The Oak Center General Store

Born out of love for the back roads music of America’s past, The Fattenin’ Frogs play rock & roll in its original spirit by cranking up the electricity on the music of the juke joints, hootenannies, medicine shows and tent revivals of yesteryear. The Minneapolis sextet puts their heart and soul into every song so come on out, sing, dance, and clap along!

Gritty, soulful, and always danceable, The Fattenin’ Frogs have been described as Davina and the Vagabonds meets Howlin’ Wolf. Lead vocalists Amanda White and Chris Holm generate a freight train of emotional excitement over a landscape of multi-layered harmonies, scorching electric guitars, thundering drums, wailing harmonica, grooving bass, rollicking piano — and even a little banjo or accordion from time to time. A band in the truest sense, each member is a contributing songwriter and vocalist and injects their own personality into the music. Never safe or stamped out, they are not afraid to cap off a hot night of rock & roll with a zippy little kazoo solo because above all, rock & roll is supposed to be fun!

http://thefatteninfrogs.com/

Folk/ Americana/ Rock
T Bruce Bowers and Ric Gillman are quite a pair. With almost a century of musical experience between them, they bring a wide variety of flavors to the table. From Doc Watson guitar picking, to blazing Led Zeppelin electric violin, it’s a banquet every night. With T Bruce Bowers on electric and acoustic violin, acoustic mandolin and Ric Gillman and Acoustic 6 and 12 string guitar. It is always interesting, and sometimes down right unpredictable, each performance is an adventure.

http://www.ricgillman.com/
http://www.barefoot-wonder.com

Bluegrass, Folk and Swing

The three members of the Hampden Rounders have been playing music for a total of 140 years. That's almost 3500 chipmunk years. Pop Wagner, Anni Spring and Adam Granger, who have been friends for about as long, started playing informally at St Paul's Hampden Park Coop and, after a couple of years, decided they'd better give themselves a proper name and actually be a band. The Rounders guarantee a fun, easygoing show chock-full of old-timey fiddle tunes and swing, bluegrass and folk songs, with a few originals thrown in for good measure.
WARNING: The Hampden Rounders cannot guarantee that silliness and frivolity will not ensue.

http://www.popwagner.com

Bluegrass

Since forming in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that
combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern
attitude, original songs and a wide range of influences far beyond
Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. In a genre
created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were
born and raised in the Upper Midwest. And in a music scene where
playing standards is the norm, The High 48s are a band of
songwriters who perform their own material in addition to the
“festival favorites.” They return to Oak Center for another
entertaining, high-energy show.

http://thehigh48s.com/

Roots, Indie, and Folk

Rich vocal harmonies merge with intimate layers of guitar, fiddle and banjo to define the lush sound of the recently formed duo, Dusty Heart. Barbara Jean & Molly Dean are two songwriters recognized in their own right for their poetic lyrics and distinct vocal styles that when combined, fuse to create a powerful and haunting sound that takes on a life of its own. With a shared wanderlust and love of adventure, a passion for the open road, vast landscapes, and a mutual love for musical harmony, they join forces crafting a sound that bridges together the diverse musical worlds of roots, indie, and folk. As soon as they embarked on their collaborative journey, Dusty Heart was off to a running start, receiving an invitation to open a series of sold-out shows supporting Dave Simonett and Dave Carroll of Trampled by Turtles across Colorado.

http://www.dustyheartmusic.com/

Original and provocative folk and storytelling

Singer/songwriter/farmer Chuck Suchy returns to the Oak Center General Store to perform his special original songs and stories. Suchy has been heralded as “One of the great American songwriters” by Rod Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival – the premiere songwriting festival in America. Dirty Linen Folk Magazine says of Suchy: “ Ya gotta love this guy, he writes a fine song , plays steady guitar, sings with rare confidence and lives his material!” He is the recipient of the 2015 North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts. Suchy raises grass fed beef on the farm he grew up on near Mandan, ND.

http://www.chucksuchy.com/

Blues /folk/ country/ fusion

Best known as an ace guitarist and Producer/Engineer of Trampled By Turtles, Erik Koskinen should also be recognized as a masterful songwriter and rousing country singer. His dulcet tone and demeanor rival artists like Sting and Bon Jovi. Come experience his original brand of American music at Oak Center.

