an amazing ride with jed p. 5 - minnesotabluegrass.org · youth representative: sarah cagley ......

An amazing ride with Jed p. 5

December 2015

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]: Sandi Pidel Secretary: Mary DuShaneBoard Members: Term expires 2015: Marilyn Bergum, Gary Germond, Greg Landkamer, Quillan RoeTerm expires 2016: Alan Jesperson, Philip Nusbaum, Kenneth BlochYouth Representative: Sarah CagleyFor 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: JoAnne Makela, [email protected]: John Chabot, Bob Dodd, Adam Granger, Ann Iijima, Jed Malischke, Jana Metge, Phil NusbaumComing Up: Loretta Simonet, Pam Bowers, John BrandbergY’All Come: Bill LindroosWordmark: Katryn ConlinPhotography: Steve Chollar, Bob DoddCover image: Band promos from the collection of Dick Kimmel

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 BoyerMark & Erdyne BriereBrenda BurgerBill & Ann BushnellSusan Christensen-WichmannDan & 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 Hopperstad

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

December 2015Vol. 41No. 11Newsstand: $3Subscription: $35

Ann Iijima & Myles BakkeChris Juettner Alan & Geriann KaganMatthew Kaster Jim LallyGreg Landkamer & Jill StefansenLloyd & Beverly LaPlantJames LeeSteve & Elaine LeVasseurBill Lindroos & Rebecca ReiflerRudy & Jeanne MartiBill MerrillChad MezeraJames 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 Linda Kjerland 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 November 1, 2015: 1,106

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.

From the editorDear MBOTMA,It’s been exactly three years since I took on the job of editing Minnesota Bluegrass. It was a daunting task, following in the footsteps of Doug Lohman, a great interim editor, as well as his predecessor Bob Waltz, a beloved editor who had been at the helm for many years.

With a new name and a charge to create a new layout and design, I took on the job happily. I had no previous knowledge of bluegrass or old-time music, other than what anyone who loves and listens to pretty much all types of music might be exposed to. I recognized the names of the big personalities, like Bill Monroe and Steve Martin, and many of the regulars on A Prairie Home Companion, but had no local experience of the wealth of talent living, literally, right down the street from me.

Editing this magazine has allowed me to meet so many fine musicians, stars both national and local. I’ve also gotten to work with some of the most earnest volunteers on the planet.

But, after three years, and several big changes in my life, it’s time for me to move on and let someone else put their stamp on this magazine. Doug will return as interim editor starting with the January issue.

I’d like to thank the MBOTMA board members who take on the task of running a solid organization that puts music and musicians ahead of all else. And, in particular, thanks to Jana Metge, Sandi Pidel and Brett Day—the folks who hired me; amazing copy editor and pho offcionado Ann Iijima; stalwart, steadfast and true Coming Up editor Loretta Simonet; and the many writers, photographers and other contributors who made my job easy.

I’d like to thank Bea Flaming for looking out for me and making everything run like a top. And, of course, Jed, a great boss and a focused and driven leader. You all have a hard task to replace him.

This is my last issue. It is full of remembrances and fare-wells. But it also shines a light on the music you all know and love, and that I have come to admire.

Peace. —JoAnne Makela, editor

And don’t forget: an MBOTMA membership makes a great gift for the music lovers in your life!

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.

Inside: Cover story 5 | JedFest 7 | MBOTMA Calendar 9 | Phil Nusbaum 11 | Review: When There’s Good to Be Done 13 | Review: David Grier 17 | Coming Up 18 | Member Bands 22 | Chart: “June Apple” 27

Saturday January 23, 201612 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! 12 hours of fun!Food & beverages on sale provided byVFW$10 donation requested at the door

12-12:30 pm Pushing Chain12:45-1:20 pm Alternate Route 1:30-2:10 pm The Middle Spunk Creek Boys2:20-3:00 pm TBD3:15-4:00 pm Ivory Bridge4:15-5:00 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 Nobodys8:30-9:15 pm Jumpin’ Jo & Catie Cats9:30-10:15 pm Mark Kreitzer Band10:30-11:00 pm Seldom Herd11:15 pm -12:00 am Cousin Dad

Sound & Tech Support donated by Doug Lohman & Armadillo Sound

FUNDRAISER 2015

A Celebration of Jed & his 29 years with the Minnesota Bluegrass &

Old-Time Music Association

5December 2015

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

You probably read in last month’s issue that Jed Malischke has announced plans to retire from his position as the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association’s Executive Director. Minnesota Bluegrass thought it would be appropriate to look back over his many years of service to the organization and tell a few stories.

In the late ’90s, MBOTMA was clos-ing in on the fifth year of a 5-year-plan, and the couple that had been handling some of the organization’s administra-tive functions was talking about retiring. The board decided to hire an executive director and found exactly who it was looking for in its own backyard—Jed Malischke.

On paper, Jed was an excellent candi-date. He had a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, having majored in Forestry–Parks & Recreation and minored in environmental interpretation and environmental law enforcement. He also had an MBA from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in strategic management and organization and in project management and operations.

Moreover, Jed had decades of relevant experience.

• Event production: Jed chaired or directed three festivals in Wisconsin, as well as the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff, and Winter Bluegrass Weekend, and produced three concert series in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

• He managed four bands (hiring and supervising musicians, promotions, contracts, travel, bookkeeping, taxes, payroll).

• He wrote for print media, includ-ing Inside Bluegrass, and wrote for and produced programs for broadcast media, including WOJB and Wisconsin Public Radio.

• He had extensive experience work-ing for bluegrass organizations, includ-ing the International Bluegrass Music Association (board of directors, regional

reps program coordinator, upper midwest regional rep-resentative), MBOTMA (board of directors), and Southern Wisconsin Bluegrass Music Association (SWBMAI; vice president).

But when his boots hit the ground as exec-utive director in 2001, he exceeded MBOTMA’s high expectations. He helped the board draft a new 5-year stra-tegic plan, fostering the organization’s growth and adding a strong educational component. Jana Metge, board vice pres-ident, and long-time volunteer wrote: “I have watched programs grow from two activities per year to what we have today. I have watched event staffs grow in numbers and experience. I have seen volunteer numbers grow from dozens to hundreds and hundreds. I have seen the MBOTMA budget grow from thousands to hundreds of thousands.”

