness - Monroe Crossing 9 | Cover Story: Singleton Street 10
Review: Foghorn/Spider John Koerner 13 | Review: High 48s - 10 Year Gala 15 | Mandolin Tab 17
Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19 | MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21 | Coming Up 22
3. 3December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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.
Band $75
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass,
advance booking information
for MBOTMA events, a free
classified ad, and listings in the
MBOTMA member band directo-
ry in print and on our website.
Sustaining Level $100
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass,
first-class postage, events dis-
counts, two free concert tickets,
and a free classified ad.
Patron Level $150
Includes Minnesota Bluegrass,
first-class postage, events dis-
counts, four free concert tickets,
and a free classified ad.
Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the
Membership tab to join online and pay with PayPal.
Or mail in your personal information and payment to:
MBOTMA, P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you
would like to join by phone.
Become a Member
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.
Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual,
family or band membership.
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
Inside:
From the President 3
Twas the Night Before Christmas 5
Grass Clippings 7
Random Acts of Kindness - Monroe Crossing 9
Cover Story: Singleton Street 10
Review: Foghorn/Spider John Koerner 13
Review: High 48s - 10 Year Gala 15
Mandolin Tab 17
Bluegrass Saturday Morning 19
MBOTMA Calendar of Events 21
Coming Up 22
By the time you read this we will have elected a new pres-
ident of MBOTMA; one of two well qualified candidates: Earl
Jarosh or Laura Cooper. We will start the year 2017 with several
new faces on the Board, with fresh, new ideas.
We have had a wonderful but difficult year. We began 2016
by contracting with a new executive director, Arne Brogger.
Winter Bluegrass Weekend and the Kickoff were held as usual
and we were moving toward the August Festival when we lost
the new executive director. This left the Festival without a com-
mittee chair. Dick Hopperstad had already stepped up to fill the
festival planning void by calling and organizing the committee
meetings, even while he was living/traveling a thousand miles
away. The entire Festival Committee took on tasks and respon-
sibilities well beyond those from prior years, and pulled together
to make the Festival happen.
After the Festival, the Board of Directors concluded that
our financial situation was such that we simply did not have
the funds to fill the executive director position for the next few
months, and while many unknown management details did “fall
through the cracks,” the entire Board worked to do their best
at finishing the year without an executive director. Even so, the
fiscal year ending in October, 2016, finished with an expected
significant deficit.
While all Board members worked harder than we ever had
before, Jana Metge and Greg Landkamer deserve special recog-
nition for the work they did with the Finance Committee. That
committee took leadership in retaining an accounting firm in
order to bring our accounting and bookkeeping into compliance
with generally accepted accounting procedures, so that the Board
could fulfill its most basic role of exercising fiscal responsibility.
I want to thank you, our members, for allowing me the priv-
ilege of serving as your president during the past two years. It
has been a meaningful time for me, during which I have met and
worked with many of you. And it has been especially rewarding
seeing us pull together as a community in order to keep our orga-
nization live and vital. Take care, and I look forward to seeing
you at our continuing events.
Peter Albrecht MBOTMA President
From the President
5. 5December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Twas the night before Christmas, and in the warehouse,
The luthiers were sleeping, there were elves on the shelf.
The instruments were hung, on their racks with great care,
Preparing to ship, Gold Tone everywhere.
The musicians were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of banjos played in their heads.
Guitars and basses and mandolins too,
All tucked away and wrapped just for you.
When out on the bay there arose such a sound,
A great chorus of music heard throughout town.
From near and from far, they came all to see,
Such a marvelous sight, they smiled with glee.
The moon on the ground, a rare Florida snow,
The lights twinkled and danced, a luminous glow.
When what to my wondering eyes should pull up,
A caravan of bands in the back of a truck!
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
He flung open the door, lickity-split.
With amazing finesse, he set up a stage,
He handed out instruments, he called them by name!
“A Plectrum! A Tenor! A Baritone and Bass!
A Banjitar, A Dojo, An IT with Case!
On to the stage! Come one and come many!
We are going to have a great hootenanny!”
As we all looked around, we knew what to do,
We picked up a Gold Tone, some people picked two.
We played and we played, such glorious song,
Under the twinkle of starlight, til the wee hours of morn!
The ballyhoo was great, but he made little fuss,
He smiled and chuckled, because he played the BUS!
As he strummed, that banjo uke with delight,
It became quite clear, he played every night!
And as the evening, was at last at an end,
Ol’ Saint Nicholas said, “I’ll see you again.”
Just as quick as he came, he was gone in a flash,
I stuttered in amazement, “That’s balderdash.”
The next day I awoke, still humming a tune,
I looked at the clock, it was half past noon!
Did that really happen? Or was it a dream?
Was that Saint Nicholas, that I had seen?
Still ‘til this day, the rumors go ‘round,
Of a jolly old man, who came to our town.
He played and he played, and bellowed with might,
“Merry Christmas too all! And to all a good night!”
Gold Tone Music Group.com
Twas the Night Before Christmas,
6. 6 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
MBOTMA-
FundRaiser
2017
Saturday, February 4, 2017
2 pm to 10 pm
Doors open at 1pm
Kraus Hartig VFW Post
8100 Pleasant View Drive, Spring Lake Park, MN
8 hours of concerts!
8 hours of jamming!
Silent Auction
and Raffle!
Food & Beverages on Sale provided by VFW
$10 donation requested at the door
8 Bands
to be annouced!!
For More Info: 800-635-3037
www.minnesotabluegrass.org
Thanks to Doug Lohman & Armadillo Sound & Design for sound and tech support.
Thanks to Kruas Hartig VFW Post for use of the venue
7. 7December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
HarderthanyourTraditional
Bluegrass:
The High 48s at Crossings
The High 48s make music that
combines the soulful sound of classic
bluegrass with a modern attitude. They’ll
bring that sensibility to their Bluegrass
Holiday Show on Fri., Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m.
at Crossings.
As traditional bluegrass bands go,
The High 48s are about as non-traditional
as they come. In a genre created and
dominated by artists from the South,
The High 48s were born and raised in
the Upper Midwest. In a music scene
where playing standards is the norm, The
High 48s are a band of songwriters who
perform their own material in addition to
the “festival favorites.”
These musicians found a passion for
bluegrass after playing rock, alternative
country, indie rock, punk and jazz, and
they play original songs created from a
wide range of influences far beyond Bill
Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt
and Scruggs.
Last year, The High 48s released a
holiday album featuring several seasonal
classics. The group’s 2014 release, “Great
Northern Railroad,” features songs from
the likes of Greg Brown, Robin and Linda
Williams, Becky Schlegel, Darrell Scott,
Muddy Waters and the 48s’ own Anthony
Ihrig and Eric Christopher.