http://www.erikkoskinen.com/

Alt-Country
Jillian Rae hails from the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota and has been a singer and violinist since the age of 7. She has been a heavy hitter on the Minneapolis music scene, playing in as many bands as she humanly can. Jillian formed her own band in 2013 and immediately began writing and recording. Her first album, Heartbeat was released in December 2013 and in February 2014 she was a finalist in Vita.mn's Are You Local Contest (best new bands). The band continues to tour extensively regionally and nationally and is showing no signs of slowing. One of the favorite shows each year at the OC General Store, expect a new album from Jillian Rae in the spring of 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/jraemusic/

Blues, Cajun, Jazz, Zydeco& Folk
Drawing from a multitude of influences ranging from elegant classical and jazz styles to the rawest, most basic blues, country and soul, Radoslav Lorković has taken on an unusually broad musical spectrum and refined it into his distinctive piano style. With his great voice, incredible piano, and other worldly accordion, it just gets better every time. He is joined tonight by T. Bruce Bowers of Barefoot Wonder on electric and acoustic violin and acoustic mandolin. Together, they’ll perform an amazingly diverse and artistically performed collection of originals in all the musical genres of the planet.

https://www.radoslavlorkovic.com/
http://www.barefoot-wonder.com

Traditional folk & bluegrass sounds with poetic lyrics
Featuring Ellen Stanley on banjo and vocals, Mother Banjo is a New England-raised, Minneapolis-based songwriter. Called “an outstanding poet” (Inside Bluegrass), she was a Midwest Finalist for the prestigious Mountain Stage New Song Contest and has been featured nationally on SiriusXM Radio and CMT.com. Ubertalented pianist Ben Cook Feltz opens the show and will join Ellen on stage to share songs from their recently released holiday EP.

http://www.motherbanjo.com/

Authentic, Northshore Blues
Authentic gets used way too much, but when you hear Charlie you'll understand its meaning. Charlie shows up with his lived-in rasp of a voice, a National Resonator guitar, a twelve string acoustic, a banjo, a batch of his own songs, and well-traveled numbers by revered bluesmen from other times. He executes his music the way it should be with a self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking, quasi-frailing techniques, and a voice that says, "this is the blues". Charlie Parr is the real deal. We’re not pulling your leg. But don’t take our word for it... listen to his music. You’ll be glad you did. Always a sold out show at Oak Center, get your tickets early!

http://www.charlieparr.com/

Alt Country/ Indie-rock/ Americana
Iowa-born, Minneapolis-based folk rock artists the The Pines have created a loyal following for their lush, layered sound and poetic lyrics inspired by the land and folklore of the American Midwest. Bridging the folk, roots and indie worlds with their modern take on American music, frontmen/songwriters Benson Ramsey and David Huckfelt share a common musical language rooted in the songs and songwriters of their native Iowa. The Pines' sound balance Ramsey's ethereal, somberly beautiful songs with Huckfelt's darkly romantic, cinematic tales for a sweeping sound that evokes the vastness and loneliness of the Great Plains. The intricate guitar interplay between Benson and David is layered over the atmospheric keyboard work and vocal harmonies of Alex Ramsey (Benson's brother) to form the core of The Pines' instantly recognizable sound. The Pines’ sound captivates and elevates with rare intimacy – especially in the big room at Oak Center. Get tickets early!

http://thepinesmusic.com/

Blues, Folk and Rock
Part singer songwriter group, part rock band you can find Reina del Cid and company at the intersection of lyrical storytelling, catchy riffs, and scorching solos. They return to the Oak Center General Store for an acoustic trio performance. The band's blend of folk, blues, and rock draws a mixed crowd from jam heads to college students to white-haired intelligentsia. Their latest album, The Cooling, has been featured by Paste Magazine, NPR, and 89.3 the Current.

http://reinadelcid.com/

Root River Jam is an acoustic group based in southeastern MN. They perform the original music of guitarist and front man Dave Wilson, as well as covers of Americana classics. In the words of music blogger Jeff Hansel, Wilson’s music will “take you into the clouds and beyond with incredible instrumentals and joyous singing that's downright fun to hear.” Songwriter/guitarist Dave Wilson says, "we put 'jam' in our name and after listening to us you'll understand why."

