Jan/Feb 2016
Inside: Board Election Report 5 | JedFest 7 | Cover Story 9 | Grass Seeds 12 |MBOTMA Calendar 15 | Phil Nusbaum 17 | Adam Birkeland 19 | Review: Dark Before the Storm 20 | Coming Up 24
The No Man’s String Band2015 Race for Place Winners!
MBOTMA Hot Line(to subscribe and for other information)612-285-9133 or 800-635-3037 [email protected]. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416www.minnesotabluegrass.org Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass
MBOTMA Board of DirectorsPresident: Peter Albrecht, [email protected] President: Jana Metge, 952-996-6490, [email protected]: Greg Landkamer Secretary: Mary DuShaneBoard Members: Term expires 2016: Alan Jesperson, Philip Nusbaum, Kenneth BlochTerm expires 2017: Sarah Cagley, Marilyn Bergum, Ann Iijima, Quillan Roe Youth Representative: Seat vacantFor meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: minnesotabluegrass.org/as_Board
MBOTMA StaffExecutive Director: Jed Malischke, 715-635-2479Administrative Assistant: Bea Flaming, 612-285-9133
Minnesota BluegrassEditor: Doug Lohman, [email protected]: Ken Bloch, John Chabot, Adam Granger, Ann Iijima, Phil Nusbaum, Sandi PidelComing Up: Loretta Simonet, Pam Bowers, John BrandbergY’All Come: Bill LindroosWordmark: Katryn ConlinPhotography: Michelle Perrin, Mike Berkeland, Charlotte Matis, Kelly VanderpoolCover Photo: Charlotte Matis Back: Michelle Perrin
Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: [email protected].
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 writ-ten permission from the publisher. The publisher is not respon-sible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2015 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537.
Thank you, MBOTMA members
Sustaining:Rod & Barb AndersonPaul AshworthFred BoyerBrenda BurgerBill & Ann BushnellDan & Marilyn CookBrian CornellBob & Vicki DalagerHal DavisDoug DuncanMary DuShaneMatt EdwardsGarry & Linda ElfstrandJennifer FaulknerMark & Kathleen FisherNathan Fjeld Jim FranczykWarren GumesonTimothy & Ginger HaalandMary & Fred Harms James HeligThomas Hollenhorst &
Karin KraemerDavid Holm Dick & Sue HopperstadAnn Iijima & Myles Bakke
Patrons: Bridgit & Peter Albrecht Tony & Barbie AndreasonTony & Ann AnthonisenMary Arntson Lenny & Colleen Baltus Gary & Karen Bartig Ron & Kathy Blade Kenneth Bloch Ann & Barry BrooksDoug Chasar Paul ChristiansonGary & Janet CobusKatryn Conlin Laura CooperBob & Marilyn Dodd William Fancher Jerry Frank Darrell & Marilyn FuhrTom FurrerJon & Sharon GaronArt GeffenGary & Jae Germond David GlattDale & Diane E. GruberMichael & Paula Hildebrandt David Johnson
Jan/Feb 2016Vol. 42No. 1Newsstand: $3Subscription: $35
Chris Juettner Alan & Geriann KaganMatthew Kaster Jim LallyGreg Landkamer & Jill StefansenLloyd & Beverly LaPlantJames LeeSteve & Elaine LeVasseurBill Lindroos & Rebecca ReiflerRudy & Jeanne MartiBill MerrillJames NatwickDennis & Jan O’Brien Dominic OrricoBob OstlundDan RobinsonLeo & Ann RosensteinMarty & Carol SchirberWendy SchoenHowell SmithRoger SweetLynn & Carolyn ThorsonR. & Elizabeth VaughanDavid & Bonnie WarnerMark & Danelle Wolf
Howie & Maggie Jorgenson Russell Lane Maxine LarsonRichard LuckerothBob Lundeen Rodger McBrideMary McSorleyDouglas & Georgene NesheimKaty Olson & Ron RollerHarold Pederson David & Betty PfeifferDavid Rogers Tom & Cathy Schaefer Thomas & Barbara Schommer Tom & Margaret SchuveillerPenelope Scialla Michael ValentinerDonna VelascoSteve Vincent & Jill WeeseRebecca Wagner & Dan ForsytheTim WankelJane & Dobson West Jim Whitney John Wilcox
Membership as of December 1, 2015: 983
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.
Individual $35Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events discounts for one person, and a free classified ad.
Family $50Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, up to four discounted tickets per event, and a free classified ad.
Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual or family membership
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 $100Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events dis-counts, two free concert tickets, and a free classified ad.
Patron Level $150Includes 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:MBOTMAP.O. Box 16408Minneapolis, MN 55416
Call 800-635-3037 or 612-285-9133 for details or if you would like to join by phone.
Become a MemberThe 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.
From the Editor Hey, everybody! I’m back for another stint as interim editor and glad to be here. JoAnne Makela did an excellent job over the last three years, guiding the makeover of MN Bluegrass, and we thank her for that great work. MBOTMAis taking applications for the position of edi-tor. Brett Day is the chair of the search comittee. You can contact him at [email protected] This is a great organization run by a board of directors who are dedicated, hard working and conscientious about taking care of MBOTMA. Having recently returned to attending board meetings, I am, again, impressed with their attention to detail and their love for MBOTMA and the music. When you see a board member, why don’t you thank them in person. This is your magazine. Contributions to it can take many forms from writing articles about the music and the scene to taking photos to proofreading the mag. It is not all done by the editor. Contact me if you have any ideas about how to contribute or how to improve the magazine. This is your organization. As volunteers, becoming more involved will yield more benefits than just the work you perform. In many cases it leads to lifelong friendships. A great way to support MBOTMA and the music is going out to see live music. Support your bands! I hope you all attend the fundraiser 12to12, this year also called JedFest. It will be a good time to thank Jed for all of the leadership that he has provided over the years. It will be a great day of music and fun. 12 hours of bands, jams, silent auc-tions and more. A great way to show your support for MBOTMA. Congratulations to No Man’s String Band for winning the Race for a Place, at the Harvest Jam. I hope you go out of your way to go and see them. And, don’t fret, it won’t be long before we are basking in the sun at El Rancho Mañana, listening to that good ol’ bluegrass (old-time and related) music.
