pert near sandstone...strategic plan was completed in 2009. a strategic plan is akin to a road map;...

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Thank you, MN Bluegrass members

August 2019Vol. 45

No. 7Newsstand: $3

Subscription: $35

Membership as of Aug 2019: 804www.minnesotabluegrass.org

MBOTMA Hot Line(to subscribe and for other information)651-456-8919 - [email protected]. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass

Minnesota Bluegrass Board of DirectorsPresident: Laura Cooper - [email protected] President: Nic HentgesTreasurer: Robbi PodrugSecretary: Shane ZackBoard Members: Term expires 2019: Alan Jesperson Bill Lindroos - [email protected] Rudy Marti - [email protected]

Mitch Rea - [email protected] expires 2020: Dale Gruber - [email protected] Brett Day, Wayne HamiltonYouth Representative: Theo Hougen-Eitzman - [email protected] Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month. Con-tact info@minnesotabluegrass or call for locationBoard Meeting Minutes are available - [email protected] or call: 651-456-8919.

Minnesota Bluegrass StaffExecutive Director: Darcy Schatz [email protected] Events Manager: Matt Johnson [email protected]

Minnesota Bluegrass MagazineEditor: Doug Lohman, [email protected]: Bob Douglas, Wayne Erbsen, Phillip Nusbaum, Nate SipeComing Up: Loretta Simonet, John BrandbergY’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn ConlinPhotography: David Ellis, Jayme Halbritter, Meagan Johnson, Scotify Photography Cover: Jayme Halbritter Back: Doug LohmanDeadline for submissions: The 1st of the month preceding publicationSubmit content or request advertising guidelines at: [email protected].

Silver level: Peter Albrecht, Ann & Tony Anthonisen,

Daryll and Mary Arntson, Lenny & Colleen Baltus, Gary & Karen Bartig, Ron & Kathy Blade, Christopher Boone, Clifton Brittain,

Barry and Annie Brooks, Doug Chasar, Katryn Conlin, Laura Cooper, Bob & Marilyn Dodd, Doug Duncan, Craig Evans, Jennifer Faulkner,

Mark & Kathleen Fisher, Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr,Tom & Jill Furrer, Jon & Sharon Garon, Paul Gille, David Glatt,

Dale & Diane Gruber, Tom & Marlys Gustafson,Michael & Paula Hildebrandt, David & Laurie Hougen-Eitzman,

Mabel Houle, Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke, Roger & Maggie Jorgenson, Jim Lally, Loren Lautug,

Douglas Lohman, Richard Luckeroth, Rudy & Jeanne Marti, Bill Merrill, Douglas & Georgene Nesheim, Lincoln Potter,

Tom & Cathy Schaefer, Marty & Carol Schirber, Thomas & Barbara Schommer, Thomas & Maragaret Schuveiller,

Penelope Scialla, Denise & Tony Stachnik, Donna Velasco, Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe, Suzanne Weinstein,

Jane West, John Wilcox

Bronze Level:Vicki Andersen, Rod & Barb Anderson, Vaughn Asselstine, Kenneth & Ann Bloch, Jon Boylan and MariAnne Ludwig,

Mark Briere, Jane Conger, Brian Cornell, Hal Davis, Gary Dunny and Joanne Bartkus, Mary DuShane, Matt Edwards ,

Leon Evans, Nathan Fjeld, Mary Ellen Fox, Jim Franczyk , Dayle Goskesen and Wayne Skov, Warren Gumeson,

Marcel Hofmann, David & Mildred Holm, John Johnson, Mark Johnson, Harlan Jones, Chris Juettner, Wil Kelley, Debra Koehn , Lloyd and Bev LaPlant, Thomas Leach, Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler, Maggie MacKaman,

Mac & Nancy McKay, Jim & Geri McLennan, Mary & Bob Mc Sorley, Karla Menzel, Corey Mohan,

James Natwick, David Nelson, Lisa Nielsen, Dennis & Jan O’Brien, Dominic Orrico, Bob Oslund, Brin Petersen,Gary Peterson, Don Pope, Dick and Jeanne Reierson, Larry & Connie Rew,

Wendy Schoen, Brett Smith, Howell Smith, Rory & Marian Thompson, Ross & Elizabeth Vaughan,

Christopher Walchuk, Tim Wankel, David & Bonnie Warner, Carole Wilson, William Wolf, Jeff Wood

Minnesota Bluegrass is published 11 times a year by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission

from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manuscripts. ©2019 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. ISBN 0891-0537.

Mission Statement:To preserve and promote bluegrass and

old-time stringband music in and around the state of Minnesota.

Platium level:Philip Nusbaum &Karen Van Norman

Gold level:David Tousley & Margaret Brandes

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://www.minnesotabluegrass.orgmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

3August 2019

MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Inside:From the President 3

MNBG Calendar of Events 4Grass Clippings 9

Cover Story: Pert Near Sandstone 12The Great American Tear Jerker 22

Bluegrass Saturday Morning 25Coming Up 26

Tab: Tom & Jerry 31

From the PresidentI’m jazzed about the upcoming August Festival. I look for-

ward to hearing great music from the stages and jams in the campground. We have a fabulous lineup and activities for the whole family. In particular there are great opportunities to im-prove your instrumental prowess with the pre-festival jam camps and the Hands on Workshops (HOW) at the festival. The pre-fes-tival jam camps are a bargain and a lot of fun. After a hiatus, once again we will have an Old-Time jam camp with members of Steam Machine. I understand that the bluegrass jam camp with Monroe Crossing is almost full.

Please consider volunteering for a shift or two at the festival. The volunteer schedule is up on the website and it’s user friendly. According to member surveys, most August Fest attendees heard about it from someone else. In other words--tell everyone you know about it.

In some ways, it feels like the board is in a bit of a lull, but it is just an illusion. We are working on a new strategic plan. The last strategic plan was completed in 2009. A strategic plan is akin to a road map; where are we going and how are we going to get there. Another project involves updating the bylaws, with an incredible amount of legalese. The law firm of Messerli & Kramer P.A. has been been providing Minnesota Bluegrass with legal advice pro bono. We appreciate their help.

The program committee also has a full plate and has been meeting regularly. Because of financial constraints, staff capaci-ty, and an insufficient number of volunteers at most of our events, we once again find ourselves in a position wherein we truly need to scale back on the number of events we produce. As a result, the program committee needs to revisit the 2020 program. The program plan for 2021 also needs to be developed and adopted by the full board at our October 2019 board meeting.

Board elections will be held with ballots being submitted via email, snail mail and in person at the Fall Jam. We need to devel-op the roster of candidates well in advance of the election. If you are interested in serving on our organization’s board of directors, please contact Shane Zach, board secretary. Ideally, prospective candidates will attend a board meeting or two to become familiar with how the board functions.

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 will help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota.

Individual $35

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events dis-counts for one person, and a free classified ad.

Family $50

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

Band $75

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance booking information for MBOTMA events, a free classified ad, and listings in the MBOTMA member band directory in print and on our website.

Bronze Level $100

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, and a free clas-sified ad.

Silver Level $150

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, and a free clas-sified ad.

Gold Level$500

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, a free classified ad, and more.

Platinum Level$1000

Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class postage, events discounts, a free classified ad, and more.

Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual, family or band membership.

Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online.

Or mail in your personal information and payment to:MBOTMA, P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416

Call 651-456-8919 for details or if you would like to join by phone.

Funding for Minnesota Bluegrass is pro-vided 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


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Get a PDF of Minnesota Bluegrass - Save us postage. If you are already a member and want to receive Minnesota Bluegrass in electronic form instead of by postal mail, it will be emailed to you directly before it is available to the general public. If you only want the digital copy or you have problems opening the file, please contact the Minnesota Bluegrass editor at [email protected]. Or, log into the website and change that prefer-ence yourself.

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

The following events are presented or supported in part by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association 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.

Complete Info/Tickets at: www.minnesotabluegrass.org

August 8-11, 2019 - Thursday-SundayMinnesota Bluegrass

August FestivalEl Ranch Mañana

Richmond, MNPresented by The MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Assn

August 30-31, 2019 - Friday-SaturdayMinnesota Americana Roots

Music Contests at the State FairPresented by The MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Assn

November 15-16 - Friday-SaturdayMinnesota Bluegrass

Fall JamCrown Plaza Hotel

Plymouth, MNPresented by The MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Assn

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music AssnBoard Elections In November

If you are interested in serving the association as a board member, the time is now. Please contact Shane Zack at [email protected]. Monthly board meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM. In addition to that monthly

commitment, board members are encouraged to serve on committees and volunteer at events. Chairs up for election are Secretary, Treasurer, and four Member at Large positions with terms serving through the

end of 2021.To learn about the responsibility of being a non-profit board member, visit the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits

or the Minnesota Attorney General Charities Division websites.