It was partly Jed’s skillful work with the board that encouraged this growth.

Mark Kreitzer, former board chair, had worked with Jed since the mid-80s, when they both were involved with the SWBMAI, and had spoken to the board in support of hiring Jed. In his experience, both in Wisconsin and for MBOTMA, everything ran smoothly with Jed at the helm. If something came up in a meeting, Jed would take it on, and the board could move on to other matters, confident that the matter would be taken care of.

Jana noted that Jed would set aside his own preferences in meetings and would try to draw out the thoughts and desires of the others. Bea Flaming, who has been working with and for Jed since 1996, first as the coordinator of festival t-shirt booths and later as MBOTMA’s administrative assistant, praised Jed’s flexiblity.

It wasn’t just his skill as a manager that made him such an effective leader; when there was work of any sort to be done, he’d be there leading the way, from setting up the festival grounds to cleaning up afterwards. If any volunteer shifts were left unfilled, he’d fill them, often missing banquets and headliner concerts. It was a rare (and fortunate) jamming circle that had Jed in it. Bea observed, “Jed has gone above and beyond the call of duty through his years

Jed in his office. We know there are a lot more stories out there. Please come and share a few at JedFest on January 23!

Cover

An amazing ride with JedBy Ann Iijima

“I am honestly both sad and

scared to have him retire from

MBOTMA, though I’m glad

for him that he will be able to

jam and have more fun at the

events, since he won’t be run-

ning them . . .” —Bea Flaming

6 December 2015

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From the early days with Kimmel Rosenstein & Co. L-r: Paul Horrisberger, Dick Kimmel, Jed Malischke, Leo Rosenstein (1994)

as festival director and then as Executive Director and has repeatedly put the organization first. He has also put in many, many more hours than would be expected . . . [and] maintained his calm presence no matter what happened.”

Folks who have worked closely with him have appreciated his quiet leader-ship, as well. Bea wrote: “Jed has been the best person I’ve ever worked directly with as he is so organized and has helped me to stretch and learn things I hadn’t known how to do before!” Jana Metge concurred: “Personally I have grown, gaining skills I use in my job daily. I learned them from Jed.”

Because he’s generally working non-stop during festivals, some of his skills have not been as readily apparent. Mark observed: “Folks don’t realize what an accomplished musician he is on guitar, banjo, and dobro.”

Dick Kimmel is one of the people who is very familiar with this side of Jed. “Jed was an important part of my bluegrass bands for about 10 years from the early 1990s through the early 2000s. He was a powerful banjo player and high tenor singer, but also did some lead vocals and played Dobro on some of the slower numbers. . . . Jed toured Europe with me at least twice during the 1990s, performing in England, Scotland, Wales,

Switzerland, Holland, and Germany. He played on some of my CD’s: my clawhammer banjo recording from 2000, Dick Kimmel—Fishin’ Creek Blues; and our 1996 band release Kimmel Rosenstein & Co—Ramblin’ Away.”

Even fewer folks realize that Jed has a strong comedic streak, typically of the more wry variety, and evidenced in his actions as frequently as in his words.

Dick wrote: “Jed was a natural enter-tainer and always added a spark to our stage performances. For some of our tours he actually developed hilarious skits. My favor-ite was when he complained at the end of a set that he hadn’t played a banjo number and over my objec-tions kicked off ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown.’ By the end of the song, all four of us had picked up a banjo, one person at a time, and we ended the set with a four-banjo

version of the song.” Mark remembers one of Jed’s former bands, The Radio Bluegrass Show, which pretended to be performing on the radio, complete with fictitious sponsors.

MBOTMA finds itself in one of those good-news-bad-news scenarios. We’ll miss Jed’s presence as executive director, but hope to see more of him performing on stage and jamming all around the hotels and campsites. Bea wrote, “I have great memories of Jed at events and have always enjoyed seeing him relax when they were all over and he didn’t have to be concentrating and ‘putting out fires.’ [I]t was always so good to see him smile and relax after the successful conclu-sion of an event. I am honestly both sad and scared to have him retire from MBOTMA, though I’m glad for him that he will be able to jam and have more fun at the events, since he won’t be running them (unless he can be persuaded to stay on as chair for a festival or two). I don’t think folks realize all that he has done and he will sincerely be missed! Especially by me, but I wish him the very best!”

Jana probably spoke for hundreds of others in the Jed Malischke Fan Club when she wrote: “What can you say about Jed? He is a genius. He is dedi-cated. He breathes MBOTMA. Jed, you are amazing and you are so appreciated. It has been an amazing ride. Thank you.”

Jamming at Kip’s Live at Harvest Jam.

7December 2015


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.

Confirmed bands:12 Pushing Chain12:45 Alternate Route 1:30 The Middle Spunk

Creek Boys2:20 Sherry Minnick & Phil

Nusbaum3:15 Ivory Bridge

JedFest line up from 12 to 12By Ann Iijima

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 4 for more information.

Kimmel & Co. Jed, Paul Horrisberger (back), Dick Kimmel (front), & Tim Roggenkamp (1998)

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!

The Showcase Of Bands Two Stages! Three Days! Fifty Groups Scheduled 6:45 PM Fri

to 2:00 PM Sun.

The Old-Time Music & Dance Hall Old-Time Dances & Music Friday Night &

All Day Sat. Plus Sat Concert & Dance

9December 2015


Presented by MBOTMA

MBOTMA’s 2016 Fundraiser 12to12 JedFest, Saturday January 23, 2016, 12 noon to 12 midnight, Kraus Hartig VFW Post, 8100 Pleasant View Dr., Spring Lake Park, MN. A celebra-tion 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. Plus an old-time dance, workshops, theme jams, uke jam, silent auction, raffles, and lots of jam sessions. Suggested admission $10 with all proceeds to bene-fit the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA). Food and beverage available. For more informa-tion: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

The Winter Bluegrass Weekend: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance, Friday-Sunday, March 4–6, 2016, Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel, 3131 Campus Dr., Plymouth. Some 50 groups will perform bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music on several stages. The Saturday Night Headline Concert features Dan Paisley & The Southern Grass. Plus workshops, dances, instru-ment exhibitors, and jam sessions around the clock. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To book lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 or the nearby Residence Inn at 763-577-1600. Ask for the special Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate.