Doug Lohman, IBCNU!
Inside: Board Election Report 5 | JedFest 7 | Cover Story 9 | Grass Seeds 12 |MBOTMA Calendar 15 | Phil Nusbaum 17 | Adam Birkeland 19 | CD Review: Dark Before the Storm 20 | Coming Up 24
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PARAMOUNT THEATREDOWNTOWN SAINT CLOUD
Call 320.259.5463 or online at paramountarts.org
RICKY SKAGGS
CENTRACARE HEALTH PRESENTS
FREE EVENT PARKING IN THE RAMP! WORTH THE TRIP TO ST. CLOUD!!
Thursday, February 11, 1:30Friday, February 12, 7:30Saturday, February 13, 7:30
Tickets: $29-$38(Plus $2.00 processing fee per ticket)
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The 2015 Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association Board of Director’s and Officer’s Election was held during November, 2015. The election committee was chaired by Martha Galep, with Kenneth Bloch performing the tasks of the election judge.
Two new board members were elect-ed this year. Sarah Cagley, who was previously a youth representative on the board, and Ann Iijima were elected to At-Large Board Member offices. Greg Landkamer, previously an At-Large Board Member has been elected to the Office of Treasurer.
The ballot was published in the November edition of Minnesota Blue-grass, with the address of the Election Judge for the submittal of ballots. The date of November 18 was posted as the last day for the receipt of ballots by mail, but there was a ballot box on the sign-in desk at the Harvest Jam festival. Vot-ing was closed at 3:00 PM on Saturday November 21, and the ballots counted for presentation at the Harvest Jam Banquet that evening by Ms. Galep.
The slate of candidates was pub-lished in the November issue of Minneso-ta Bluegrass, along with their candidate’s statements. There was one candidate offered for the Office of Secretary, and one candidate for the Office of Treasurer. There were five candidates offered for the four open positions for At-Large Board Members.
There were a total of 55 ballots cast. The results of the voting are:
Mary DuShane Office of Secretary - Elected
Greg Landkamer Office of Treasurer - ElectedMarilyn Bergum At-Large Board Member- Elected (no picture)
Sarah Cagley At-Large Board Member - Elected
MBOTMA Welcomes New Officers and Board MembersElection Report for 2015By Ken Bloch
Ann Iijima At-Large Board Member - Elected
Quillan Roe At-Large Board Member - Elected
Chris Anderson At-Large Board Member - not elected
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Saturday January 23, 2016
12 pm to 12 am (doors open at 11AM)
Kraus Hartig VFW Post8100 Pleasant View Drive
Spring Lake Park, MN
12 hours of concerts!
12 hours of jamming!
Silent auction and raffle!Food & beverages on sale provided byVFW
$10 donation requested at the door
12-12:30 pm Pushing Chain
12:45-1:20 pm Alternate Route
1:30-2:10 pm The Middle Spunk Creek Boys
2:20-3:00 pm Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum
3:15-4:00 pm Ivory Bridge
4:15-5:00 pm Switched at Birth
5:15-6:00 pm The Platte Valley Boys
6:15-7:15 pm JedFest ( Jed’s Band)
7:30-8:15 pm The Nobodys
8:30-9:15 pm Jumpin’ Jo & Catie Cats
9:30-10:15 pm Mark Kreitzer Band
10:30-11:00 pm Seldom Herd
11:15 pm -12:00 am Cousin Dad
More info: 800-635-3037,
www.minnesotabluegrass.org
FUNDRAISER 2016
A Celebration of Jed & his 29 years with the Minnesota Bluegrass &
Old-Time Music Association
Thanks to Doug Lohman & Armadillo Sound for Sound and Tech support and to Kraus Hartig VFW Post for the use of the venue
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JedFest line up from 12 to 12By Ann Iijima
On January 23, 2016, MBOTMA will revisit last year’s successful 12to12 fund-raising event with “JedFest”—a tribute to Jed Malischke and the contributions he has made to MBOTMA during his 29 years with the organization. The Kraus Hartig VFW Post in Spring Lake Park has generously offered to donate their entire hall for our use.
Bands:12 Pushing Chain12:45 Alternate Route 1:30 The Middle Spunk Creek Boys2:20 Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum3:15 Ivory Bridge
4:15 Switched at Birth 5:15 The Platte Valley Boys 6:15 JedFest7:30 The Nobodys8:30 Jumpin Jo & Catie Cats9:30 Mark Kreitzer Band10:30 Seldom Herd11:15 Cousin Dad
Making sure all the bands sound their best, Doug Lohman and Armadillo Sound will donate their expertise.
In addition to 12 hours of stage shows, there will be workshops and plenty of jamming. Barbara Carlson will
host a jam from 1 to 4 p.m., and there will be jamming space throughout the building.
There also will be a silent auction and raffle. Please contact board member Marilyn Bergum ([email protected]) if you have auction items. Drop off raffle items valued under $20 (band CDs, t-shirts, etc.) with Quillan Roe or other staff members at the Homestead Pickin’ Parlor.
The tickets for this 12-hour extrava-ganza are $10! Donation jars will be out as well. See the ad on page 6 for more information.
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The winners of the 2015 MBOTMA’s Race for a Place are No Man’s String Band. For the last 10 years, Race for a Place has been held at the Harvest Jam in November. Winners get a contract to play on Saturday at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-time Music Festival held in August at El Ranco Mañana. The 1st runner up gets a contract to play at the Homegrown Kickoff in June. The 2nd runner up gets invited to play at the 2016 Harvest Jam in November.
No Man’s String Band is: Justin Rosckes on guitar, Nic Hentges on mandolin, Melissa Hentges on accordion, Lindsey Bordner on fiddle, and Pat Loftus on bass. They have been together about 5 years, playing all over the midwest.
No Man’s String Band is not what you would would call a traditional bluegrass band, but you can tell that they are heavily influence by and have great respect for Bill Monroe and all the others who helped form that tradition.
String bands these days come in all
varieties, with all kinds of influences. 150 years ago you probably only heard the other musicians who lived in your county, with the possible exception of the rare traveling musician who drifted through. Today… it’s quite a different world as we can all listen to (and be influenced by) music from around the world.