Minnesota Bluegrass needs you! Please consider running for the Board. Thanks!

MinnesotaBluegrass.orgmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.minnesotabluegrass.org

5August 2019


August 8-112019

El Rancho Mañana

Campground,

Richmond, MN

1-651-456-8919 - www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org

Beautiful Main StageShaded Seating Area35 Hours of Concerts

Nightly DancesInstrument Showcases

Children’s ActivitiesOver 20 Workshops

Plenty of Campground Jam Sessions

30 Merchant & Food Booths

Campground with Showers & Beach

Shuttle TransportationA Welcome &

Safe EnvironmentKids Are Free!

Five Time IBMA Event Of The Year Nominee!

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Doyle Lawson & QuicksilverMonroe Crossing

Clay Hess BandMolsky’s Mountain Drifters

Fireside CollectiveSteam Machine - Barley JacksBarbaro - Platte Valley Boys Cousin Dad - Tony Rook BandMash Tun - Honky Tonk Jump

Corpse Reviver - Silver River BandGood Intentions - Sarah Mae & Birkeland Boys Switched at Birth - Georgia Rae Family Band

Tickets on Sale NOW!!

Guitar & Mandolin


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Band ContestSaturday, August 31, 2019

11:30 AM–2:15 PMWest End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair

State Fair ribbons and cash prizes to the top three bands ($1,000/$750/$250). First Place Band wins:

• A paid set at the 2020 Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival• A cover article in Minnesota Bluegrass

• 5 hours of studio time at Wild Sound Recording Studio• A video session at Baby Blue Arts

Go to www.minnesotabluegrass.org for guidelines and to register.Register early - the contests fill fast!

to WI

N BIG!You

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PRIZESA

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Duet ContestFriday, August 30, 2019

11:30 AM–2:15 PMWest End Market Stage, Minnesota State Fair

State Fair ribbons and cash prizes ($500/ $250/$100) to the top three duos.

First Place Duo wins:• 5 hours of studio time at Wild Sound

Recording Studio• A cover article in Minnesota Bluegrass


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Stage showsFireside Live Open MicGMUGWorkshopsTheme jams

November15-16, 2019

Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel

3131 Campus Drive, Plymouth MN

Canote BrothersVerlon Thompson

Lil’ Rev

Tickets and info:


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Located on the banks of the Mississippi River lies the town of Red Wing, famous for Red Wing Shoes, Red Wing Pottery and the musical instrument repair school. This town has long been the destination for weekend getaways due to the charm of the historic downtown and Lake Pepin. On September 7 & 8 of 2019 there will be a new attraction in Red Wing, The Great River Guitar Show. This is an exhibit and concert for the public to enjoy the craft and music of stringed instruments. There will be hand crafted acoustic and electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles, from over 30 makers from the United States and Canada.

The idea began in 2016 when the first show was presented as the Twin Cities Acoustic Guitar Show. After the McNally Smith School of Music closed, the show was forced to find a new home. The Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing was an obvious choice because the school has been teaching instrument repair and guitar and mandolin construction for decades. The show is similar to the 2016 event in that it has a performance stage and amazing instruments, but this year’s show has added attractions. Players’ workshops have been added with presenters Tim Sparks, Pat Donohue, Jerry Kosak, Mark Kreitzer, and Mike Cramer. There will be movies to see; Acoustic Uprising by Drew Roller and Don’t Get Trouble in Your Mind by John Whitehead. Plus, there will be open acoustic jams, a special exhibit of unique and historic stringed instruments, door prizes by D’Addario, and food on site. Admission is only $15.

On Saturday evening at the historic

A New Festival is Coming to Red Wing, MN:The Great River Guitar Show

Sheldon Theatre there will be a concert by national finger style champion and Prairie Home Companion regular Pat Donohue, along with another national finger style champion and international renowned talent, Tim Sparks, plus the unique and versatile guitar of Dean Magraw. On Sunday afternoon there will

be a free outdoor concert at the Harbor Bar just across the river with Annie Mack performing with her band. Annie has been getting attention lately with her recording “Closer.”

For more information, directions and to reserve concert tickets, visit greatriverguitarshow.com

Grass Clippings

Sept. 13, 14, 15, 201921565 360th St, Albany, MN

MUSIC ALL 3 DAYS!Bluegrass in the

New Feature Building (till Noon on Sunday)

Open Mic on stageOpen Jam Session at 10pm Friday and Saturday night

Musicians Welcome

GATES OPEN: 7 AM - FREE PARKINGAdmission: $10.00 per day $18.00 Season Pass

Kids 12 and under Free (when accompanied by an adult) Primative Camping on grounds - $25. Camping Donation - Service Dogs only!

Event Sponsored by: The Stearns County Pioneer ClubLook for us on Facebook (Stearns County Pioneer Club)

WWW.ALBANYPIONEERDAYS.COMFOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL 320-845-7410

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Parade of Tractors:

1:30 pm Saturday, 2:00 pm Sunday Tractors, Cars, & Gas Engines on Display

Threshing DemonstrationsLots of items for Sale

General Store - Flea Market - Souvenir ShopLots of Pioneer History demonstrations

Friday Evening 7 PM: Pioneer Queen and Pioneer Princess Coronations in the SaloonFriday Evening 6 PM: Garden Tractor Pull

Sunday 11:30 AM: Wild West Show by Wild Creek Entertainers

CHURCH SERVICESCatholic Sat 5 pm, Sun 8 am

Ecumenical Sat 7 pm

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://greatriverguitarshow.com

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Thursday, July 4 1:30 & 4:00 pm North Morristown 4th of July Celebration4th of July Grounds, 10500 215th Street SW Morristown, MN 507-685-4372

Saturday, July 6 7:00 pm Battle Lake Public School Auditorium 402 Summit St. W. Battle Lake, MN 218-862-5222

Sunday, July 7 5:00 pm Music In The ParkSalem Lutheran Church Gazebo, 1340 County Road 5 Longville, MN 218-363-2281

Tuesday, July 16 7:00 pm Plymouth Summer MusicTemple Israel, 2323 Fremont Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 612-377-8680

Wednesday, July 17 6:30 pm Harmony in the Parks, Lions Park Bandshell Lindstrom, MN 651-257-0620

Thursday, July 25 at 9:00 pmFriday, July 26 at 2:30 & 7:30 pm

Brantling Bluegrass FestivalBrantling Ski Slopes, 4015 Fish Farm Rd. Sodus, NY 585-415-9641

Saturday, July 27 3:00 & 8:00 pm Danby Olde Country & Bluegrass Festival, 245 Tifft Road Danby, VT 802-293-5515

Friday, August 2 7:00 pm Sounds of Spirit Lake, Spirit Lake Beach Area Menahga, MN 218-564-5462

Saturday, August 3 1:00 - 3:00 pm Stieger Park Bandstand, Victoria, MN Victoria, MN 952-443-3200

Sunday, August 4 9:30 am Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin CitiesMinnetonka Campus, 16023 Minnetonka Blvd Minnetonka, MN 952-935-3419

JOIN US FOR BLUEGRASS JAM CAMP at the Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival August 6-8! Register at www.minnesotabluegrass.org.

Thursday, August 8 &Friday, August 9 Times TBA

Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music FestivalEl Rancho Manana Campground, 27302B Ranch Road 27302B Ranch Road 651-456-8919

Sunday, August 11 9:15 & 10:30 amBethlehem Lutheran Church Twin CitiesMinneapolis Campus, 4100 Lyndale Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 612-312-3411

Tuesday, August 13 7:00 pm Concerts in the Park, Central Park North Branch, MN

Saturday, August 31 7:30 pm Grand Marais Playhouse PresentsArrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West Fifth Street Grand Marais, MN 218-387-1284

Go to www.MonroeCrossing.com for the latest information on all of our concerts.Booking: Derek Johnson, 612-720-3746 or [email protected]

ON TOUR SUMMER 2019


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5th A

nnual Bluegrass Festival

Saturday - August 3, 2019The Baudette Depot, Baudette, MN

Featuring

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Burgers, Brats, all the corn on the cob you can eat!

5-8pm

Music 4-8pm

$10 entry fee, $20 with food

Meet the High 48s and workshop: 2-4pm


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Cover Story:Pert Near Sandstone: 15 Years in the Rear-View Mirrorby Nate Sipe

When Pert Near Sandstone performed on A Prairie Home Companion back in 2008, its host reminisced with us backstage at the Fitzgerald Theater about the corn and potato fields that separated us from where he grew up in the neighboring town of Anoka. Though fewer than in our childhood, those fields are now completely relegated to a bygone era of suburban Minneapolis. I nostalgically recall Brooklyn Park in the 90s as a youthful world of discovery—long days and warm, winterless nights. For me, bicycling and playing baseball beside the Mississippi River was in time traded for skateboarding and rock music. The local radio stations kept us on the popular music pulse and announced shows at First Avenue’s Main Room and elsewhere. Dancing in a mosh-pit to rock bands channeled an urge to form our own groups. I already knew the other founding members of Pert Near Sandstone then, before high schools had the internet and every single person had a smart phone, and before social media. Little music communities thrived in basements and at garage parties.