Cabin Fever Festival, Friday-Sunday, April 15–17, 2016. New Location! Radisson Harborview Hotel, 505 W Superior St., Duluth. A weekend long cabin fever reliever event including stage shows, draw bands, open stage, workshops, and jam sessions around the clock. Weekend tickets are $29 in advance ($26 for members). Day of show: $15 Friday and $20 Saturday Teens half price and kids are free. For more information call 1-800-635-3037 or visit MinnesotaBluegrass.org. For lodging contact the Radisson Hotel at 218-727-8981 and ask for the special Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival rate.

Save the Date: Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff Music Festival, Friday through Sunday, June 3–5, 2016, El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN. For information and tickets call 800-635-3037 or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.

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.

Supported by MBOTMA Dr. Ralph Stanley with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Friday, December 4, 2015, 8 p.m., The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis. The legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley returns to The Cedar for one last performance with Nathan Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys. $50 general admission/$60 center section seating. For more information call 612-338-2674 or visit www.thecedar.org. Produced by The Cedar Cultural Center and supported in part by MBOTMA.

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.

MBOTMA seeks new Executive DirectorMinnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association is seek-ing candidates for the contract position of Executive Director for the organization. If interested, please forward your resume and cover letter to the search committee chair, Kenneth Bloch at [email protected]. Applications must be received no later than December 7, 2015.

10 December 2015

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“Learning how to express who you are on your chosen instrument is a life-long challenge and ultimately the most satisfying thing you could do for yourself and for those around you. I truly believe this with all my heart.

I can think of nothing better then to share my musical knowledge and experience with others who are struggling with their own journeys of self-expression through music.

Nothing tickles me more then to see that light bulb go on above my student’s head.”

Lessons with Peter Ostroushko, world-class fiddle & mandolin player

Peter teaches in his studio at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis and via Skype with students around the world.

All ages. All levels. I would love to work with you.

To arrange for in-person or Skype lessons with Peter, contact: Timothy De Prey | 612.767.5328 | [email protected]

11December 2015


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

The KBEM Fund DriveThe bottom line for any find drive is, well, the bottom line. In October 2015, the bottom line for KBEM’s bluegrass broad-casting was over $13,000, a very nice total indeed. The total of on-air pledges used to be much higher, but the station now conducts a lot of fund raising by other means. KBEM easily met its goal of $65,000 of pledges taken over the phone and by the website, www.bluegrassreview.com. For my part, I had fun working on the air with Janis Lane Ewart and Pete Lee. In recent drives, we’ve made the pitches shorter but more frequent. The idea is to keep alive the idea that we are raising important funds for the station, but maintain the lighthearted mood while conducting our main business of presenting music. Here’s a big thank-you to those who support KBEM financially, and we hope that all listeners continue to enjoy the service provided.

Bill KeithBill Keith, one of the most important bluegrass banjoists ever, father of the melodic style of banjo playing, died on October 23. In the November issue of Minnesota Bluegrass, I reported on Keith’s induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, but I didn’t mention that it was plain to everyone that he was not in good health. His complexion was ashen, and he was in a wheelchair. Yet, he gave an articulate and gracious accep-tance speech, which was preceded by remarks given by banjoists Steve Martin and Alan Munde. To give you an idea of Keith’s importance, at one of the first bluegrass shows I ever attended, the banjo player was playing a break using Keith’s melodic style. My friend, who was introducing me to things bluegrass, informed me that the banjoist was “Keith-ing.” The entire induction ceremony was moving and unforgettable.

The Changing of the GuardThe only executive director MBOTMA has ever known, Jed Malischke, is leaving his post at the end of 2015. Under Jed’s leadership, the organization has increased its number of yearly bluegrass festival experiences from one to five. Each event has a core of similar experiences, but each event has its own identity. Two are located in the Twin Cities metro area, three are in Greater Minnesota, and all are run by committed staffs of volunteers that happily provide quality events. It’s all set in motion by Jed, whose wise and calm leadership has steered the MBOTMA through all sorts of weather. Hats off to Jed in honor of a job well done.

Lasy year’s successful fund-raiser, 12 to 12, will be repeated in January 2016 under the name Jedfest.

Let’s say thanks, too, to JoAnne Makela, editor of this newsletter, who is stepping down after this issue of Minnesota Bluegrass. During her tenure, many board members remarked on how good the magazine looks with the changes she made.

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 supporters• Hoffman Guitars www.hoffmanguitars.com (hand crafted Hoffman guitars, authorized Martin repairs)• John Waddle Violins www.waddleviolins.com (dealer of international & domestic, new & old violins, bows, cases)• Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association www.minnesotabluegrass.org (membership organization supporting bluegrass experiences)

Weekly 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.

13December 2015


Check your pulse. Got one? Okay. Then you’re not going to get through Curtis and Loretta’s new album, When There’s Good to Be Done, without shedding some tears. And not because this is a crappy album, but rather because it’s the best, most poignant, most powerful album of the nine this duo has recorded over the last quarter century.

I slipped the CD into my car’s player on a return trip from a gig I had played, and had to pull over or risk driving through tears before the first selection—the title cut—was half over. The song was about a Florida woman who read about a Minnesota child who needed a kidney and decided to give her one of her own. This was not going to be your typical folk album; this was going to be more “Jimmy Crack Corn and I Do Care.”

The genesis of this album was a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant given to Loretta Simonet, the pair’s songwriter. She used it to seek out and interview people with stories to tell and, with her partner Curtis Teague, created this fine album beautifully recorded by Doug Lohman at Armadillo Sound.

These are amazing stories—of a survivor of the 35W bridge collapse, of Native children raised and abused in state schools, of the parents of severely autistic children—and each song is more powerful than the last. Some of them are sad, some of them make you angry and some are sweet-but-not-saccharin.