Their instrumentation is mandolin, fiddle, guitar, bass and accordion. I happen to like the accordion, so it was nice to see the way they wove it into the bluegrass they played. Even Bill Monroe experimented with having an accordion in his bands.
They came out running with a smoky, slower version Orange Blossom Special and gave it a very bluesy feel. The next tune, Outlaw, a NMSB original, had a driving, newgrass feel to it. They followed that with another NMSB original, If It Wasn’t for You. Melissa sang a song by Della Mae, Turtle Dove. Justin sang the Del McCoury cover of the Shawn Camp/Billy Burnette song, My Love Will Not
Change. They ended their short set with a very true to the original version of Monroe’s Blue Moon of Kentucky.
They were polished, interactive with the audience, very entertaining. That is why they won. They are another example of the musical richness in our neck of the woods, as we are alive with string bands.
Want to hear them? Check out their web site: www.nmsbmusic.com. Schedule, sound bites, videos will give you a sense of what they do.
CoverNo Man’s String Band wins 2015 MBOTMA’s Race for a PlaceBy Doug Lohman
LaPlant Instrumentsmaker of fine
mandolins & guitars
Buy - TradeSell - Repair
(stringed instruments)
31751 LaPlant RoadGrand Rapids, MN 55744
Photo by Kelly Vanderpool
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A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance
March 4-6, 2016 - Crowne Plaza Mpls West (in Plymouth, MN) 3131 Campus Dr, Plymouth MN 55441 - exit I-494 at Hwy 55 (exit 22) and go East on 55, turn North at Northwest Blvd, then 1st left onto Campus Dr to parking ramp.
Saturday Headline Concert
Dan Paisley & Southern Grass
7:00 PM with special guest Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner 9:30 PM with special guest The Sawtooth Brothers
For tickets or information call 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Showcase Of Bands, Exhibit Rooms, Dance Parlour, Gathering Place & Workshops Admission Prices: $20 Fri/$25 Sat/$5 Sun at the door or a 3 day weekend pass is $40 in advance, $32 for MBOTMA members, $20 teens, or $45 at the door. Kids 12 & under free!
Sat Headline Concert Prices: $25 day of show, $23 in advance, $20 MBOTMA members in advance, $10 teens & kids. BG Lovers Package: (All 3 Days + 1 Sat Concert): $58 in advance ($48 members, $29 teens), not available at the door.
BG Extremist Package: (All 3 Days + Both Sat Concerts): $70 advance ($60 members, $35 teens), not available at the door. For hotel lodging call the Crowne Plaza (763-559-6600) or the nearby Residence Inn (763-577-1600) or Kelly Inn (763-553-1600).
Plus The Grass Seeds Music Academy, 3 Rooms of Instrument
Exhibitors, Workshops, The Gathering Place, Jam Sessions,
Spotlight On, & More!
Showcase Of Bands 2 Stages! 3 Days! 50 Groups
Scheduled 7PM Fri to 2PM Sun.
Old-Time Music & Dance Hall
Old-Time Dances & Music Fri Night & All
Day Sat. Plus Sat Concert & Dance featuring
The Sunny Mountain Serenaders!
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List of BandsPlaying at the
Winter Bluegrass WeekendCurtis & Loretta - Def Lester - Long Time Gone
Monroe Crossing - Switched At Birth - Mark Kreitzer BandThe Good Intentions - The Middle Spunk Creek Boys
Poor Benny - Sara Mae & The Birkeland BoysBob & Lynn Dixon - No Man’s String Band - Porcupine Creek
The Seldom Herd - Biscuit Boys - Scrapegoat Skin & BonesHand Picked Bluegrass - Rosby Corner - Ophoven Family Band
Purdy River Band - King Wilkie’s Dream - The Fish HeadsCousin Dad - Sloughgrass - Now and Then - Moonlight Duo
Wink The Other Eye - The Flemming Fold - Due NorthThe Tune Jerks - Dick Kimmel & Co - Timbre Junction
Singleton Street - The Lost Tracks - Blue GrooveString Beans, Chick Pea & Garbonzo - Mother BanjoThe Roe Family Singer - Prairiegrass - Ivory Bridge
ARMADILLO SOUND & DESIGN Minneapolis, MN - Serving the acoustic music community for over 30 years.
Complete production services, sound and lights.
Complete studio and live multi-track recording with Protools©.
You know Doug’s attention to detail in the live concert… Let him help you craft your next recording project.
612-306-3490 – [email protected] armadillosounddesign.com
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) Application deadline:
January 31, 2016 For application and/or info:
Johnhugelencajunscholarship.org Email: [email protected]
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Grass Seeds 2016Guitar, Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Dobro and BassBy Sandi Pidel
Grass Seeds and GS2 are MBOTMA sponsored youth workshops held in conjunction with the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. This will be our thirteenth year! We meet for one session Friday night, two on Saturday and one Sunday morning. The kids then have the opportunity to show us all what they have learned with a concert on Sunday at 1:00pm. 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 really talented kids. If you can play a few common chords or fiddle a few tunes, or if you are a really “hot picker” between the ages of 8 and 18 - or so, there is a place for you at Grass Seeds. We spend most of the weekend in small groups. Each one becomes a “band” for the weekend, so
there is plenty of room for all skill levels. We do our best to group kids according to ability and comfort level, so a band can be as few as 3 or as many as 7 or 8 kids in any combination of instruments. 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 non-competitive, 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. Our instructors are always local in hopes
that you will bring your child to hear them throughout the year. 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 them.
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 are 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 age appropriate experience than we were offering in Grass Seeds. We needed to provide them with their own social experience and move away from teaching
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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 really 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 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 4 to 5 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; the instructors will make their decision at that time. All participants must register for Grass Seeds; we can not 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 FACULTYThis year Grass Seeds favorite, The
High 48’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. The perennial favorite, Catie Jo Pidel, will return to teach fiddle as well. Her youthful energy and enthusiasm is absolutely infectious - the kids love her.
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.
