September 2018

The Fish Heads Turning heads in Duluth for over 30 years!

Inside: From the President 3 | Grass Clippings 5 | The New Fall Jam 7 | The Fish Heads 10 Lutzen Masters Weekend 15 | Albany Pioneer Days 16 | Banjo Jokes 22 Bluegrass Saturday Morning 25 | MBOTMA Calendar of Events 27 Coming Up 28 | Tab: Give My Dog Away 35 September 2018 Thank you, MBOTMA members Vol. 44 Membership as of September 1, 2018: 817 No. 8 Newsstand: $3 Patrons: Subscription: $35 Tony & Ann Anthonisen Mabel Houle Lenny & Colleen Baltus Ann Iijima & Myles Bakke www.minnesotabluegrass.org Gary & Karen Bartig Roger & Maggie Jorgenson MBOTMA Hot Line Scott Benson Jim Lally Christopher Boone (to subscribe and for other information) Russel Lane Barry and Annie Brooks Loren Laugtug 651-456-8919 Doug Chasar James Lee [email protected] Paul Christianson Douglas Lohman P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416 Gary & Janet Cobus Richard Luckeroth Twitter: @mnbluegrass Facebook: minnesotabluegrass Katryn Conlin Bob Lundeen Laura Cooper Rudy Marti MBOTMA Board of Directors Bob & Marilyn Dodd Rodger McBride President: Laura Cooper - [email protected] Doug Duncan Bill & Ella Merrill Vice President: Nic Hentges Craig Evans Douglas & Georgene Nesheim Treasurer: Robbi Podrug William Fancher Brian Ronning Secretary: Shane Zack Jennifer Faulkner Thomas & Barbara Schommer Board Members: Mark & Kathleen Fisher Thomas & Maragaret Schuveiller Term expires 2018: Dale Gruber - [email protected] Darrell & Marilyn Fuhr Penelope Scialla Brett Day, Philip Nusbaum Tom & Jill Furrer Denise & Tony Stachnik Jon & Sharon Garon Term expires 2019: Alan Jesperson David Tousley & Gary & Jae Germond Margaret Brandes Bill Lindroos - [email protected] Paul Gille Donna Velasco Rudy Marti - [email protected] David Glatt Rebecca Wagner & Dan Forsythe Joe Hallman Dale & Diane Gruber Suzanne Weinstein Youth Representative: Tom & Marlys Gustafson Jane West Theo Hougen-Eitzman - [email protected] Michael & Paula Hildebrandt John Wilcox For meeting minutes and other Board business, go to: David & Laurie Hougen-Eitzman www.minnesotabluegrass.org/board-minutes MBOTMA Staff Sustaining: Vicki Andersen Lloyd LaPlant Events Manager: Matt Johnson Rod & Barb Anderson Bill Lindroos & Rebecca Reifler [email protected] Daryll & Mary Arntson Maggie MacKaman Office Administrator: Darcy Schatz Vaughn Asselstine Mac & Namcy McKay [email protected] Kenneth & Ann Bloch Mary & Bob Mc Sorley Minnesota Bluegrass Magazine Mark Briere Karla Menzel Editor: Doug Lohman, [email protected] Jane Conger Susan & Joe Meyer Contributors: Chris Anderson, Bob Douglas, Philip Nusbaum, Brian Cornell Corey Mohan Tom Peschges, Wayne Russ Hal Davis James Natwick Coming Up: Loretta Simonet, John Brandberg Mary DuShane David Nelson Y’All Come: Bill Lindroos Wordmark: Katryn Conlin Matt Edwards Lisa Nielsen Dennis & Jan O’Brien Photography: Leon Evans Nathan Fjeld Dominic Orrico Cover image: Back: Doug Lohman Jim Franczyk Brin Petersen Deadline for submissions: Warren Gumeson Marty & Carol Schirber The 1st of the month preceding publication Timothy & Ginger Haaland Wendy Schoen Submit content or request advertising guidelines at: Marcel Hofmann Howell Smith [email protected]. David & Mildred Holm Rory & Marian Thompson Minnesota Bluegrass is published monthly by The Minnesota Dick & Sue Hopperstad Lynn & Carolyn Thorson Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association™, a Minnesota non- John Johnson Ross & Elizabeth Vaughan profit corporation, P.O. Box 16408, Mpls, MN 55416. No part of Mark Johnson Christopher Walchuk this publication may be reproduced in any form without written Hartlan Jones Tin Wankel permission from the publisher. The publisher is not responsible Chris Juettner David & Bonnie Warner for the loss or return of unsolicited photos, recordings, or manu- Wil Kelley Carole Wilson William Wolf scripts. ©2017 Minnesota Bluegrass. All rights reserved. Debra Koehn MinnesotaBluegrass.org ISBN 0891-0537. 2 September 2018 From the President Become a Member The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association is open to everyone. Our members include people who love to lis- I always find it a little bit disconcerting to write this column ten to music and people who love to make music. As a member, almost a month before it makes its way to your door. Right now you’ll be invited to participate in bluegrass and old-time mu- sic events and celebrations. You’ll receive discounted prices on I’m hoping the weather and attendance at the August Festival is admission to events and merchandise, and you’ll receive a sub- fabulous; by the time you get this, we will know. scription to Minnesota Bluegrass magazine. I had some very thoughtful responses to my last request for Becoming a member of MBOTMA is easy and afford- feedback. Thank you to those who took the time to respond. I able. Your membership will not only nurture your own inter- appreciate it. The Board plans to focus on volunteer recognition ests, but help to ensure that the bluegrass and old-time music at the new Fall event. If you have ideas about that, please email tradition is sustained and grows in Minnesota. me at [email protected] and Matt Johnson at [email protected]. Individual Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events In every future column, I want to name a few folks who have $35 discounts for one person, and a free classi- gone above and beyond in their efforts on behalf of our organiza- fied ad. tion. Dick and Sue Hopperstad, Tom Schommer, and Gary Ger- Family Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, events mond are just a few of the members who have been exceedingly $50 discounts and a free classified ad. helpful over the years as festival staff members and as ambassa- Band Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, advance dors. Thank you! $75 booking information for MBOTMA If you attended the Festival, you know that Ricky Skaggs and events, a free classified ad, and listings in Kentucky Thunder will be headlining our 40th Anniversary Fest the MBOTMA member band directory in in 2019 because some generous donors have come forward and print and on our website. are willing to match contributions made by our membership, Sustaining specifically for our 2019 gala. Please consider making a designat- Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class Level ed donation. You can send a check or go to the website and use a postage, events discounts, and a free $100 debit or credit card. classified ad. As has been the case since the beginning of my term as pres- Patron Includes Minnesota Bluegrass, first-class ident, change has been the constant. After burning through two Level postage, events discounts, and a free executive directors along with decreasing revenue, attendance $150 classified ad. and volunteers, we (the board) knew some things had to change. Add $18 for First Class or foreign postage to individual, We divided up the tasks that were the purview of Jed and Bea family or band membership. and contracted with Matt Johnson, Events Manager, and Darcy

Schatz, Office Administrator. We are pleased with their accom- Go to minnesotabluegrass.org and select the Membership tab to join online. plishments. That said, Matt and Darcy’s compensation was based Or mail in your personal information and payment to: upon approximately 20 hours per week of service, and they have MBOTMA, P.O. Box 16408, Minneapolis, MN 55416 actually been engaged in MBOTMA business significantly more Call 651-456-8919 for details than that. or if you would like to join by phone. As a result of all of those concerns, the board determined that we needed to eliminate at least one major event. In our haste, Funding for MBOTMA provided in part by a we cancelled the Harvest Jam, and subsequently decided to offer grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, a revised version. Part of the rationale for reinstating a fall event through an appropriation by the Minnesota was because of the huge gap between the August Fest and Winter State Legislature, a grant from the National Weekend. Endowment for the Arts, and private donors In an effort to make more reasoned decisions regarding our events, the board established a Program Committee that has met regularly and conducted a thoughtful analysis regarding MinnesotaBluegrass.org our current offerings. We considered the primary constituents, Inside: strengths, weaknesses and other concerns regarding each of our From the President 3 | Grass Clippings 5 events. The Program Committee presented their findings to the The New Fall Jam 7 full board at our last meeting. The Fish Heads 10 | Lutzen Masters Weekend 15 The board adopted the recommendation that we convert the Albany Pioneer Days 16 | Banjo Jokes 22 Kickoff to a camping and jamming weekend with no main stage Bluegrass Saturday Morning 25 entertainment. We will continue to offer and operate an expand- MBOTMA Calendar of Events 27 Coming Up 28 | Tab: Give My Dog Away 35 Cont. on Pg 4

September 2018 3 From the President, cont from pg 3 many are leaving those positions (burn- out is real); 6) The demands on Matt and Darcy are considerable when their efforts ed Ranch House Live. Kevin Ward, owner should be focused on August. The big of El Rancho, will take care of logistics, downside is that the Kickoff offered many including both reserved and unimproved member bands the opportunity to per- camping, porta potties and so forth. Be- form on the main stage for festival tickets cause entertainment will not be part of and/or compensation. As we move for- the budget, it is expected that it will not ward with program planning, we will be be as costly for attendees. In its infancy, I considering ways to expand performance was the Festival Chair of the Kickoff, and opportunities. I see this change as returning to the orig- inal flavor and intent of the event. Early on, Geoff Shannon said of the Kickoff, “It’s the party we throw for ourselves.” I won’t go into all of the reasons for LaPlant Instruments this decision but some of the primary fac- maker of fine tors include: 1) The Kickoff’s attendance mandolins & guitars and financial success is highly depen- dent on weather during a fickle time of Buy - Trade year; 2) Very few folks actually go to the Sell - Repair entertainment at the main stage; 3) The (stringed instruments) Kickoff requires a large festival staff and many volunteers; 4) A huge percentage of 31751 LaPlant Road the volunteer shifts were not filled at the Grand Rapids, MN 55744 2018 Kickoff; 5) Many on the Kickoff staff 218-326-4456 are also on the August Festival staff and

17th Annual

Saturday September 8, 2018 • 2 - 6 pm • Lake Elmo Park Reserve

2 PM – THE SKALLY LINE CAMPING ON SITE WITH VEHICLE PERMIT 3 PM – BLUEGROOVE BLUEGRASS FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY 4 PM – KIND COUNTRY Surround yourself in the natural 5 PM – THE HIGH 48’S beauty of a 2,200 acre park reserve. For more information please visit: www.co.washington.mn.us/parks MinnesotaBluegrass.org

4 September 2018 Monroe Crossing to play in Gon- legislative appropriation from the Arts Grass Clippings vick,MN and Cultural Heritage Fund. Coast to coast, Monroe Crossing is Becky Buller leads IBMA Nomina- one of the best known names in bluegrass Tony Furtado to appear at the tions with 8 music, and they are coming to Gonvick, Cedar Cultural Center Nominees for the 2018 International MN, September 7. The group has made September 21 Bluegrass Music Awards were announced more than 1500 concert appearances July 25 at a press conference in Nashville, throughout the United States, Canada Tennessee; artist Becky Buller leads the and Europe. According to fiddler and field with eight nominations. Molly Tuttle lead singer Lisa Fuglie, the secret to the has received six. Close behind, with five band’s longevity and success is “… just nominations each are Special Consensus, plain hard work and dedication. We all and The Del McCoury Band/The Trav- share a love for bluegrass music and for elin’ McCourys, with strong showings performing on stage. We appreciate every by Rhonda Vincent, The Earls of Leices- audience, large or small, and understand ter, Balsam Range, and Doyle Lawson & that we’re there for them, not the other Quicksilver. way around.” The final ballot has been sent to IB- Monroe Crossing concerts consist of Tony Furtado, banjoist and guitarist MA’s voting members. This year’s recip- classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and will be doing a show at the Cedar Cul- ients will be revealed at the International heartfelt originals. Join other bluegrass tural Center on Friday, September 21. Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, fans, Friday, September 7, 7:00 PM, Clear Tony is an evocative and soulful singer, September 27, at the Duke Energy Per- Waters Life Center, 226 Elm St. in Gon- a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtu- forming Arts Center in Raleigh, North vick, MN. Tickets are $20.00 for adults oso multi-instrumentalist adept on ban- Carolina. and $10.00 for students, 12-17. Children, jo, cello-banjo, slide guitar, and baritone under 12, are free. Tickets may be pur- ukulele, who mixes and matches sounds chased at the door or reserved by calling Grassland Jam and styles with the flair of a master chef. 218-776-2789. now on the air!! He will be appearing with Luke Price “For anyone who is looking for the on fiddle. Luke is a talented young fiddler Grassland Jam videos of the 2017 best in bluegrass and the best in enter- and a National Old-Time Fiddling Grand Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music tainment, I highly recommend Monroe Champion. Festival are on line now at http://video. Crossing. Thoroughly entertaining! One “Tony Furtado is a major musical pioneer.org/show/grassland-jam/. Grass- of the best!” — Dick Beckley, President, force without a doubt. He has his black- land Jam is produced by Pioneer Public Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association belt in voice and bottleneck guitar and his Televison located in Appleton, MN. This activity is made possible by the banjo playing scares the crap out of me.” Go on-line and relive your favorite voters of Minnesota through grants from – David Lindley memories of the 2017 festival! the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a

MBOTMA Board 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. MinnesotaBluegrass.org Chairs up for election are President, Vice President, and three Member at Large positions with terms serving through the end of 2020. 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. MBOTMA needs you! Please consider running for the Board. Thanks!