(more…)

As the thirty year anniversary of my performing at Folk Forum approaches I stand humbled by the incredible people I have been lucky enough to perform for. I have never missed a year. Many years I was lucky enough to perform 3 times! I hope to someday hit the century mark. I am over halfway there.
The real blessing is the phenomenal artists I have been paired with. Greg Brown (first show), Dave 'Snaker' Ray, Dean Magraw, Andy White, Joel Rafael, Kristina Olsen, Joe Price, Willie Murphy, Barbara Jean, Bo Ramsey and the list goes on ...

https://www.radoslavlorkovic.com/

World-class bluegrass entertainers Monroe Crossing will appear in concert at Oak Center General Store on February 18, 2017 at 8 pm. Named in honor of Bill Monroe, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada. (more…)

Anyone not familiar with the music of Bill Staines is in for a special treat.

For more than forty years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960's and for a time, emceed the Sunday (more…)

A “roots and blues oddity” is a very deserving description for the Minnesota-based acoustic roots and blues musician Jeff Ray. Ray’s quartet, Jeff Ray & the Stakes materialized in the Minneapolis area over the past 6+ years with no formal rehearsals and no pre-determined musical ideas. Their first gig together was on Minnesota Public Radio’s Radio Heartland, again, with no rehearsal. The gig was quickly followed by a string of shows that started out as “get-togethers on stage” and quickly developed into full-throttle improvisations on (more…)

Traditional Bluegrass with Roots, Jazz and Blues Led by Chris Silver,
The Good Intentions are inspired by the sounds of Hot Rize, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Tony Rice, and JD. Crowe. They deliver traditional bluegrass with polish and drive and play songs from the bluegrass masters to material penned by Silver. Silver plays fiddle and mandolin with a deep appreciation for traditional bluegrass music, but it doesn’t stop there. His solos stretch beyond the boundaries of bluegrass including hints of jazz, blues, and roots music. Soulful original arrangements of their songs have already established the band in the hearts of the Midwest bluegrass community. Their success is based on the complimentary picking and singing skills of some of the best-known names in the area’s bluegrass scene. Always an Oak Center favorite.

http://chrissilver.wix.com/thegoodintentions

Midwest-stylized, blues/country/rock/bluegrass
Straight from the great Mill City comes the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins. Don't let the name fool you! This is not a violent group of flightless aquatic birds looking for a party, but rather 5 self proclaimed gentlemen, 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, an upright bass, a banjo, and a 4 part vocal harmony that will make angels cry. This quintet from Minneapolis strives to maintain the original spirit of the "string band" while continuing to play new original music and creative cover songs. The combination of folk, rock, blues, bluegrass, and the occasional stage banter will create an experience that anyone can enjoy! Don't miss this night of music!!!

http://pwppmusic.com/

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French Musette, vintage swing, Euro-Latino dance music
Dan Newton, aka Daddy Squeeze and his Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix full of French flare, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic, gypsy-influenced valse-musette. The group complements the musettes with swing, ballads, tangos, cha chas, rumbas, and cumbias to create a wonderfully varied show. They inject their music with good humor and expressive abandon. Their highlevel of musicianship and passion for performance makes them an entertaining oncert act as well as a great dance band! Move some chairs and take a turn on the floor at Oak Center!

http://www.cafeaccordion.com/

Americana/ Bluegrass
Katey grew up with a bluegrass and old-time music soundtrack playing in the background. Singing has always been very natural to her and she sing songs all day long about everything from putting on her socks, to what she’s going to eat for breakfast. She won her first music competition singing at the Boyceville, WI ‘Pickle Festival’ when she was five years old. Soon she began singing harmony with her dad Rod Bellville, a popular fixture in the Westbank Old Time Music Scene, and eventually performing on her own. She still loves the old tunes, but now mixes them up with her original songs, and those of contemporary songwriters like Gillian Welch. She released her first full-length album in 2013. It was partially recorded in Nashville, finished in Minneapolis, and has received countless amazing reviews by listeners. Fans frequently describe her songs as ‘unforgettable’ tunes, blending modern pop sensibilities with fundamental bluegrass instrumentation.