Pursuing music each in our own way, Kevin, J, and I met years later to find they were playing acoustically on regular Tuesday nights. The last time we were all in the same space was at a pep rally where J was the homecoming king (because

he was in the coolest rock band at Park Center), Kevin was singing karaoke country songs, and I was performing with my grunge band, still one year off from attending high school myself. We all had mutual friends and were semi-familiar with each other. Kevin even auditioned as singer for a band J was in with a talented guitarist from Osseo named Ryan Young. Ryan was also a practiced violinist and was present at these newly founded Tuesday jam sessions, learning folk and bluegrass tunes from popular recordings

of the time like the Shady Grove album by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.

I veered from grunge when I discovered psychedelic rock, and the blues roots of that genre, which led me down the garden path to folk music. I began pursuing music in reverse. My electric guitar and amp were pawned for an acoustic guitar and mandolin. I stumbled upon recordings at the Central Library by Bill Monroe and the New

Lost City Ramblers. I became obsessed and subsequently bought Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music, which left me forever altered. I was in awe of sounds so foreign but yet timeless and eerily familiar. Folk music was as valid now as ever, I believed. I dreamed of bluegrass jams in Loring Park, near where I was living in my first apartment, attending classes at MCTC and working at the Wedge Community Co-op. A revelation was about to occur.

I had spent the summer months hitch-hiking around the Pacific Northwest and Canada. When I returned to work after three months absent, half expecting to be fired, I had instead been given a raise. There was also a new employee who had just returned from a trip out west hopping freight trains. He instilled a deep fascination with this alternative t r a n s p o r t a t i o n method that struck a direct chord to the music I was becoming increasingly enchanted with; he also suggested I see the new Cohen Brothers film that was

in the theaters, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Still one of my favorite movies, upon seeing it I knew it was going to be the thing to derail music into a stir about traditional sounds. And it did, beyond belief. My dreams about jams in Loring Park came true with mini-festivals, and so too were there buskers on buses, bluegrass on the pop radio waves, and Pert Near soon playing our first coffee house gig in Dinkytown, down the

J Lenz, Justin Bruhn, Nate Sipe, Kevin Kniebal, Matt CartierPhoto by Jayme Halbritter


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street from where Bob Dylan debuted as a scrappy Woody Guthrie wanna-be.

After one of several trips hopping freight trains around the country, I came home to get a proper job and needed music as a therapeutic and social outlet. I convinced the Pert Near guys to attend the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival at El Rancho Manana. I had been to the festival when it was in Zimmerman and was mesmerized by all the jams at what seemed like every fire pit across the campground. I didn’t attempt to jam, just absorbed all in excitement. I remember asking an old-time circle if they knew a common bluegrass song, to which I received snickers and a polite response of “I think you’re at the wrong fire.” I didn’t yet discriminate between the two, and I still don’t like to. It was only folk music to me, and I enjoyed it all. That experience filled me with resolve to study the music, which I did in earnest. Now with my own band at the new festival grounds, I was eager to see if I could hang with these players and possibly wedge into this traditional community. Pert Near Sandstone was neither old-time nor bluegrass; we just played what we liked, and stayed up until dawn playing along with anyone who had a song. At this festival we also met The Wilders from Kansas City, who played a raucous style of old-time music mixed with honkytonk. Gathering around a single mic, they had casual banter between songs which made them easily accessible, and they were really good. Pert Near had found our mode of delivery and have been using a single microphone ever since.

“Pert Near Spacedock” is what J Lenz jokes another proposed band name could have been, giving the impression we’re playing Earth music and broadcasting to some unknown planet. When we

started seeking out gigs, we found that there were other broadcasts being sent. Unbeknownst fully to us, the folk and roots scene in Minnesota established in prior decades was still thriving in the bars and cafes we were hoping to play. These seasoned pros fueled a new batch of songsters and bands. We attended every show possible every night of the week in support of our adopted community.

KFAI community radio, who supported our friends alongside our heroes, gave us confidence to take ourselves seriously. I was inspired by the feeling that we each were a link of connective tissue interpreting the tradition from our perspective and volleying it along. But it was all mainly for the fun of playing. Venues like The Viking, Dusty’s, The

Turf Club, Acadia Café, and Palmer’s were laboratories to try new approaches and collaborations with the musicians we were becoming friends with.

At this time we played anywhere we could. Dulono’s Pizza was the only venue that featured bluegrass every weekend that we knew of. Likely because of Pert Near’s raw sound and somewhat random repertoire, we were unable to

get booked there. Kevin had the idea to host a regular music showcase of our own, bringing together our friends and reaching out to new bands we discovered. The Hexagon Bar was a perfect juke-joint type neighborhood dive bar where we really learned how to perform as a band and play for an audience. In memory these were like punk shows; too loud, packed and sweaty, filled with cigarette smoke and disgruntled waitstaff. We wanted to feature the other bands as much as we wanted to play, sometimes swapping sets in experimental formats and usually playing a set together. I wish I could recall all the bands we played with there during those few years. One memorable show was with The DitchLilies, who featured Julie Young clogging for a couple tunes. We thought that was a pretty unique idea, and a year later Andy Lambert was often found on stage clogging with Pert Near; it slowly became an integral part of our performances.

These monthly shows grew out of proportion to the Hexagon’s size. Having

opened for several touring bands on the stage at the Cabooze, the Cabooze was quick to work out a deal with us for a monthly show. Their loyal patrons were the jamband fanatics we wanted to appeal to, and they embraced us. They were mostly young, bluegrass-loving hippies that were hungry to follow shows around the country and quick to begin dancing

Pert Near Sandstone: 2008Nate Sipe, Jeff Swanner, J Lenz, Ryan Young,

Kevin Kniebal - Photo by David Ellis


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BLUEGRASS GOSPEL CONCERT(There may be a little West Texas Swing too)AUGUST 1, 20197 P.M.

PRESENTED BY TRACKSIDE BLUEGRASS BAND AND GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Free will donation

Grace Lutheran Church 11185 27th Av S

Becker, MN 55308612-237-3284 763-262-7782

/ThePurpleHulls /ThePurpleHulls


15August 2019


and merrymaking. We now had the room and credibility to bring in bigger national acts. The Wilders were at the top of the list. Once we began to sell out the Cabooze, we supplemented local appearances with an annual two-night stand at the Cedar Cultural Center, which we named the Winter String Band Gathering. The first was in 2010 with “Spider” John Koerner as the featured guest. The networking and seed idea for producing a music festival was continuing to grow.

Now having established a strong local fan base and purchasing gear to properly play club shows, we were set to begin touring. Still eager young upstarts, we stayed up ‘til dawn picking at afterparties while expanding our touring circuit and fanbase, crashing on whatever f loor was available and then going to our jobs on Monday. Trampled By Turtles took us along for our first extended West Coast tour, and we’ve been touring the country diligently since. The Cedar shows continue annually, but we’ve moved our club performances to First Avenue’s Mainroom, where I relished seeing bands as a kid. Our last performance at The Cabooze was a mini-festival that Pert Near Sandstone produced in their plaza, further priming us for future events.

At our busiest we were playing about 150 shows a year. So many nights in so many towns; they are now smeared into an impression of one long abstract tour, all the good shows greatly eclipsing the bad nights. Meeting many kindred spirits, we learned we had to keep traveling to stay valid. Some of us became freelancers or arranged flexible and remote work hours. J was teaching lessons at The Podium Premium Guitars in Dinkytown which helped me score a job there. This

historical outlet, opened in 1959, was a direct link from the folk-boom era. I had the privilege of getting to know some of my heroes, such as Leo Kottke, and made quick friends with other local musicians regularly buying a set of strings or picks. Jack Torrey of The Cactus Blossoms recently reminded me that I sold him his first acoustic guitar.

Although I was the merchandise

manager at The Podium, merchandising was an afterthought to live performances for Pert Near. We taught ourselves to record, just to create something for the people asking for a recording. Once hearing ourselves played back, we could begin to refine our sound and imagine new sounds. The basement where J and Ryan lived became an acoustic workshop every Tuesday night. Pert Near produced a live demo and two studio recordings fully on our own, thanks in great part to Ryan Young, who led the recording and mixing. After working with the acclaimed Wild Sound Studios for several albums, we have returned to Ryan, who once again is engineering and mixing our upcoming album. Songwriting has become central to our performances, but our original songs were snuck in and tried alongside our traditional repertoire. Consistently

having four composers in the band, we embraced our development as musicians and our varied ways of writing songs. Never having a proper “band leader,” the members of Pert Near have been open to nearly all ideas, trusting each other’s judgment, filling roles where needed, and above all keeping the project focused on a downhome sense of enjoyment between the musicians and the audience. When

tensions ran high, they were quickly dispelled by the sheer fun we have on stage together.