September 2018 5 Save the Date!! October 26th and 27th Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association Presents

The New MBOTMA Fall Jam And it’s going to be a barn burner! Here’s some of what is in the works for this all new event.

Location: The Crowne Plaza. Jam all night !! Friday night: Progressive bluegrass in the Ballroom. Stay tuned for band announcements. Starting later, going later. A Cash bar will be available in the ballroom both nights!! GMUG: The Great Minnesota Ukulele Gathering will be joining us again with fun Ukulele jams, Stage shows and workshops everyone is welcome to attend! Workshops! New and exciting workshops you will not want to miss! Grass Seeds! Yes, there will be Grass Seeds Academy at the Fall Jam! Watch for sign-ups Draw bands! These are always so much fun. Toss your name in a hat and get assigned to a band. Then you and your bandmates have the afternoon to come up with a band name and 3 songs to perform on stage! It’s a Blast ! Open Stage in the Fireside Lounge. Like the Ranchhouse only at the Crowne Plaza! Watch for the Sign up Genius in October Theme Jams The ever popular Theme Jams will be back too, including the Singers Jam (No fiddle tunes allowed ! )

Put it on your calendar now! Tickets will go on sale soon. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

6 September 2018 New Minnesota Bluegrass Fall Jam By Tom Peschges

The Harvest Jam was the first same as Winter Weekend! Tons of jam- back with national acts and workshops MBOTMA event I ever attended and it ming space! that everyone is welcome to enjoy! had always been a special event for me Hotel special rate $99 per night – Fireside Live! Just like the Ranchouse with tons of great memories over the Only 1 night minimum Live, only in the fireside lounge next to years. I was really sad (okay, “mad” if Cash bar in the Ballroom, both the bar in the Crowne Plaza. Hosted by we are being honest) to see it cut by the nights! Doug Chasar. Watch for the schedule and board in a cost saving move. Eventually, Friday night is dedicated to progres- sign-up genius at the beginning of Octo- after a series of events transpired to bring sive Bluegrass. Expect a youthful, high ber the subject back up, the board agreed that energy vibe. Bands will be announced as Draw Bands! These are so much fun! August to March was just too long to go soon as contracts are finalized! To appeal Put your name in the hat and get picked without a festival fix and, wisely listening to this audience, we will be starting the for a band at random. You have the after- to others besides me, decided to revive the Friday main stage shows later in the eve- noon to come up with a band name and a Fall Jam but fix some of the issues with ning beginning at 8:00 pm. couple of songs to perform on stage. I did it, the date, a week before Thanksgiving, Saturday night on the main stage be- this at Cabin Fever. It’s a Blast! and the location, perceived lack of jam- gins with Grass Seeds at 4:45, followed by Workshops! Still finalizing some de- ming space being among them. The result Draw bands, then GMUG national acts tails but look for new and fresh as well as is the new Minnesota Bluegrass Fall Jam! and wrapping up with traditional blue- tried and true! And remember, everyone I’m really excited about this. grass bands. is welcome at GMUG workshops as well! Check it out: Yes, you read that right. There will be More details will be announced as New Date: October 26th and 27th, Grass Seeds at the Fall Jam. Saturday (1 plans are finalized, but the time to put it the doors open at 5 pm Friday. day only) so watch the website for more. on your calendar and start getting excited New Location: At the Crowne Plaza, GMUG. The Ukelele group will be is right now! MinnesotaBluegrass.org

September 2018 7 Curtis in& concert Loretta

“When There’s Good to Be Done” Tour Original songs of Minnesota unsung heroes Featuring a new song about The Willmar 8 Some of the Willmar 8 women will be onstage to talk to the audience & answer questions Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 pm The Barn Theatre 321 4th St SW, Willmar Tickets - $ 5 (kids 12 and under free) Info - 320-235-9500 http://www.thebarntheatre.com • http://www.curtisandloretta.com

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

8 September 2018 Every Musician’s Second Home

Get Ready for Summer Festivals We have what you need!

New & Used Protective Cases Capos Martin Guitars Strings Picks Straps Tuners Gigbags Harmonicas Tin Whistles Jaw Harps Even Hats!

www.elderly.com MinnesotaBluegrass.org Family Owned and Operated Since 1972 Toll-Free in the USA 888-473-5810

September 2018 9 Cover Story: The Fish Heads By Phil Nusbaum

The Fish Heads band has been How do the Fish Heads Do It? get band members to commit to practice around since 2001, with Kim and Mike They didn’t hire out a firm to come up at home and then rehearse in person with Monson as the connecting links through with a band name because the Fish Heads the whole group? These are not givens, the years. That the Fish Heads have been know that in any music scene, you can- but every band leader must find a way to around so long tells you the band has not buy success. But if you work at it, you engage players to come to actually learn been successful, because seventeen years can be successful. The Fish Heads does its a band’s music and actually come to re- is an eternity in the music world where own booking and publicity. Through ex- hearsals. change is the rule. perience, the band has learned the musi- In the case of The Fish Heads play- The Name The Fish Heads. cal tastes of its community and has creat- ers, the work of playing the wide variety Why has the group stuck around? ed relationships with others in the music of song types was the greatest appeal. For Well, you can safely say it isn’t because community in its area. Finally, the Fish example, former Fish Head Bruce Bern- of a group of suits telling the group what Heads offer a consistently high quality of hardt says he would drive from Owaton- to do for success. Success owes to Kim performance. The band writes many of its na to Duluth to rehearse because it was so and Mike’s decades of Upper Midwest songs and crafts unique arrangements to stimulating. He enjoyed the challenge of band business experience. Now, it is al- figuring out how to play song types that ways good for a band to lie outside the typical have a cool name, and bluegrass box, and he Fish Heads could be con- felt the artistic part sidered cool. You know; of his brain being Lake Superior, the Land constantly stretched. of 10,000 lakes, the elusive Bruce says that his walleye, music for resorts. time with the Fish You could pay a lot of Heads was the best money to an advertising of his life. Similarly, firm to come up with a Brian Ford says “The band name that could be Fish Heads helped taken in as many positive me to develop my ways as Fish Heads. own style when it However, nothing came to playing 80s like that took place in the rock songs, as I didn’t creation of the name Fish know of anyone else Heads. Kim explained in a playing anything like written communique that it at the time on the the Fish Heads name sim- The Fish Heads: Paul Jones, Mike Monson, Kim Curtis Monson banjo. I also learned ply came from Mike and to improvise on the Kim’s shared love of fishing. “We fish, we existing songs. Take together the atten- fly as, more often than not, I had no idea eat fish, we smoke fish, we love fishing... tion given to the business and creative which songs we would be playing for a used to have a 24 foot Sea Ray Lake Supe- sides of the band business, and the Fish gig until right before we went up to play.” rior fishing boat called the Sea Flat, sort Heads have created a word-of-mouth Brian is a long-time musical colleague of a musical reference even though there buzz worth more than all the promotional of Kim and Mike who stopped playing is no C-flat. We have since sold that boat bucks in Saint Louis County. shows because the banjo gave him per- and are now looking for bigger boats.” Aesthetics sistent back pain. So much for hiring out the selection of a But how do you take care of aesthet- When everybody in a band has done band name! To Kim and Mike, the band ics? In a world where everybody is com- the preparation, and all the players have is a labor of love where experience and in- mitted from morning into the night, and bought into the songs and styles refer- stinct are the best guides. there is no pay for rehearsals, how do you enced during a performance, everything MinnesotaBluegrass.org

10 September 2018 runs smoothly. Audiences can feel your not want his brother to be better than guy with a banjo showed up, and showed total commitment to entertaining them, him at anything, especially since Mike Mike how to do a “Lester Flatt-style G especially if you have someone like Kim was the older brother. Mike developed run,” and they went over to Ken Sherman’s in the group, who has a way of com- band-quality guitar skills, and learned to house to get him and his fiddle. The band manding the stage that brings audience play the drums as well. Today, at the age of that formed from this chance encounter members into the Fish Heads experience. consisted of: Mike on guitar, Mathew In- Bruce has said that he could tell from re- boden on banjo, Dave Montgomery on actions of audiences that the Fish Heads bass, and Ken Sherman on fiddle. They had a way of winning over audiences. The all sang. All the guys in the band were in group really hit its stride when it played the Air Force in Duluth except Mike. The for weddings, and everybody was happy band lasted till the Air Force guys shipped when the band could play its requests. out, and then the band became: Mike on Musical Backgrounds guitar, Andy Livingston on bass, Lance Mike and Kim were the first Fish Rhicard on banjo (until replaced when he Heads. They met at an iconic weekly jam left by Brian Ford), Dave Miller on fiddle at Sir Benedict’s Tavern in Duluth. They and Ted Heinonen on mandolin. This wound up playing music together, fall- band eventually turned into Bluegrass ing in love and then getting married on Crossing, which was once featured on the August 15, 1992. To hear Kim tell it, she cover of the national publication Blue- and Mike have “always played music and grass Unlimited. fished together.” Mike was responsible Making Music Together for showing Kim the ins and outs of blue- About 1990, Mike was playing in grass, and the tutelage stuck with her. Bluegrass Crossing, while Kim was with Both Kim and Mike had significant Hawk Ridge Bluegrass. Their first band musical experiences within their families together was Natural Grass, formed in Elbow Grease: Mike Monson, Dave while growing up. When Kim was young, 1990 with Cathe O’Bey on bass, Brian Miller, Ken Sherman,Lance Richard, she followed her father, Clayton Hanson, Ford on banjo, Al Roline on fiddle and Dave Montgomery to pickin’ sessions with Grand Rapids Mike and Kim on guitars. To Mike and musician and luthier Lloyd LaPlant. She 62, Mike is able to concede that Craig was Kim, Natural Grass’ 3-part vocal harmo- remembers Clayton and Lloyd playing her and is an amazing guitar player, rivaling ny was memorable. The group cut a re- favorite, “Wildwood Flower” by the Car- Leo Kottke.” Mike is known as a guitarist, cording called Touch of Grass and played ter Family. “I just remember my dad sing- mandolinist, bass player and drummer. till about 2000, when members left the ing it to me, and me thinking I wanted Mike’s first band was Elbow Grease. group. raven black hair,” which is the color of the The band started by serendipity. One day Then serendipity stepped in again. hair of the singer in the song. Kim (who when Mike was playing guitar in a park, a In 2001 Mike and Kim were at the Big has blonde hair) also remembers her fa- Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, WI when ther and Lloyd playing “Under the Double they met Mark Nelson (banjo) and Karyn Eagle.” Another was the “Crawdad Song.” MacLean (fiddle), and found out they At the time Kim was not playing an only lived a couple miles from each other instrument, but watching her dad playing and started playing soon after. They put with Lloyd made it seem to her that play- out the first Fish Heads recording, Tails ing music was a normal type of activity. from The Dock Side. Sad times hit in 2008 When Clayton died when Kim was only when Karyn developed breast cancer. Lat- 12, Kim inherited her father’s Gibson er that year, Mark died of colon cancer. parlor guitar, a mandolin and 4-string Karyn moved back to Seattle after Mark banjo, plus the desire to play music. She died, and Kim’s response to the death was MinnesotaBluegrass.org took lessons from Duluth mandolinist, writing the song “The Show.” After these Ted Heinonen, and entered what she calls traumas, when the Fish Heads regrouped, the “folk stage” of her life. As a Fish Head, Brian Ford was ready to play again, and Kim sings and plays the guitar and man- came on board with his friend Bruce Ber- dolin. nhardt on mandolin. The band put out Mike’s family motivation for play- 2 more CDs. One was self-titled and the ing music was first that it looked like other was called No Bones. fun. Also, his brother Craig started play- Vintage Hearts: Kim Curtis Monson, This configuration delighted in fig- ing the guitar, and Mike says that he did Margaret Manderfield uring out how to play songs you would not