http://www.kateybellville.com/

Extra-terrestrial folk- jazz
This team was one of the early duos that started folk forum off in this fabulous musical journey. Peter was well known back in those days as the best fiddle mandolin player in the country as a regular on Prairie Home Companion. He brought Dean Magraw with him for his first appearance at folk forum. Not only did Dean’s skill on guitar match and compliment the exquisite instrumentals of Peter…the combination of their two personalities and senses of humor infected all of us with unbridled laughter that still rings in memory. They are still great, they still do an exceptional show, and last time I checked…they were still gut-rippin’ funny. I think maybe they sing more and their voices have only improved with age.

http://www.peterostroushko.com/
http://deanmagraw.com/

Homegrown, Get-down Blues
Vicki and Joe Price are a husband and wife blues duo from SE Iowa. They do some dynamite blues in the old traditions as well as a good measure of high-powered originals. Vicki’s exemplary guitar playing and smooth vocals perfectly compliment Joe’s raspy voice and mean slide guitar. They have a well earned following who come again & again to see the incredible energy that comes alive on the stage in this quiet like-able guy that Greg Brown at times has called the “Buddha”. Scene Magazine says ” Vicki’s powerful bluesy voice evokes an image of a woman in a 1920’s speakeasy singing her heart out. If you like upbeat, straightforward blues, you can’t go wrong with what the Prices are laying down.” Come feel the music and shake them bones...

http://www.joepriceblue.com/

The Dead Pigeons have come to be known for their infectious, foot stomping sound - an original mix of upbeat barroom bluegrass and lyrically driven ballads. One day they excel at corralling a rowdy festival crowd and the next they are captivating a discerning theater audience.

Born on the West Bank of Minneapolis, The Dead Pigeons have been touring, picking, and perfecting their americana-roots sound for the past 6 years. Constantly evolving, The Pigeons remain steady at the (more…)

Rita Hosking’s fierce and captivating country-folk voice sings of culture clash, dishes, forest fires, black holes, and hope. Her latest of six albums, the hero’s-journey-themed “Frankie and the No-Go Road,” was praised by Maverick Magazine as having “more authenticity and integrity than you can shake a stick at.” With her stories and soul-stirring delivery, this “force of nature” (Fiddlefreak Folk Review) partners with Sean Feder on sparkling dobro and banjo to deliver what Acoustic Magazine calls “timeless, unhurried elegance.”(more…)

Folk/ Americana/ Rock
T Bruce Bowers and Ric Gillman are quite a pair. With almost a century of musical experience between them, they bring a wide variety of flavors to the table. From Doc Watson guitar picking, to blazing Led Zeppelin electric violin, it’s a banquet every night. With T Bruce Bowers on electric and acoustic violin, acoustic mandolin and Ric Gillman and Acoustic 6 and 12 string guitar. It is always interesting, and sometimes down right unpredictable, each performance is an (more…)

Celtic music infused with punk-rock attitude
Since 1983, BiL have been innovators in bridging traditional music from many cultures with the sound and attitude of a rock band. A Boiled In Lead concert is a combination of darkly-tinged folk ballads and originals alongside instrumental dance music from Ireland and elsewhere. Enthusiastic, powerful, technically brilliant, playing a wealth of instruments with extreme dynamics, Boiled In Lead routinely demolishes genres with its highly-identifiable sound. An Onion A&E(more…)

ROBBY VEE & his rock-n-roll caravan of stars show

Join us for an evening of electricity and music hosted by the Prince of Twang and Second Generation Rockabilly Hall of Famer ROBBY VEE.

Robby is currently touring with a tradition from his family heritage, Fairs, Festivals, Casinos and Theaters with his rock n roll caravan of (more…)

Bluegrass

Since forming in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that
combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern
attitude, original songs and a wide range of influences far beyond
Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. In a genre
created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were
born and raised in the Upper Midwest. And in a music scene where(more…)

Original and provocative folk and storytelling

Singer/songwriter/farmer Chuck Suchy returns to the Oak Center General Store to perform his special original songs and stories. Suchy has been heralded as “One of the great American songwriters” by Rod Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival – the premiere songwriting festival in America. Dirty Linen Folk Magazine says of Suchy: “ Ya gotta love this guy, he writes a fine song , plays steady (more…)

