Wild Goose Chase Cloggers

The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers characteristically get our choreography from varied sources, including social dancing outside of the group, frequently contra or square dancing. If group members think that a certain movement would have a good appearance when done by dancers in formation, then the movement might find a home in our repertoire. What makes the bulk of our work traditional in character is the type of rhythmic accompaniment expressed by the foot movements. Occasionally, we adapt tap or Irish step dancing to the clogging style, an approach that is more daring because it requires the group to change the rhythmic aspect of the foot movements. In addition to dances in formation, the group also features special dances allowing members to improvise or dance their fanciest steps.

Roe Family Singers

The Roe Family Singers are a Good-Time, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippi-headwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, MN. Led by wife & husband Kim Roe (Best Female Vocalist, City Pages/Village Voice) and Quillan Roe (Accident Clearinghouse), the band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll urgency and influence. With a mix of original music and contemporary takes on old-time, traditional, and gospel tunes, every performance raises a ruckus.

Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg

Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg play in the style of the pioneers of traditional bluegrass and country music from the south-central Appalachians during the early 1900's.  Trading lead and harmony vocals on stage, Kimmel and Kjellberg weave their voices and instrumentation into a blend that is at times poignant, at times exhilarating, and always compelling.  Both musicians share the role of lead vocalist.  However, the vocal blend of these musicians on their duo harmonies is, as described by Jerry Barney for Inside Bluegrass (January 2008), …" nigh onto-perfect harmony…voices…which complement each other perfectly."   Dick Kimmel, a 50- year veteran of traditional bluegrass and old-time music, takes the lead role with the instrumentation, playing guitar, mandolin, or clawhammer banjo.  Jerilyn Kjellberg adds the rhythm guitar with a thumb-index finger strum reminiscent of Maybelle Carter's playing in the 1930's.

Greenwood Tree

Greenwood Tree is the duo of Bill Cagley (guitar, mandolin, bodhran, and limberjack) and Stu Janis (hammered dulcimer and bowed psaltery). Musical partners since 1985, they perform lively and lyrical traditional music of the British Isles. The unique sound of the St. Paul, Minnesota, duo is a blend of lively jigs and reels, haunting airs, and sweet waltzes, with melodies deftly traded between instruments. The combination of Stu’s sprightly dulcimer with Bill’s driving flat-picked Martin guitar provides energy for quick dance tunes, while slower selections are enhanced by dulcimer arpeggios and a finger-picked guitar. 

Beg for Justice String Band

Shared gigs, leisurely outdoor jams, and garage practices brought together like minded musicians in the Spring of 2009. Summer months kept the ever forming group busy, organizing a full five piece string band. The product was Beg For Justice. Diverse musical backgrounds lead to an interesting array of acoustic music. From old time, folk, and traditional bluegrass, to Texas swing and even classic rock, Beg For Justice has developed a style of their own, focusing on strong vocals and high energy.

The members, Jeremy Peterson (mandolin, vocals), Lehi Hoehn (fiddle, vocals), Justin Gehrke (banjo, guitar, vocals), Nick Burris (guitar, vocals), and James Ihrke (bass), have been advancing and improving from the start, spreading their variety and adding original music to the set. No matter the event, Beg For Justice is ready to provide a lively presentation and leave a full sense of satisfaction.

Barton's Hollow

Barton’s Hollow is a 6-piece bluegrass, folk, and acoustic band based out of Minnesota. The members are mostly made up of youth with the oldest member of 19 and the youngest member who is 14 years old. Their story began June 2011 when Kiley Ellingson decided she wanted to get a group together to play an open stage at The Minnesota Home Grown Kickoff. She contacted Ian Kimmel and Hugh Stier to get a start and worked up a few songs. Then, later at that festival they met Carl Sones. Together the four of them performed for the first time at the Ranch House Live Open Stage at MBOTMA. Later that year, at the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival, the group met the Halvorson Brothers, John Halvorson and Dan Halvorson. With all the great music and support, Barton’s Hollow became The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival 2011 Talent Show winners and was able to perform on the Main Stage in front of thousands of people. Barton's Hollow has also performed with many well-known artists including closing for Sierra Hull & Highway 111 (Multiple time nominee for IBMA awards) and also opening for Dale Ann Bradley (Three time winner of IBMA female vocalist of the year). The musicians include Ian Kimmel (Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar), Kiley Ellingson (Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle), Hugh Stier (Vocals, Banjo, Guitar), Carl Sones (Vocals, Guitar), Daniel Halvorson (Fiddle, Vocals), John Halvorson (Bass, Vocals).

Richard "Blackhawk" Kapusta

Blackhawk’s recordings reflect his life’s journey – the happy, the sad, his spirit, his soul. His repertoire of albums include solo flute music; country, folk, and bluegrass with a full band; and original recordings inspired by his spiritual journey and respect for the outdoors.  

“I am grateful to all the folks who have supported me over the years and purchased over 50,000 of my recordings. You know who I am and what I am about. Thank you.” ~Blackhawk