September 2018 11 expect of an acoustic string band and last- Heads history the result of serendipity. time, group members have long-term, in- ed, until 2014 when Brian once again gave Or it could be the group’s willingness to timate listening relationships with many up performing. Brian says that the banjo go in directions that bandmates are good styles of music. For example, Mike says caused severe back pain while that he gets satellite radio, so he tried to stand and play the he listens to a lot of great blue- banjo. As for Bruce, the dis- grass and old rock classics. tance between his home in Audiences, too, respond Owatonna and rehearsals in well to presentations of great Duluth and performances in songs through varied musical other northern Minnesota approaches. Put audience pref- places finally seemed like too erences together with those much of a strain. of the Fish Heads, and there When you consider the seems every reason to open accomplishments of Kim and wide the door to musical va- Mike, you wonder how they riety. did it while managing careers In the current Fish Heads, outside of music. Mike was a all three members sing. Mike pipe fitter welder for over 30 is a stronger force than ever years until retirement, while with the drums, though for- Kim worked in K-12 Special Bluegrass Crossing: David Miller, Brian Ford, mer band members say that Education for 25 years. Andy Livingston, Mike Monson, Ted Heinonen you could always feel his It has always been that drummer background in his Kim and Mike approach music in con- at. You could even say that the Fish Heads powerful rhythm guitar playing. Mike trasting ways. Kim likes to write songs have grown organically from their base of also plays the bass, mandolin, guitar and that make people “investigate” the lyric. musical skills, and not by following any bass. Kim plays the bass and guitar. Paul Whether she wrote a song or not, she is al- blueprint. Jones plays banjo, Dobro, pedal steel gui- ways focused on lyrics. Mike, on the oth- However you put it, from its begin- tar and acoustic guitar. You don’t hear er hand, always listens to the music first ning, the Fish Heads have existed in a pedal steel guitar as frequently today as and then the lyric and many about a half-century ago when times does not understand seemingly every Country song what the writer is trying to featured a pedal steel intro. But say, at least at first. the Fish Heads recent CD helps The Recent Re- make up for the lack. Paul gets group a lot of solo space, and you hear After the breakup of the lots of steel playing in the back- Brian Ford-Bruce Bernhardt ground. version of the Fish Heads, Evolutions Kim and Mike were won- Today there is a word for dering what should be the the combining of music styles: next move. Then, serendip- Americana. However, combin- ity showed up again in Fish ing styles has always been nor- Heads history, as Paul Jones mal. The opposite phenomenon, walked in. He showed up in attempting to maintain musical Duluth after playing in the stylistic boundaries, must also Bemidji area with the 3-piece be considered normal. The in- Alabaster Falls. Kim de- Natural Grass early 1990s: Al Roline, Cathy O’Bey, teraction of the two forces is scribes the association with Mike Monson, Brian Ford, Kim Curtis Monson part of the musical ferment that Paul this way: “Imagine our takes place in living musical cul- luck to have pedal steel, banjo and Dobro state of evolution. Over time, band mem- tures. The Fish Heads are currently in the in the band. He’s a real gift, and just one bers have not wanted to restrict them- Americana camp, but the bluegrass influ- of the kindest, nicest guys to play with. selves to songs or musical approaches in ence is in their playing in the drive of a His family has become very close to us; the bluegrass canon, or any other musical lot of the songs, in the close harmony Kim he’s like family, literally like a brother.” canon. You might say that they’re playing and Mike sing, and in some of the instru- You could call many of the ma- the songs they’ve always loved, regardless mentation. jor personnel and stylistic turns in Fish of idiom. Like many people living in this Bluegrass fans might wink at each MinnesotaBluegrass.org

12 September 2018 other when they recognize the bluegrass be difficult for Kim to sing. However, be- wonders “who” I’m writing about and is elements in Kim’s songs. “Elvina” is a re- cause of the feelings in the song, singing it it about him? “But the song When I’m Lo- cent one recorded on the recent Time to makes Kim feel better. “They were in an vin’ You, has these lyrics: ‘Well the dogs Run CD. It’s about a woman abused by earthquake during their honeymoon and get jealous when we kiss, they know it’s her husband until someone in something that they shouldn’t the neighborhood notices and miss, when I’m lovin you, till decides to help the woman there ain’t nothin’ left in me.’ by eliminating the problem. Our dogs actually did get jealous The song theme is definitely when we kissed, always trying to “bluegrass dark.” And, defi- get in between us!” nitely, it is a Kim Monson On the Horizon type of song. The Fish Heads have already Kim did not start writing had a lengthy career in music, songs until she reached the and since Kim and Mike no lon- age of 24. You might think ger work day jobs, the group’s Kim started writing songs late pace seems to be picking up with in her career. But if you knew time. Others comment on how that her age is 59, you might accomplished the Fish Heads are think that she is extremely as musicians and entertainers. experienced. Like other parts Paul Jones points out that they of Fish Heads music, once she perform a lot, so that their work started writing, she could not The Fish Heads: Mike Monson, Kim Curtis Monson, keeps attaining new levels of pol- stop. About her song writing, Janine Kemmer, Karyn MacLean, Mark Nelson ish. The Fish Heads are well-con- Kim says, “I have hundreds of nected to many musical styles pages of potential songs and maybe 20-25 had to evacuate a hotel from like the 23rd and events. They ran the Children’s Area real good ones, ones I’ll let others listen floor. I was holding Mark’s hand when he stage at the August MBOTMA festival to now. They vary in subject matter, but died, and this line came out of that trag- for years and were instrumental in get- for me I gravitate toward songs that stir ic experience: ‘when life is like an earth- ting going Duluth’s annual Cabin Fever your psyche and desires, your fears and quake, rattles all you know, where do you bluegrass festival. Mike plays in a Duluth emotions. I have written about women find the strength to go on with the show?’ blues-rock band, and Kim participates in killing their lovers, a swamp singer-songwriter events as well. witch, death and missing A short time ago the group re- that person, and the feeling leased a CD featuring the current of a fast car.” One of Kim’s lineup, Time to Run. favorite songs was written What about bluegrass and about a friend who lived on the Fish Heads? You can tell by the third floor of a building the way Kim addresses the ques- and she would always make tion that bluegrass is still in the jokes about herself. One day, Fish Heads mix: “We actually she joked about being up- have been missing playing some set over something she said, of the older bluegrass tunes that “Well I woulda jumped, but I we used to do, so are making a didn’t have a thing to wear.” I concerted effort to bring them told her then and there, “I’m back into play. Tunes like North- gonna put that in a song.” It bound Headlights, Sweet Little came out in the song like this: Miss Blue Eyes are favorites. Paul

The Fish Heads today: Paul Jone, MinnesotaBluegrass.org “I’d stare across the room and Kim Curtis Monson, Mike Monson can pick them as well as anyone, look confused, feeling chewed and he likes to be challenged.” up, thrown out, laughed at and used. We were all anticipating what the after- The Fish Heads legacy is a rich Gazed out the window at the beautiful math of his death was going to mean for one. The group is known for forging new sight there, I woulda jumped but didn’t us as friends and band mates. It was one directions, and also, for referencing its have a thing to wear.” of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go own history. While the details of the fu- The song Kim wrote for former band through.” ture are yet unknown, we can safely say members Mark and Karyn when Mark But there is a lighter side to Kim’s that we expect more of the same and more was in hospice at the Solvay House can song writing. She says that Mike always of the unexpected.

September 2018 13 SATURDAYS AT 7 P.M.

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14 September 2018 Masters Weekend - Song, Singer, Singing Lutsen Resort, November 2-4 By Wayne Russ

Hello, all you acoustiphiles. Those Song selection - e.g. relatability, mel- with Ralph Stanley on his Clinch Moun- headed to Lutsen Resort this year for the ody, lyrics, and matching your voice ca- tain Sweethearts in 2001. Tom T. Hall Masters Weekend will find a bit of a tweak pability; Phrasing a song - putting in the played on Valerie’s second album, and he in the program. Most of you know we em- emotion and feeling; and Harmony - how invited her to be a part of all three Daugh- phasize one of the Bluegrass instruments it works considering solos, duets, trios, ters of Bluegrass albums. Minnesota’s each year and feature workshops and a and quartets. Becky Buller toured with Valerie for ten concert by an accomplished proponent of years before forming her own band. Val- that instrument. This year we’ll concen- erie tours internationally, has appeared trate on the “voice instrument”, i.e. sing- on several television shows, e.g. Ronnie ing - voice control, protection, projection, Reno’s Reno’s Old Time Music on RFD- key choice, arrangement, and more. Our TV, and she writes, produces, and records “Master” will be Valerie Smith. As a certi- with her own Bell Buckle Records. fied music teacher, with a Masters degree Valerie is bringing her whole band, in music from the Conservatory of Music Liberty Pike, to jam with and perform for at the University of Missouri in Kansas you, and some will join you in the work- City, and with years of experience as a shop to help with your harmony singing. performer, I’ll just bet she has informa- Liberty Pike is Joe Zauner (banjo, guitar), tion, tips, and instruction that can help Lisa Kay Howard (mandolin), Tom Gray you become a better singer and singing (bass) (Yes, that Tom Gray!), and Wally partner in your bands and jams. Hughes (fiddle, guitar, resonator guitar). There are many singers in Minneso- The North Shore Music Association ta; the potential to listen to lots of musical partnering with Lutsen Resort will pres- variety is at our fingertips; the potential ent the twenty eighth Masters Weekend to attend a musical performance seems on November 2-4. Lutsen has a reduced omnipresent; and Minnesota is renowned rate for you if you stay at least three days. for its choral singing. Yet, I get the sense Jam when you arrive and jam the whole there are many folks, especially those that time you stay if you wish. Workshops are sing less formal music, like Folk, Coun- from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Those try, Cajun, Bluegrass, and the like, could sessions will be $40 for the entire day, and, use some help. We all enjoy singers with with the workshop broken down into sev- powerful voices, volume control, pitch eral topics per hour you can attend part control, lyric repertoire, engaging songs, Valerie Smith of the day at $2/each 15 minutes. We will confidence, and ability to stir our emo- have the whole workshop schedule for you tions. Probably most of us don’t consider at the event. ourselves in that category. But we’d like The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets to be there. Many skills are involved in Valerie has gained some remarkable will be available at the NSMS table in the singing, and one can easily spend a life- experience since she started her profes- resort lobby and at the concert door: $20/ time pursuing the art. Oh, but, we can im- sional musical journey in 1998. Her first adult and $10 for ages 12 and under. prove in significant ways by just applying mentor, Charlie Louvin, invited her on Call Lutsen Resort at 888-795-7425 ourselves in what time we can carve out stage at the Grand Ol’ Opry, and Alan or book on line at www.lutsenresort.com. MinnesotaBluegrass.org of our busy days. How do you make the O’Bryant produced her first album, Patch- For more information about the weekend, time and what are good ways to change work Heart. Valerie’s hit single, “Red Clay call the North Shore Music Association bad habits and gain good ones? Valerie Halo,” written by Gillian Welch and Da- director, Kate Fitzgerald at 218-387-2916 can help. vid Rawlings, climbed the Bluegrass Un- or email Kate at [email protected]; or call These are the kinds of issues Valerie limited, Country Music, and Americana me, Wayne Russ, at 218-370-8949, or visit wants to cover in her workshops. She reporting charts, receiving heavy radio our web site at www.boreal.org/music. expects to include: Vocal and breathing airplay for five years. Bluegrass Unlim- Wayne Russ is the Vice-Chair North techniques - e.g. relaxation, pitch control, ited included the song in their list of the Shore Music Association developing range, volume, phrasing, and top 60 songs of the decade. Valerie sang dynamics; September 2018 15 Albany Pioneer Days Bluegrass News September 14-16, 2018 by Chris Anderson