Blues /folk/ country/ fusion
Best known as an ace guitarist and Producer/Engineer of Trampled By Turtles, Erik Koskinen should also be recognized as a masterful songwriter and rousing country singer. His dulcet tone and demeanor rival artists like Sting and Bon Jovi. Come experience his original brand of American music at Oak Center.

http://www.erikkoskinen.com/

Innovative bluegrass and roots music played with virtuosic skill and soul

"The Barley Jacks are musicians' musicians playing seriously good music. If you can sit there and listen to these guys without smiling or tapping your toe, check your pulse."
–Ron Arsenault, Rock Bend Music Festival

"The Barley Jacks had the crowd standing, clapping, dancing and (more…)

Alt-Country/ Folk/ Americana/ Bluesy Roots
If it’s possible for a band to own a town, then Molly Maher and her band of Disbelievers are as close as it gets to holding the keys. Molly is considered by some the reigning queen of the Twin Cities scene — she’s an incomparable singer and songwriter with compelling depth and soul, and has shared the stage with some of the best acts in the country, among(more…)

Blues, Cajun, Jazz, Zydeco& Folk
Drawing from a multitude of influences ranging from elegant classical and jazz styles to the rawest, most basic blues, country and soul, Radoslav Lorković has taken on an unusually broad musical spectrum and refined it into his distinctive piano style. With his great voice, incredible piano, and other worldly accordion, it just gets better every time. He is joined tonight by T. Bruce Bowers of Barefoot Wonder on electric and acoustic violin and acoustic mandolin. Together, they’ll perform an amazingly diverse and artistically performed collection of originals in all the musical genres of the planet.

https://www.radoslavlorkovic.com/
http://www.barefoot-wonder.com

Authentic, Northshore Blues
Authentic gets used way too much, but when you hear Charlie you'll understand its meaning. Charlie shows up with his lived-in rasp of a voice, a National Resonator guitar, a twelve string acoustic, a banjo, a batch of his own songs, and well-traveled numbers by revered bluesmen from other times. He executes his music the way it should be with a self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking, quasi-frailing techniques, and a voice that says, "this is the blues". Charlie Parr is (more…)

Alt Country/ Indie-rock/ Americana
Iowa-born, Minneapolis-based folk rock artists the The Pines have created a loyal following for their lush, layered sound and poetic lyrics inspired by the land and folklore of the American Midwest. Bridging the folk, roots and indie worlds with their modern take on American music, frontmen/songwriters Benson Ramsey and David Huckfelt share a common musical language rooted in the songs and songwriters of their native Iowa. The Pines' sound balance Ramsey's ethereal, somberly beautiful songs with Huckfelt's darkly romantic, cinematic (more…)

Pushing Chain is a folky-tonk duo formed in 2012 by longtime musical collaborators Boyd Blomberg on guitar and Adam Moe on fiddle that features marvelously exuberant vocal harmonies, impeccable timing and wit, and an infectious gonzo vibe that leaves audiences grinning. Folky-tonk is a term used by the duo to answer the question, "What kind of music do you play?" It's folk music with a country vibe, and vice-versa.

Website

The Federales: Classic country for the modern world.
We're not from the Black Hills, the Texas Panhandle, or Appalachia. We're from the Twin Cities. Damn proud of it, too, but we play country music, because it's one of America's native languages.

We use it to tell our stories of love, good times, Grain Belt, and friends. Some are fact. Some are fiction with the truth hiding in there somewhere. All of them are heartfelt.(more…)

Midwest-stylized, blues/country/rock/bluegrass
Straight from the great Mill City comes the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins. Don't let the name fool you! This is not a violent group of flightless aquatic birds looking for a party, but rather 5 self proclaimed gentlemen, 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, an upright bass, a banjo, and a 4 part vocal harmony that will make angels cry. This quintet from Minneapolis strives to maintain the original spirit of the "string band" while continuing to play new original music and creative cover songs. The combination of folk, rock, blues, bluegrass, and the (more…)

The three members of the Hampden Rounders have been playing music for a total of 140 years. That's almost 3500 chipmunk years. Pop Wagner, Anni Spring and Adam Granger, who have been friends for about as long, started playing informally at St Paul's Hampden Park Coop and, after a couple of years, decided they'd better give themselves a proper name and actually be a band. The Rounders guarantee a fun, often rowdy show chock-full of old-timey fiddle tunes and swing, bluegrass and folk songs, with a few originals thrown in for good measure. WARNING: The Hampden Rounders cannot guarantee that silliness and frivolity will not ensue.