I am appreciative of the inclusion of a lyric booklet with this CD, although I first listened to this recording in my car and was able to understand every word (it’s astonishing how many albums there are of which that can’t be said). At the front of each song is a picture of the song’s subject and a thumbnail of their story. This makes an already personal album all the more so.

Loretta’s songwriting has improved steadily over the years and now, a hun-dred songs later, it sparkles. It’s hard to

write topical songs: one has to adhere to a nar-rative arc into which, because a true story is being told, words like “neurotypical” and phrases like “ovarian cancer” must be adroitly inserted. That it may sound like I’m trying to be funny here attests to the difficulty of this task.

Never timid vocal-izers, Curtis and Loretta sing with the confidence of a team who knows that they’ve got good material and good stuff. C & L’s promo sheet references Curtis’s tight harmony singing, a char-acterization with which I disagree. Tight harmony would have Curtis right next to Loretta, tonally, like the Navy’s Blue Angels flying in wingtip-to-wingtip formation, but Curtis is everywhere, in a good way. One of the benefits of a two-voice configuration (as opposed to three or four voices singing in har-mony) is that the second voice has lots of leeway—tonal options. It can sing a third harmony, or a fifth, or a seventh, or an octave, or an accidental, or in unison, and Curtis does all of these. So rather than the Blue Angels, the aeronautical image is more of a Simonet Regional Airlines plane flying straight and true and a Teague Gyrocopter circling, dip-ping and diving, but never colliding. This is one of my favorite things about C & L: one never knows exactly where Curtis is going to line up vocally against any given note in Loretta’s melodies but—and this is critical—he always lands on a right note. His choices delight; he is the consummate Happy Wanderer.

Instrumentally, the pair are a folkie power duo. Capable of double-digitry, they limit themselves to a half dozen

Review

Curtis & Loretta: When There’s Good to Be DoneBy Adam Granger

instruments on When There’s Good to Be Done. Loretta is a fine guitar player who understands the value of the bass note and the strum as separate entities and handles them deftly. And her folk harp playing just gets better and better. Curtis plays mandocello, banjo and guitar, managing, as he always does, an alchemical combination of sangfroid and devil-may-care in his playing. A host of guests round out the album complement, including a women’s choir that redefines “spirited” on the last cut, “Willmar Eight (We Are All Equal You Know).

When There’s Good to Be Done is a gem, and would make one heckuva great Christmas present. Just sayin’.

Photo by Jennifer Bong; cover design by Crystal Rockvam

14 December 2015

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15December 2015


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Dick Kimmel & Co publicity photo (2000). Left to right: Dick Kimmel, Ron Siegel, Bill Liners, Paul Horrisberger, Jed Malischke

16 December 2015

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DecemberFRI 11 – Roe Family SingersSAT 12 – Ivory BridgeFRI 18 – Phil Kitze & The ResonatorsSAT 19 – Captain Gravitone & The String Theory OrchestraSAT 26 – The New Distractions

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17December 2015


Bluegrass guitar player David Grier, resi-dent of Nashville by way of Maryland, braved a frosty week in Minnesota and Wisconsin last month. His mini-tour took him to house concerts in Duluth, Lake City and LaCrosse, concerts at Recovery Bike Shop in Minneapolis and Creek House north of St. Paul, and an appearance in Faribault with Special Consensus. And speaking of consensus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a guitar player who wouldn’t place Grier at or near the top of his field, so it was a rare opportunity for northland bluegrass fans to see and hear one of the best. He didn’t disappoint.

It’s pretty clear that when it comes to bluegrass, Grier was to the manner born. His father Lamar was an accomplished banjo player in the D.C. area, and David remembers attending jams with his folks from his earliest years. In the mid-60s Lamar got a call from Bill Monroe, and toured as a banjo-playing Bluegrass Boy through much of the decade, his grow-ing son in tow. At age six, David picked up his dad’s 1955 D-18 and learned a few chords. He’s had one guitar or another in his hands pretty much ever since. Besides his father, early influences were Roland and Clarence White of the Kentucky Colonels. The latter’s inno-vative timing and phrasing remain an undercurrent in David’s style. Well, at least insofar as there is a Grier style.

Somewhat paradoxically, Grier’s style consists largely of having the physical capacity and mental agility to be uncon-strained by anything that would nor-mally be characterized as a “style.” He tends to go where the moment takes him and, if the moment is right, it takes him places most bluegrass players never see. Minnesota audiences got to share some of those moments last month.

A funny thing about Grier is that over the years his appearance is just about as unpredictable as his music. When he walked onto the stage of the

Review

David Grier does Duluth (and the rest of Minnesota, too)By Bob Dodd

Paradise Center in Faribault on November 11, he looked a bit like the Buddhist monk of bluegrass, sport-ing a shaved head and a wispy white beard no wider than his mouth, but almost a foot long. Another surprise he brought this time around, which hasn’t appeared in all his considerable recorded output, was his voice. In his opening set he included three vocals on original songs, and took the lead vocal when he joined Special C for an on-stage jam on the bluegrass chestnut “Dark Hollow.” He did a creditable job.

Still, it is his guitar mastery that will always take the spotlight, and so it was this time around. His solo takes on old fiddle tunes such as “Red-Haired Boy,” “Blackberry Blossom,” “Midnight on the Water” and others stretched them rhyth-mically and harmonically, but never to the breaking point. Grier also played beautiful versions of lesser-known tunes such as a waltz he picked up in Finland (from performers billed as the Polka Chicks) and Art Stamper’s latter-day fiddle tune “John Riley the Shepherd.” Some of the best moments came when he played his own compositions “High Atop Princess Cove,” “As It Rolls to the Sea” and the lilting “Cascade” (which, in typical Grier fashion, he suggested could be named after either a waterfall or a dishwashing detergent).

If you want to find out more about Grier, check out davidgrier.com, or, best of all, listen to his music.

David Grier: A Select Discography• Freewheeling (1991). His first CD

under his own name leads off with his tune “Wheeling,” accompanied by Wyatt Rice, and shows the early influence of Wyatt’s brother Tony.

• Climbing the Walls (1991). With mandolin master Mike Compton. A classic. Grier and Compton are reunited in the Helen Highwater Band, with Shad Cobb and Missy Raines.