Albany Pioneer Days Threshing Information Building when you enter the You’ll also be given a Musician’s Button to Show will be held September 14-16 in Al- grounds. (If possible, and to save time, wear for the weekend! bany MN. It is sponsored by the Stearns you can pre-register by mail! Check the Any Questions? Call Chris Ander- County Pioneer Cub and has been run- website! www.albanypioneerdays.com) son, 651-208-4211. ning for 44 years. The Threshing Show has over 500 antique gas engines on dis- play. It showcases a Parade of Tractors th Feature Chairpersons: 44 ANNUAL ALL EXHIBITORS WELCOME! Justin Kunstleben ph 320-290-8233 daily at 1:30pm. A few of the many build- [email protected] ings are a country school, blacksmith Albany Doug Stade 320-282-5838 shop, general store, barber shop, print email [email protected] shop and farm museum. It features a va- riety of foods, a model railroad museum, kids activities and music all three days - bluegrass, country and gospel. THRESHING SHOW The Bluegrass Building (Bluegrass SEPTEMBER 14, 15, 16, 2018 PARADE OF TRACTORS Shed---replacement for the Red Shed of ALBANY, MINN. 1:30 PM SAT. & SUN. past years) will be up and running for Pioneer Days in Albany, MN, September 14, 15, and 16….and we have a couple of OLIVER AND HART-PARR new activities this year! The Open Stage Antique Tractors and Equipment uses 3 new sign-up boards with time slots Gas Engine FFeature:eature: for musicians to sign up to play on stage STOVER Chairperson: each day (allowing groups to plan when Rick Notsch to gather there to perform so they can en- 320-288-8923

joy themselves in the meantime at all the • Parade of Tractors: 1:30 pm Saturday and events going on). We’ll be having a Jam Sunday Wagon for any and all musicians to play • MORE THAN 400 • Farm Museum tractors on Display • Working Models on. For the folks on the ground, a Trav- • Collector Car & Truck • Print Shop in Displays Operation eling Jam Session! Also, watch for the • Snowmobile Displays • Souvenir Shop RAFFLE Drawing • Over 500 Gas Engines • Country School in Draw Band Cans in the Stage Area of the on Display Session SUNDAY - 3 P.M. • Threshing • General Store - Lots Bluegrass Shed! Individuals place their Demonstrations of items for Sale LOCATED IN FEATURE BUILDING names on paper and place in appropri- • 2 Huge Stationary • Blacksmith Shop Steam Engines • Lots of Food and Silent Auction ate instrument cans until 10 AM on Sat- Running Snacks LOCATED IN FEATURE BUILDING • Lumber Mill, Shingle • Kids Train Rides urday morning, at which time, one per- Mill, • Model Railroad EVENTS ON THE GROUNDS & Flour Mill in Museum • Pioneer Queen and Pioneer Princess Coronations son’s name will be drawn out of each can, Operation by Central MN Friday Evening 7 PM in the Saloon forming a band. They have 20 to 30 min- • Big Rope Making Railroad Club • Log Sawing Contest Saturday Evening Starts at Dusk Machine • Memories From the • “WILD WEST SHOW” utes to work up 2 bluegrass songs, then • Miniature Land - Past Display Sunday 11:30 AM by Wild Creek Entertainers Machines in Operation - Featuring “Hats” perform them on stage! After all bands Music All Three Days! Friday Evening 6 p.m. have performed, the audience chooses the - Old Tyme & Country in the Saloon FLEA MARKET winner, with a thank you prize from the - Bluegrass in the New Feature Building GARDEN TRACTOR PULL Lots of dealers! - Country in the Flea Market Building CONTACT: Jeff Mortenson - Karaoke in Saloon Friday & Saturday Pioneer Club! Also, our Jam Wagon has 320-339-5071 John Achmann - Gospel Singing in the Saloon been invited to perform in the Saturday - Musicians Welcome Registration @ 5 pm 320-573-1996 parade, on a people hauler, so we need CHURCH SERVICES Catholic: Sat. 5 pm, Sun. 8 am SEWING CIRCLE IN THE PARLOR musicians at 1:20 PM at the Bluegrass Ecumenical Sat. 7 pm. Quilting, Knitting, Crocheting, Tatting & More! Building Saturday, to promote bluegrass GATES OPEN: Friday, Saturday & Sunday • 7 a.m. (Maybe they’ll want us for the Sunday Pa- ADMISSION: $10 per day • $18 per season pass • $20 camping donations rade, too!) Thank you all for sharing this Kids 12 and under FREE (when accompanied by an adult) Service Dogs Only. EVENT SPONSORED BY: THE STEARNS COUNTY PIONEER CLUB (a nonprofit organization) great music! Also, don’t forget, musicians NO ATV’S. NO GOLF CARTS WITHOUT PROOF OF NEED OR HANDICAP - CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE REQUIRED get in free, you just need to register at the FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CALL 320-845-7410 • WWW.ALBANYPIONEERDAYS.COM MinnesotaBluegrass.org

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18 September 2018 Come to the FREE 20th Annual Minnehaha Park “Laughing Waters” BBlluueeggrraassss sttiivvaall!! FFeeLabors Day Monday, September 3, 2018 1:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Featuring: More info: http://mscb.com/minnehaha.htm 1:00 The Pride of the Prairie 1:40 The Sawtooth Brothers 2:30 King Wilkie’s Dream 3:20 Middle Spunk Creek Boys 50th Anniversary and Reunion 5:45 Becky Thompson and Old School MinnesotaBluegrass.org Concert at Minnehaha Park. Located at East Minnehaha Parkway and Hiawatha Avenue. FREE ADMISSION!

Stage and park facilities provided Supported by the Minnesota by the Park and Recreation Board Bluegrass and Old-Time of the City of Minneapolis. Music Association.

September 2018 19 Why are there so many banjo jokes? by Wayne Erbsen

Maybe you’ve heard the one about the banjo player who always sits in a level spot so the tobacco juice will run out of both sides of his mouth. Or the guy who makes a perfect score by throwing a banjo in a dumpster without hitting the sides. He earned extra points for landing on top of an accordion. Or what has 16 legs and 3 teeth? The front row of a banjo concert. Or what do you call a banjo player in a three-piece suit? A defendant. The fact is, people love making jokes about banjos and the people who play them. These banjo jokes have taken over where the moron, blond, lawyer and Polack jokes left off. For the heck of it, When the movie “Deliverance” hit much for guitar player brain?” Four let’s try to figure out why people get such the big screen in 1972, it became an instant dollars an ounce.” a kick out of picking on banjo players. classic. Almost overnight, the faded What about banjo player brain?” What is it about the banjo that makes it image of the blackfaced minstrel banjo “One hundred dollars an ounce.” “Why the brunt of so many jokes? player was replaced with the stereotype are the banjo player brains so high?” “Do To answer this question we need of the banjo being the favorite instrument you know how many banjo players it takes to take a little trip back to 1843. At that of low-intellect hillbillies. With its sordid to get one ounce of brain?” time, minstrel music was just taking past, it’s no wonder that the poor banjo Many of the attributes of the banjo root, and it soon surged in popularity to continues to be America’s whipping boy. itself have helped to make it the brunt of became America’s first national musical Banjo jokes, although told in the jokes. For example, the banjo is a rather obsession. Minstrel bands performed spirit of fun, do reveal remnants of loud instrument, especially when played everywhere from concert stages in the America’s ambivalent attitudes toward with picks, which are used by most north, to the gold fields of California, on the banjo and those who play it. bluegrass banjo players. the decks of Mississippi River boats, and For example, a large number of What’s the difference between a in the camps of Civil War soldiers. At the banjo jokes paint the banjo player as banjo and a chain saw? You can turn a core of minstrel music was the 5-string stupid, or worse. chain saw off. banjo. In time, the instrument itself came How do you get a banjo player’s eyes Banjo played in bluegrass style to symbolize an entire era of minstrel to sparkle? Shine a light in his ears. is seen by many people to be highly music. Why did the banjo player cross the repetitious. To understand minstrel music and road? It was the chicken’s day off. What’s the difference between a the banjo’s place in it, we must remember There’s not much difference between banjo and an uzi? An uzi only repeats that minstrels were not just performing you and a fool, is there? “Just this here forty times. music. Instead, they were part of an entire banjo.” Bluegrass music is typically rather stage show consisting of rowdy dancing, What did the banjo player get on his sentimental, with themes of dead boisterous singing and playing, biting IQ test? “Drool.” mothers, dying orphans and widows humor and outrageous skits. Of course, What is this? x x x Three banjo waiting for their lost sons to come home. minstrel shows were done in blackface players cosigning a loan. Unfortunately for banjo players, the with the performers wearing loosely Why was the banjo player staring at sentimentality of bluegrass music has fitting ragamuffin garments, oversized the bottle of orange juice? Because it said splashed on them, making them seem shoes, and slouch hats. With the banjos’ “Concentrate.” overly sentimental too. prominent place in minstrel music, it’s no A man went to a brain store to get How many banjo players does it take wonder that the banjo was forever linked some brain for dinner. He asked the to screw in a light bulb? Five. One to screw to the comic character depicted in the butcher, “how much for fiddle player it in and four to lament about how much minstrel show. brain.” “Two dollars an ounce.” How they miss the old one. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

20 September 2018 Banjo players are also considered How can you make a million dollars consider that they have much value. purists who shun electric instruments. as a banjo player? Start with two million. Joe: Yesterday my car was broken How many banjo players does it take What’s the difference between a into. And I had my banjo in the back. to screw in a light bulb? Five. One to screw certificate of deposit and a banjo player? Jack: Did they take it? Joe: No, but they it in and four to complain that it’s electric. The CD eventually matures and earns left me two more banjos. Bluegrass banjo owes its existence to some money. In some jokes, banjo players are one man, Earl Scruggs. How do you get a banjo player off depicted as being less than human. How many banjo players does it your porch? By paying for the pizza. How do you tell where all the pink take to screw in a light bulb? Five. One to Many people think that all banjo flamingos live? There’s a banjo player screw it in, and four to complain that Earl tunes sound the same. on the front lawn! wouldn’t have done it that way. How can you tell the difference Banjo players are like sharks. Banjo players are often lambasted between all the different banjo songs? By They think they have to keep playing or because they don’t earn much money their names. they’ll sink. playing the banjo. Banjo players have frequently And finally, after all this research, What’s the difference between a run been accused of being less than stellar I have firmly decided that there is really over skunk and a run over banjo player? musicians. only one banjo joke. The rest are true The skunk was on his way to a gig. How can you tell if there’s a banjo stories. What will you never say about a player at your door? They can’t find the banjo player? “That’s a nice Porsche.” key, the knocking speeds up, and they Wayne Erbsen makes his living What’s the difference between a don’t know when to come in. joking with students as well as those banjo and a pizza? At least a pizza can Because the banjo is a loud who read his banjo, fiddle, guitar and feed a family of four. instrument, and bluegrass music demands mandolin instruction books. Visit a certain aggressiveness or attack, banjos Wayne’s web site: www.nativeground. players have been seen as show offs. com. How is playing the banjo a lot like throwing a javelin blindfolded: You don’t have to be very good to get people’s attention. By their nature, banjos easily get out of tune, so there’s lots of banjo tuning jokes. What’s the best way to tun a banjo? With wire cutters. Most banjo players learn either by ear or by tab, which is a shortcut way of writing down banjo music. Very few banjo players use standard musical notation. Can you read music? Not enough to hurt my playing. How do you get a banjo player to slow down? Put some music in front of him. Because banjo are such notey instruments, it’s generally best for there to be only one banjo in a band or jam session. How do you get two banjo players to MinnesotaBluegrass.org play in unison? Shoot one. The banjo has been perceived by some as a difficult instrument to play. What’s the difference between a good banjo player and Bigfoot. There have been sightings of Bigfoot. Despite the fact that banjos can be quite expensive, some people don’t