REGISTRATIONThe registration fee for the 3-day
workshop is $85 per student. This includes a weekend ticket to the festival and one ticket to the Saturday night Headline Concert (to be picked up at check-in on Friday night). Students can only register for one instrument. Be sure to register
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association presents…
The Grass Seeds Music Academy
With 2016 faculty featuring the members of
THE HIGH 48s plus Chris Silver & Catie Jo Pidel
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 4-6 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 Sandi at 763-784-5286 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To
register call MBOTMA at 1-800-635-3037 or [email protected]
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THE HIGH 48s
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.” The High 48s are relative latecomers to bluegrass who found a passion for the music after playing rock, alternative country, indie rock, punk and jazz. Since arriving on the Minnesota bluegrass scene in 2006, The High 48s have achieved national recognition, taking first place in the prestigious RockyGrass Bluegrass Band Competition in Lyons, CO, touring the national bluegrass festival circuit, and earning the respect of bluegrass musicians and audiences North and South.
PLUS
EELPOUT STRINGERS This Minnesota based old-time stringband call themselves “a
bunch of old-fogies playing traditional Americana music.” The Eelpout Stringers shows are fun, plain and simple. But that’s this genre of music... just a bunch of toe-tappin’, head-boppin’ joy. As much as they like playing this music, they also like talking about it and entertaining audiences at the same time.
Saturday Feb 13th 2016 - 7:00 PM Moose Lake MN – Holy Angels Catholic Church (60 Hartman Dr)
Sponsored locally by: Art’s Café Farmers Union Insurance T&R Treasures Woodlands National Bank Lazy Moose Grille Peggy Sue’s Café Como Oil & Propane
Fjosne Construction First National Bank of Moose Lake
For Tickets & Info: 1-800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 for teens, children 12 & under free.
These concerts are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a 501c3 non-profit organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by
the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Community Concert Series
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MBOTMA’s 2016 Fundraiser 12to12 Party, JedFest! Saturday January 23, 2016, 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, Spring Lake Park MN: Kraus Hartig VFW Post (8100 Pleasant View Dr). A celebration of Jed Malischke’s 29 years of service with MBOTMA featuring Pushing Chain, Alternate Route, The Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Seldom Herd Bluegrass Band, Ivory Bridge, Switched At Birth, The Platte Valley Boys, The Nobodys, Jumping Jo & The Catie Cats, Mark Kreitzer Band, Cousin Dad, JedFest, 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 informa-tion call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Minnesota Bluegrass Community Concert Saturday February 13, 2016, 7:00 PM, Moose Lake MN: Minnesota Bluegrass Community Concert featuring the Eelpout Stringers and High 48s, Holy Angels Catholic Church (60 Hartman Dr). Another community concert double header with two fine Minnesota groups. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 for teens, and free for kids age 12 and under. For tickets or information call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & DanceFriday-Sunday, March 4-6, 2016, 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 Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass for the Saturday Night Headline Concert and The Sunny Mountain Serenaders 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 of the nearby Residence Inn at 763-577-1600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.
Cabin Fever Festival Friday-Sunday April 15-17 2016, Duluth MN: Cabin Fever Festival, New Location! Radisson Harborview Hotel (505 W Superior St). A weekend long cabin fever reliever event
MBOTMA Calendar of EventsConcerts and events presented or supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music AssociationThe 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.
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 informa-tion 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). Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival:Friday through Sunday, June 3-5, 2016, Richmond MN: El Rancho Mañana Campground & Riding Stable (27302B Ranch Rd 56368, 20 mi W of St Cloud, I-94 exit #153 at Avon, 9 mi S on County 9, L on Mañana Rd). Three-day outdoor music and camping festival with twenty regional groups performing bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Showtimes are 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM Friday, 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. Advance tickets are $52 for the weekend including camping ($42 for members) or $20 daily ($15 member). Gate prices are $60 for the weekend including camping and $20/Fri $25/Sat and $10/Sun. Teens are always only $5 and kids are free. For information and tickets call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association.
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.
A big thanks to Ann Bloch who has taken over manag-ing the sales item inventory from long-time volunteer Joann Larson. Ann will be in charge of the booth at the Harvest Jam. And thanks to the rest of 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 [email protected] or call 800-635-3037 if you’d like more information or would like to volunteer.
THE HIGH 48s
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.” The High 48s are relative latecomers to bluegrass who found a passion for the music after playing rock, alternative country, indie rock, punk and jazz. Since arriving on the Minnesota bluegrass scene in 2006, The High 48s have achieved national recognition, taking first place in the prestigious RockyGrass Bluegrass Band Competition in Lyons, CO, touring the national bluegrass festival circuit, and earning the respect of bluegrass musicians and audiences North and South.
PLUS
EELPOUT STRINGERS This Minnesota based old-time stringband call themselves “a
bunch of old-fogies playing traditional Americana music.” The Eelpout Stringers shows are fun, plain and simple. But that’s this genre of music... just a bunch of toe-tappin’, head-boppin’ joy. As much as they like playing this music, they also like talking about it and entertaining audiences at the same time.
Saturday Feb 13th 2016 - 7:00 PM Moose Lake MN – Holy Angels Catholic Church (60 Hartman Dr)
Sponsored locally by: Art’s Café Farmers Union Insurance T&R Treasures Woodlands National Bank Lazy Moose Grille Peggy Sue’s Café Como Oil & Propane
Fjosne Construction First National Bank of Moose Lake
For Tickets & Info: 1-800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show, $5 for teens, children 12 & under free.
These concerts are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a 501c3 non-profit organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by
the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Community Concert Series
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607 W Lake St Minneapolis MN 612.827.1726
JanuaryFRI 8 - Mandy Jones TrioSAT 9 – Mill City Hot ClubFRI 15 - Detroit Don KingSAT 16 - The Fabulous VolcanoesFRI 22 – The Three MuscatellesSAT 23 – Pushing ChainFRI 29 – Mississippi Hot ClubSAT 30 – Seldom HerdFebruaryFRI 12 - No Man’s String BandSAT 13 - Chris Silver & The Good Intentions FRI 19 - Erik Brandt & The Hillbilly QuartetSAT 20 - Moxie Blue FRI 26 - King Wilkie’s DreamSAT 27 - Blue Groove
www.dulonospizza.com
Attention All BandsIf you want to sell your music,
you need a good band. If you want to sell your band,
you need good smiles!