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Anyone not familiar with the music of Bill Staines is in for a special treat.

For more than forty years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960's and for a time, emceed the Sunday (more…)

Dazzling audiences with precision picking and sharp harmonies developed over 8 years of playing, performing, and growing up together, the Sawtooth Brothers have created a strong musical rapport with one another, which is channeled through their infectious original material. The sound of the Sawtooth Brothers is rooted in traditional bluegrass instrumental and harmony work and is influenced by modern acoustic sounds, blending pop and indie rock sensibilities with heartfelt americana.(more…)

Curtis & Loretta’s music comes straight from the heart. The husband and wife duo’s extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and traditional pieces from America and the British Isles. The current menagerie includes mandocello, folk harp, guitars, clawhammer banjo, ukulele, and mandolin, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers. Curtis’ down-home sense of humor and Loretta’s theater background engage the audience in an experience(more…)

Traditional Bluegrass with Roots, Jazz and Blues Led by Chris Silver,
The Good Intentions are inspired by the sounds of Hot Rize, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Tony Rice, and JD. Crowe. They deliver traditional bluegrass with polish and drive and play songs from the bluegrass masters to material penned by Silver. Silver plays fiddle and mandolin with a deep appreciation for traditional bluegrass music, but it doesn’t stop there. His solos stretch beyond the boundaries of (more…)

Americana/ Bluegrass
Katey grew up with a bluegrass and old-time music soundtrack playing in the background. Singing has always been very natural to her and she sing songs all day long about everything from putting on her socks, to what she’s going to eat for breakfast. She won her first music competition singing at the Boyceville, WI ‘Pickle Festival’ when she was five years old. Soon she began singing harmony with her dad Rod Bellville, a popular fixture in the Westbank Old Time Music Scene, and (more…)

A “roots and blues oddity” is a very deserving description for the Minnesota-based acoustic roots and blues musician Jeff Ray. Ray’s quartet, Jeff Ray & the Stakes materialized in the Minneapolis area over the past 6+ years with no formal rehearsals and no pre-determined musical ideas. Their first gig together was on Minnesota Public Radio’s Radio Heartland, again, with no rehearsal. The gig was quickly followed by a string of shows that started out as “get-togethers on stage” and quickly developed into full-throttle improvisations on (more…)

(more…)

Rich vocal harmonies merge with intimate layers of guitar, fiddle and banjo to define the lush sound of Dusty Heart. Barbara Jean and Molly Dean are two songwriters recognized in their own right for their poetic lyrics and distinct vocal styles that when combined create a powerful and haunting sound that takes on a life of its own. Through their shared wanderlust and love of adventure, a passion for the open road, vast landscapes, and mutual love for musical harmony, the two decided to join forces and craft a sound that bridges together the(more…)

(more…)

Homegrown, Get-down Blues
Vicki and Joe Price are a husband and wife blues duo from SE Iowa. They do some dynamite blues in the old traditions as well as a good measure of high-powered originals. Vicki’s exemplary guitar playing and smooth vocals perfectly compliment Joe’s raspy voice and mean slide guitar. They have a well earned following who come again & again to see the incredible energy that comes alive on the stage in this quiet like-able guy that Greg Brown at times has called the “Buddha”. (more…)

The Dead Pigeons have come to be known for their infectious, foot stomping sound - an original mix of upbeat barroom bluegrass and lyrically driven ballads. One day they excel at corralling a rowdy festival crowd and the next they are captivating a discerning theater audience.

Born on the West Bank of Minneapolis, The Dead Pigeons have been touring, picking, and perfecting their americana-roots sound for the past 6 years. Constantly evolving, The Pigeons remain steady at the (more…)

Chris Koza is a singer-songwriter living and working in Minneapolis. Born in rain-soaked Portland, Oregon, he discovered Minnesota by way of Northfield; earning degrees in Studio Art and Philosophy while at St. Olaf College. Since then, Koza has focused on music: writing, recording and self-releasing over a dozen albums both solo and with his band Rogue Valley. He’s performed at venues both prestigious and infamous all across the United States and internationally at the Iceland Airwaves Festival and the UK while supporting renowned artists such as Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlile, Stephen Kellogg, and The Jayhawks. His song The Wolves and the Ravens was featured in Ben Stiller’s film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Koza composed and produced the soundtrack to the 2014 documentary Beyond the Divide.