Tickets are $16 in advance, $19 at
the door. To reserve tickets, go to www.
crossingsatcarnegie.com, stop in to
Crossings at 320 East Avenue in Zumbrota
or call 507-732-7616.
Monroe Crossing Offers
Christmas Wrapped in
Bluegrass Sound
The Midwest’s premier bluegrass
and gospel quintet performs “A Bluegrass
Christmas with Monroe Crossing” Sun.,
Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at the State Theatre,
Zumbrota, MN.
Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences
with an electrifying blend of classic
bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt
originals. Their airtight harmonies,
razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage
rapport make them audience favorites
across the United States, Canada and
Europe.
Thebandistouringinsupportoftheir
latest CD, “Because You Asked.” This,
their 13th CD, features live recordings
of audience-requested favorites recorded
during the band’s 2014 tours.
While the evening’s program will
include songs from this latest recording,
“A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe
Crossing” prominently features selections
from their seasonal sampler “The Happy
Holidays.”
Old familiar carols such as “Silver
Bells,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “Up
on the Housetop” get a warm bluegrass
feel from David’s banjo, Lisa’s fiddle and
Matt’s mandolin. Audiences can hear
seasonal favorites like “God Rest Ye Merry
Gentlemen,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,”
“Angels We Have Heard on High” and
“What Child is This?” Monroe Crossing
also serves up country and bluegrass-
inspired tunes like “Christmas Time’s a
Comin,’” traditional folk songs
including“ChristwasBorninBethlehem,”
past hits – from Elvis’ “Blue Christmas”
to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” –
some seasonal band originals including
the CD’s title track, and a few holiday
surprises too.
Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “the
Father of Bluegrass,” Monroe Crossing
also recently released a tribute CD,
Monroe Crossing “Plays the Songs of
Bill Monroe,” which features 15 classic
bluegrass songs made famous by the “Big
Mon” himself, and their third all-gospel
recording, “Joy, Joy, Joy.”
Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at
the door. To reserve tickets, visit www.
crossingsatcarnegie.com, call 507-732-
7616 or stop in to Crossings at 320 East
Avenue in Zumbrota.
Bluegrass Christmas Benefit
On December 10th there will be a
Bluegrass Christmas Benefit at the Water
Street Inn, 101 So Water St in Stillwater,
MN. Honoring our Men and Women in
Blue will be a staellar bluegrass line up,
Blue Hazzard, Platte Valley Boys, Dick
Kimmel and Jon Garon & Assited Picking
(with special guests). $20 includes music
and appetizers and starts at 7:00 p.m.
Grass Clippings: Holiday Shows
ATTENTION
BLUEGRASS
JAMMERS!
In the next couple of months, MBOTMA will be updat-
ing and converting its jam schedule to a link connected
to our website. That way it will be available 24 -7 at your
fingertips. If you head up a jam, attend a jam, or know
of a jam, please contact Tony Stachnik at tdjejs@msn.
com. Thank you and keep on jamming!
8. 8 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing
Friday, December 2 7:30 p.m.
Marion Ross Performing Arts Center
147 North Broadway
Albert Lea, MN 507-377-4371
Saturday, December 3 7:30 p.m.
Lakeville Area Arts Center
20965 Holyoke Avenue
Lakeville, MN 952-985-4640
Thursday, December 8 7:00 p.m.
Minden Opera House
322 East Fifth Street
Minden, NE 308-832-0588
Friday, December 9 7:30 p.m.
West Point CommunityTheatre
237 North Main Street
West Point, NE 402-380-4886
Saturday, December 10 7:00 p.m.
Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center
714 13th Street
Worthington, MN 507-376-9101
Sunday, December 11 4:00 p.m. StateTheatre, 88 East 4th Street Zumbrota, MN 507-732-7616
Wed, December 14 7:30 p.m.
Bloomington Center for the Arts
1800West Old Shakopee Road
Bloomington, MN 952-563-8575
Friday, December 16 7:00 p.m.
Peace Lutheran Church
400 Franklin Street SW
Hutchinson, MN 320-587-3031
Saturday, December 17 8:00 p.m.
Le Musique Room, inside the St. Michael Cinema
4300 O’Day Avenue
St. Michael, MN 763-400-8006
Sunday, December 18 7:30 p.m.
Pioneer Place on Fifth
22 Fifth Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 320-203-0331
coming up in January
Danny Stewart’s Bluegrass Cruises
January 5-9, 2017 fromTampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico
January 16-20, 2017 from Port Caraveral, Florida to the Bahamas
Check to see if there’s still space - call 570-721-2760!
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts!
Booking: Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349 art@monroecrossing.com
9. 9December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Denny O’Brien, Mark Anderson, Mayor Tim Willson, Lisa Fuglie
In the September 2016 issue of Min-
nesota Bluegrass, we ran an article about
Monroe crossing giving a private concert
on a bluegrass cruise for Denny O’Brien.
Denny had some complications with an
old leg injury that made him cabin bound
while on the cruise. When Monroe Cross-
ing heard of this, they came to his cabin
and gave him a private concert.
After the article came out, Donna Va-
lasco nominated Mark and Lisa, residents
of Brooklyn Center, for the Random Acts
of Kindness Award given by the Brooklyn
Center City Council, and they were given
the award on Oct 24th at the city council
meeting. They brought Denny O’Brien
with them to tell the whole story.
The Brooklyn Center City Council
has recognized persons who were nom-
inated for a Random Acts of Kindness
Award every year since 1997. This year
there were 22 nominations received.
Random Acts submitted included:
donate homemade and homegrown items
to the needy, provide transportation to
neighbors, pick up trash in the neigh-
borhood, perform a mini concert to a
homebound resident, volunteer countless
hours at community events and activities,
cook meals for a sick or needy neighbor,
host forums on topics of understanding
abuse and domestic violence, volunteer in
Monroe Crossing: 2016 Brooklyn Center, MN
Random Acts of Kindness Recipient
by Doug Lohman
the school to help classmates, open a free
clothing closet, offer food donations, do-
nate to school students, support the Little
Free Library, volunteer at church, visit an
elderly neighbor.
The City Council extended its ap-
preciation to all who participated in this
year’s Random Acts of Kindness recogni-
tion, to those making nominations, and
especially to those who have contribut-
ed to the quality of life here in Brooklyn
Center.
Congratulations Mark and Lisa!
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10. 10 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Editor’s Note: Chuck & Sherri Ley-
da are the 2016 Minnesota Americana
Roots Duet Champions
You might say that Singleton Street
is on a roll. They were featured on NPR’s
award-winning television show Prairie
Musicians, nominated for best band at the
Minnesota Renaissance Festival, released
a new CD called Milepost 2016, and just
this September, they won first place in
the 2016 Minnesota Duet Champion-
ship at the Minnesota State Fair. What’s
most noteworthy about these accom-
plishments, however, is that they might
not have happened at all were it not for a
rededication – to the band, to the music,
and to each other.