September 2018 21 Places to jam! Looking for a place to play with others? Jams are open to the public, but musical tastes and etiquette vary from place to place. Events are weekly unless noted. A call may be advisable Y’All Come before your first visit, especially to check holiday and weather schedules. We apologize for any errors in the list; please let us know of THU • Flatpicking RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 SAT • Bluegrass (Advanced) RICHFIELD any changes. p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. 3:00 –6:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. THU • Acoustic SAINT PAUL. SAT (Periodic) • Acoustic BLOOMINGTON 6:30–8:30 p.m. Mad Hatter Coffee Café 10:00–2:00. Nechville Studio showroom, (945 West 7th Street). Doug Chasar 9700 Humboldt Ave S. 952–888–9710. 612–802–0833 Call to check schedule Jams THU • Celtic DULUTH 8:00 p.m. Sir Bene SAT • (1st & 3rd) Cajun SAINT PAUL. dict’s Tavern. 11:00 a.m.-1 p.m. The Underground Music MON • Nordic NORTHFIELD, 7:30-10:00 THU • CANNON FALLS, 7–9 p.m., Cafe, 1579 Ham-line Ave, 651– 644–9959. p.m. The Contented Cow; 302B Division Wangen Prairie Church, 34289 Co. Rd. 24, SAT • (2nd) Bluuegrass RICE LAKE, WI. St S, 507-645-1351; www.contentedcow. 507–263–2483, [email protected]. 6:00 p.m. 1st Lutheran Church, Sawyer St. com THU • (1st, 3rd, 5th) Bluegrass BRAINERD 715- 458-0181 MON • (1st) HUTCHINSON. 6:30–10:00 p.m. Coco Moon, 601 Laurel SAT • (3rd) NORTH SAINT PAUL 10 a.m. 6:30–9:30 p.m.The Oaks Assisted Living St. 218–825–7955. - Noon, Silver Lake Methodist, Century Center. Gene Wiedenroth, 320–587–2210 THU • (1st & 3rd) Chippewa Falls, WI. Ave (between Hwy 36 & I-694). 651–777– MON • (1st) Sea Shanties SAINT PAUL. Ojibwa Bowl. 3 miles east of Highway 2920; [email protected] The Dubliner, 2162 University Ave. 7:30 53 & County Road S. 6:30 p.m. 715-458- SUN • Northern Roots NORTHFIELD 7:30- p.m. 0181. 10:30 p.m. The Contented Cow, 302B So. MON • (1st & 3rd) Flatpicking (slow fiddle THU • (1st & 3rd) PLAINVIEW Division St., 507– 663-1351. www.thecon- tunes) RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Community Center, 346 W. Broadway,. tentedcow.com Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. 507- 534-6682; 507-534-3802. 7:00-10:00 SUN • (1st) ROGERS. Amplified. 1–5 p.m. MON • (2nd & 4th) Ukulele RICHFIELD p.m. Rogers Community Center (3 blocks S 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. THU • (2nd) HAM LAKE 7:00–10:00 p.m. of I- 94).Dorothy Auld, 763–494–8530 MON • (2nd & 4th) Flatpicking ST. PAUL Ham Lake Senior Center, 15544 Central (CMM) 7:00-9:00 p.m. All 12 Notes, 2057 Ave. NE. Maxine Larson, 763–434–675 SUN • (1st) Acoustic FERGUS FALLS 1:00- Randolph Ave. 651–699–2924, www. THU • (3rd) GRAND RAPIDS, 6:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. Westridge Mall. all12notes.com Assembly of God Church, 1585 E. Hwy SUN • (1st) • Potluck & Jam SPRING VAL MON • (Last) Roy’s Jam - MINNEAPOLIS 169, 218–326–2497, 218–245–1062. LEY 12:00-5:00 p.m. Our Savior’s Luther- 7:00–10:00 p.m. Minnehaha Methodist THU • (3rd) MILACA, 6:30-9:00 p.m.; Park an Church, 805 S.Broadway. 507- 864- Church; 3701 E. 50th St. Roy, 612–209– Sr. Apts. 240 2nd Ave. 320-980-7609; 320- 8109; [email protected]. 5311 or [email protected] 983- 2468 SUN • (1st, 3rd) Bluegrass/Acoustic MINNE TUE • Bluegrass & Old-time NORTHFIELD THU • (Last) MONTICELLO Middle APOLIS, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 42nd Avenue Sta- 7:30–10:00 p.m. The Contented Cow, School, Broadway Ave. across from tion, 4171 Lyndale Ave. N. Don Hunker, 302B So. Division St., 507– 663-1351. Hospital. 6:30 p.m. Milton or Milo Olson, 612-521-2831, [email protected] www.thecontentedcow.com 763–497–2383, 763–261–4933. SUN • (2nd) LaCROSSE, WI. Southside TUE • (1st, 3rd, 5th) Folk RICHFIELD FRI • Bluegrass ROCHESTER Peace UCC, Center, 6th & Hood Sts, 608-783-6565. 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. 1503 2nd Ave, NE, 507–282-5807, 507- 1:00-4:00 p.m. TUE • (2nd & 4th) Bluegrass — Beginning 285- 1239. 6:30 p.m. SUN • (2nd) DURAND, WI. RICHFIELD 7:00 p.m. Homestead Pickin’ FRI • (2nd) HAM LAKE Glen Cary Shari’s Chippewa Club. 6:00-10:00 p.m. Parlor, 6625 Penn Ave. S. 612–861–3308. Lutheran Church, 15531 Central Ave. 715–672–8785 TUE • (2nd & 4th) SAINT CLOUD NE (Hwy 65). 6:30 p.m. 612–366–1359, SUN • (3rd) • Potluck & Jam RUSHFORD 6:30–9:45 pm Whitney Sr. Center, 1125 763–434–5695, WhenWillitSnow@mac. 12:00-5:00 p.m. Good Shepherd Home, Northway Dr. Jim Wasdyke 320–656– com 800 Home St. 507-864-8109; 8962 (CMM). SAT • MBOTMA/Spring Lake Park. [email protected]. TUE • (3rd) SAINT CLOUD 1:30–3:30 p.m. Kraus Hartig VFW, 8100 Pleasant View SUN • (4th) MINNEAPOLIS. Twin Cities Whitney Sr. Center, 1125 Northway Dr. Dr. NE. 1:30-4 p.m. Barb, 763–784–7881 Autoharpers, Hennepin Avenue Unit- Greta Leen 320–743–2826 (CMM) SAT • WILLMAR. Whitney Music, ed Methodist Church., 511 Groveland TUE • (3rd) MANKATO. Bethany Lutheran 913 Hwy 71 NE. 9:00-11:00 a.m. 320-214- Avenue, Mpls, MN 3:00–5:00 p.m. Tony College in the Bethany Annex 7:00 - 9:00 9433;; [email protected] Wentersdorf, 612–872–0233 or afwenters- p.m. http://halvorsonfamily.com/jams SAT • (1st, 3rd) MINNEAPOLIS 11:30 [email protected] WED • Bluegrass DULUTH 8:00 p.m. Sir a.m.–1:30 p.m. Linden Hills Park Comm. Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, 805 Supe- Center, 3100 43rd St. (at Xerxes). Jammers: We only know about rior St. 218–728–1192. 612–922–9453; 651–762– 8036 WED • Intermediate Flatpicking/fiddle tunes SAT • (2nd) ZIMMERMAN. jams through you! Please let us RICHFIELD 7:00–9:00 p.m. Homestead American Legion (3 blocks W of stoplight know about changes. Pickin’ Parlor. on 169). 763-856- 2131. April-October MinnesotaBluegrass.org

22 September 2018 Kick Up Your Turn Your Radio On

Heels SUN • RED WING, 4–7pm Music Loft, “The Long Way Home” Sun. 7–9pm Hobgoblin Music, 920 Hwy. 19 651–388– Host: Will Healy Dances 8400 or 877–866–3936 WBKV–AM West Bend, WI MON • MINNEAPOLIS, 7:30pm KAUR–89.1 FM Sioux Falls, SD “The Bluegrass Show” Sun. 4–6pm Monday Night Square Dance at The “Folk Wave” Sat. 10–noon Hosts: Dale Palacek and Jim Burch WELY–FM 94.5, AM 1450 Ely, MN Eagles Club, 2507 E. 25th St. 612–729– Host: Gaynor Johnson KAXE–FM 91.7 Grand Rapids, MN • “Big Lake Country Bluegrass Show” 4469 (1st and 3rd Mondays) “Backporch Harmony” Sun. 5–8pm Sat. 12–1pm Host: Matt Fetterer MON • MINNEAPOLIS, 7:30pm KBEM–FM 88.5 Minneapolis, jazz88fm. • “The Bluegrass Review” Sat. s 1–2pm Monday Night Cajun Dance at The com “Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour” Eagles Club, 2507 E. 25th St. 612–729– • “Bluegrass Saturday Morning” Sat. 2–3pm 4469 (2nd, 4th and 5th Mondays) Sat. 7am–noon. Host: Phil Nusbaum • “Twisted Roots” Mon.–Fri. 10am–2pm Host: Matt Fetterer SAT • (1st) SAINT PAUL, 8pm New • “Mountain Stage,” Sat. 4–6pm • “String Theory” Sat. 2–4pm WOJB–FM 88.9 Hayward, WI England Contra, Celtic Junction. Jim Sun. 9–11pm Host: Kevin Barnes “Folkways” Wed. 7:30–midnight Brooks 651–222–5475 [email protected] • “Tent Show Radio” Sat. 4–5pm Hosts: Carl Solander and Ernie SAT • MINNEAPOLIS, 7:30pm Tapestry • “Celtic Nation” Sat. noon–2pm Martinson Folkdance Center, New England–style KBSB–FM 89.7 Bemidji, MN WORT–FM Madison, WI |WORT– FM.org contra dance. www.fm90.org “Back to the Country” Wed. 9am Host: Bill Malone SAT • (2nd) DULUTH, 7:30pm Contras, “Backporch Bluegrass” Thu. 6–9pm Hosts: Arlan Roline and Jerry Brademan WRCO–FM 100.9 Richland Center, WI Squares, and round dances, Tamarack KDUZ–AM 1260 Hutchinson, MN “Roots & Branches” Sun. 4–6pm Dance Ass’n, YWCA, 202 West 2nd St. “Our Bluegrass Gospel Get–Together” Host: Gloria Hays Sun. 5–6am Host: Tim Benoit WTIP–FM 90.7 Grand Marais, MN KFAI–FM 90.3 Minneapolis, MN “Classic Country” “Rainbow Trout” • “Stone Soup” Wed. 9–11am Host: Pam K. Sun. 3–9pm Host: Carl Solander • “Good ’n Country” Sat. 3–5pm WXPR–FM 91.7 Rhinelander, WI Host: Ken Hippler “Bluegrass Saturday” Sat. 12–4pm • “Dakota Dave Hull Show” Thu. 9–11am Open Stages Minnesota Public Radio Host Dave Hull • “Womenfolk” Sun. 11 am–1pm KSJN 99.5 FM | KNOW FM 91.1, St. Paul Open Stages Host: Ellen Stanley “A Prairie Home Companion” • “Dig Up The Roots” Tue. 9–11am Sat. 5–7pm, rebroadcast Sun. noon Host: Greg Carr TUE • (3rd) SPRING VALLEY, WI, 7pm North Dakota Public Radio: • “Freewheelin’” Mon. 9–11am Sneaker’s Pub and Eatery, 128 McKay 90.5 FM/Bismarck–91.9 FM/Beach Host: Jackson Buck 91.9 FM/Bowman–89.5 FM/Crary Ave KLTF–AM 960, Little Falls, MN 91.9 FM/Crosby–91.5 FM/Devils Lake WED • (1st and 3rd) ST. PAUL “Knee Deep in Bluegrass” Sun. 10pm– 89.9 FM/Dickinson–91.9 FM/Fargo Gingko Coffeehouse, 721 Snelling Ave. 12am Host: Cindy Bockem 89/3 FM/Grand Forks–91.9 FM/Harvey Hosts: Neal Dimick. Sign–up 6:30pm, KMSU–FM 89.7 Mankato, MN and 91.9 FM/Hettinger–91.5 FM/Jamestown music 7pm. 651–645–2647 KMSK–FM 91.3 Austin, MN 91.7 FM/Lakota–88.9 FM/Minot THU • “Tent Radio Show” Sun. 7–8pm • RIVER FALLS, WI Knitter’s 91.9 FM/Tioga–89/5 FM/Tioga • “Minnesota Morning” Mon.–Fri. group + open mic. Dish & the Spoon 89.5 FM/Williston–91.9 FM/Plentywood, MT 9–12am Host: Amy Triebenbach Café, 208 N. Main St., 715–426–9392 88.3 FM/Thief River Falls, MN KRWC–AM 1360 Buffalo, MN THU • (3rd) SPRING VALLEY, WI, 7pm “Old Time Music” Sun. 12:01am • “Inside Bluegrass” Sat. 10am Hosts: Sneaker’s Pub and Eatery, 128 McKay Host: Steve Nelson MinnesotaBluegrass.org Denny O’Brien and Tom Schuveiller Ave • “Bluegrass Review” Sun. 4pm THU • (3rd) MINNEAPOLIS: 7pm Wisconsin Public Radio: Host: Phil Nusbaum The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, WHSA–89.9 FM | WHWC–88.3 FM KUMD–FM 103.3 Duluth, MN WHRM–90.9 FM | WLBL–93 AM lower level, Minneapolis, 877-987-6487 “Folk Migrations” Sat. 7–midnight WHLA–90.3 FM | WHA–97 AM KVSC–FM Saint Cloud, MN WHHI–91.3 FM | WERN–88.7 FM “Frets” Sat. 6am–noon WHAD–90.7 FM Host: Wayne Bergerson • “Simply Folk” Sun. 5–8pm KYMN–AM 1080 Northfield, MN Host: Judy Rose kymnradio.net • “Tent Show Radio” Sat. 7–8pm