• The View From Here (1998). By Matt Flinner. Grier has done some of his best recorded work with mandolinist Flinner, both on Flinner’s CDs and in a trio with bass player Todd Phillips.

• I’ve Got the House to Myself (2002). Just Grier and his guitar. Old fiddle tunes reconceived with remarkable imagination and virtuosity.

• Now Hear This (2006). By Psychograss. With Grier, Darol Anger, Tony Trischka, Mike Marshall and Todd Phillips. Progressive, pushing-the-limits bluegrass par excellence.

• Fly On the Wall (2014). Recorded in 1998 with fiddler James Leva and banjo player Dirk Powell. With a great solo version of the old minstrel tune “Golden Slippers.”

Creek House owner Glenn Elvig and David Grier. Photo: Bob Dodd

18 December 2015

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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

November 27—Friday• Leo Kottke with Nick Forster and

Friends, FITZ, 8pm• Nordic Bees, Christmas at the Fort &

Runestone Museum, Alexandria, 3pm• Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing,

9960 Wayzata Blvd, MplsNovember 28—Saturday• APHC broadcast from The Town Hall,

New York City, 4:45pm

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 ATTRACTIONSDecember 31—New Year’s Eve • Mike Dowling & Randy Sabien, Creek

House, 7pm• Monroe Crossing, Sheldon Theater,

Redwing, 7pm• Southside Aces & Patty and the

Buttons, Eagles Club, 6:30pm

December 3Whiskey Junction Bluegrass/Americana Night, 901 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-338-9550 9pm The Moss Piglets 10pm Blue Groove 11pm Jackson and the Roosters

December 6The Platte Valley Boys and Blue Hazard 7th Annual Christmas Show Tickets $10, food available, Oak Park Heights Hall & Club, 5880 Omaha Ave N, Oak Park Heights, MN, 651-342-1249, 3:30–6pm

To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to [email protected]

• Contra Dance with Danebodium, TAP, 7:30pm

• Gales of November, with Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Ruth MacKenzie, Eric Peltoniemi and more, Concert version of the play “Ten November,” about the Edmund Fitzgerald, FITZ, 8pm

• Long Time Gone, 5th Annual Holiday Bluegrass Show, HOB, 7pm

• Pushing Chain, Cannon River Winery, 421 Mill St W, Cannon Falls, MN, 1pm

• Pushing Chain, DUL, 8pmNovember 29—Sunday• Gales of November, with Peter

Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Ruth MacKenzie, Eric Peltoniemi, Concert version of “Ten November,” about the Edmund Fitzgerald, FITZ, 2pm

• Jack Klatt and His Band with Barbara Jean & Molly Dean, CED, 7:30pm

19December 2015


• Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons, AST, 11am

November 30—Monday• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pmDecember 1—Tuesday• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm• The Gibson Brothers, DAK, 7pm• Mark Kreitzer & Dean Harrington,

Noonartsounds, University of St. Thomas (main library), 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, 1pm

December 2—Wednesday• Katy Vernon, AST, 9pm• Monroe Crossing, City Center Atrium,

40 S 7th St, Mpls, 11:30amDecember 3—Thursday• Bob Bovee/Charlie Parr, Lanesboro

Arts at St. Mane Theater, 103 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN, 507-467-2446, $12, 7:30pm

• Punch Brothers with Gabriel Kahnane, State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls, 800-982-2787, 8pm

• Sherry Minnick and Phil Nusbaum play the Great American Songbook, Club Prior at Prior Lake Library, 16210 Eagle Creek Ave, Prior Lake, 7pm

• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm• Whiskey Junction Bluegrass/Americana

Night, 901 Cedar Ave, Mpls, 612-338-9550, 9pm The Moss Piglets, 10pm Blue Groove, 11pm Jackson and the Roosters

December 4—Friday• Dr. Ralph Stanley with Nathan Stanley

& The Clinch Mountain Boys, CED, 8pm

• Lonesome Dan Chase, DuG, 7:30pm• Monroe Crossing, Marion Ross

Performming Arts Center, 147 N Broadway, Albert Lea, MN, 7:30pm

• Pat Donohue, BoDD, 7:30pm• Pushing Chain, Pearl Street Brewery,

1401 St. Andrew St, La Crosse, WI, 6pm• Singleton Street, Schram Vineyards,

8785 Airport Rd, Waconia, MN, 6pmDecember 5—Saturday• APHC broadcast from The Town

Hall, with guest Heather Masse, NYC, 4:45pm

• Contra Dance with Greenwood Tree, TAP, 7:30pm

• Curtis & Loretta, The Landing, 2187 E Hwy 101, Shakopee, 763-694-7784, 1pm

• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake, MN, 9am

• The High 48s, AST, New holiday album CD release, $15, reservations: 612-379-3138, 9pm

• Jillian Rae and Band, OAK, 8pm• Monroe Crossing, Lakeville Area Arts

Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, MN, 2pm & 7pm

• Nordic Bees, American Swedish Institute, Annual Julmarknad (Christmas Market), 10:15am

• Pushing Chain, Elmaro Vineyard, N14756 Delaney Rd, Trempealeau, WI, 1pm

• Pushing Chain, Leo and Leona’s Tavern & Dance Hall, W1436 State Road 33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm

• Simple Gifts with Billy McLaughlin, ZuM, 7:30pm

• Singleton Street, Delano Olde Fashioned Christmas, Delano,MN

• Steven Earl Howard - Hillbilly Music for the Soul, Hog N the Road BBQ, 218 Atlantic Ave W, Grove City, MN, 320-857-2333, 6:30pm

December 6—Sunday• Monroe Crossing, Pine City Schools

Auditorium, 1400 Main St, Pine City, MN, 3:30pm


• 7th Annual Platte Valley Boys ~ Blue Hazard Christmas Show, Oak Park Heights Hall & Club, 5880 Omaha Ave N, Oak Park Heights, MN, 651-342-1249, $10, 3:30pm

December 7—Monday• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pmDecember 8—Tuesday• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pmDecember 9—Wednesday• Cooker John, DuG, 7:30pm-9:30pm• Katy Vernon, AST, 9pm• Mark Stillman & Francine, EAG, 8pm• Pop Wagner: Rolling on a Winter’s