Singleton Street is made up of Jimmy
Newkirk on upright bass, Chuck Leyda on
the octave mandolin, mandolin, and gui-
tar, and Sherri Leyda on vocals and gui-
tar. As a band that plays their own special
mix of bluegrass, Americana, gospel, and
a little bit of old-time, they have been per-
forming now for 15 years, but they’ve been
making music together much longer than
that. Their style is authentic and down
homey, and their intention is to have fun.
But listening to Singleton Street, you get
the feeling that they aren’t just here to
play you songs, they want to tell you sto-
ries. And boy do they have stories to tell.
“The first time I saw Sherri was in an
audition class in college,” says Chuck. “I
didn’t know anybody there, and this girl
gets up in front of everyone and sings
“Something Wonderful” from The King
and I. Her eyes just lit up when she sang,
and I thought to myself, who is this girl?”
At the same time, Sherri noticed
Chuck. “He sang a Credence Clearwater
Revival song, ‘Have You Ever Seen the
Rain,’” recalls Sherri. “He sang with his
eyes closed and his hands in his pockets.”
This in a class full of people who were so
afraid to sing, they had to stop halfway
through. Chuck didn’t stop. “He was also
the only one who sang to a guitar and not
piano, and I thought to myself, is that him
playing guitar?”
It was. Chuck learned guitar back in
high school once he realized it hurt less
than football and could still get you girls.
He and his buddies would ditch practice
to listen to the Grateful Dead, which ex-
posed Chuck to the inspirations of Jerry
Garcia, Peter Rowan, and David Grisman.
“I always played in bands in high
school and college,” says Chuck, “and
singers would ask me to accompany them
on guitar. I thought that was fun. I en-
joyed the give and take and the connec-
tion that happens. I especially enjoyed
playing for Sherri.”
The couple married in 1990, but
Chuck continued to pursue Sherri as a
partner in other ways, buying her first a
harmonica, a lap dulcimer, a penny whis-
tle, a melodeon, a claw hammer banjo,
and a guitar.
“The guitar finally stuck,” says Sher-
ri. She also learned the Bodhran and
pennywhistle, and their first band, Kin-
dred, was born. In 1993 they played at
Cover Story
The Winding Road to Singleton Street:
A Band with a history of sticking together
By Carol Dunbar
Photo by Prairie Public Television
11. 11December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and
were nominated for best act. “There were
a lot of really good bands there back then,
as there are now,” says Chuck, “and that
opened up this whole world of traveling
musicians. They weren’t world famous or
anything, but they were making music
and getting paid for it, and I thought that
was pretty cool.”
Their shared affection for music and
each other led them to more awards and
ultimately a sizeable contract as musi-
cians for the Camelot theme park in Bran-
son, Missouri. “We went down there and
played for two months before the whole
thing fell apart,” recalls Chuck, laughing.
“It was like a bad movie. The owner of the
land came out with an army of lawyers
and bulldozers and we were told to leave
although they owed us a ton of back pay.”
This is the part of the story that starts
to sound like the songs they play. Left
high and dry and busted flat in a house on
Singleton Street, they took to busking in
the streets to get back to Minnesota. They
had so much fun travelling, they came
back and then left again, playing at festi-
vals and living the life of a troubadour for
five years from their RV.
“Those were happy times,” says Sher-
ri. You can hear the joy in their 1998 CD
New Tune to Learn with Fred Keller on
mandolin and Jimmy, even back then, on
bass. They also put out a CD in 2014 as
Kindred that features a hauntingly gor-
geous tune written by Sherri for her son,
Rowan.
While Irish music is still part of their
repertoire, it was the year 2000 when
they drifted into bluegrass and started
performing under their current moni-
ker, Singleton Street. Sherri found herself
drawn to the soulful sounds of Appala-
chia and bluegrass and started listening
to Allison Krauss and Gillian Welch. “It
was a pretty easy transition,” says Chuck.
“The two styles have a lot in common,
and a lot of tunes that are bluegrass come
straight from Irish music.”
Singleton Street started as a four-
piece with banjo player Craig Evans, and
their 2008 gospel CD Wingin’ It show-
cases some pretty stellar harmonies. “We
miss Craig, miss his voice, and it was a
great 10-year run,” says Chuck, but the
challenge of filling out the sound as a
three-piece unit has been a satisfying cre-
ative process. “I now play an octave man-
dolin that is a little lower in pitch, and
Jimmy has been doing experiments with
bowing on the base. We’ve had to expand
what we do when arranging tunes, not be-
cause we are trying to rebrand, but rather
as part of the band’s natural evolution.”
Putting a part of themselves into a
song when putting together an arrange-
ment is something they take to with an
uncommon skill. This is most evident in
their rendition of “Sail Away Ladies” on
their newest CD, Milepost 2016. What is
usually an upbeat dance song is slowed
down and deftly harmonized in a moving
tribute to the first year members of the
Dark Horse Theatre Company, a troop
the Leydas founded in Duluth back in the
early 90s.
“Traditional music has been played
by so many people,” says Chuck. “These
tunes are really more like a coloring book
that you can put your own mark on. We
don’t feel like a cover band. Each song
is our own. You can ask yourself, what
does this mean to me? You can tell sto-
ries about your life and express yourself
through these old songs.”
All three band members participate
in lead vocals and harmonies, and wheth-
er they are singing about unrequited love
and baked goods or where we go after we
die, there is an emotional presence and a
connection between them that informs
the musicality and fills out a room.
“Life has its ups and downs,” says
Sherri, who does a rockin’ soulful version
of ‘I’ll Fly Away.’ “And I for one appreci-
ate it when other people talk about how
hard it can be.”
The year 2013 was one of those hard
times and a turning point for the band.
“We had played maybe four gigs,” recalls
Chuck. “We had family issues, Jimmy had
family issues. My dad died, my brother
died, and Sherri was fighting the good
fight against depression. I had gotten my
masters and was teaching, in part to help
our two severely autistic kids who were
becoming more and more physical. The
music had almost dried up, and I came
home one day and said, you know what?
We have to start playing again. It’s what
brings us closer together.”
“I started singing when I was five,”
says Sherri, “and my mom always asked
me, what’s your safety net?” Over the
years, she and Chuck tried all the nor-
mal safety nets, but none of them proved
strong enough. “It was during 2013 that
Chuck and I finally realized: Music is our
safety net.”
Music is how they connect, but it’s
not just each other that they feel closer to.
With so many other options out there in
the instant entertainment industry, the
survival of live music depends on the au-
diences who make the effort to come out
and see the show. “Without them,” says
Chuck, “Nothing would happen.”
“The audience matters,” says Sherri.
“They are the real stars, and they make
me happy.”