September 2018 23 Monroe Crossing: What’s Coming up

Grand Marais Playhouse Presents Saturday, September 1 7:30 pm Grand Marais, MN 218-387-1284 Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West Fifth Street Imagine It! Wildwood Concert Series Friday, September 7 7:00 pm Gonvick, MN 218-487-5290 Clear Waters Life Center, Old Gonvick Gym, 226 Elm Street Chestnut Avenue Center for the Arts Saturday, September 8 7:30 pm Marshfield, WI 715-389-8999 208 South Chestnut Avenue A Slice of Bluegrass House Concerts at the Brashler Barn Sunday, September 9 3:00 pm Lockport, IL 815-592-1549 17560 South Gougar Road Wednesday, September 12 7:00 pm Grace Lutheran Church Concert Series, US Highway 59 Erhard, MN 218-671-0522 Yellowstone Bluegrass Association Thursday, September 20 7:00 pm Billings, MT 406-652-2660 Cisel Hall, Montana State University, 1500 University Drive An Evening with Monroe Crossing & Special Consensus Friday, September 21 7:30 pm Bozeman, MT 406-585-5885 The Ellen Theatre, 17 West Main Street Miles City Bluegrass Festival Saturday , September 22 Time(s) Home Show Building, Eastern MT Fairgrounds Miles City, MT 406-853-1678 Sunday, September 23 TBA 42 Garryowen Road Sheldon Fete: A Grand Reopening House Party! Friday, October 5 7-10 pm Red Wing, MN 800-899-5759 The Sheldon Theatre, 443 West Third Street Community Bluegrass & Gospel Show Saturday, October 6 7:00 pm Ham Lake, MN 763-434-5596 The Cowboy Church, 17525 Highway 65 NE Bluegrass Mass w/The Plano Civic Chorus Saturday, October 13 8:00 pm Plano, TX 972-606-5220 St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Pkwy Bluegrass Mass w/The Plano Civic Chorus Sunday, October 14 4:00 pm Dallas, TX 972-606-5220 Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Rd.

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

24 September 2018 Bluegrass Saturday Morning By Phil Nusbaum

Pathways Into the Music Many of the original bluegrass and old-time entertainers approaches. All of them contribute to the ferment in old-time came up in music through family music-making traditions. music and bluegrass. Ferment, you might say, proves that there is But over time, people living outside of the south had increased an active culture present. exposure to bluegrass music. During World War II, GIs from From my post as host of bluegrass Saturday Morning, many parts of the US mingled, sharing traditions. Radio beamed the greatest pleasure is seeing what’s coming next. I hope that bluegrass far from its original home. Then came television listeners enjoy it with me. and the internet. After World War II, the combination of an increasingly mobile American population and access to music Special Note about Music Listings via electronic media made it possible for many Americans to The KBEM-FM online music listings contain many regular learn about bluegrass who previously would not have been able events listed that no longer take place. The problem is when to. regularly-occurring events are canceled, no one tells us. So if It used to be true that bluegrass and old-time musicians you know of these, kindly let us know and we’ll remove them learned from a mixture of trial and error and hands-on instruction from the listings. The listings are only worthwhile if they are from others. However, over time, it has gotten more common for trustworthy. players with formal music backgrounds to learn to play bluegrass The written music listings took the place of the and old-time music. Today, you can study traditional music announcements we used to make. But so many listeners told us at formal academies such as East Tennessee State University that they never seemed to have pencils at the ready to write down (ETSU), the Berklee School of Music and South Plans College. any of the details about the events. So we compiled the listings Sometimes, the music that comes out of formal settings is a lot and put them on the KBEM website, at this URL: http://www. like the bluegrass and old-time music that was learned “the old jazz88.fm/2017/05/31/bsm-calendar/. way.” Becky Buller, who grew up in Minnesota and studied at To get there, at www.jazz88.fm, click on schedule. Scroll to ETSU, is an award-winning songwriter and bandleader whose the bottom of the page and click on Bluegrass Saturday Morning. musical style reflects the bluegrass mainstream. Or, check out Then scroll down to Blog Posts and click on Bluegrass Saturday Billy Hurt, Jr. He is a formally educated violin player who has Acoustic Music Calendar. played with the ultra-traditional bluegrass group, Karl Shifflett’s Big Country Show, a group that features the Country Music that Weekly Playlists, Listen Online was popular in Texas in the 1950s and 1960s. On his solo CD, www.jazz88.fm Hurt plays many fiddle pieces in a style reminiscent of fiddler To stream KBEM programming, at www.jazz88.fm, click on Clark Kessenger, who first recorded in the 1930 era. However, “listen live.” Bluegrass Saturday Morning playlists are located at Billy includes a group of swing pieces as well. www.jazz88.fm. At the top of the home page on the right-hand For a player who combines influences from many traditions side, select “playlists.” Then click on the desired date. To listen to freely, take the case of fiddler Darol Anger. His Wikipedia listing archived shows, at www.jazz88.fm, click on “on-demand” Then expresses that he plays “bluegrass, folk music, chamber jazz and click on the date and show.” new-age music.” That combination is apparent on the recordings made by his group, Psychograss. On a CD issued under Darol’s name, Eanda’, the fiddle dance music represented has a rounded quality that sets it apart from most others. Tempos are generally sprightly, but tunes are not played at top speed. There are many extended tracks on the CD, the group members obviously listen to each other in performance, and the total effect is of a very MinnesotaBluegrass.org well-played set of pieces that represents a spin on tradition. Event Production Workshops! Of course, there is plenty of bluegrass and old-time music Learn from Professionals! around today that was learned and played “the old way.” I’m reflecting at this moment on the Kevin Prater band, whose Learn how to run an event! recorded work includes a lot of traditional bluegrass, and includes a traditional ballad, “Lord Daniel” (a version of Mattie Volunteer at a MBOTMA Groves). The total effect here is of a group that honed its skills in bluegrass festival parking lots and Friday night garage parties. Event!! There are many pathways into the music today and many

September 2018 25 Don’t miss these future Upcoming Events Presented by The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association The 40th Annual

Fall Jam Winter Weekend

October 26-27, 2018 March1-3, 2019 Crowne Plaza Hotel Crowne Plaza Hotel I-494 & Hwy 55 in I-494 & Hwy 55 in Plymouth, MN Plymouth, MN

Tickets are on sale soon for this brand MBOTMA’s Winter Weekend is new event of bluegrass and ukulele jams, a Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time stage shows, and workshops. Stringband Music & Dance. The Show- case of Bands features more than 50 • Stage shows Friday & Saturday groups on 2 stages all 3 days. Plus a • Workshops Saturday Night Headline Concert. • Draw bands • Stage shows Friday to Sunday • GMUG • Workshops • Grass Seeds Youth Event • Grass Seeds • Open stage in Fireside Lounge • Jamming • Theme Jams including a Singers Jam Call 763-559-6600 for lodging and ask Call 763-559-6600 for lodging and ask for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate. for the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival rate. www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org For More Info: www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org or 651-456-8919 These festivals are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, and made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board through appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Call and ask to be on our mailing list. MinnesotaBluegrass.org

26 September 2018 MBOTMA Calendar of Events Concerts and events presented or supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association

The following events are presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) or support- ed 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.

Aug 30 and Sep 1, 2018 - Friday and Saturday October 26-28, 2018 - Friday through Sunday 2018 Minnesota Americana-Roots Music Contests: Minnesota Bluegrass Fall jam: At the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, MN. For more information Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth, MN (3131 651-456-8919 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass. org. Presented by the Campus Dr, I-494 & Hwy 55). This 13th annual event will feature Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association. stage shows Friday night, all day Saturday, and Sunday morn- September 3, 2018 - Monday ing, Great Minnesota Uke Gathering, Open Mic at the Fireside Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival: throughout the weekend, workshops, musical exhibitors, a Sun- Minneapolis, MN, 1:00-6:30pm, Minnehaha Park. Middle Spunk day morning gospel show, and lots of jam sessions. For more Creek Boys 50th Anniversary Show, King Wilkie’s Dream, Saw- information 800-635-3037 or www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org. To tooth Brothers, Pride of the Prairie, Becky Thompson and Old book lodging contact the Crowne Plaza at 763-559-6600 and ask School. Supported by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time for the special Minnesota Bluegrass rate. Presented by the Min- Music Association. nesota Bluegrass & Old- Time Music Association (MBOTMA).