Going with the f low became key when the revolving door of band members began. Ryan fully joined Trampled By Turtles, so we were down an instrumentalist. I took the challenge to work my fiddle into the show alongside hired players. We also couldn’t find a bass player that was able to make our tour schedule work for

long, but each bassist brought a refreshing energy to the band and left a sustaining impact. Our “bass brigade” as we called them, consisted of Sean Roderick, Jeff Swanner, Eric Struve, and Adam Kiesling. After about 10 years as a band we found both a clogger who was able to travel with us, Matt Cartier, and a bassist who fit

Photo by Megan Johnson

LaPlant Instrumentsmaker of fine

mandolins & guitars

Buy - TradeSell - Repair

(stringed instruments)

31751 LaPlant RoadGrand Rapids, MN 55744

218-326-4456


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August 31st 12-8PM - Tickets $25 in advance and $30 at the door.Tickets can be purchased online at www.northfolkwinery.com/tickets

No Man’s String Band truly ventures into places no string band has been before. The group is tight, in tune and original, and posses a unique voice. http://nomansstringband.com/index.html

The very best of the 21st century’s minimalist and highly original folk and bluegrass music…a peerless duo. https://redtailring.com

They’re a band with one foot in tradition and the other in the world of music today, and one of the very few who can find an overlooked bluegrass classic song by M. Ward or the Clash then throw down hard on a standard by Bill Monroe. https://thehigh48s.com

No Man’s String Band

Red Tail Ring

The High 48s

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

6:00 PM – 8:00 PMRain or shine, the event will take place under the large tent and Bring Lawn Chairs!


17August 2019


with us really well, Justin Bruhn. As good at singing, songwriting, and banter with the audience as he was on bass, Justin also brought a welcomed levity to the long van rides.

The first extended tour with the new lineup was opening for The Travelin’ McCourys across Colorado. In Denver, we were approached at the merchandise table by a man and his son. When asked if we’d be interested in performing at their festival in Eau Claire, WI, J’s response was something like, “Sure, man. Sounds good. Contact our manager.” You never know who you’re talking to, or if it’s just talk, but Jim and Mark Bischel did contact our manager, and before long we were standing in the Whispering Pines Campground outside Eau Claire and imagining the possibilities. At first, Jim wanted to know if we would play a campground stage at their massive Country Jam USA festival. Standing among the rolling, forested hills and looking across a meadow where a stage could sit, we pitched the idea of a standalone bluegrass and Americana festival. We knew there was a great opportunity for an event of this type in our region. Pert Near agreed to curate the festival. We borrowed ideas from the best festivals we attended, including Telluride and the MBOTMA festival, hoping to produce an event among the best in the nation.

After five years, The Blue Ox Music Festival has continued to grow and become fine-tuned, with whole families attending, instrument workshops, campfire jams, and a lineup on three stages worth getting excited about. I still get as much pleasure standing in the concert bowl with the audience as I do shaking hands and visiting with artists backstage, or even playing the stage myself. It’s a heartwarming feeling to help provide a space for people to see world class musicians, and to ensure the artists themselves feel comfortable and enjoy this audience in this environment. We are blessed to work with the Bischels, who have decades of production experience; our management agency, Periscope, that works tirelessly booking bands and orchestrating all moving parts; and the

supportive audience of this region, who have embraced Blue Ox as their own.

A supportive community has kept Pert Near Sandstone going through the years, and will for as long as I can foresee. The music strings us all together, keeps developing, and forms a living legacy that

is bigger than any one person or group. Folk music has always been that way. It’s a privilege to help carry it while we can, trusting it will always be in good hands.

For more about Pert Near Sandstone, visit their website: http://pertnearsandstone.com/.

2018 Blue Ox FestivalPhoto by Scotify Photography

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://pertnearsandstone.com/http://pertnearsandstone.com/

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The Finley River Boys - MO Sat. & Sun, ---------------------------------------------------- Kevin Prater – KY Thurs. & Fri. --------------------------------------------------- Tony Rook Band – MN Fri. evening, Sat. & Sun. --------------------------------------------------- Don Joy/Melanie - MO Thurs. & Fri. -------------------------------------------------- Gid-R-Done – IA/TX Fri. afternoon, Sat. & Sun. --------------------------------------------------- The Paul Family-MI Thurs. & Fri. ----------------------------------------------- Cedar Valley - MN, IA & WI Thurs. --------------------------------------------------- Riverbottom Ramblers – IA Fri. & Sat. --------------------------------------------------- Betty Rydell - MN Sat. ---------------------------------------------------- Cagley/Bjordal/Njoes – MN Thurs. The Biscuit Boys– MN Sun. ----------------------------------------------- August Show Times Thurs., Fri., & Sat. 1:00 -4:45 pm & 6:30 – 10:15 pm Sun. AM Gospel 9:00 ~ 11:40 am Sunday afternoon 12:15 – 3:15 pm

Festival Information or Tickets SEMBA P.O. Box 93, Rushford, MN 55971 Phone: 507-864-8109 Website: www.SEMBA.TV e-mail ~ [email protected] Potluck 6:00 pm evening prior to the Festival Rain or shine – have building CASH OR CHECK WORKSHOPS

Saturday 9:00 ~10:00 am

Admission August All Four Days ~ $40 (Advance $38) Friday ~ Sunday $35 (Advance $33) Sat. ~ $20 – Thurs. or Fri. ~ $16 Sunday ~ $10 OPEN STAGES Aug – Thurs. 11:00 – 12:00 - Friday 9:30 ~

12:00 & Saturday 10:45 ~ 12:30

See www.semba.tv for further info or Call (507) 251-1884

Bring your INSTRUMENT as Jamming is always present throughout the campground!! No Alcoholic Beverages or Pets allowed in Fest Building or Concert Area Food Service by Relay for Life Camping Information - Contact - Cushon’s Peak Campground (in a beautiful valley on the Root River Bike Trail) 18696 State Highway 16, Houston, MN 55943 Tel. 507-896-7325 www.camppeak.com email: [email protected] Clean modern restrooms & Showers. Electric & Water sites $$ vary - non electric sites also available Onsite Dump Station All shows are ASCAP & BMI Licensed Information subject to change. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

SEMBA

27th Bluegrass Festival Aug. 15, 16, 17 & 18, 2019

BLUEGRASS INSTRUMENT WORKSHOP WED. August 14, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Coordinated by Bill Cagley FREE WITH SEMBA WRISTBAND, For More information – call (507) 251-1884

Annual $20 SEMBA Membership entitles you to a discount on festival tickets & you will receive a monthly newsletter.

Bring Lawn Chairs (Low back please)


19August 2019


Della Mae

2019 Performers ♫ Muriel Anderson♫ Appalachian Road Show♫ The Cowboy Way♫ Bryan Bowers Band♫ Roz Brown & Jim Ratts♫ Bing Futch♫ Della Mae♫ R.W. Hampton♫ Hootin’ Annies♫ J2B2♫ JigJam♫ Christie Lenee Trio♫ Ashley Lewis & Legacy♫ Matchsellers / Bluegrastronauts♫ Andy May♫ Tim May & Stephen Smith♫ John McCutcheon♫ Old Salt Union♫ Barry Patton♫ The Quitters♫ Ruth & Steve Smith ♫ Socks in the Frying Pan♫ Special Consensus♫ Still on the Hill with more to come!

♫

♫

Online Ticket Sales at www.wvfest.com

Send form, payment and self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Walnut Valley AssociationPO Box 245 Winfi eld, KS 67156

For phone orders, call (620) 221-3250

For advance ticket prices, orders must be received by August 24. Thursday ($50) and Sunday ($20) tickets available at the gate. Only full festival ticket holders allowed on grounds prior to September 17.

No refunds. $35 will be charged for returned checks.

Save money and order tickets in advance! Advance tickets guarantee admission

Payment: ___Check ___Visa ___MC ___ DiscoverCardholder Signature Card # 3 or 4 digit Security Code Exp. Date /

Name Address City State ZipPhoneEmail

After Aug. 24

5-day Full Festival x $95 = $ $1002-day Fri/Sat x $75 = $ $852-day Sat/Sun x $65 = $ $75Friday only x $45 = $ $55Saturday only x $45 = $ $55

Total $

• Over 200 Hours of Acoustic Music on 4 Main Stages• 100+ Luthiers and Juried Fine Arts and Crafts Show• 8 National and International Instrumental Contests • Around-the-Clock Jam Sessions• Hands-On Workshops

Family-Friendly FestivalWell-policed grounds. No animals, beer, alcohol or drugs. No motorcycles in campgrounds due to noise.