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13. 13December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
At first I thought this was an odd
pairing, Spider John Koerner and Fog-
horn String Band, but it quickly became
clear that it was a great match and, of
course, I wanted to see both artists.
What can one say about John Koern-
er that hasn’t been said before? Unpreten-
tiously, he takes the stage. He sits down.
He gets comfortable. Then he dishes out
his interpretations of traditional and
original songs. Joyfully, confidently and
soulfully he played from his whole mu-
sical history. To mention a few: Good
Time Charlie from Blues, Rags, and
Hollers-1963, What’s the Matter with
the Mill from Nobody Knows the Trou-
ble I’ve Been-1986, Ezekiel from Raised
by Humans-1992, and Rattlesnake from
Stargeezer-1996. Koerner is undoubtedly
the best interpreter of American country
blues, but more than just interpreting, he
has created and enlarged the genre with
his original songs. The blues live on.
Foghorn continues to be THE un-
stoppable force in old-time Appalachian
and old-time country music. For close to
20 years this group of musicians, chaired
by Stephen “Sammy” Lind on fiddle and
Caleb Kaulder on mandolin, have excited
audiences around the world. Also in the
current band are Reeb Willms on guitar
and Nadine Landry on bass.
These Portland, Oregon based musi-
cians are just plain “on fire” for old-time
music. The excitement and joy they bring
to the stage is unmatched in these here
parts. Whether it’s a rollicking hoe-down
or tender old country ballad, Foghorn
gives each type of song it’s due diligence;
infusing it with energy and charm that
can transport you to a different state of
mind. Caleb, Reeb and Nadine all in-
ject power and emotion into their vo-
cals. Sammy’s fiddle drives each song.
Throughout the night I kept thinking
about how beautiful his playing was. His
command of his fiddle causes the listener
to feel all of the energy and passion he is
channeling. His fiddling is both power-
fully commanding and musically fluid,
simultaneously, sweet and edgy. A lot of
this energy would not be possible without
the rest of the band. Sure, a solo fiddle can
pack a punch, but they all work together
to create tunes/songs than are complete.
And the old-time and old country genre
speaks to us about life; all the sorrows, the
joys, the hard times, the silliness, and the
triumphs.
Their preference for performing
around a single mic is charming in terms
of movement, because it causes perform-
ers to negotiate each other during the
performance. It’s way more interesting
to the eyes, than four musicians standing
by four sets of mics. It also makes them
appear more like a unit. But, at the Ce-
dar this set up caused us to miss some of
the performance; particularly, it was very
difficult to understand Reeb’s words on
songs she sang the lead.
The Cedar is one of the best plac-
es to hear music in the Twin Cities. The
Cedar’s dedication to bringing us the best
music continues year after year. We are
fortunate to have it around!
Any of Foghorn’s CD are a “must
have” if you want to be up on what’s excit-
ing about old-time music in the here and
now. They will be appearing at MBOT-
MA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend at the
Crowne Plaza in Plymouth, MN, March
3-5, 2017.
For more info and CDs go to fog-
hornstringband.com.
Review
Foghorn String Band & Spider John Koerner
September 26, 2016 - Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
By Doug Lohman
15. 15December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
For 10 years, The High 48s, have been
a mighty force in the bluegrass scene in the
Upper Midwest. They have been prolific
over those 10 years together, putting out
7 recordings. On Friday, October 21, they
celebrated those 10 years together as a
band, and included past members, Chad
Johnson-mandolin and Derek Johnson-
guitar, in the gala. Current members
are Eric Christopher-fiddle, Anthony
Ihrig-banjo, Mike Hedding-mandolin,
Marty Marrone-guitar, Rick Casey-bass.
It’s somewhat unusual for a band to be
together 10 years and only have had seven
members so it was great to see and hear
them all together.
Phil Nusbaum was the emcee for
the show adding his vast knowledge of
the genre that is called bluegrass. The
show featured all versions of the band,
first with Chad and Derek, then without
Derek, adding Marty, then the current
line-up.
Throughout the course of the night
they played selections from most of their
recordings. The members of the band
are not only outstanding players and
singers, but the evening demonstrated
their understanding of bluegrass in all of
its forms; breakdowns, four-part acapella
singing, lonesome love songs, the blues,
and train songs, to name a few. Their
recordings show this, also. They not only
understand and perform the classic songs
well, but are constantly adding to the
genre with their original compositions.
The crowd was enthusiastic, joining
right in with the band in celebrating their
history. The Parkway Theater was filled
with family, friends and fans adding
to the happening scene. The Parkway
Theater has not been used as a movie
theater for a number of years now, but has
been kept in good shape hosting a variety
of events. The front quarter of the seating
area has been removed and replaced with
an ample stage, perfect for this kind of
event. The sound was handled very well
by an old acquaintance of mine. The old
movie screen was lit up with the High
48s’ logo giving the space a festive feel.
A few highlights: Brothers Chad
and Derek did a couple of numbers by
themselves with just guitar, mandolin,
and voices. The current band performed
what has now become a staple of their
shows, the acapella Children Go Where I
Send Thee. It ended up with all 7 players
on stage in a free-for-all finale and a
rocking blaze of bluegrass. The crowd
loved it!
This band has been an important
part of the bluegrass scene in the Upper
Midwest for the last 10 years. I wish
them another 10 years of comradery in
our bluegrass family. We will be the
benefactors of their love of bluegrass!
Review
The High 48s’ 10th Anniversary Celebration
October 21, 2016 - Parkway Theater, Minneapolis, MN
By Doug Lohman
17. 17December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Mandolin Tab
Texas Gales
Texas Gales is one of those great
fiddle tunes often heard in picking ses-
sions. Steve Kaufman lists it as one of
the “20 Bluegrass Guitar Solos That Ev-
ery Parking Lot Picker Should Know.” I
first learned the tune on guitar before
my mandolin playing had begun. It was
indeed a “must-know” flat picking tune
thanks to the playing of Doc Watson.
Doc recorded it with his son Merle in his
second studio album, Ballads from Deep
Gap (Vanguard VSD 6576) released in
1971. There’s a little mystery in the al-
bum’s credits. The tune is listed as being
composed by Molly O’Day. Molly was a
popular country singer in the late 1940s
until she turned to Christian music in
1951 (she married a preacher). Now I re-
ally like Molly’s singing and even sing a
couple of her songs. But she played banjo
and was not a flat picker to my knowl-
edge. Who knows? Most players consider
it a traditional tune.