Lloyd “Doc” Wallin, D.D.S. Cosmetic DentistryBurnsville, MN 55337 952-892-5050
(Free Consultation for MBOTMA Members)
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The Bluegrass Review in Minnesota Check www.bluegrassreview.com for a complete station list.
Station Day Time
KLQP-FM, 92.1 Madison Monday 8 PM
KMSU-FM, 89.7 Mankato; 91.3 Austin Sunday 10 AM
KBEM-FM, 88.5 Minneapolis Saturday 11 AM
KSRQ-FM, 90.1 Thief River Falls Sunday 11 AM
KQAL-FM, 89.5 Winona Saturday 9 AM
KDDG-FM, 105.5 Albany Saturday 9 PM
WTIP-FM, 90.7 Grand Marais Thursday 10 PM
KUMD-FM, 103.3 Duluth Saturday 4 PM
KRWC-AM, 1360 Buffalo Sunday 5 PM
KOJB-FM, 90.1 Cass Lake Sunday 6 PM
KSCR-FM, 93.5 Benson Sunday 6 AM
Bluegrass Saturday MorningBy Phil Nusbaum
JedfestIt wasn’t called Jedfest in 2015. It was called 12 by
12 because it presented 12 bands in 12 hours. At any rate, the event really caught me off guard: I couldn’t believe how much fun it was. MBOTMA simply took over the Kraus Hartig VFW Post Spring Lake Park for 12 hours. Talk about a win-win! Bluegrass people enjoyed the music, the fun, the setting, and the VFW post seemed proud to serve as host. All around, the event created a definite July vibe.
This year 12 by 12 will be saluting MBOTMA executive director Jed Malischke who is stepping down after decades of leadership. It is a lot of effort to enact a festival. When Jed started as E.D., MBOTMA presented a single festival per year. Now it presents five, six if you count Jedfest. The only explanation I can give is that Jed must have evolved some very good work practices in order to get it all done.
In addition to all of the usual bluegrass festival fun, Jedfest will be a collective lifting of the glass in the direction of Jed Malischke for his years of inspired service. If last year’s event is any indication, it will be a party for the ages.
Bluegrass Review in January and FebruaryOhio is one of the most important bluegrass states.
It is because after World War II, many Appalachian people migrated to Ohio seeking work. They brought their music with them, and cities such as Cincinnati and Dayton became major cities in Bluegrass Nation. Last April I trekked to Ohio to interview players and scholars about the scene in Ohio. In January and February, listen for interviews with scholars Brian Powers and Mac McDivitt about the scene in Ohio over time. We’ll benefit from the scholars’ insights as well as from listening to the great bluegrass they pick out.
My Favorite Bluegrass on Bluegrass Saturday Morning
“My Favorite Bluegrass” is the name of a Bluegrass Saturday Morning show segment where listeners self-elect to come on the show and play their favorite bluegrass and old-time CDs, and of course talk about them with the show host. It’s been a while since anyone has appeared on the segment. Perhaps the reason is that the segment has not been publicized lately. The great part of the segment from my point of view is that we always listen to songs not usually heard on Bluegrass Saturday Morning. Interested listeners should contact me at [email protected].
Business SupportTo promote your business through the Bluegrass Review, contact Phil Nusbaum (651-245-1527; [email protected]). For Bluegrass Saturday Morning, contact Kevin Barnes (612-668-1735; [email protected]).
Bluegrass Review supportersHoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted
Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs)John Waddle Violins www.waddleviolins.com (dealer of
international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases)Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association
www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences)
Weekly PlaylistsFind Bluegrass Review playlists at www.bluegrassreview.com. Just use the “playlists” link you’ll find at the top of the page, then click on “archives.”
Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88fm.com. At the top of the page, select “programs,” then click on “programs A-I.” Search the right-hand column for “Bluegrass Saturday Morning.” Link to on-demand Bluegrass Review segments from the KBEM-FM home page.
The Bluegrass Review is made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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2016 North Platte Country Bluegrass Festival Lincoln County Fairgrounds
North Platte, Nebraska
April 28-30, 2016
*Thursday-‐ Gospel Evening *Friday – Tribute To Veterans *Craft Boutique all 3 days! *Saturday – Band Showcase! *Great Food! *Kids 12 & under FREE *Tickets: *Tot lot for the little folks 1 Day -‐ $22.00 *Camping on site 3Day (before 4/1/16) -‐ $50.00 *Showerhouse available 3 Day (after 4/1/16) -‐ $55.00 *Jamming 3 Day Reserved -‐ $65.00 *Tickets on sale now! Camping -‐ $18.50 night *Wednesday night potluck For tickets & information contact: 308-‐340-‐4552 or 308-‐530-‐9249 www.npcountrybluegrassfestival.weebly.com Like us on Facebook!
April 28, 2016
*GOSPEL NIGHT*
Mountain Faith
Steel Pennies
The Harper Family
The Stanleytones
The McKinney Sisters
April 29, 2016
Gibson Brothers
Nothin Fancy
Leroy Troy
Remington Ryde
Tommy Brown & The County Line
Grass April 30, 2016
Leroy Troy
Nothin Fancy
Saggy Bottom Boys
Blue Canyon Boys
Remington Ryde
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The list of promising young musicians who’ve spent time in Nashville is long. But not many visiting 15-year-old’s have the first-hand memories that Adam Birkeland took home from the Music City thanks to Rob Ickes and his annual ResoSummit.
Birkeland, the recipient of the 2015 Houston Caldwell Scholarship at Ickes’ 9th annual ResoSummit, played with--and took lessons from--the world’s top Dobro players at the Summit Nov. 12-15. Birkeland was selected by Ickes and ResoSummit co-producer Betty Wheeler as the recipient of the 2015 scholarship.
The award is named in honor of Houston Caldwell, a young bluegrass musician who died tragically in an accident at 18 years-old. It recognizes young musicians who show promise on the instrument made famous by legends like Josh Graves, Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas and Ickes.
“I’ve been playing the instrument for almost three years, and I learned another three years-worth of material in three days at ResoSummit,” said Birkeland. “Plus, I got to see Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes play together live. That was awesome. I’ll never forget that as long as I live.”