♫

[email protected] www.wvfest.com

Over

$115,000

in Contest P

rizes

Walnut Valley FestivalNational Flat-Picking ChampionshipsSeptember 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 2019

Winfield, KS48

th

JigJam

Hootin’ Annies

Special Consensus

Matchsellers / Bluegrastronauts

Socks in the Frying Pan


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Doug Lohman - [email protected] - armadillosounddesign.com

Armadillo Sound & DesignMinneapolis, MN

Serving the acoustic music community for over 35 years.

Complete audio production services:sound - multi-track recording – live/studio.

You know Doug’s attention to audio detail.Let him help you craft your next recording project!

Equipment: Midas, Behringer, dbx, Shure, AKG, AudioTechnica, Crown amps, RCF speakers, Countryman, Radial, Protools


21August 2019


Pioneer Village Museum 1866 13 1⁄2-14th Ave. (Cty. Hwy. W) Cameron, WI 54822

Featuring:Tommy Brown and the

County Line GrassThe Kody Norris Show

The StringsmithsDoubledown Daredevils

The John and Rose BandRiver City Ramblers

Highview, Gospel NotesR Country OffspringSt. Paul Mudsteppers

Maple Ridge

• Music begins Friday night at 5pm • Vendors, Jammin’, Workshops and more• • For more information or directions

contact Kathy Krug at (715) 458-0181• Food and refreshments available

Gate Fee: Fri. $10, Sat. $15, and Sun. $10;

$30 for weekend passRough camping is an additional $10 per day

Cameron 14th Annual Bluegrass Festival

September 6,7,8, 2019

Tommy Bro

wn

& the Cou

nty Line G

rass

The Stringsmiths

Kody Norris Show


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Fans of traditional country music, and bluegrass music in particular, have always had a soft spot in their hearts for the good ole tear jerker. If you write a song about getting run over by a train while holding a baby on the way to your mother’s funeral, you’re bound to have a hit. Let’s take a little trip back in time and see where the idea of the tear jerker came from.

Mid 19th century America had a lot to cry about. If the high infant mortality rate didn’t kill you, any number of other

The Great American Tear Jerker by Wayne Erbsen

hazards would. Anyone who lived to be fifty was thought to be a certified “old-timer.”

Then came the Civil War, which would claim the lives of nearly 40% of the young men of the Confederacy alone. To comfort soldiers on the battlefield and those that stayed behind, the publishing industry in both the North and South started producing and printing songs virtually around the clock. In 1863 alone, the North’s biggest music publisher, Root & Cady, published 258,000 pieces of sheet music. If these sheets were laid end to end,

the publisher claimed it would bridge the entire state of Illinois from Chicago to the Mississippi River.

Many of the most popular songs during the Civil War were songs like “Home! Home Sweet Home,” which were clearly nostalgic. These songs reminded soldiers of peaceful, happier times before a war that pitted brother against brother, father against son.

Another popular Civil War era song was “Lorena,” which spoke about a heartbroken lover. The song was so widely sung, especially by Southern soldiers, that some have actually blamed the Confederacy’s loss on “Lorena.” Apparently, so many soldiers got lonesome for their wives and sweethearts that they deserted and went home. Desertion was such a big problem, particularly for the Confederacy, that several Southern generals forbid their soldiers from singing “Lorena.”

“The Faded Coat of Blue” (or “The Nameless Grave”) is a classic example of a Civil War song which clearly laid the foundation for what became the tear jerker. Written by J.H. McNaughton near the war’s end, the first verse will give you the flavor of this song, which was included in a book entitled Heart Songs (1909). In early country music this song was recorded by Owen Mills and Frank Welling, Buell Kazee and Maybelle Carter.

My brave lad he sleeps in his faded coat of blue,

In a lonely grave unknown lies the heart that beat so true.

He sank faint and hungry among the famished brave.

As they laid him sad and lonely within his nameless grave.

Among the most important early professional Civil War songsmiths was Henry Clay Work. His best known songs included “Kingdom Coming or Year of the Jubilo” (1862), “Marching Through Georgia” (1865), “The Ship That Never


23August 2019


Returned” (1865), and “My Grandfather’s Clock” (1876). But it was Work’s song “Come Home Father” (1864) that really clinched the tear jerker as an important American genre. The song tells the sad story of a drunken father who won’t come home to see his dying child despite the pleas of his grief-stricken son. To top it off, the dying child’s last words are that he misses his dear father and wants to see him.

Most authorities point to Charles K. Harris’ song, “After the Ball” (1892) as the most successful of the early tear jerkers, with total sales approaching five million copies. “After the Ball” has been called the “watershed song” that helped launch the song publishing industry.

Close on the heels of Charles K. Harris was an unlikely champion of the tear jerker, a young black man named Gussie Lord Davis. For fans of bluegrass music, Davis’ name should be more well known than it currently is.

Born on December 3, 1863 in Dayton, Ohio, Davis went to Cincinnati and applied to Nelson’s Musical College. He was refused admission due to his race, but he managed to work as a janitor in exchange for musical instruction and fifteen dollars a month. In addition to his regular janitorial duties, Davis managed to sweep up enough musical education so that in 1880, at age 18, he composed the words and music to “We Sat Beneath the Maple on the Hill.” The song went on become extremely successful and help make Davis one of the most important songwriters of the Tin Pan Alley era. The song was first recorded by Vernon Dalhart in 1926. In 1935 Wade Mainer and Zeke Morris recorded it with a different melody, and had a huge hit with it. Both Mainer and Morris told the author that the song was their first big money maker and said, “it beat anything that Jimmie Rodgers ever wrote.”

In addition to “We Sat Beneath the Maple on the Hill,” Davis made important contributions to what became known many years later as “bluegrass music.” Here are some of Davis’ songs that went on to be performed and recorded by early country music and bluegrass artists.

“The Fatal Wedding” (1893).

Recorded by Vernon Dalhart (1926), Ernest V. Stoneman (1927), Bradley Kincaid (1928).

“In the Baggage Coach Ahead” (1896). Recorded by Fiddlin’ John Carson (1924), Vernon Dalhart -12 times, Mac and Bob (1928).

“Just Set a Light” (aka “Red and Green Signal Lights” (1897). Recorded by Vernon Dalhard (9 times!), Grayson and Whitter (1928) the Chuck Wagon Gang (1938) and Wayne Erbsen (1998).

“Make Up and Be Lovers Again,” aka “Jack and May,” (1893). Recorded by Roy Harvey & Posey Rorer (1927), Fields Ward and Ernest Stoneman (1929), Darby and Tarlton (1930), Carter Family (1935),

Dixon Brothers (1936), Monroe Brothers (1937).

“He’s Coming to Us Dead” (1899). Grayson & Whitter (1927), Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Dry Branch Fire Squad.

“One Little Word” (1899). Recorded by Carter family (1937), Morris Brothers (1939).

The lyrics, melody and history of “Maple on the Hill” can be found in Wayne Erbsen’s book Rural Roots of Bluegrass. For a FREE catalog of Wayne’s songbooks and instruction books for bluegrass and clawhammer banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar, visit www.nativeground.com, email banjo[@]nativeground.com or call (828) 299-7031.

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://www.nativeground.com/mailto:[email protected]

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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

®


25August 2019


Event Production Workshops!

Learn from Professionals!

Learn how to run an event!

Volunteer at a Minnesota Bluegrass Event!!

Bluegrass Saturday MorningBy Phil Nusbaum

The August Festival It’s waxed and waned over the years, but all things

considered, the Minnesota Bluegrass “August Festival” has always been our biggest tadoo. Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder heads a talented roster of artists at the 2019 calling together of upper Midwest bluegrass. Ricky is a must-see. During the past few years, I had the pleasure of listening to two Dakota Club performances by Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Each time I came away wondering how any band could play at the elevated tempos of Kentucky Thunder, and with so much feeling. Prepare to be blown away by the Minnesota Bluegrass performances by Ricky and the band.

But of course, Ricky’s band is not the only attraction. The full lineup is printed elsewhere in this issue. But even more than that, the reason to attend is the opportunity to hang out in a bluegrass atmosphere set in a beautiful late summer spot. It truly doesn’t get any better than this. Farmers Market

Bluegrass Saturday Morning did it again! We had another successful Farmer’s Market appearance on July 6, 2019, this time at the Midtown Farmers Market, located on Minnehaha Avenue just south of Lake Street in Minneapolis. Kevin Barnes took care of the logistics, market manager Jenna Yeakole welcomed us in, and Justus Sanchez and Michael Jamnick handled the technical setup. All I had to do was slide into my seat, spin a few CDs and introduce performers Rhubarb and Matthew St. Francis and The Roe Family Singers. Fine crowds gathered to take in these two groups. It was uplifting to have so many listeners come up to say hello or to shoot selfies. I never get over the high degree of community feeling experienced at the farmers markets.