The title is sometimes given as “Tex-
as Gals.” But old-time fiddler Kerry Blech
believes the “Gals” title is a misunder-
standing of Doc’s spoken “Texas Gales”
with a strong North Carolina drawl. The
tune however is close to a Missouri tune
called “Knockin’ at Your Door.” That
tune was collected by John Hartford in
a 1958 field recording of Walter Alexan-
der, Leasburg, Missouri. Hartford’s field
recording is the source for the notation
of “Knockin’ at Your Door” in the Milli-
ner-Koken Collection of American Fiddle
Tunes. Missouri fiddler Gene Goforth re-
corded “Knockin’ at Your Door” as a tune
on his 1997 Rounder release, Emminence
Breakdown. John Harford was Goforth’s
protégé and just happened to play banjo
on the recording.
Texas Gales is in the key of C and is
a three part tune played AABBCC. It’s a
good tune both to play and to listen to.
The notation given here is a basic render-
ing. Depending on your musical taste,
there are many recordings of the tune
from such notable players as Bryan Sut-
ton, Chet Atkins, Norman Blake, Tony
Rice, Matt Flinner, Mike Compton, Ro-
land White... you get the idea! It’s well
represented in the acoustic catalogue and
something of a benchmark for flat pick-
ers. After you learn the basic melody,
listen to and learn some other renditions.
Then come up with some variations of
your own! It’s a fun tune to shine on.
Practice!
Bob Douglas
dougfuls@usgo.net
18. 18 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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.
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.
Wegen’s Guitar Picks
6625 Penn Ave. S.
Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-3308
www.homesteadpickinparlor.com
folkmuse@aol.com
and you can find us on Facebook
Making the world safe
for discerning fans of
Traditional Music
since 1979
®
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
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 and 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
19. 19December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Bluegrass Saturday Morning
By Phil Nusbaum
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
The End of the Year and the Beginning of the Next
We mark the occasion of the end of the year by playing
Holiday-oriented bluegrass around Christmas, and then by
reviewing the year in bluegrass. The show of Dec 21, on Bluegrass
Saturday morning, we’ll play the International Bluegrass Music
Association Awards Ceremony recorded in Raleigh, NC in
September 2016. Then, on the Bluegrass Review we’ll play
highlights of 2016. With the show of January 7, we’ll accent the
interview material obtained in the Seattle area in April 2016. At
the time, I fulfilled a long-standing ambition of visiting with
Vivian and Phil Williams. They are not only long-time players
but collectors of folk music specializing in the old-time dance
music of the Pacific Northwest. The results of the trip will open
ears to different sounds and points of view.
The MBOTMA Fund Drive
The event known last year as Jedfest will be repeated on
February 4, 2017. Having been at the event the past two years, I
found it a great way to enjoy some of the best that can be offered
in bluegrass music. It’ll be at the Kraus Hartig VFW in Spring
Lake Park again. When you arrive, there is a suggested donation
that is way below what the event is worth. The day serves as a
carefree oasis plopped down in an icy sea of Minnesota Winter.
There will be great music on stage and a restaurant and lounge
to hang out in, a silent auction and raffle, plenty of space to jam;
in other words a winter highlight event. Hey, and by the way,
I’m helping with the silent auction and raffle items so if you
have something to contribute, give me a shout. (pnusbaum@
bitstream.net; 651/245-1527)
Banjo Playing Workshop Coming
I will be setting up shop at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor
in Richfield for a banjo workshop over four Monday nights, Jan
30, 2017 and Feb 6, 13 and 20, 2017. The goal of the workshop is
to lead players to the area of greatest banjo-playing satisfaction:
creating one’s own solos and original music. I’ve been doing both
of these and find it much more fun than playing from tablature!
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; 651/245-1527).
Bluegrass Review Supporters
• 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.
Weekly Playlists
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.
Contribute to Minnesota
Bluegrass Magazine.
Write a Review of a Favorite
concert or CD.
Write an article about your
Favorite jam.
Tell us about how you came to like
Bluegrass and Old-Time String
Band Music.
editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
20. 20 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Don’t miss these future
MBOTMA Events
Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass
& Old-Time Music Association
March 3-5, 2017
Crowne Plaza Hotel
I-494 & Hwy 55 in
Minneapolis, MN
The 37th Annual
A Festival of Bluegrass &
Old-Time Music & Dance
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.
March 31-April 2, 2017
Radisson Lakeview Hotel
505 W Superior St., Duluth, MN
A weekend long cabin fever re-
liever 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.
The 13th Annual
A three day outdoor music and
camping festival with stage shows
by more than twenty regional per-
formers of traditional bluegrass,
old-time stringband, and related
forms of acoustic music. Plus work-
shops, “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 swim-
ming beach, boating, fishing, show-
ers, and other amenities. Join us for
an intimate musical weekend with
some of the friendliest folks you will
ever meet!
June 2-4, 2017
El Rancho Mañana
20 mi W of St. Cloud, MN
The 25th Annual
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:
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 Minne-
sota Bluegrass Festival rate. Or the
nearby Residence Inn at 763-577-
1600.
Laurie Lewis
and the Right Hands
21. 21December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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 featur-
ing 8 bands and more, additional bands listed on page 7. Plus an
old-time dance, workshops, theme jams, uke jam, 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 string-
band, 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, 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 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).
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 800-635-
3037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer.