Night celebrates U of M Libraries’ new Minnesota folk music archive, 120 Elmer L. Andersen Library, Mpls, 7pm

December 10—Thursday• Pushing Chain at Charlie Roth Song

Circle, Veranda Lounge, 22 5th Ave S, Saint Cloud, MN, 4pm

• SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm

December 11—Friday• Katie McMahon’s Celtic Christmas,

The O’Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul, 7:30pm

• Monroe Crossing, Peace Lutheran Church, 400 Franklin St SW, Hutchinson, MN, 7pm

• No Man’s String Band and Bernie King and the Guilty Pleasures, HB, 7 pm

• Okee Dokee Brothers, CED, 8pm• Pushing Chain, BoDD, 7:30pm• Roe Family Singers, DUL, 8pm-10pm• Sara Pajunen, New York Mills Cultural

Center, 24 Main Ave N, New York Mills• The Don Juans (Jon Vezner & Don

Henry), CrH, 7pmDecember 12—Saturday• Ace in the Hole, GKb, TBA• APHC from The Town Hall with The

DiGiallonardo Sisters, Heather Masse, NYC, 4:45 pm

• Bob Bovee, Roots Cellar, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, $15; $10 students/seniors, 7pm

• Contra Dance with Contratopia, TAP, 7:30pm

• Creek House Christmas, CrH, 7pm• The Don Juans, ZuM, 7:30pm• The High 48s, Holiday Show, New

London Little Theater, 24 Central Ave E, New London, MN, 7pm

• Ivory Bridge, DUL, 8pm-10pm• King Wilkies Dream, Bluegrass /

Christmas show, HOB, 7pm• Michael Johnson, HOPK, 8pm, 7pm

Social Hour• Okee Dokee Brothers, CED, 11am &

2pm• Riverside Bog Stompers, AGr, 10am• Wild Goose Chase Cloggers, EAG, 2pm

& 5pmDecember 13—Sunday• Elizabeth Ghandour & The

Heighburners, AST, 8pm• High 48’s, St Paul Yacht Club, 375 W.

Water St, St. Paul, Holiday Concert• Swing Brunch with Patty and the

Buttons, AST, 11amDecember 14—Monday• New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, Cajun/

Zydeco Dances, $8, 7:30pm• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pmDecember 15—Tuesday• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm

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December 16—Wednesday• Bill Cagley, DuG, 7:30pm• Lenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm• Pushing Chain, Bent Paddle Taproom,

1912 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MNDecember 17—Thursday• Annual Louisiana Rhythms Christmas

Benefit for Second Harvest, EAG, 7:30pm

• Four Mile Portage, AGr, 5pm• Lonnie Knight, DuG, 7:30pmDecember 18—Friday• Ann Reed with Joan Griffith, ZuM,

7:30pm• Curtis & Loretta, Uptown Bill’s, Iowa

City, IA, 7pm• Fendrick and Peck, BoDD, 7:30pm• Pushing Chain, Castle Danger Brewery,

17 7th St, Two Harbors, MN, 7pmDecember 19—Saturday• Andrea Lynn & Friends w/ Dick

Kimmel, GKb• APHC broadcast from FITZ, 4:45pm• Captain Gravitone and The String

Theory Orchestra, DUL, 8pm• Charlie Parr, OAK, 8pm• Contra Dance with Pig’s Eye Landing,

TAP, 7:30pm• Curtis & Loretta, Hickory Ridge

Concerts, at Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, IL, 7pm

• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, 16731 Hwy 13 S, Prior Lake, 9am

• The High 48s, holiday show, ZUM, $16/$19, 7:30pm

• Monroe Crossing, The Historic Palace Theater, 104 E Main St, Luverne, MN, 7:30pm

• SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pmDecember 20—Sunday• High 48’s, Pleasant Corner

Schoolhouse, W11798 Pleasant Corner Rd, Stockholm, WI, 1pm

• Monroe Crossing, Pioneer Place on 5th, 22 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN, 7:30pm


December 21—Monday• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pmDecember 22—Tuesday• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pmDecember 23—Wednesday• Katy Vernon: Holiday Residency, AST,

9pmDecember 26—Saturday• Contra Dance with Light of the Moon,

TAP, 7:30pmDecember 27—Sunday• Pat Donohue, AST, 8pm• Swing Brunch with Patty and the

Buttons, AST, 11amDecember 28—Monday• Millie & the Heavyweights with Blake

Miller, EAG, 7:30pm• The Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pmDecember 29—Tuesday• Jugg Sluggers, RIV, 7pm

December 30—Wednesday• Katy Vernon, AST, 9pmDecember 31—Thursday• Mike Dowling & Randy Sabien, CrH,

7pm• Monroe Crossing, SHL, 7pm• New Year’s Eve with Southside Aces &

Patty and the Buttons, EAG, 6:30pmJanuary preview• 7, Thur. The Rockin’ Pinecones, EAG,

7:30pm• 9, Sat. Dan Newton’s Cafe Accordion

Orchestra, CED, 8pm• 11, Mon. Terr-Douglas Quintet, EAG,

7:30pm• 14, Thur. Southside Aces, EAG, 8pm• 15, Fri. King Wilkie’s Dream, Granite

City Folk Society, BoDD, 7:30pm• 16, Sat. APHC from War Memorial

Opera House, with Ellie Dehn, Heather Masse, San Francisco, CA, 4:45pm

• 16, Sat. No Man’s String Band, 318, 8pm

• 23, Sat. APHC from San Diego Civic Theatre with Chris Thile, Heather Masse, San Diego, CA, 4:45pm

• 23, Sat. MBOTMA’S 2016 Fundraiser JedFest! Celebration of Jed Malischke’s 29 years of service with MBOTMA, VFW, 8100 Pleasant View Dr, Spring Lake Park, 12pm–12am

• 23, Sat. Swamp Pop Extravaganza Number 7, Fundraiser for 2nd Harvest, EAG, 7:30pm