KBEM-FM is a community radio station. The station works with local cultural institutions such as farmers markets, as well as

Music ListingsTo access the Acoustic Music Listings, at www.jazz88.fm,

click on schedule. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Bluegrass Saturday Morning. Then scroll down to Blog Posts and click on Bluegrass Saturday Acoustic Music Calendar.

Weekly Playlists, Listen Online - www.jazz88.fm To stream KBEM programming, at www.jazz88.fm, click on

“listen live.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at www.jazz88.fm. At the top of the home page on the right-hand side, select “playlists.” Then click on the desired date. To listen to archived shows, at www.jazz88.fm, click on “on-demand.” Then click on the date and show.

organizations, businesses and individuals that share the mission to benefit the local community. Farmers markets are of course part of a national movement, but the interests making them up differ from place to place. At Bluegrass Saturday Morning broadcasts originating in farmers markets, I have opportunities to talk to some of the players that lend character to each market. This time I was set up to talk with Ger of Cha Veggies. Ger is part of a family that farms and carries the produce to farmers markets around Our Town. In a way, theirs is a family farm, but to the family, the farming and farmers market sales is more of a hobby than a business. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Henry Kisitu whose business, JaJJa, markets a traditional wellness beverage based on traditional Uganda recipes handed down from his grandmother.

Check the KBEM website www.jazz88.fm for information on additional Bluegrass Saturday Morning broadcasts originating from farmers markets.

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://www.jazz88.fmhttp://www.jazz88.fmhttp://www.jazz88.fmhttp://www.jazz88.fmhttp://www.jazz88.fmhttp://www.jazz88.fm

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SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

Coming Up

318: 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.mnAST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www.astercafe.comBSC: Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul, 651-554-0155, www.blacksheepcoffee.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 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, www.dakotacooks.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

7/28 – Sunday• The She Shells, UMC, 11am• The Good Intentions, East Cedar Lake

Beach, Mpls, 3pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Ursa Minor Brewing,

Duluth, 1pm• Loring Park Art Festival with Sister

Tree, MN Mandolin Orchestra, Paul Imholte, more, Loring Park, 1382 Willow St, Mpls, loringparkartfestival.com

• Milaca Rec Fest, with The High 48s, Singleton Street, Tony Rook, more,

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.comHOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.comMER: Merlins Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 612-216-2419OAK: 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.comSHL: 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.comWmH: The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, lower level, Mpls, 877-987-6487, thewarminghouse.netZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-732-7616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

To post gigs and events to this calendar, Go to this link: Event Submission FormOr, request the link to our online event submission form: [email protected]

Milaca, milacarecfest.com• Swing Brunch with Patty & The

Buttons, AST, 11am• Barley Jacks, Slice of Shoreview Days,

4580 Victoria St N, Shoreview, 1pm7/29 – Monday• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm• Roux La La Cajun Band, EAG,

7:30pm• Mick Sterling Presents: Spiritual Songs

of Bob Dylan, DAK, 7pm• Juggsluggers, RIV, 7pm• Sherwin Linton, Lake Harriet

Bandshell, 4135 W Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 7:30pm

7/30 – Tuesday• Curtis & Loretta, Lakeville Heritage

Center - Pete Seeger Show, 20110 Holyoke Ave, Lakeville, 952-985-4620, 1pm

• Cajun Crawfish Hotdish, Sea Salt Eatery, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 6pm

• Brian Wicklund and Mike Cramer, Lowell Park Amphitheater, 216 N 4th St, Stillwater, 6pm

7/31 – Wednesday

SEMBA Bluegrass Festival

Aug 15-18, Thurs-SunCushon’s Peak Campground

Houston, MNSee ad pg 18

Lakes Bluegrass FestivalAug 21-25, Wed-Sun

Pine River, MNwww.lakesbluegrassfestival.com

See ad pg 29

Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival

August 8-11, Thurs-SunEl Rancho Mañana

Richmond, MNSee ad page 5

Vines Bluegrass FestivalAug 31, SaturdayNorth Folk Winery

43150 Blackhawk RdHarris, MN, 651-674-7548

High 48s, No Man’s String Band, Red Tail Ring, See ad pg 16

MinnesotaBluegrass.orgwww.three-eighteen.comwww.331.mnwww.astercafe.comwww.astercafe.comwww.blacksheepcoffee.comwww.bigtop.orgwww.thecedar.orgwww.thecelticjunction.comwww.thecelticjunction.comwww.creekhouseconcerts.comwww.dakotacooks.comwww.Mplseagles34.orghttp://loringparkartfestival.comhttp://loringparkartfestival.comwww.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.orgwww.ginkgocoffee.comwww.thegrandnewulm.comwww.stoneyend.comwww.oakcentergeneralstore.comtheriverview.comwww.sheldontheatre.orgwww.tapestryfolkdance.orgundergroundmusiccafe.comthewarminghouse.netwww.crossingsatcarnegie.comhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekwkcPxKSWaiNtmf4dNgMo6qhpP6pIYGdVYoeh1-o8ApjH8w/viewform?formkey=dHFEdTA1aWdvTERXNG5BczZYYm95YkE6MQ#gid=0mailto:[email protected]://milacarecfest.comhttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.com

27August 2019


• Lenz & Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm• Lula Wiles, Concerts In The Park,

Central Park, Red Wing, 7pm• High 48s, Depot Park, 402 E Lake St,

Wayzata, 7pm• Nancy Olson, Mears Park, 221 5th St

E, St. Paul, 651-266-6400, 12pm8/1 Thursday• Allyson Road, UMC, 7pm• Letitia VanSant, Little Birds, WmH,

8pm• Mother Banjo, Minnehaha Falls, 4801

S Minnehaha Dr, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 7pm

• Steve Earle and The Dukes, BTC, 7:30pm

• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm• The Purple Hulls sponsored by

Trackside, Grace Lutheran Church, 11185 27th Ave SE, Becker, 7pm

8/2 - Friday• Randy Anderson, AGr, 6pm• Becky Schlegel and Heath Loy, ZUM,

8pm• Anna Stine & Robert Bell, GKb,

7:30pm• Monroe Crossing, Sounds of Spirit

Lake, Spirit Lake Beach Area, Menagha, 7pm

• Joe Jencks, Roots Cellar Music Series, University Baptist Church, 1219 University Ave SE, Mpls, 612-331-1768, 7pm

• Steve Earle and The Dukes, Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, 952-431-9200, 7:30pm

8/3 - Saturday• Dan Rumsey, DuG, 7pm• Matt Yetter, RIV, 7:30pm• Richard Kriehn w/ Dakota Dave Hull

& Adam Kiesling, 318, 8pm• Monroe Crossing, Victoria Art Fair,

Charlston Thun Bandstand, Victoria, 1pm

• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am• Southside Aces, Vintage Band Festival,

Northfield, vintagebandfestival.org, 7pm

• Contra Dance with Fiddle Buddies, TAP, 7:30pm

• Curtis & Loretta, Farmstead Creamery & Cafe, Hayward, WI

• David Huss and the Headwaters, WmH, 8pm

• High 48s, Depot Bluegrass Fest, Baudette

• Ring of Kerry, Chippewa County Fair, 529 S 1st St, Montevideo, 3pm

• Tim Sparks, The Icehouse, 2528

Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 6:30pm• Tony Rook Band, Northfield Tavern,

Northfield, 8pm• Uke Jam, WmH, 10am• Barley Jacks, Brookside Bar & Grill,

140 Judd St, Marine On St Croix, 3pm• Hoof on the Roof, Minnesota State

Old Time Fiddle Championship, Merritt Elementary School, Mountain Iron, 1pm

• Troy Flemming, Meeker County Fair, 1230 N Armstrong Ave, Litchfield, 11:30am

• Two Tone, Dunn Brothers Excelsior, 11 Water St, Excelsior, 952-401-8004, 7pm

8/4 - Sunday• Fitzwater, 331C, 3pm• Michael Shynes, 318, 6pm• Monroe Crossing, Bethlehem

Lutheran Church, 16023 Mtka Blvd, Minnetonka, 9:30am

• Brass Lassie, Vintage Band Festival, Northfield, vintagebandfestival.org, 4pm

• Dick Kimmel & Kelly Coyle, Sunday Concert Series, Patrick’s on Third, St Peter, 4pm

• Switched at Birth, Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, 8390 Lofton Ave N, Stillwater, 3pm