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
All musicians age 8 to 18 (or so) are invited to register for the Grass Seeds Music Acade-
my during the Winter Bluegrass Weekend on March 3-5 at the Crowne Plaza Minneap-
olis 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 ses-
sions 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
22. 22 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Coming Up
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, 612-338-
2674, 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
Venue abbreviations
11/24 – Thursday
• The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
11/25 – Friday
• Devils Flying Machine, 331C, 10pm
• Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global
Market, 920 E Lake St Mpls, 5:30pm
• Leo Kottke, FITZ, 8pm
• Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101
Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm
• The Pines, CED, 8pm
11/26 – Saturday
FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-290-
1200, 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, 507-359-
9222, 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, 612-729-
4200, theriverview.com
ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-222-
4353, 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, vieux-
carre.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, 507-732-
7616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
December 13, 14
Tuesday-Wednesday
Ricky Skaggs
& Kentucky Thunder
DAK
7pm
December 2
Friday
Sawtooth
No Man’s String Band
WmH
8pm
To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to editor@minnesotabluegrass.org
• Long Time Gone, HOB, 6th Annual
Holiday Show, 7:30pm
• Michael Johnson, ZUM, 7:30pm
• New Riverside Ramblers, VC, 9 pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• Contra Dance with Northern Aire,
TAP, 7:30pm
• Curtis & Loretta, Charles & Myrtle’s
Coffeehouse, Chattanooga, TN
• Sister Tree, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101
Water St., Stillwater, 7:30pm
11/28 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG,
7:30pm
11/29 – Tuesday
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
11/30 – Wednesday
• Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm
12/1 – Thursday
• Jillian Rae, Brianna Kocka, Andy
Decemebr 10
Saturday
Bluegrass Christmas Benefit
Blue Hazzard, Platte Valley Boys,
Dick Kimmel & Co,
Jon Garon and Assisted Picking,
Water Street Inn, 101 S. Water St, Stillwater,
7pm
23. 23December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Cook, 331C, 9:30pm
• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm
• Lynn O’Brien, WmH, 8pm
12/2 – Friday
• The Divers, GKb, 7:30pm
• Monroe Crossing, Maron Ross
Performing Arts Center, 147 No
Broadway, Albert Lea, 7:30pm
• The Fish Heads, Christmas
Extravaganza, Old Hwy 61, Knife
River, 5pm
• Jeff Arundel - Holiday Variety Show,
AST, 8pm
• Christina Seaborn & Gerry Grider,
BoDD, 7:30pm
• No Man’s String Band, Sawtooth
Brothers, WmH, 8pm
12/3 – Saturday
• Simple Gifts w/ Billy McLaughlin,
ZUM, 7:30pm
• Love Songs for Angry Men, Excelsior
Brewing Company, 421 3rd St,
Excelsior, 8pm
• Monroe Crossing, Lakeville Area Arts
Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville,
7:30pm
• Roe Family Singers, Chateau St Croix
Winery, 1998 WI-87 St, Croix Falls,
WI, 1pm - 4pm
• APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile,
Broadcast from The Town Hall, NYC,
4:45pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• The Don Juans, CrH
• Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, EAG,
12pm - 7:30pm
• Bedlam, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water
St, Stillwater, 7:30pm
• Sweet Colleens, Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85
N 6th St, Minneapolis, 9pm
• Contra Dance with Moonlight Trio,
TAP, 7:30pm
• The Dead Pigeons, Mike Gunther,
WmH, 8pm
12/4 – Sunday
• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm
• Blessings Gospel Trio, Calvary
Lutheran Church of Golden Valley,
7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden
Valley, 763-545-5659, 4pm
• Curtis & Loretta, Holiday Show,
The Landing, 2187 Highway 101 E,
Shakopee, 763-694-7784, 1pm - 4pm
• Swing Brunch with Patty & the
Buttons, AST, 11am
12/5 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
12/6 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
• Gloryland Gospel Band, Vicksburg
Crossing Senior Community, 3155
Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth,
763-559-1877, 6:30pm
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 9pm
12/7 _ Wednesday
• The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162
University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm
12/8 – Thursday
• Roe Family Singers, Prior Lake
Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave SE,
Prior Lake, 11am
• Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz,
Contented Cow, 302 B Division St.
South, Northfield, 507 663-1351, 8pm
• South Side Aces, EAG, 8pm
• MN Songwriter Showcase hosted by
Nick Hensley, AST, 8pm
• Joe Newberry & April Verch, BoDD,
7:30pm
12/9 – Friday
• High 48’s, ZUM, 7:30pm
• The Gated Community, Palmer’s Bar,
500 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, 10pm
12/10 – Saturday
• Bluegrass Christmas Benefit, featuring
Blue Hazzard, Platte Valley Boys,
Dick Kimmel & Co, Jon Garon and
Assisted Picking, Water Street Inn,
101 S. Water St, Stillwater, 7pm
• Mother Banjo w/ Ben Cook-Feltz,
OAK, 8pm
• Monroe Crossing, Memorial
Auditorium Performing Arts Center,
714 13th St, Worthington, 7pm
• Gloryland Gospel Band, Pax Christi
Catholic Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail,
Eden Prairie, 952-941-3150, 1:00pm
• Curtis & Loretta, Acorn Coffee
House, Wheaton, IL
• APHC - Hosted by Chris Thile,
Broadcast from The Town Hall, NYC,
4:45pm
• Lonnie Knight, CrH
• Claudia Schmidt, Roots Cellar Music
Series, University Baptist Church,
1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612-
331-1768, 7pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• Contra Dance with Patrick
O’Loughlin & Friends, TAP, 7:30pm
• Bob & Lynn Dixos, Family Dance,
TAP, 6:30pm
12/11 – Sunday
• Monroe Crossing, State Theatre, 88 E
4th St, Zumbrota, 4pm
• Mother Banjo & Ben Cook-Feltz,
Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave., 5pm
320 East Ave | Zumbrota 55992
507-732-7616
www.crossingsatcarnegie.com
Classes in
all the ARTS
Art Gallery
Clay Studio
Concerts
Holiday Bluegrass
Monroe Crossing
Sun, Dec 11
7:00pm
State Theatre
High 48s
Fri, Dec 9
7:30pm
Crossings Stage
24. 24 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
• Joe Newberry & April Verch, New
York Mills Cultural Center, 24 N Main
Ave, New York Mills, 218-385-3339,
7:30pm
• Daniel Schwartz + Gabriel Andrews,
AST, 8pm
• Deborah Savran, WmH, 5pm
• MARIN/MARIN, WmH, 1pm
12/12 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
• JJ’s Zydeco Paydirt, EAG, 7:30pm
12/13 Tuesday
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder,
DAK, 7pm
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis,
9pm
12/14 – Wednesday
• Charlie Parr, 331C, 7pm
• Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder,
DAK, 7pm
• Monroe Crossing, Bloomington
Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old
Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, 7:30pm
• Roe Family Singers, Wee Wednesday-
Midtown Global Market, 920 E Lake
St, Mpls, 10:30am
• Mark Stillman & Francine, EAG, 8pm
12/15 – Thursday
• Gloryland Gospel Band,
Summerwood Senior Home, 16205
36th Avenue North, Plymouth, 763-
383-8888, 7:00pm
• Chris Laumb with Dean Severson and
Ross Vaughan, BoDD, 7:30pm
• The Lettermen Christmas Show,
Paramount Theater, 913 W. St.
Germain St., St. Cloud, 320-259-5463,
1:30pm
12/16 – Friday
• Ann Reed w/ Joan Griffith, ZUM,
7:30pm
• Monroe Crossing, Peace Lutheran
Church, 400 Franklin St SW,
Hutchinson, 7pm
• The Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern,
9th Ave. East and Superior St.,
Duluth, 6pm
• The Lettermen Christmas Show,
Paramount Theater, 913 W. St.