Chris Koza - vocals, guitar, keys
Peter Sieve - guitar & vocals
Cody McKinney - bass & vocals
Richard Medek - drums & percussion

Long Biography

https://www.chriskoza.com

Celtic music infused with punk-rock attitude
Since 1983, BiL have been innovators in bridging traditional music from many cultures with the sound and attitude of a rock band. A Boiled In Lead concert is a combination of darkly-tinged folk ballads and originals alongside instrumental dance music from Ireland and elsewhere. Enthusiastic, powerful, technically brilliant, playing a wealth of instruments with extreme dynamics, Boiled In Lead routinely demolishes genres with its highly-identifiable sound. An Onion A&E(more…)

Bluegrass

World-class bluegrass entertainers Monroe Crossing will appear in concert at Oak Center General Store. Named in honor of Bill Monroe, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada.

Since the year 2000, Monroe Crossing has released 13 CDs and a live concert DVD and has made more than 1500 concert appearances throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The secret to the (more…)

Americana with Rock, Ska, Blues, Rockabilly, Irish & Irony

This Minneapolis-based band takes their name from the Minnesota State Fair's large display of farm equipment. Their original style mixes Americana with Rock, Ska, Blues, Rockabilly, Irish and touches of irony. Machinery Hill features a variety of songwriters who delve into topics from building combines to the end of the world, all solidly delivered with an upbeat attitude and 3-part harmonies. If you look up “diverse” in the dictionary, it says “see Machinery Hill.” (more…)

Bluegrass

Since forming in 2006, The High 48s have been making music that combines the soulful sound of classic bluegrass with a modern attitude, original songs and a wide range of influences far beyond Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, and Flatt and Scruggs. In a genre created and dominated by artists from the South, The High 48s were born and raised in the Upper Midwest. And in a music scene where playing standards is the norm, The High 48s are a band of songwriters who perform their own material in addition to the “festival favorites.”(more…)

Original and provocative folk and storytelling

Singer/songwriter/farmer Chuck Suchy returns to the Oak Center General Store to perform his special original songs and stories. Suchy has been heralded as “One of the great American songwriters” by Rod Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival – the premiere songwriting festival in America. Dirty Linen Folk Magazine says of Suchy: “ Ya gotta love this guy, he writes a fine song , plays steady guitar, sings with rare confidence and lives his material!” He is the recipient of the 2015 North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts. Suchy raises grass fed beef on the farm he grew up on near Mandan, ND.

http://www.chucksuchy.com/

AMERICANA/COUNTRY/SINGER/SONGWRITER

"THIS LATE-BLOOMER MINNEAPOLIS COUNTRY CROONER FELL IN WITH ESTEEMED LOCAL TWANG VETS PAUL BERGEN AND ERIK KOSKINEN TO CRAFT HER DEBUT ALBUM, THAT CERTAIN ACHE. HER SMOKY BUT TENDER VOICE RECALLS JEANNIE C. RILEY WHILE HER SONGWRITING HAS A LUCINDA WILLIAMS-LIKE BALANCE OF DOWN-AND-OUT GRIT AND HOPEFUL BEAUTY, WITH STANDOUT CUTS INCLUDING THE BITTERSWEET, SLOW-WALTZING TITLE TRACK AND THE COOL-RAMBLING CAPABLE MAN. -Chris Riemenschneider, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"PRODUCED, RECORDED, AND MASTERED BY MINNESOTA ROOTS-ROCK ALL-STARS PAUL BERGEN, ERIK KOSKINEN AND TOM GARNEAU, THAT CERTAIN ACHE IS THE SOUND OF AN ASSURED SINGER COMING INTO HER OWN, AND KAPELL LIKEWISE DISCUSSES THE UPS AND DOWNS OF HER LIFE WITH NONCHALANT JOY AND MIDLIFE WISDOM. -Jim Walsh, City Pages(more…)

Blues /folk/ country/ fusion
Best known as an ace guitarist and Producer/Engineer of Trampled By Turtles, Erik Koskinen should also be recognized as a masterful songwriter and rousing country singer. His dulcet tone and demeanor rival artists like Sting and Bon Jovi. Come experience his original brand of American music at Oak Center.

http://www.erikkoskinen.com/

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We're a group of musicians in the Twin Cities that likes to focus on the music found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. Mikkel Beckmen--percussion, Jillian Rae--fiddle and vocals, Adam Kiesling--guitar, banjo and vocals. We're usually down at the 331 Club on the first and third Sundays of the month.