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21December 2015


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BLUEGRASS BANDSAlternate Route, Jerry Knopik, 651-208-5565, jerryknopicks01@ gmail.com Alzen Family, Brad Alzen, 715-749-3977, [email protected] Stevenson & Highwater, Art Stevenson, 715-884-6996, [email protected] Picking, Jon Garon, 612-839-2277, [email protected] Family Singers, Peter Benson,, [email protected] Boys, Daniel Fish, 763-434-2734, [email protected] Groove, David Smith, 952-974-5121, [email protected] Hazard, Hannah Johnson, 651-500-0747, [email protected] Wolf, Shirley Mauch, 612-724-1482, [email protected], Ryan.Morgan, 715-781-2989, [email protected] River Ramblers, Marty Solmon, 218-850-8715, [email protected] Fever, Jeanie Wyttenbach, 507- 635-5625, [email protected] Creek Bluegrass, Tom Monsen, 952-466-2089, [email protected] Lester, Lincoln Potter, 651-483-0469, [email protected] Kimmel & Co, Dick Kimmel, 507-359-1163, [email protected] Fake McCoys, Bob Cameron, 807-626-0568, [email protected] Fish Heads, Kim Curtis-Monson, 218-729-5326, [email protected] Good Intentions, Chris Silver, 651- 491-4013, [email protected] Family Band, Loren Halvorson, 507-345-7431, loren@ birchcovesoftware.comHand Picked Bluegrass, Joe Cronick, 715-966-6463, [email protected] High 48s, Eric Christopher, 651-271-4392, [email protected] Bridge, Kathe & Bill Liners, 952-237-0913, [email protected]

JedFest, Jed Malischke, [email protected] Kalisch Family, Sandy Kalisch, 507-744-3348, [email protected] Wilkie’s Dream, Robbi Podrug, 612-562-8402, [email protected]’s Countrymen, Lorn Schultz, 715-495-5275, [email protected] King’s Highway, Eddy Van Pamhorst, 807-630-9914, gemvan@ tbaytel.netThe Kingery Family, Christy Kingery, [email protected] Lonesome Tradition, Tim Roggenkamp, 218-568-5559, [email protected] Long Shots, Sophie Galep, 715-233-0181, [email protected] Time Gone, Ben Manning, 651-388-7383, [email protected] and the Fisks, Jeanne Rostad, 952-807-3253, [email protected] Kreitzer Band, Mark Kreitzer, 612-724-7334, [email protected] Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Al Jesperson, 612-727-2489, [email protected] Blue, Kelton Parrish, 651-697-0209, [email protected] Crossing, Art Blackburn, 763-213-1349, [email protected] Man’s String Band, Nic Hentges, 612-387-0196, [email protected] Lights Bluegrass, Mary Campbell, 320-679-3094, [email protected] Posse, Arlette Solom, 218- 463-0710, [email protected] Family Band, Molli Ophoven, 218-327-2058, [email protected] Platte Valley Boys, Ron Colby, 651-458-0804, [email protected] Creek, Sarah Birkeland, 218-624-1781, [email protected], Bonnie Hallett, 320-485-3310, [email protected] of the Prairie, Sarah Cagley, [email protected] River Band, Chuck Lahr, 563-927-2457, [email protected] Bog Stompers, David Darnell, 218-260-6546, [email protected]

Sarah Mae & The Birkeland Boys, Wendy Birkeland, 218-624-1781, [email protected] Brothers, MJ Moravec, 507- 990-6456, [email protected] Seldom Herd, Gary Cobus, 612-859-9013, [email protected] Grass, Katy Valine, 651-982-0599, [email protected] Street, Sherri Leyda, 763-972-2341, [email protected] Junction, Karen Radford, 612- 623-0261, [email protected], David Anderson, 952-474-0981, [email protected] Woodpicks, Joel Kezar, 218-681-2148, [email protected]

OLD-TIME STRINGBANDSBob & Lynn Dixon, Lynn Dixon, 612-377-6819, [email protected] Bovee, 507-498-5452, [email protected] Bootlickers, Irina Rossi, [email protected] Eelpout Stringers, Karl Burke, 651-784-7323, [email protected] Gritpickers, Rob Daves, 612-822-0085, [email protected] Benny, David Furniss, 651-699-0557, [email protected] Roe Family Singers, Quillan Roe, 612-599-0266, [email protected] River Ramblers, Eric Hatling, 715-772-4421, [email protected] String Band, Doug Wells, 218-736-4469, [email protected] Tune Jerks, Bob Douglas, 651-778-1395, [email protected] Goose Chase Cloggers, Jim Brooks, 612-419-4576, [email protected] The Other Eye, David Gourhan, 651-674-8668, [email protected]

MBOTMA Member Bands

23December 2015


RELATED GENRE BANDSAlabaster Falls, Julie Kaiser, 218-308-3131, [email protected] Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund, Brian Wicklund, 651-433-4564, [email protected] Flaming, Benji Flaming, 612-326-6521, [email protected] King & The Guilty Pleasures, Bernie King, 763-242-6943, [email protected] & Kate Isles, Bill Isles, 218-340-4404, [email protected] Gospel Trio, Timothy Johnson, 763-464-3481, [email protected] Yodel #9, John Whitehead, 651-641-0752, [email protected] Dad, John Soderberg, 612-441-7382, [email protected] Grass, Matt Johnson, 612-462-3546, [email protected]’s Jammers, Barb Carlson, 763-784-7881, [email protected] & Loretta, Loretta Simonet, 612- 781-9537, [email protected] Cajun Band, Doug Lohman, 612-306-3490, [email protected] D Harvey & the Ultrasonic Duo, Donald Harvey, 608-781-3456, [email protected] North, Louise Wiermaa, 218-590-7654, [email protected] Flemming Fold, Sandra Flemming, 952-758-7522, [email protected] Gospel Band, Vicki Andersen, 952-457-7672, [email protected] Tree, Bill Cagley, 651-636-9542, [email protected] Hacklewrappers, Mark Rubbert, 612-387-8189, [email protected] & Rose Band, John Vincent, 218-766-1925, [email protected] Mueller & Friends, Karen Mueller, 612-270-4740, karen@ karenmueller.comMcInnis Kitchen, Susan Spencer, 218- 391-4735, [email protected] Duo, Mary DuShane, 612-724-5341, [email protected] Moss Piglets, Ian Gamble, 651- 644-0810, [email protected] Banjo, Ellen Stanley, 612-281-1364, [email protected]