Germain St., St. Cloud, 320-259-5463,
1:30pm and 7:30pm
12/17 – Saturday
• Lehto & Wright, GKb, 7:30pm
• Charlie Parr, OAK, 8pm
• Monroe Crossing, A Bluegrass
Christmas, 4300 O Day Ave, St
Michael, 8pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• Cathie Ryan’s Irish American
Christmas, CED, 8pm
• Contra Dance with Ken Steffenson &
Friends, TAP, 7:30pm
12/18 – Sunday
• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm
• The Peterson Family - The Jam Before
Christmas, DAK, 6pm
• Monroe Crossing, Pioneer Place On
5th, 22 Fifth Ave So, St Cloud, 7:30pm
• Cathie Ryan’s Irish American
Christmas, Paramount Theater, 913
W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 320-
259-5463, 3pm
12/19 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
12/20 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis,
9pm
12/21 – Wednesday
• The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162
University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm
12/23 – Friday
• Roe Family Singers, Midtown Global
Market, 920 E Lake St, Mpls, 5:30pm
• Jon Garon and Assisted Picking, DUL,
25. 25December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
7pm
12/26 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
12/27 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
• St Dominic’s Trio, Driftwood Char
Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis,
9pm
12/28 – Wednesday
• Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm
12/29 – Thursday
• Amanda Standalone, 331C, 9:30pm
• Good Diction and Little Riddles, AST,
9pm
• The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG, 7:30pm
12/31 – Saturday
• The Double Down Daredevils, DUL,
8 pm
• Mike Dowling and Friends, CrH
• New Year’s Eve Contra Dance with Pat
O’Loughlin & Friends, TAP, 7:30pm
1/1 – Sunday
• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm
1/2 - Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
1/4 - Wednesday
• Brady Perl, Excelsior Brewing
Company, 421 3rd St, Excelsior, 6pm
1/5 – Thursday
• Stringdingers, 331C, 9:30pm
• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 7:30pm
1/6 – Friday
• Curtis & Loretta, BoDD, 7:30pm
1/7 – Saturday
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, The
Pantry, New Ulm, 7pm
1/9 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
1/10 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
1/11 – Wednesday
• Jessica Lydia Skilar, 331C, 9:30pm
1/12 – Thursday
• Art Garfunkel, Pantages Theatre, 710
Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-2787,
7:30pm
1/13 Friday
• Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers,
CrH
• Dick Kimmel & Co, SPBGMA
Festival, Jefferson City, MO
1/14 – Saturday
• Layne Yost, ZUM, 7:30pm
• American Roots Revue, DAK, 7pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• Dan Newton’s Cafe Accordion
Orchestra, CED, 8pm
• Dick Kimmel & Co, SPBGMA
Festival, Jefferson City, MO
• Kris Kristofferson, Pantages Theatre,
710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-
2787, 8pm
1/15 – Sunday
• Corpse Reviver, 331C, 3pm
• Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rodgers,
ZUM, 7:30pm
1/16 – Monday
• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
1/17 – Tuesday
• The Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm
1/20 – Friday
• We Banjo 3, Paramount Theater, 913
W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, 320-
259-5463, 7:30pm
1/21 Saturday
• The Pines, OAK, 8pm
• John Gorka, BoDD, 7pm
• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am
• All Strings Considered - Guitarathon,
Sundin Hall, Hamline University, St.
Paul, 612-677-1151, mnguitar.org,
8pm
• The Crow’s Delight, Roots Cellar
Music Series, University Baptist
Church, 1219 University Ave SE,
Mpls, 612-331-1768, 7pm
1/22 Sunday
• We Banjo 3, CED, 7:30pm
26. 26 December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
MBOTMA Member Bands
Bluegrass
Bands
Alternate Route
Jerome Knopik, 651-208-5565
jerryknopicks01@gmail.com
The Alzen Family
Brad Alzen, 715-749-3977
Art Stevenson
& Highwater
Art Stevenson, 715-884-6996
artstevenson@hotmail.com
Assisted Picking
Jon Garon, 612-839-2277
jon@myfavoriteguitars.com
Biscuit Boys
Daniel Fish, 763-434-2734
nowandthencountry@gmail.com
Blue Groove
David Smith, 952-974-5121
bluegroovebluegrass@gmail.com
Blue Hazard
Hannah Johnson,
651-500-0747
info@bluehazardband.com
Blue Wolf
Shirley Mauch, 612-724-1482
samauch@worldnet.att.net
Borderstone
Ryan Morgan, 715-781-2989
info@borderstonetheband.com
Broken Heartland
String Band
Wilson Goss, 310-310-4198
brokenheartlandstringband@
gmail.co
Buffalo River
Ramblers
Marty Solmon, 218-850-8715
mmsolmon@arvig.net
Carver Creek Blue-
grass
Julie Monsen, 952-466-2089
carvercreekbluegrass@gmail.com
Chuck Lahr
& The Purdy River
Band
Chuck Lahr, 563-929-0771
chucklahrmusic@gmail.com
Crow River Junction
Tom Gustafson, 320-212-9163
tagus@frontiernet.net
Def Lester
Lincoln Potter, 651-483-0469
potter@umn.edu
Dick Kimmel & Co
Dick Kimmel, 507-359-1163
kimmel@newulmtel.net
The Fish Heads
Kim Curtis-Monson,
218-729-5326
KMonson802@aol.com
The Good Intentions
Chris Silver, 651.491.4013
chrissilverband@gmail.com
Halvorson Family
Band
Loren Halvorson, 507-345-7431
loren@birchcovesoftware.com
Hand Picked
Bluegrass
Joe Cronick, 715-966-6463
handpickedbluegrass@charter.net
The High 48s
Eric Christopher, 651-271-4392
eric@thehigh48s.com
Ivory Bridge
Kathe Liners, 952-237-0913
prettylittlegalaxy@gmail.com
JedFest
Jed Malischke
jmalisch@centurytel.net
King Wilkie’s Dream
Robbi Podrug, 612-562-8402
booking@kwdream.com
King’s Countrymen
Lorn Schultz, 715-495-5275
schultzfam92@yahoo.com
Long Time Gone
Ben Manning, 651-448-8216
mndawg@gmail.com
The Lost Tracks
David Tousley, 612-788-2995
dtousley@gmail.com
Mark Kreitzer Band
Mark Kreitzer, 612-724-7334
mark@markkreitzer.com
The Middle Spunk