• Two Tone, Crow River Winery, 14848 Hwy 7 East, Hutchinson, 320-587-2922, 6pm

8/5 - Monday• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Duluth Folk School,

6pm8/6 - Tuesday• Cajun Crawfish Hotdish, Sea Salt

Eatery, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 6pm• The Low Liners, 318, 7pm• Chris Silver, Univ of WI, River Falls,

Wall Amphitheater, River Falls, WI, 7pm

• Altan, CED, 7:30pm• Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH,

8pm • Blue Groove Bluegrass, Normandale

Lake Bandshell, 5901 West 84th St, Bloomington, 7pm

• 8/7 - Wednesday• Jugsluggers, RIV, 7pm• Gaelic Storm, Minnesota Zoo, Apple

Valley, 7:30pm• Good Morning Bedlam, New York

Mills Cultural Center, 24 Main Ave. N., New York Mills, 218-385-3339, 7:30pm

• Willi Carlisle, Bad Posture Club,

WmH, 8pm• Gloryland Gospel Band, Echo Ridge

Presbyterian Home, 1033 Gershwin Ave N, Oakdale, 6:30pm

• Two Tone, Captain’s Lakeside Grill, 27821 Bayshore Dr, Isanti, 6pm

8/8 - Thursday• Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival,

El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, See ad pg 5

• Paul Garding Celtic Music Showcase, UMC, 7pm

• Gaelic Storm, BTC, 7:30pm• Georgia Rae Family Band, WmH,

8pm• South Side Aces, EAG, 8pm

8/9 - Friday• Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival,


• Irish Fair of MN, Harriet Island, St Paul, 4pm to 11pm

8/10 - Saturday• Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival,


• Luke Smith, Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, 7pm

• Irish Fair of MN, Harriet Island, St

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://vintagebandfestival.orghttp://vintagebandfestival.org

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Paul, 11am to 11pm• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am• Contra Dance with Northern Aire,

TAP, 7:30pm• Curtis & Loretta, Old Wadena

Rendezvous, near Staples, MN, oldwadenarendezvous.org

• Grand Glad & The Trumpeteers, Erik Loftsgaarden & The Whiskey War, WmH, 8pm

• Michael Monroe, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 7:30pm

• Old-Time Jam, WmH, 10am• Sherry Minnick and Phil Nusbaum,

St. Paul Farmers Market, 290 5th St E in Lowertown, St. Paul, 9am

• 8/11 - Sunday• Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival,


• Irish Fair of MN, Harriet Island, St Paul, 11am to 7pm

• Monroe Crossing, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave S, Mpls, 9:15am

• Curtis & Loretta, Old Wadena Rendezvous, near Staples, MN, oldwadenarendezvous.org

• Phil Heywood, The Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 11am

• Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, BTC, 7:30pm

8/12 - Monday• DL Cajun Band, EAG, 7:30pm• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm• Joe Fingers, DuG, 7pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Duluth Folk School,

6pm• Dan Newton & Cafe Accordion,

Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N Lexington Pkwy, St Paul, 651-330-8872, 7pm

8/13 - Tuesday• Cajun Crawfish Hotdish, Sea Salt

Eatery, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 6pm• Clay Borrell, 318, 7pm• Monroe Crossing, Concerts in The

Park, 6194 Main St, North Branch, 7pm

• FTW/GNB Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm

8/14 - Wednesday• Double Down Daredevils, Concerts

in The Park, Central Park, Red Wing, 7pm

• Jugsluggers, RIV, 7pm• Gloryland Gospel Band, Lake

Minnetonka Shores Senior Residence, 4527 Shoreline Dr, Minnetonka, 3pm

• The Common Ground Company, Turf Club, St. Paul, 7pm

8/15 - Thursday• SEMBA Bluegrass Festival, Houston,

See ad pg 18• Scott Mulvihill, DAK, 7pm• Brian Leighton, Falconer Vineyards,

3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 7pm• Dan Rumsey, UMC, 5pm• Kids’ Open Mic, WmH, 6pm• Open Mic, WmH, 7pm• Two Tone, House of Pizza, 1733 Pine

Cone Rd S, Sartell, 6pm8/16 - Friday• SEMBA Bluegrass Festival, Houston,

See ad pg 18 • Brethren Bones, UMC, 5pm• Hannah Cooper, WmH, 8pm• The Langer’s Ball, Dubliner Pub, 2162

University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm• Tony Rook Band, SEMBA Bluegrass

Festival, Houston • Bob Bovee, John Lane, Ann Carter,

Lanesboro Barn Dance, DreamAcres Farm, Wykoff, MN, 7:30pm

• The Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, 805 E Superior St, Duluth, 218-728-1192, 6pm

• Troy Flemming, Le Sueur County Fair, 320 S Plut Ave, Le Center, 5:30pm

8/17 - Saturday• SEMBA Bluegrass Festival, Houston,

See ad pg 18• The Washboard Brothers, DuG, 7pm• Jason Paulson Band, Excelsior

Brewing, 421 3rd St, Excelsior, 8pm• Dewi Sant, Contented Cow, 302B

Division St S, Northfield, 7pm• Dan Rumsey, RIV, 7:30pm• Stephen Chopek, UMC, 5pm• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers

Market, Main St, Prior Lake, 9am• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am• Americana Jam, WmH, 8pm• Contra Dance with Contratopia, TAP,

7:30pm• High 48s, Art Stevenson & High

Water, Gandy Dancer Festival, Mazomanie, WI, gandydancerfestival.org

• Jillian Rae, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 7:30pm

• Kindred, Renaissance Festival, Shakopee,

• Locklin Road, Dancing Dragonfly Wintery, St Croix Falls, WI, 12pm

• Lowertown Guitar Festival, Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N Lexington Pkwy, St Paul, 651-330-8872, 2pm

• New London Music Festival, Neer Park, 311 2nd Ave, New London

• Sister Tree, Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave W, St Paul, 9pm

• Switched at Birth, MER, 8:30pm• Tom Lieberman, AST, 9pm• The Fish Heads, Grandma Ray’s, 19

- 1st Ave W, Grand Marais, 218-387-2974, 8:30pm

8/18 - Sunday• SEMBA Bluegrass Festival, Houston,

See ad pg 18• Greenwood Tree, Glewwe’s Castle

[Root Beer] Brewery, 4620 207th St E, Prior Lake, 1:30pm

• Kindred, Renaissance Festival, Shakopee

• Two Tone, Avon Amphitheatre, Lake Woebegone Trail Park, Avon, 2pm

8/19 - Monday• Joe Fingers, DuG, 7pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Duluth Folk School,

6pm8/20 - Tuesday• Cajun Crawfish Hotdish, Sea Salt

Eatery, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 6pm8/21 - Wednesday• Jugsluggers, RIV, 7pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Sir Benedict’s Tavern,

805 E Superior St, Duluth, 218-728-1192, 5pm

• Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Pine River, www.lakesbluegrassfestival.com, See ad pg 29

• Katy Vernon, Silverwood Park, 2500 County Rd E, St Anthony, 763-694-7707, 6:30pm

• Honky-Tonk Jump, Music on the Mississippi, Bemidji, 6pm

8/22 - Thursday• Richard Smith & Jon Garon, Leo &

Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm

• Dave Cofell, UMC, 7pm• David Stoddard, Mike Agranoff,

WmH, 8pm• Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Pine River,

www.lakesbluegrassfestival.com, See ad pg 29

• Ring of Kerry, Montgomery Memorial Park, 500 5th St SE, Montgomery, 7pm

• Troy Flemming, Brownsdale Public Library, 103 Main St E, Brownsdale, 6:30pm

• Two Tone, The White Horse, Common Roots Festival, 809 W St Germain St, St Cloud, 9pm

• Blue Groove Bluegrass, Historic Eidem Homestead Concert, 4345

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://oldwadenarendezvous.orghttp://oldwadenarendezvous.orghttp://gandydancerfestival.orghttp://gandydancerfestival.orghttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.comhttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.com

29August 2019


www.LakesBluegrassFestival.com

Featuring the Best in National & Regional Bluegrass Bands!

800-728-6926 • [email protected]

August21-25, 2019

Pine River, MNCass County Fairgrounds

Plus workshops, dancing, camping, jamming, food & more!

14th Annual

Purchase Tickets in Advance or at Gate.

Kody NorrisTennessee

Fri. & Sat.The Malpass

BrothersNorth CarolinaFri. & Sat.

Sara Mae & The Birkeland BoysMinnesota

Sat. & Sun.

Shaffers Lost 40Minnesota

Thu. & Fri.

Tim & Cindy & Friends

MinnesotaThu. & Sun.

Eric’s Dance BandMinnesota

Wed. Night Old Time Dance

NightflyerOhio

Fri. & Sat.