Get a PDF of Minnesota Bluegrass - Save us MBOTMA’s Website: postage. If you are already a member and want to www.minnesotabluegrass.org 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 Info and news about our events. the Minnesota Bluegrass editor at editor@minnesotablue- Buy tickets on line grass.org. Donate History Contribute to Minnesota Complete calendar of Bluegrass Magazine. Festivals Write a Review of a favorite concert or CD. Write an article about your favorite jam. Magazine, read past issues Tell us about how you came to like Bluegrass and Old-Time String Band Music. Links to Member Bands [email protected] MinnesotaBluegrass.org

2015 Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival, Minnehah Park, Minneapolis, MN

September 2018 27 Coming Up

Venue abbreviations 318: The 318 Café, 318 Water Street, Excelsior, 952-401-7902, GINK: Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 721 N Snelling Ave, St Paul, 651- www.three-eighteen.com 645-2647, www.ginkgocoffee.com 331C: 331 Club, 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls, 612-331-1746, GKb: Grand Kabaret, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm, 507-359- www.331.mn 9222, www.thegrandnewulm.com AGr: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe, 394 S Lake Ave, Duluth, HOB: The Loft at Hobgoblin Music, 920 State Hwy 19, Red 218-723-0075, www.amazinggraceduluth.com Wing, 877-866-3936, www.stoneyend.com AST: Aster Cafe, 125 SE Main St, Mpls, 612-379-3138, www. MER: Merlins Rest, 3601 E Lake St, Mpls, 612-216-2419 astercafe.com OAK: Oak Center General Store, 67011 Hwy 63, Lake City, 507- BSC: Black Sheep Coffee Cafe, 705 Southview Blvd., South St. 753-2080, www.oakcentergeneralstore.com Paul, 651-554-0155, www.blacksheepcoffee.com RIV: Riverview Café & Wine Bar, 3747 42nd Ave S, Mpls, 612- BTC: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield, WI, 888-244- 729-4200, theriverview.com 8368, www.bigtop.org ROCK: Rockwoods, 9100 Quaday Ave NE, Elk River, 763-222- BoDD: BoDiddley’s Pub and Deli, 129 25th Ave S, St. Cloud, 4353, www.nograsslimit.com/RockwoodsCalendar.html 320-252-9475 SHL: Sheldon Theatre, 443 W 3rd St, Red Wing, 800-899-5759, CED: Cedar Cultural Center, 415 Cedar Ave S, Mpls, 612-338- www.sheldontheatre.org 2674, www.thecedar.org TAP: Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S, Mpls, CJ: Celtic Junction, 836 Prior Ave, St Paul, 651-330-4685, www. 612-722-2914, www.tapestryfolkdance.org thecelticjunction.com UMC: Underground Music Café, 1579 Hamline Ave N, Falcon CrH: Creek House Concerts, www.creekhouseconcerts.com, Hts, 651-644-9959, undergroundmusiccafe.com 651-633-5353. MUST call and reserve for these events. VC: Vieux Carre, 408 St Peter St, St Paul, 651-291-2715, vieux- DAK: Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls, 612-332-1010, carre.com www.dakotacooks.com WmH: The Warming House, 4001 Bryant Ave S, lower level, DuG: Dunn Brothers on Grand, 1569 Grand Ave, St. Paul Mpls, 877-987-6487, thewarminghouse.net EAG: Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St, Mpls, 612-729-4469, ZUM: Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, 507-732- www.Mplseagles34.org 7616, www.crossingsatcarnegie.com FITZ: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St, St Paul, 651-290- 1200, www.fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org To post gigs and events to this calendar, request the link to our online submission form to [email protected] SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS Minnesota Americana- Roots Duet Contest Laughing Waters Washington County Tony Furtado August 31 - Friday Bluegrass Festival Bluegrass Festival September 21 Minnesota Americana- September 3 September 8 Friday Roots Band Contest Monday Saturday Cedar Cultural Center September 1 - Saturday Minnehaha Park Lake Elmo Park Reserve Minneapolis, MN MN State Fair-Schell’s Stage at Minneapolis, MN Lake Elmo, MN 8pm Schilling Amphitheater 612-727-2489 2-6pm St. Paul, MN 1-7pm 11:30am

8/24 - Friday Duluth, (218) 722-9100, 6pm Lodge Bandshell, 3:30pm, 4:45pm • Lakes Bluegrass Festival with Monroe • Richard Kriehn & Pat Donohue, 318, • The High 48s, Bluegrass in the Pines Crossing, Eelpout Stringers, Tim & 8pm Bluegrass Festival, Rosholt Fair Park, Cindy & Friends, Biscuit Boys, The • Troy Flemming, Traverse County Fair, Rosholt, WI, 715-884-6996 Bluegrass Martins and more, Cass 7th St S, Wheaton, 6pm • The Purple Hulls, WmH, 8pm County Fairgrounds, 525 1st St N, • Cafe Accordion Orchestra, MN State • Tim Sparks, The Icehouse, 2528 Pine River Fair, International Bazaar Stage, Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 6:30pm • The Fish Heads CD Release, Zeitgeist 3:15pm, 4:30pm, 5:45pm • Yves Lambert Trio, BoDD, 7:30pm Black Box Theater, 222 E Superior St, • Carlene Carter, MN State Fair, Leinie 8/25 - Saturday MinnesotaBluegrass.org

28 September 2018 Cindy & Friends, Biscuit Boys, The Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, Bluegrass Martins and more, Cass 4pm, 5pm Classified Ads County Fairgrounds, 525 1st St N, • Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Great River Pine River Folk Festival, LaCrosse, WI • Fred Montana, Falconer Vineyard, 8/27 - Monday For sale: Deering 6-string banjo; 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 1pm • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm Fender Telecaster (maple); Martin • The Barley Jacks, Brookside Bar and • New Riverside Ramblers, EAG, 7:30 Backpacker; Kentucky KM-675 man- Grill, 140 Judd St, Marine on St Croix, • Ben Haggard, MN State Fair, Leinie dolin; ChromaHarp 15-chord au- 3pm Lodge Bandshell, 3:30pm, 4:45pm toharp. Excellent condition. E-mail • Acoustic Showcase with Elgin Foster, • MN Mandolin Orchestra, Lake [email protected] or call Mike Salovich, Jerry Kosak, The Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W Lake 651-457-2547 Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, Harriet Pkwy, Mpls, 7:30pm 11am • The WoodPicks, MN State • Minnesota State Fiddle Contest, MN Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling • Lakes Bluegrass Festival with Monroe State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm Crossing, Eelpout Stringers, Tim & Amphitheater, 11:30am • Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Great River Cindy & Friends, Biscuit Boys, The • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Folk Festival, LaCrosse, WI Bluegrass Martins and more, Cass Buttons, AST, 11am 8/28 - Tuesday County Fairgrounds, 525 1st St N, • The High 48s, MN State Fair, Schell’s • Lily Rabuse & Willow Anderson, 318, Pine River • Nici Peper, Falconer Vineyard, 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 2pm • Barefoot Movement, Leo & Leona’s, W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm • Machinery Hill, UMC, 7pm • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers Market, Main St, Prior Lake, 9am • Greenwood Tree, Lumberyard Pub, 3121 St Croix Trail So, Afton, 5:30pm • Monroe Crossing, The Vines Bluegrass Festival, North Folk Winery, Harris, 6pm • Phil Nusbaum and Sherry Minnick, The Ice House, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 11 am • New Riverside Ramblers, NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids, IA, 3pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Ben Weaver, Superior Siren, Strong Buffalo/Thomas LaBlanc, Franconia Sculpture Garden, 29836 St Croix Trail, Shafer, MN, 651-257-6668, • Contra Dance with Light of the Moon, TAP, 7:30pm • Minnesota State Fiddle Contest, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 11:30am • Nicolas Carter (Latin American harp), HOB, 3pm

• Sawtooth Brothers, North Folk MinnesotaBluegrass.org Winery Bluegrass Festival, Harris • The High 48s, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm • The Talbott Brothers, WmH, 8pm • Trampled by Turtles, MN State Fair Grandstand, 6:30pm 8/26 - Sunday • Lakes Bluegrass Festival with Monroe Crossing, Eelpout Stringers, Tim &

September 2018 29 7pm Theatre, Minneapolis, 7:30pm • Chmielewski Funtime Band, MN • Ben Haggard, MN State Fair, Leinie • One Ukulele, Minnehaha Bandstand, State Fair, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, Lodge Bandshell, 3:30pm, 4:45pm Mpls, 7pm 10:30am, 11:45am • The High Kings, CED, 7:30pm • Randy Sabien and The Fiddlehead • Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, BTC, • The WoodPicks, MN State Band, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at 7:30pm Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm, • Randy Sabien and The Fiddlehead Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm 5pm Band, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at 8/29 - Wednesday 8/30 - Thursday Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm, • Mother Banjo, Carbone’s, 4705 Cedar • Elliot Graber & Caitlin Collins, 318, 5pm Ave S, Mpls, 7 pm 8pm • The High 48s, Liberty Tree Farm, • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • Gabe Barnett & Them Rounders, W12351 Long Ln, Stockholm, WI, • Chmielewski Funtime Band, MN State 331C, 9:30pm 480-766-9371 Fair, Leinie Lodge Bandshell, 10:30 • Bob & Lynn Dixon, Tiny Diner 8/31 - Friday am, 11:45am Farmers Market, 1024 E 38th St, Mpls, • Minnesota Americana-Roots Duet • Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, State 5pm Contest, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 11:30am • Two Girls & A Boyd, 318, 8pm • Mary Brett, The Contented Cow, 302B Division St S, Northfield, 8pm • The Okee Dokee Brothers, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm 5pm • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, Ingredients Cafe, 4725 Hwy 61, 651- 426-6611, White Bear Lake, 6:30pm 9/1 - Saturday • Minnesota Americana-Roots Band Contest, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 11:30am • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Contra Dance with Pat and Friends, TAP, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, Tumbleweed Music Festival (Performing + Finalist in Songwriting Contest), Richland, WA • Wild Ponies, John Louis, WmH, 8pm • The Okee Dokee Brothers, MN State Fair, Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, 3pm, 4pm 5pm 9/2 - Sunday • Curtis & Loretta, Tumbleweed Music Festival, Richland, WA • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Buttons, AST, 11am • The Sawtooth Brothers, 16th Annual Music & Arts Festival, Alma, WI 9/3 - Monday • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Laughing Waters Bluegrass Festival with Middle Spunk Creek Boys, Sawtooth Brothers, King Wilkie’s Dream, and more, Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis, 612-727-2489, 1pm 9/4 - Tuesday • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, 8pm 9/5- Wednesday • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, U of M Farm Market, by McNamara

MinnesotaBluegrass.org Alumni Building, Mpls Campus,

30 September 2018 11:30 am (Artists on Main Street Program), 9/6 - Thursday Mankato, 5pm • Cafe Accordion Orchestra, Spring 9/12 - Wednesday You need more Cafe, 1360 Lexington Pkway N, St • Monroe Crossing, Grace Lutheran dancing in your Paul, 7pm Church, US Hwy 59, Erhard, 7pm • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm • Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon & Red life!! 9/7 - Friday House Painters, CED, 7:30pm • Lucy Wainwright Roche, ZUM, 9/13 - Thursday 7:30pm • SouthSide Aces, EAG, 8pm Saturday Night • Stacy K Band, GKb 9/14 - Friday Contra Dance • Monroe Crossing, Wildwood Concert • Derek Warfield & The Young Featuring Series, Old Gonvick Gym, 226 Elm St, Wolftones, CJ, TBA Gonvick, 7pm • The Wailin’ Jennys, O’Shaugnessey • Curtis & Loretta, Tall Timbers House Auditorium, 2004 Randolph Ave, St Sept. 1 Pat & Friends Concert, Hoodsport, WA Paul, 7:30pm Caller David Kirchner • Double Down Daredevils, Cameron • Roger Waite & Dean Magraw, UMC, Sept. 8 Contratopia Pioneer Bluegrass Festival, Cameron, 4pm Caller Beau Farmer WI • Bob Bovee, Fred Campeau & Paul 9/8 - Saturday Tyler, Lanesboro Barn Dance, Sept. 15 Compass Rose • Washington County Bluegrass DreamAcres Farm, Wykoff, MN, 7:30 Caller Jim Brooks Festival, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, PM Sept. 29 Community Dance! Lake Elmo, MN 2-6pm • The Fish Heads, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, • Betty & Ocho, GKb, 7:30pm 805 E Superior St, Duluth, (218) 728- • Double Down Daredevils, Cameron 1192, 6pm Tapestry Folkdance Center Pioneer Bluegrass Festival, Cameron, • The Gritpickers Old Time String 3748 Minnehaha Ave. Minneapolis WI Band, The Phipps Center for the Arts, 612-722-2915 www.tapestryfolkdance.org • Greenwood Tree, Prior Lake Farmers 109 Locust St., Hudson, WI, 715-386- Market, Main St, Prior Lake, 9am 08409, 6:30pm • Monroe Crossing, Chestnut Ave. • Charlie Parr with Dead Horses and Center For The Arts, 208 South Noble Sound System, BTC, 7pm Chestnut, Marshfield, WI, 7:30pm • Curtis & Loretta, “Tossed Salad,” • Bob Bovee, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, KPTZ Radio, Port Townsend, WA, House, Mantorville Pepin, WI, 3pm Listen at kptz.org, 1pm • The Sawtooth Brothers, Lakes & • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Curtis & Loretta, Northwest Pacific Legends Harvest Festival, Minneapolis • Bob & Lynn Dixon with Pamela Folk Society, Seattle, WA 9/16 - Sunday Longtine, Family Dance at TAP, • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, • The Chris Silver Band, Vino Over The 6:30pm Ingredients Cafe, White Bear Lake, Valley, S2428 State Hwy 9 Arcadia, • Contra Dance with Contratopia, TAP, 6pm WI, 12pm 7:30pm 9/15 - Saturday • Gloryland Gospel Band, Summit Place • Curtis & Loretta, House Concert • Erin Chase, Falconer Vineyards, 3572 Senior Residence, 8505 Flying Cloud at Hank & Claires, Poulsbo, WA, Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 2pm Drive, Eden Prairie, 2pm hanknclaire.com/contact • Chuck Brodsky, GINK, 7:30pm • Benson Family Singers, Paradise • Dick Kimmel, Amboy Cottage Cafe, • The Minnesota Barking Ducks, GKb, Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave Amboy 7:30pm N, Faribault, 507-332-7372, 4pm • Morning Old-Time Jam, WmH, 10am • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am • Curtis & Loretta, Nancy’s Farm, 9/9 - Sunday • Americana Song Circle, WmH, 10am Bellingham, WA • Barley Jacks, White Bear United • Contra Dance with Compass Rose, • Phil Heywood, The Icehouse, 2528 Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St. TAP, 7:30pm Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 11am White Bear Lake, 10am • Curtis & Loretta, Concert in the • Swing Brunch with Patty & the • Songwriter’s Showcase with Dick Woods, Coyle, WA Buttons, AST, 11am MinnesotaBluegrass.org Kimmel, Andrea Lynn & Pete Klug, • Dance with Patti Tryhus & Friends, 9/17 - Monday Rock Bend Folk Festival, St Peter, 3pm Earley Center for Performing Arts, • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Maywood Ave, Rm 109, Mankato, 9/18 - Tuesday Buttons, AST, 11am 7:30pm • Daniel Champagne with Mo of Radda • The Robert Mabe Band, The Icehouse, • Dick Kimmel, Remer Bigfoot Music Radda, AST, 8pm 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 6pm Festival, Remer • Gordon Lightfoot, State Theatre, 805 9/10 - Monday • The Cedar’s 30th Birthday Party with Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 800- • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm Hoven Droven and Aar Maanta, CED, 982-2787, 7:30pm 9/11 - Tuesday 8pm • Okee Dokee Brothers, Paramount • Dick Kimmel, Coffee Hag - back area • The High 48s, Mantorville Opera