New Riverside Ramblers, Eric Mohring, 612-724-4687, [email protected] Grass Limit, Sandi Millar, 763-439-3515, [email protected] Bees, Renee Vaughan, 651-295-4200, [email protected] and Then, Daniel Fish, 763-786-2524, [email protected]’Neil Family Band, Jeanne O’Neil, 218-773-3850, [email protected] Near Sandstone, Michael McGregor, 612-998-8647, michael@ hellobooking.comPeter Ostroushko, 612-529-2884, [email protected]’ Up Steam, Dale Martell, 612-387-0152, [email protected] Chain, Ann Iijima, 651-707-3545, [email protected] Corner, Jeanne Marti, 763-559-7552, [email protected] R Dugan, Shawn Dugan, 952-737-7705, [email protected] Skin & Bones, Holle Brian, 612-822-6593, [email protected] Minnick & Jackson Buxton, Sherry Minnick, 651-644-8682, [email protected], Soren Olesen, 218-634-2800, [email protected] Earl Howard - Hillbilly Music, Steven Howard, 952-595-9819, [email protected] Beans, Chick Pea & Garbonzo, Roger Cuthbertson, 612-474-2476, [email protected] At Birth, Rick Anderson, 651-230-2431, [email protected] & L Schwartz & Family, Linda Schwartz, 701-659-3154, [email protected] Trio, Jay Forney, 218-681-8172, [email protected]’d Out, John Trelstad, 701-212-0015, [email protected] Hamilton, 612-508-0768, [email protected] Weasels, George Rothenberger, 612- 724-6911, [email protected] Bellied Sapsuckers, Joe Hart, 414-439-2004, [email protected]

24 December 2015

Minne

sotaBlue

grass.org

Minnesota BluegrassFebruary 2016

Articles, Ads, Coming Up, and News Clips

Deadline: January 1, 2016

Send to: [email protected]

LaPlant Instrumentsmaker of fine

mandolins & guitars

Buy - TradeSell - Repair

(stringed instruments)

31751 LaPlant RoadGrand Rapids, MN 55744

218-326-4456

Don’t miss these future

MBOTMA Festivals Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass

& Old-Time Music Association

The 12th Annual

April 15-17, 2016 Radisson Lakeview Hotel

Downtown, Duluth MN

The newest of MBOTMA’s festivals, this event is growing leaps and bounds. We are moving to a new venue in 2016, back to our original location at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Duluth, where they will let us jam all night long (yippeeee!). We’re planning stage shows, a draw band contest, workshops, a Saturday headline concert with TBA, and lots of jam sessions. Get your reservation in now before all the rooms are gone! Call the Radisson for our special lodging rate at 218-727-8981 and tell them you have “Cabin Fever.”

The 24th Annual

June 3-5, 2016 El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St Cloud, MN

A three day outdoor music and

camping festival with stage shows by more than twenty regional performers of traditional bluegrass, old-time stringband, and related forms of acoustic music. Plus workshops, “Jam With The Bands,” the Gathering Place, and plenty of jam sessions.

El Rancho Mañana is the largest campground in Minnesota and boasts horse back riding, a swimming beach, boating, fishing, showers, and other amenities. Join us for an intimate musical weekend with some of the friendliest folks you will ever meet!

These festivals are 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.

The 37th Annual

Aug 11-14, 2016 El Rancho Mañana 20 mi W of St Cloud, MN

Four big days of top national and regional bluegrass and old-time stringband music on six separate stage venues. Over thirty hours of main stage concerts. Plus instrument showcases, nightly dances, over thirty workshops, kids activities, good food, and plenty of campground jam sessions. Come for the day or camp for the weekend.

Come see why the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival has been nominated five times (2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, & 2014) for the EVENT OF THE YEAR Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in Nashville.

For More Info: 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org

26 December 2015

Minne

sotaBlue

grass.org

Celebrate the holidays with Monroe Crossing!A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing

Wednesday, Dec. 2 11:30 am to 1 pmCity Center Holiday Concert SeriesCity Center Atrium, 40 South 7th Street

Minneapolis, MN 612-384-1229

Friday, Dec. 4 7:30 pmMarion Ross Performing Arts Center147 North Broadway

Albert Lea, MN 507-377-4371

Saturday, Dec. 5 2:00 & 7:00 pmLakeville Area Arts Center20965 Holyoke Avenue

Lakeville, MN 952-985-4640

Sunday, Dec. 6 3:30 pmPine City Schools Auditorium400 Main Street South

Pine City, MN

Friday, Dec. 11 7:00 pmPeace Lutheran Church400 Franklin Street SW

Hutchinson, MN 320-587-3031

Saturday, Dec. 19 7:30 p.m.The Historic Palace Theatre104 East Main Street

Luverne, MN 507-283-8294

Sunday, Dec. 20 7:30 pmPioneer Place on Fifth22 Fifth Avenue South

St. Cloud, MN 320-203-0331

A New Year’s Eve with Monroe Crossing

Thursday, Dec. 31 7:00 pmThe Sheldon Theatre 443 West Third Street

Red Wing, MN 800-899-5759

Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for detailed information on all our concerts! Booking: Art Blackburn, 844-monroeX or 763-213-1349, [email protected]

27December 2015


7th AnnualPlatte Valley ~ Blue Hazard

Christmas ShowSunday, December 6th, 2015; 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Food and BeveragesAvailable!

TICKETS: $10 at door

The Platte Valley BoysFeaturing Fiddlers Tom Schaefer & Catie Jo Pidel

Blue Hazard

Sponsored in part by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association

Oak Park Heights Hall5880 OmahaAve. No.

Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 651-342-1249

MerryChristmas

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

The T-shirt Team needs some help selling merchandise at MBOTMA festivals and events throughout the year. Find out how you can join this lively group of volunteers on page 9 under Help Wanted. Photo: Steve Chollar

an amazing ride with jed p. 5 - minnesotabluegrass.org · youth representative: sarah cagley ......

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