The young picker from the Duluth area, who’s also a Boy Scout and plays in his family’s bluegrass band, Sarah and the Birkeland Boys, attended ResoSummit for the first time. He was impressed with the skilled players and high-caliber instructors that Ickes brought in for the 100-plus workshop participants.
Birkeland travelled to Nashville with MBOTMA members Dominic Orrico and Paul Jones. Holger Olesen, another young MBOTMA member, also attended ResoSummit. Gary Hultman, a Birchdale/Sloughgrass native, was also a teacher at the Summit this year. MBOTMA was well-represented in Nashville!
Birkeland said he’s already planning a return trip to ResoSummit next year for more memories and lessons with the world’s best Dobro players. But he’ll have to get signed up quickly when enrollment opens next year. Registration for the 2015 ResoSummit, www.resosummit.com, sold out within an hour.
Scholarship earns Minnesota musician high-level access in NashvilleBy Mike Berkeland
Rob Ickes and Adam Birkeland - Photo by Mike Birkeland
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There are hundreds of jokes about the banjo and banjo players. The reason for this glut of japery is that the banjo is the alpha bluegrass instrument, it being the loudest and all. There are, to put it clumsily, other musical butts-of-jokes, and in each case they are the most prominent of their genre or musical family: sopranos, saxophones, lead rock
CD REVIEW: THE DARK BEFORE THE STORM - Phil NusbaumBy Adam Granger
players (My favorite of the last-mentioned category: How do you make a lead guitarist stop playing? Put sheet music in front of him).
So, being asked to review a banjo album creates a temptation almost too great to surmount. Almost, but not completely: there’ll be no one-liners here. Phil Nusbaum is too good a player, and his new creation, The Dark before
the Storm, is too good an album. Everyone around these
parts who is into bluegrass knows Phil, at least the radio Phil. A fifty-year veteran of the airwaves, he’s the creator, producer and
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Premium Guitars, Amplifiers, and Repair
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(612) 767-2800 [email protected]
on-air presence of the Bluegrass
Saturday Morning radio show and its sister, the national Bluegrass
Review, which is syndicated to a hundred stations. It’s a safe bet that Phil has done more to enlighten, educate and entertain us, bluegrass-wise, than anyone. Who among us hasn’t heard that big, booming slightly New York-accented voice telling us what we just heard and what we are about to hear on his show? As well-known as Nusbaum is, fewer may know him as a banjo player, but he’s played for decades in Twin Cities bands, most notably with Urban
Renewal Bluegrass, The
Blue Drifters Quartet, and most recently in duos with Steve Howard and Sherry Minnick. In sum, it’s not for nothing that Phil is a 2015 inductee into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame.
This album, then, is long overdue: a big ol’ dose of Phil doin’ what he does. I made my living playing banjo in Oklahoma,
Arkansas and Nashville for five years in the 60s and early 70s, so there is a soft spot in my heart for the big, bad, blustery banjo, but there is neither bigness nor badness on The Dark before the Storm, and what bluster there is presents itself as impudent and mischievous, as opposed to being self-important and predictable.
The eleven cuts on this album are culled from five recent recording sessions featuring thirteen New York and Minnesota players in addition to Nusbaum. These sessions were recorded primarily by David Tousley, of
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Root/Bass Studio and Doug Lohman, of Armadillo Sound and Design, two of the best in the bluegrass-recording biz. The album’s six original compositions are my favorites. I once told Phil that he was an interesting banjo player, and he thought I was doing one of those things where, in the absence of quality and talent, one gropes for something good to say about a musician, but make no mistake: being interesting on the five-string is righteous and noble and deserving of high praise and, unfortunately, more rare than it should be.
The first two selections, the contemplative, jazzy title cut and the Don Reno-tinged From Moville to Red Oak, nicely define the album’s scope, and demonstrate, right out of the chute, Nusbaum’s tone, timing and taste. The chestnut Stumbling is next,
followed by the first of two vocals, Carl Perkins’s Forever Yours. Next is another Nusbaum original, A Fine
Day, followed by a dandy contra dance medley borrowed from hammer dulcimerist Bill Spence’s self-produced 1975 recording (on the “Andy’s Front Hall” label, Andy being Spence’s wife). This cut highlights the fine contra guitar backup of Phil’s brother, Harvey. Limehouse Blues contains my favorite novelty instrumental passages on the album: ascending and descending glissandi executed by Nusbaum and mandolinist Dale Palecek starting at the 1:51 point in the tune. Next comes the second vocal track, The Country Gentlemen’s classic Remembrance
of You, followed by the album’s three final cuts, all Nusbaum originals. Wind Chill features a coolly dissonant VII-seventh chord change and nice soloing by fiddler
Ron Siegel and flatpicker Jerry Spanhanks. Blues for Shorty is a delight of a different flavor, an easy lope of a number. Finally, In Your Face summarizes Phil’s approach to composition: No I-IV-V, thank you very much but, rather, eccentric progressions and meters sprinkled with occasional harmless and deliberate dissonance.
If there is a weak link in The Dark before the Storm (as there must be on any album), it is the two vocals, which don’t quite seem to fit and which are not quite up to par with the numbers surrounding them. That said, virtually all of us non-classical singers have, er—idiosyncratic voices, so who am I to snip the first vocal cord polyp?
Hats off, Mr Nusbaum. You and your banjo have made a damned interesting album.
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Another MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS indoor weekend of fun ) Headline Concert Saturday afternoon and night with
ART STEVENSON & HIGHWATER ) Starts with Friday Night Live concert & open mic ) Saturday Afternoon Guest Band Stage Shows ) Sunday morning Gospel Show & Jam ) Workshops Saturday Morning & Afternoon ) Draw Band Competition Saturday ) 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 Hotel at 218-727-8981 and tell them you’ve got CABIN FEVER.