Creek Boys
Alan Jesperson, 612-727-2489
alanjesp@gmail.com
Monroe Crossing
Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349
art@monroecrossing.com
No Man’s String Band
Nic Hentges, 612-387-0196
nihentges@gmail.com
Northern Posse
Arlette Solom, 218-463-0710
Bluegrass@NorthernPosse.com
Ophoven Family Band
Molli Ophoven, 218-327-2058
jmophoven@q.com
The Platte Valley Boys
Ron Colby, 651-458-0804
roncolby@comcast.net
Porcupine Creek
Sarah Birkeland, 218-624-1781
arahsay328@gmail.com
Prairiegrass
Bonnie Hallett, 701-429-1666
bkhallett@yahoo.com
Rainbolt Mountain
Project
David Kuenstler, 763-268-9291
orthotree1@hotmail.com
Riverside Bog
Stompers
David Darnell, 218-260-6546
davestreetrod@hotmail.com
Sarah Mae
& The Birkeland Boys
Wendy Birkeland, 218-624-1781
arahsay328@gmail.com
Sawtooth Brothers
MJ Moravec, 507-990-6456
info@sawtoothbrothers.com
Singleton Street
Sherri Leyda, 763-972-2341
singletonstreet@gmail.com
Timbre Junction
Karen Radford, 612-623-0261
KarenJRadford@eaton.com
Trackside
David Anderson, 952-474-0981
renee_ballroom2@yahoo.com
The Woodpicks
Joel Kezar, 218-681-2148
kezarmusic@mncable.net
Related
Bands
Alabaster Falls
Julie Kaiser, 218-308-3131
tiedyechick40@yahoo.com
Banjo And The Bear
NathanGriner
banjoandthebear@gmail.com
Barb & Gary
Barb Carlson, 763-784-7881
Blinkbug@aol.com
The Barley Jacks With
Brian Wicklund
Brian Wicklund, 651-402-5435
brian@fiddlepal.com
Benji Flaming
Benji Flaming, 612-326-6521
mbotma@benjiflaming.com
Bernie King
& The Guilty Pleasures
Bernie King, 763-242-6943
bkandthegps@gmail.com
Big Daddy Bob
Cameron
Bob Cameron, 807-626-0568
BigDaddyBobCameron@gmail.com
Bill & Kate Isles
Bill Isles, 218-340-4404
bill@billandkateisles.com
Blessings Gospel Trio
Timothy Johnson, 763-464-3481
timkarin@comcast.net
Blue Yodel #9
John Whitehead, 651-641-0752
jfw@bitstream.net
Cousin Dad
John Soderberg, 612-441-7382
john.soderberg@gmail.com
Curtis & Loretta
Loretta Simonet, 612-781-9537
loretta@curtisandloretta.com
Don D Harvey
& the Ultrasonic Duo
Donald Harvey, 608-781-3456
dondharvey@centurytel.net
Double Down
Daredevils
Thomas Peschges, 612-232-5292
tompeschges@gmail.com
Due North
Louise Wiermaa, 218-721-5250
lew3355@hotmail.com
The Flemming Fold
Sandra Flemming, 952-758-7522
troynsandra@hotmail.com
Four Legg Fish
Eric Simpkins, 612-532-1863
ericrobertsimpkins@comcast.net
The Gentlemen’s Anti-
Temperance League
Daniel Rosen, 218-464-2887
anti.temperance.league@gmail.
com
Georgia Rae Family
Band
Ronilyn Mussared, 815-675-2554
mussared@mchsi.com
Gloryland Gospel Band
Vicki Andersen, 952-457-7672
glorylandgb@gmail.com
Greenwood Tree
Bill Cagley, 651-636-9542
bcagley@comcast.net
Karen Mueller &
Friends
Karen Mueller, 612-270-4740
karen@karenmueller.com
Mary DuSane &
Nick Jordan
Mary DuShane, 612-724-5341
marydushane@gmail.com
The Moss Piglets
Ian Gamble, 651-644-0810
themosspiglets@yahoo.com
New Riverside
Ramblers
Karen Kleinspehn, 612-724-4687
info@newriversideramblers.com
Now and Then
Daniel Fish, 763-786-2524
nowandthencountry@gmail.com
O’Neil Family Band
Jeanne O’Neil, 218-773-3850
oneil@rrv.net
Patty and The Buttons
Patrick Harison
pattyandthebuttons@gmail.com
Pert’ Near Sandstone
Pat May, 612-998-8647
patmay@crossovertouring.com
Peter Ostroushko
Peter Ostroushko, 612-529-2884
postroushko@visi.com
Pickin’ Up Steam
Dale Martell, 612-387-0152
info@dalemartell.com
Pushing Chain
Boyd Blomberg, 218-370-0910
boyd@pushingchain.com
Rosby Corner
Jeanne Marti, 763-559-7552
romarti3@aol.com
S R Dugan
Shawn Dugan, 952-737-7705
srdugan@gmail.com
Scrapegoat Skin &
Bones
Holle Brian, 612-822-6593
holleb@aol.com
Sherry Minnick &
Jackson Buxton
Sherry Minnick, 651-644-8682
minnicksherry@gmail.com
Sloughgrass
Soren Olesen, 218-634-2800
sloughgrass@gmail.com
Steven Earl Howard -
Hillbilly Music
Steven Howard, 952-595-9819
hsteven02617@gmail.com
String Beans, Chick Pea
& Garbonzo
Roger Cuthbertson
rojo@visi.com
Switched At Birth
Rick Anderson, 651-230-2431
ricktune56@gmail.com
T&L Schwartz & Family
Linda Schwartz, 701-659-3154
lspollanthra@gmail.com
Tucker’d Out
John Trelstad, 701-212-0015
jdtrelstad@aol.com
Yellow Bellied
Sapsuckers
Joseph Hart, 414-439-2004
sapsuckersmusic@gmail.com
Old-Time
Bands
39 Brackets
John Wenstrom, 651-500-0671
wenstrom11@yahoo.com
Bob & Lynn Dixon
Lynn Dixon, 612-377-6819
lmdixon45@gmail.com
Bob Bovee
& Pop Wagner
Bob Bovee, 507-498-5452
bobbovee46@gmail.com
The Bootlickers
Irina Rossi, rinarossi@gmail.com
Dick Kimmel &
Pam Longtine
Dick Kimmel
kimmel@newulmtel.net
The Eelpout Stringers
Karl Burke, 651-784-7323
bltfolk@aol.com
Four Mile Portage
Tom Maloney, 18-464-3808
fourmileportage@gmail.com
The Gritpickers
Rob Daves, 612-822-0085
gritpickers@gmail.com
Poor Benny
David Furniss, 651-699-0557
dfurniss50@gmail.com
The Roe Family
Singers
Quillan Roe, 612-599-0266
pappyroe@yahoo.com
Rush River Ramblers
Eric Hatling, 715-772-4421
ehatling@gmail.com
Tickwood String Band
Doug Wells, 218-736-4469
betsyanddougwells@gmail.com
Unpolished
Mark Bridge, 218-255-2448
Mark@Lonehand.com
Wild Goose Chase
Cloggers
Jim Brooks, 612-419-4576
brooks@csp.edu
Wink The Other Eye
David Gourhan, 651-674-8668
dgourh@aol.com
27. 27December 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
December
Friday 9 - The Three Muscatelle’s
Saturday 10 - Cousin Dad
Friday 16 - Sawtooth Brothers
Saturday 17 - The New Distractions
Friday 23 - Jon Garon, Clint Birtzer
and John Bodle
Saturday 24 - no music
Friday 30 - Mill City Hot Club
Saturday 31 - Double Down Daredevils
www.dulonospizza.com
607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN
612.827.1726
Authentic Pizza - Craft Beer
Live Music
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
28. 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
A little street music, September 26, 2016 - Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