September 2018 31 Center for the Arts, 913 W. St. • Curtis & Loretta, Old Liberty Theater, Waldmann Brewery, St Paul 7 Germain St., St. Cloud, 320-259-5463, Ridgefield, WA 9/28 Friday 3pm • Sherry Minnick & Phil Nusbaum, The • The Dagnabits, 331C, 10pm 9/20 - Thursday Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, • Gloryland Gospel Band, Wooddale • Austin Miller & Savannah Smith, AST, 11am Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd. Eden 8pm 9/23 - Sunday Prairie, MN, 6:45pm • Chuck Brodsky, BoDD, 7:30pm • The Barley Jacks, Spirit Of St Croix • The Fish Heads, Beaner’s Central, 324 • Kari Arnett with Mary Bue & Becky Art Festiveal, Hudson WI, 1pm N Central Ave, Duluth, (218) 624- Kapell, CED, 7:30pm • Ben Cook-Feltz & Sarah Morris, The 5957, 7:30pm • Kids’ Open Mic, WmH, 6pm Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, • Curtis & Loretta, “Friday Folk-Off,” 9/21 - Friday 6pm KKUP Radio, San Jose, CA, Listen at • Tony Furtado, CED, 8pm • Swing Brunch with Patty & the kkup.org, 4pm • The Urban Hillbilly Quartet, GKb, Buttons, AST, 11am • David Wilcox, CED, 8pm 7:30pm 9/24 - Monday 9/29 - Saturday • Curtis & Loretta, House Concert at • Roe Family Singers, 331C, 8pm • The Lost Walleye Orchestra, GKb, Linda’s, Portland, OR, 612-812-4555 • Greenwood Tree, South St Paul 7:30pm • Doug MacLeod, CrH, 7:30pm Library, So St Paul, 6:30pm • Dan Chouinard - Once Upon a River, • Pat Donohue and the Prairie Home 9/25 - Tuesday Phipps Center For The Arts, 109 All-Stars, Crooners Lounge & Supper • Dick Kimmel, Coffee Hag - back area Locust St. Hudson, WI, 715-386-8409, Club, 6161 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley, 763- (Artists on Main Street Program), 7:30pm 760-0062, 7:30pm Mankato, 5pm • The Barley Jacks, Rock Point Church • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan w/ • Rough Draft Songwriter Night, WmH, Youth Group, 5825 Kelvin Ave No, Mikkel Beckmen, Dubliner Pub, 8pm Lake Elmo, 1:30pm University at Vandalia, St Paul, 5 pm • Lenz and Frenz, 331C, 9:30pm • No Man’s String Band, Enki Brewing, 9/22 - Saturday 9/26 - Wednesday 1495 Stieger Lake Ln, Victoria, 7 PM • Fred Montana, Falconer Vineyards, • Bob & Lynn Dixon, Nokomis Farmers • Mother Banjo, Flying Dutchman 3572 Old Tyler Rd, Red Wing, 5pm Market, 5167 Chicago Ave S, Mpls, Spirits, 6801 Flying Cloud Drive, • Bee Balm Fields, GKb, 7:30pm 5pm Eden Prairie, (952) 406-8286, 6pm • Gaines & Wagoner, Leo & Leona’s, • Curtis & Loretta, Westminster • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI, 7:30pm Presbyterian Church, Music at Noon, • Becky Thompson and Old School, • Bob Bovee & Pop Wagner, Choate Sacramento, CA EAG, 8pm House Concert, Winona, https://www. • Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, CED, • Contra Dance with Community Band, facebook.com/ChoatHouse/, 7:30pm 7:30pm TAP, 7:30pm • Alternate Route, BSC, 10am 9/27 - Thursday • Curtis & Loretta, Fiddling Cricket • Becky Schlegel, LCAA Music Center, • Bob & Lynn Dixon, Tiny Diner Concerts, Santa Cruz, CA 220 Chestnut St, Lake City, 651-448- Farmers Market, 1024 E 38th St, Mpls, • Switched at Birth, MER, 8:30pm 8665, [email protected], 5pm • Tengyue Zhang, Sundin Hall, 7pm • Jake Shimabukuro, Ordway Theater, Hamline University, St Paul, 7:30pm • Bill & Kate Isles, New York Mills 345 Washington St, St Paul, 651-224- 9/30 - Sunday Cultural Center, 24 Main Ave. N, New 4222, 7:30pm • Acoustic Showcase with Sam York Mills, 218-385-3339, 7:30pm • Mary DuShane & Nick Jordan, Breckenridge, Elgin Foster, & Steve Lehto, The Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave, Mpls, 11am • Corky Siegel & Randy Sabien, Armadillo Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, 6161 Hwy 65 NE, Fridley, 763-760- Sound & Design 0062, 5pm Minneapolis, MN • Curtis & Loretta, “Please Stand By,” Serving the acoustic music community for over 35 years. KPIG Radio, Santa Cruz, CA, Listen at kpig.com, 10am Complete audio production services: • Dick Kimmel, German Park, New Ulm, 6:30pm sound - multi-track recording – live/studio. • High 48s, Terrace Mills Fall Festival You know Doug’s attention to audio detail. & Jamboree, 27165 Old Mill Pond Rd, Let him help you craft your next recording project! Glenwood, 320-278-3278, 2pm and 4pm, fiddle workshop at 12 pm Midas, Behringer, dbx, Shure, AKG, AudioTechnica, Equipment: • Swing Brunch with Patty & the Crown amps, RCF speakers, Countryman, Radial, Protools Buttons, AST, 11am Doug Lohman - 612-306-3490 10/1 - Monday [email protected] - armadillosounddesign.com • Sam Weber & Lena Elizabeth, AST, MinnesotaBluegrass.org

32 September 2018 8pm 10/4 - Thursday • The Swamp Poppas, EAG, 8pm 10/05 - Friday • Brian Wicklund and Mike Cramer, House Concert, Selby and Minnehaha area, St. Paul, MN, 6:30pm • Harold Rains & Tricia Spencer, Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine, State Street Theater, New Ulm • Roy Bookbinder, CrH, 7:30pm

Save the Date November 11, 2018 John Hugelen Cajun Music Scholarship Fundraiser and Dance featuring Jimmy Breaux and Blake Miller Eagles Club #34-Minneapolis, MN MinnesotaBluegrass.org

September 2018 33 Cameron 13th Annual Bluegrass Festival

September 7, 8, 9, 2018

Pioneer Village Museum 1866 121⁄2 Ave. (Cty. Hwy. W) Cameron, WI

Featuring: • The Biscuit Boys • Bluegrass Roundup • The Doubledown Daredevils • The Stringsmiths • John and Rose Band • Highview Tommy Brown • River City Ramblers & the County Line Grass • Gospel Notes • St. Paul Mudsteppers • R Country Offspring • King’s Countrymen

Music begins Friday night at 5pm Vendors, Jammin’, Workshops and more Doubledown Daredevils The Biscuit Boys 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 pass Rough camping is an additional $10 per day MinnesotaBluegrass.org

34 September 2018 Tab: Give My Dogs Away By Bob Douglas

About a decade (or two) ago, I his fiddling dad, as a handsome young forties, especially by Opry fiddler Arthur picked up Owen “Snake” Chapman’s first man, LaVerne Williamson aka Molly Smith. Snake was also active in the Rounder recording, Up in Chapman’s O’Day, Ed Haley aka “Uncle Ed” who popular hillbilly music of his day. He Hollow. I gave it a listen and liked it encouraged Snake to play fiddle, and a played with Clayton and Russell West but, unfortunately, allowed it to languish photo with his young wife, Jenny. And as the Kentucky Redbirds and then with unheard in my audio collection. Then, the long biography is followed by... seven Molly O’Day (Laverne Williamson) and as I am often wont to do, I picked it up and a half pages (with more photos) about her brother Cecil. But he never lost his with a number of other CDs (yes, I am every tune in the collection! Don’t give connection with dancing and fiddling certainly old school) to accompany the up your CD player! There’s gold in them square dances. In the ‘60s, Snake ventured miles on a three hour road trip. So I there fields. into Bluegrass, became accomplished in played Snake Chapman once, and then Owen ‘Snake’ Chapman was born the genre, and was a good friend with I played him a second time, and then in 1919 near Canada, Kentucky. His life Kenny Baker. Two Rounder recordings had to repeat the 26 tunes yet again. I story was familiar to many Kentucky have been released of Snake Chapman’s was captured. What a collection of great, mountain people of his time. Born and playing: Up in Chapman’s Hollow in 1996 seldom heard Kentucky tunes! raised in a log cabin, Snake worked as a (CD 0378) and Walnut Gap in 1999 (CD “Give My Dogs Away” is the first coal miner from his late teens to middle- 0418). Snake died in 2003 but he left us tune on Up in Chapman’s Hollow. Music age when he retired with black lung. Yet a remarkable archive of 20th century CDs have the great advantage of offering he briefly continued to work in the auto Kentucky fiddling. If you like old time material that you won’t likely find in plants of Detroit before returning to the fiddling and haven’t already encountered any online download. This first Rounder family home, Chapman’s Hollow, in the Owen “Snake” Chapman, you’ll surely release is no exception. It begins with late 60s. His music was first influenced benefit from the encounter. an 11 page autobiography along with by his dad’s fiddling and then by contest great photos of “Snake’s homestead”, Doc, and radio fiddlers of the thirties and Bob Douglas [email protected] Give My Dogs Away MinnesotaBluegrass.org

September 2018 35 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit 343

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

TIME VALUE DATA

Becky Buller Band - 2018 MN Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival Photo by Doug Lohman