Ticks: Wknd Adv $29/$26memb; Gate $15Fri/$20Sat/$35Wknd (teens½, kids free)
800-635-3037 or MinnesotaBluegrass.org
April 15-17, 2016 Radisson Hotel Duluth, MN (505 W Superior St)
J & B Productions presents
Bill Staines In Concert
With Special Guest, Brady Perl
Saturday, February 27, 7:30 PM
Armatage School Auditorium 2501 West 56th Street, Minneapolis
Tickets - $15.00 in advance, $20.00 Day of Concert
Tickets available at: The Homestead Pickin’ Parlor®
6625 Penn Ave So, Richfield, MN 55423 - (612)861-3308
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Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 7:30 pm Allen’s Market, 101 East McIntosh Milledgeville, GA 478-452-3950
Saturday, Jan. 9 7:30 pm Thomasville Municipal Auditorium, 144 East Jackson Street Thomasville, GA 229-225-1063
January 11 to 14: Danny Stewart’s Bluegrass Cruise from Port Canaveral, FL to The Bahamas & Coco Cay (SOLD OUT - Book NOW for 2017!)
Friday, Jan. 15 6:00 pm J T’s Bluegrass FestAstronaut High School Auditorium , 800 War Eagle Blvd Titusville, FL 321-222-7797
Saturday, Jan. 16 7:30 pm Randy Wood Guitars Concert SeriesRandy’s Pickin’ Parlor, 1304 East Highway 80 Bloomingdale, GA 912-748-1930
Monday, Jan. 18 7:00 pm The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Athens Choral SocietyMorton Theatre , 195 West Washington Street Athens, GA 706-372-2941
Saturday, Jan. 23 7:30 pm The Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard Macon, GA 478-742-2000
Sunday, Jan. 24 3:00 pm Barking Legs Theatre, 1322 Dodds Avenue Chattanooga, TN 423-624-5347
Monday, Jan. 25 7:00 pm KASU Bluegrass Monday Concert SeriesCollins Theatre, 120 West Emerson Street Paragould, AR 870-972-2367
Saturday, Feb. 6 7:00 pm Rosemount Area Arts Council Concert SeriesThe Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 952-255-8545
Thursday, Feb. 11 10:00 am & 1:30 pm
History of Bluegrass School ProgramKresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 2 East South Street Galesburg, IL 309-341-7038
Saturday, Feb. 13 7:30 pm The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova SingersKresge Recital Hall, Knox College, 2 East South Street Galesburg, IL 309-341-7038
Sunday, Feb. 14 4:00 pm The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass w/The Nova SingersSt. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street Davenport, IA 309-341-7038
Friday, Feb. 19 & Saturday, Feb. 20 Times TBA KBA Winterfest, Wichita Merriott Ballroom, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive Wichita, KS
Tuesday, Feb. 23Wednesday, Feb. 24Thursday, Feb. 25
4:00 & 7:30 pmeach day
Cal-Am Concert Series, Towerpoint RV Resort, 4860 East Main Street Mesa, AZ 480-854-8180
Friday, Feb. 26 Times TBA Turquoise Valley Golf & RV Resort, 1794 West Newell Street Naco, AZ 520-432-3091
Saturday, Feb. 27 7:00 pm Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Road NE Albuquerque, NM 505-299-3621
Friday, March 4 8:15 pm MBOTMA Winter Bluegrass WeekendCrowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel, 3131 Campus Drive Plymouth, MN 800-635-3037
Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 844-monroeX or 763-213-1349, [email protected]
On the Ocean... and on the road in 2016
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Coming Up318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, www.three-eighteen.com331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, www.331.mnACA: Acadia Cafe, 329 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-874-8702, www.acadiacafe.comAGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.comAPHC: “A Prairie Home Companion,” Minnesota Public RadioAST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www.astercafe.comBTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.orgBoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 320-252-9475CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-338-2674, www.thecedar.orgCJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www.thecelticjunction.comCrH: 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.comDUL: 607 W Lake St, Mpls, 612-827-1726, www.dulonos.comDuG: Dunn Brothers on Grand, 1569 Grand Ave, St. PaulEAG: Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St, Mpls, 612-729-4469, www.Mplseagles34.org
Venue abbreviations
January 15 - FridayMichael Johnson, CrH, Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante, ZuM, 7:30pmDetroit Don King, DUL, ,8pmKing Wilkie’s Dream, BoDD, 7:30pmDan Newton & Pat Donohue, Vieux Carré, 408 St. Peter St. St. Paul, MN, 6pm
January 16 - SaturdayThe Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Avalon Educational Institute, 404 W
FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-290-1200, www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.orgGINK: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul, 651-645-2647, www.ginkgocoffee.comGKb: Grand Kabaret, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 507-359-9222, www.thegrandnewulm.comHB: Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Ave, MinneapolisHOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.comHOPK: Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-979-1111, www.hopkinsartscenter.comKIP: Kieran’s Irish Pub, 85 6th St N, Mpls, 612-339-4499, www.kierans.comOAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507-753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.comRIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612-729-4200, theriverview.comROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-222-4353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.htmlSHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, www.sheldontheatre.orgTAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.orgUMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.comZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-732-7616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONSFebruary 13 - Saturday
The High 48’s with the Eelpout Stringers
Holy Angels Catholic Church, 60 Hartman Drive, Moose Lake, MN,
7pm
February 3- WednesdayKing Wilkie’s Dream
Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St. St. Paul, MN,
8pm
To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to [email protected]
Superior St, Duluth, MN, APHC broadcast from War Memorial Opera House, with guests Ellie Dehn, Heather Masse, San Francisco, 4:45pmNo Man’s String Band, 318, 8pmBluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amMichael Johnson, CrH,
John Gorka, ZuM, 7:30pmGreenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 South, Prior, Lake MN(Near Lunds and Byerlys), 9am-12pmThe Famous Volcanoes, DUL, 8pmAlan Reid&Rob van Sante, CJ, 7pmSingleton Street, Steeple Center, 14375 South Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, 6:30pm
January 17 – Sunday
February 11-13 - Thurs-SatRicky Skaggs
Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN,
Thursday -1:30pm, Friday 7:30pm,
Saturday - 7:30pm
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Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
January 18 - Monday The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
Jaunary 19 - Tuesday Jugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm
January 22 - FridayPert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Two Many Banjos (standing show), CED, 8pmThe Barley Jacks, Manitou Station, 2171 4th St, Mpls, Mn, 9pmThe Three Muscatelles, DUL, 8pmIvory Bridge w/ Peter Ostroshko, 7pm
January 23 – SaturdayMBOTMA 12-12, Jed Fest, see ad pages 6-7Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amPert Near Sandstone’s Winter String Band Gathering with Rumpke Mountain Boys (standing show), CED, 8pmSwamp Pop Extravaganza - Number 7 - Fundraiser for 2nd Harvest, with Tom Lieberman, Becky Thompson & more, EAG, 7:30pmJoe and Vicki Price, OAK, 8pmPushing Chain, DUL, 8pmThe Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St. Hudson, WI, 7:30pm
January 24 - SundaySwing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11amFinn Hall, EAG, 6:30pm
January 25 - MondayBayou Grenouille, EAG, 7:30pmThe Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm
January 26 - TuesdayJeremy Messersmith, HOPK, 7pmJugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm
January 27 - WednesdayLenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm
January 29 - FridayThe Good Intentions, Juniors Bar & Restaurant, 414 So Main St, River Falls WI, 8pmMississippi Hot Club, DUL, 8pmCurtis & Loretta, Berkeley Bob’s, 304 1st Ave SE, Cullman, AL, 7pm
January 30 - SaturdayBluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amClaudia Schmidt & Dean Magraw, CrH, Jeff Ray, Hurricane Trombley and the Stakes, OAK, 8pmThe Seldom Herd, DUL, 8pmIvory Bridge, Dunn’s Brothers,11 Water Street, Excelsior, MN (952)401-8004, 8pm
January 31 - SundayMichael McElrath CD release, AST, 8pmSwing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
February 2 - TuesdayJugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pm
February 3 - WednesdayMinnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm
King Wilkie’s Dream, Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St. St. Paul, MN, 8pm
February 4 - ThursdayKatey Bellville, 331C, 9:30pm
February 5 - FridayJason Roberts, AST, 9pmRoe Family Singers, BoDD, 7:30pm
February 6 – SaturdayBluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amEllis, CED, 8pmMoors & McCumber, ZuM, 7:30pmPeter Ostroushko and Dean Magraw, OAK, 8pmLeo Kottke, SHL, 7pmMonroe Crossing, Rosemount Area Arts Council Concert Series, 14375 So Robert Trail, Rosemount MN,
February 7 – SundaySwing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
February 9 – TuesdayJugg Sluggers, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 7pmNew Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 9pm - MARDI GRAS
February 10 – WednesdayDan Navarro, AST, 9pm
February 11 - ThursdayRicky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 1:30pmBen Lubeck with Silverback Colony
and Mary Bue, Turf Club,1601 Univ. Av., St. Paul, 8pm, CD Release
February 12 - FridayNo Man’s String Band, DUL, 8pmPaul Imholte, BoDD, 7:30pm
Ricky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 7:30pm
Seeking Fiddle Player Rosby Corner, a MBOTMA member band, is seeking a fiddle player. Rehearsals are twice weekly in the Twin Cities’ Northwest suburbs.
Contact [email protected]
www.rosbycorner.com
QUALITYREPAIRS & ACCESSORIESFor All Fretted Instruments
CHARLES A. HOFFMAN, INC.2219 East Franklin Ave.Minneapolis, MN 55404
612–338–1079
AUTHORIZEDWARRANTY SERVICE
for
C.F. MartinSigmaGibson
Epiphone
26 January/February 2016
Minne
sotaBlue
grass.org
February 13 – SaturdayBluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amChris Silver & The Good Intentions, DUL, 8pmThe High 48’s with the Eelpout Stringers, Holy Angels Catholic Church, 60 Hartman Drive, Moose Lake, MN, 7pmNew Riverside Ramblers, Rockford Road Library, 6401 42nd Av N, Crystal, MN, 2pm
Ricky Skaggs, Paramount Theater, St. Cloud, MN, 1:30pm
February 14 – SundaySwing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
February 17 – WednesdayMinnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm
February 19 – FridayKatie Dahl, BoDD, 7:30pmErik Brandt & The Hillbilly Quartet, DUL, 8pm
February 20 – Saturday
Michel Wegen is a recognizedDutch model maker usingsculpting and airbrush art techniques to meet the needs ofclients such as theme parks, adagencies and museums.
In his search for new markets,Michel some years ago took onthe design of the lowly pick. The results have been phenomenal.
Wegen Picks endanger no animalspecies, and they are a fraction of the priceof the illegal picks that do. We have eightmodels for guitar and mandolin on hand ina variety of thicknesses. Try one out onyour next visit.
Wegen’s Guitar Picks
6625 Penn Ave. S.Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-3308www.homesteadpickinparlor.com
[email protected] you can find us on Facebook
Making the world safe for discerning fans of Traditional Music
since 1979
®
Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amDan Newton’s Cafe Accordion Orchestra, CrH, Moxie Blue, DUL, 8pmIvory Bridge w/ Peter Ostroshko, 318, 8pm
February 21 – Sunday
Buttons, AST, 11am
With Dakota Dave Hull and Pop Wagner. 7 pm. 320-245-6799February 22 – Monday
New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30pm
February 24 – WednesdayMinnesota Songwriter Showcase, AST, 7:30pm
February 25 – ThursdayClaudia Schmidt & Dean Magraw, BoDD, 7:30pm
February 26 – FridayKing Wilkie’s Dream, DUL, 8pm
February 27 – Saturday
Minnesota BluegrassMarch 2016
Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips
Deadline: February 1, 2016
Bluegrass Brunch with The High 48s, AST, 11amAlternate Route, Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, MN, 10amBlue Groove, DUL, 8pm
February 28 – SundaySwing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am
March 3 - ThursdayAltan, CED, 7:30pm
March 4 – FridayMBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, See ad page 10
March 5 – SaturdayMBOTMA’s Winter Bluegrass Weekend, See ad page 10
27January/February 2016
MinnesotaBluegrass.org
April 8-10 2016River Falls, WI
*fees apply call 715.425.2533
visit www.riverfallsbluegrass.com
Presented by:
@ rfbluesfest
FREE MUSIC
WEEKEND
50+ hours of foot stompin’ bluegrass!
6th AnnualTM
competitions, beer & wine tasting *workshops, open jams & more!
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDTwin Cities, MN
Permit 343
MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATIONP.O. BOX 16408Mpls, MN 55416
TIME VALUE DATA
In a few short months, we’ll be sitting in the sun at the Homegrown Kickoff at El Rancho Mañana.