Tony Rook BandMinnesota

Thu. & Fri.

Joe MullinsOhioSat.

Baker FamilyMissouri

Sat. & Sun.

High 48’sMinnesota

Thu. & Fri.

Clay Hess BandOhio

Fri. & Sat.

Rain/Sun Shelter in Concert Area New! Added Electrical Camping Sites

Festival ScheduleGates Open Tues. at 3pm

Main StageThu. 5 - 11pm

Fri. & Sat. 11am - 11pmSun. 10am - 2pm

WorkshopsFri. & Sat. 10am -5pm


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Bandshell Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 1 pm, 2:30pm

• Hoof on the Roof, Minnesota State Fair Fiddle Contest, West End Stage, Minnesota State Fair, 11:30am

• Two Tone, Millner Heritage Winery & Cidery, 32025 State Hwy 15, Kimball, MN , 1pm

8/26 - Monday• Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm• Bill & Kate Isles, Duluth Folk School,

6pm• Cajun Dance with Shawn Glidden,

Amelia Biere & Friends, EAG, 7:30pm• Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra,

Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 N Lexington Pkwy, St Paul, 651-330-8872, 7pm

8/27 - Tuesday• Cajun Crawfish Hotdish, Sea Salt

Eatery, Minnehaha Park, Mpls, 6pm• Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH,

8pm• The Common Ground Company,

Father Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 Main St, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 7pm

• Two Tone, Minnesota State Fair, Farmers Union Pavilion, Dan Patch Avenue, St. Paul, 2pm

8/28 - Wednesday,• Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm• Chris Koza & Band, Concerts in The

Park, Central Park, Red Wing, 7pm• Jugsluggers, RIV, 7pm• Gypsy Chicken, MoonCats, WmH,

8pm• Pert Near Sandstone, Schell’s Stage at

Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 8pm

• Pushing Chain, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm

8/29 - Thursday• Dan Newton, DuG, 7pm• Rebel Fiddle, 318, 8pm• Kaleb Braun-Schultz, UMC, 7pm• Brandi Carlile, BTC, 7:30pm• Pert Near Sandstone, Schell’s Stage at

Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 8pm

• Pushing Chain, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm

8/30 - Friday• Chris Silver, Vino in The Valley,

Maiden Rock, WI, 6pm• Brandi Carlile, BTC, 7:30pm• Honky-Tonk Jump, Ramberg Music

Cafe Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm

• Minnesota Americana-Roots Duet Contest, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 11:30am

• Broken Heartland String Band, Reunion, 501 Division St S, Northfield, 8pm

• Honky-Tonk Jump, Minnesota State Fair, Ramberg Music Cafe, 10:30am 11:45am 1:00pm

8/31 - Saturday• Jim Pellinger, RIV, 7:30pm• Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers

Market, Main St, Prior Lake, 9am• Monroe Crossing, Grand Marais

Playhouse, Arrowhead Center for The Arts, 51 W 5th, Grand Marais

• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am• Contra Dance with Community

Contra Band, TAP, 7:30pm• High 48s, No Man’s String Band, Red

Tail Ring, Vines Bluegrass Festival, 43150 Blackhawk Rd, Harris, MN, 651-674-7548, See ad pg 16

• Honky-Tonk Jump, Ramberg Music Cafe Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 3:15pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm


• Minnesota Americana-Roots Band Contest, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 11:30am

• Bob Bovee, Tim Foss, Rina Rossi, Forestville State Park, Preston, 6:30pm

• Sherry Minnick and Phil Nusbaum, Mill City Farmers Market, 704 S 2nd St, Mpls, 11am

9/1 - Sunday• Bill & Kate Isles, Ramberg Music Cafe

Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 10:30am, 11:45am, 1pm

• Bob Bovee, Pop Wagner, Steam Machine, Curtis & Loretta, Fox Valley Folk Festival, Chicago,

9/2 - Monday• Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival,

Minnehaha Park, 5000 W River Pkwy, Mpls, 1:30pm

• Bill & Kate Isles, Ramberg Music Cafe Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 3:15pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm

• Bob Bovee, Pop Wagner, Steam Machine, Curtis & Loretta, Fox Valley Folk Festival, Chicago, IL


9/5 - Thursday• The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm• Will Payne Harrison, AST, 8pm

101st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, 7pm8/23 - Friday• Juggsluggers, DuG, 7pm• Bonny & The Clydes, Contented Cow,

302B Division St S, Northfield, 7pm• Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Pine River,


• John Guari and Cassondra Lea, WmH, 8pm

• The Langer’s Ball, Victoria Burrow, 7999 Victoria Dr, Victoria, 8pm

• The Northerly Gales, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water St S, Stillwater, 7pm

8/24 - Saturday• Greg Forcier, AGr, 6pm• Billy Johnson, 318, 8pm• Alternate Route, BSC, 10am• Bluegrass Jam, WmH, 10am• Contra Dance with Jump Drive, TAP,

7:30pm• Deliberate Kin, Matt Hannah, WmH,

8pm• Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Pine River,


• Richard Smith, CrH, 7pm• The Minnesota State Fiddle

Contest, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, State Fair, St Paul, 11:30am

• The Northerly Gales, Charlie’s Irish Pub, 101 Water S, Stillwater, 7pm

• The Quebe Sisters, Leinie Lodge Bandshell Stage, State Fair, St Paul, 1 pm, 2:30pm

• Barley Jacks, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, 25039 Tame Fish Lake Rd, Deerwood, 7pm

• Broken Heartland String Band, Phoenix Grill, 2095 10th Ave, Baldwin, WI, 6pm

• Hoof on the Roof, Minnesota State Fair, West End Stage, Minnesota State Fair, 11:30am

• Pert Near Sandstone, Potter’s Shed, Shell Lake WI, 260 Industrial Blvd, Shell Lake, WI, 7pm

• Blue Groove Bluegrass, Whitetail Woods Regional Park, 17100 Station Trail, Farmington, 5pm

8/25 - Sunday• The She Shells, UMC, 11am• Lakes Bluegrass Festival, Pine River,


• No Man’s String Band, Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 612-230-6400, 2pm

• The Quebe Sisters, Leinie Lodge

MinnesotaBluegrass.orghttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.comhttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.comhttp://www.lakesbluegrassfestival.com

31August 2019


Tab: Tom & JerryBy Bob Douglas

Tom & Jerry

Back when I was a young fellow (maybe 50 years ago), I graduated from college with a BA in Art. For some reason, employment was difficult to find. After a year of sampling short-term jobs, I decided it was time to explore different possibilities. So I bought a three month round trip ticket to West Germany with a suggestion from John Berquist to visit some Canadian friends who were playing music on the streets of Heidelberg. The new friends graciously enfolded me into their jug, old-time, and bluegrass music sound. So I let go of my return ticket and stayed in Europe to play the streets, folk clubs, festivals, and concert stages, not returning to Minnesota until 15 months later. John & Susie Everatt were the married core of the group. Susie played guitar while John played fiddle, banjo, and guitar. They had recently become a trio with Louis Leger, a fiddler and spoon

player from Moncton, New Brunswick, who joined them after living several years in France. The String Band blossomed into a three year adventure that added John Berquist, included three European tours and two LP recordings. The music certainly changed my life prospects. So as not to duplicate the instrumentation of the band, I started playing mandolin and learned tunes from both John and Louis. “Tom and Jerry” was one of the tunes learned from John and it’s a grand tune.

“Tom and Jerry” has been played traditionally by fiddlers from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arizona. Some old-time fiddle versions are in AEae cross tuning. It was recorded by Uncle Dave Macon in 1927 as well as by the Log Cabin Fiddlers in 1929 on 10” Okeh recordings. It’s been recorded by National Hall of Fame fiddlers Herman Johnson, Texas

Fiddle Favorites (County 707), Benny Thomasson, Legendary Texas Fiddler (County 2737), and Major Franklin Texas Fiddle Favorites (County 724). Also by John Ashby, Old Virginia Fiddling (County 727), The Dillards with Byron Berline, Pickin’ And Fiddlin’ (Elektra EKS-7285), Lyman Enloe, Fiddle Tunes I Recall (County 762), Mark O’Conner, Pickin’ in the Wind (Rounder 0068), and many, many others…

Listen to two or three of these players and you will easily hear the tune has many permutations. My version stays pretty basic, but please be free to build on it to make your very own “Tom and Jerry!”

Still teaching tunes on mandolin.

Bob Douglas651-778-1395


Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDTwin Cities, MN

Permit 343

MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC ASSOCIATIONP.O. BOX 16408Mpls, MN 55416

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Pert Near Sandstone, 2010 Minnesota Bluegrass August FestivalPhoto by Doug Lohman

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pert near sandstone...strategic plan was completed in 2009. a strategic plan is akin to a road map;...

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