Folk / Americana / Rock

T Bruce Bowers has been at the Oak Center multiple times with Radislov Lorkovic, Barefoot Wonder (with Ric Gillman) and Ronny Cox.

This time the show will include Cuban drummer, Rayhner Lasserie

Yazmin has lived a life of music from day one, having grown up with musician parents. Her latest album The Nautilus (coming July 6, 2018) was recorded in Havana, Cuba with producers she met while living and studying music there. Over the years, Cuban music has played a big roll in her life. She spent over a decade (more…)

Authentic, Northshore Blues

Authentic gets used way too much, but when you hear Charlie you'll understand its meaning. Charlie shows up with his lived-in rasp of a voice, a National Resonator guitar, a twelve string acoustic, a banjo, a batch of his own songs, and well-traveled numbers by revered bluesmen from other times. He executes his music the way it should be with a self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking, quasi-frailing techniques, and a voice that says, "this is the blues". Charlie Parr is the real deal. We’re not pulling your leg. But don’t take our word for it... listen to his music. You’ll be glad you did. Always a sold out show at Oak Center, get your tickets early!

http://www.charlieparr.com/

Authentic, Northshore Blues

Authentic gets used way too much, but when you hear Charlie you'll understand its meaning. Charlie shows up with his lived-in rasp of a voice, a National Resonator guitar, a twelve string acoustic, a banjo, a batch of his own songs, and well-traveled numbers by revered bluesmen from other times. He executes his music the way it should be with a self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking, quasi-frailing techniques, and a voice that says, "this is the blues". Charlie Parr is the real deal. We’re not pulling your leg. But don’t take our word for it... listen to his music. You’ll be glad you did. Always a sold out show at Oak Center, get your tickets early!

http://www.charlieparr.com/

Unique Blend of Blues, Jazz, and Roots Stylings

Two of Minnesota’s most innovative musicians, Tim Sparks, known for his celebrated series of recordings on John Zorn’s Tzadik label, and James Buckley, one of the Twin Cities busiest bass players with The Pines, Har Mar Superstar, Mystery Palace and The Blenders, are collaborating on a new duo, taking a Post-Modern Road Trip with Ornette Coleman and Buddy Emmons, rambling through an Americana Landscape littered with Broken Hearts and Rusty Jukeboxes. Performing their unique blend of Blues, Jazz, and Roots stylings, the Sparks/Buckley duo is a Symposium of Soul-Nourishing musical musings.(more…)

Bluegrass

Dazzling audiences with precision picking and sharp harmonies developed over 13 years of playing, performing, and growing up together, the Sawtooth Brothers have created a strong musical rapport with one another, which is channeled through their infectious original material. The sound of the Sawtooth Brothers is rooted in traditional bluegrass instrumental and harmony work and is influenced by modern acoustic sounds, blending pop and indie rock sensibilities with heartfelt americana.

During a live performance by the Sawtooth Brothers, audiences can expect creative original songs, hard driving bluegrass, classic country, gospel, and classic rock. Tying it all together is the band’s ability to put on a good show. Each band member’s strong passion for performing music is communicated through their entertaining and endearing stage show.(more…)

Rich vocal harmonies merge with intimate layers of guitar, fiddle and banjo to define the lush sound of Dusty Heart. Barbara Jean and Molly Dean are two songwriters recognized in their own right for their poetic lyrics and distinct vocal styles that when combined create a powerful and haunting sound that takes on a life of its own. Through their shared wanderlust and love of adventure, a passion for the open road, vast landscapes, and mutual love for musical harmony, the two decided to join forces and craft a sound that bridges together thediverse musical worlds of roots, indie, and folk.

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Fendrick & Peck's music gathers in many genres with a freshness and originality that centers on harmony, lyric writing, composition, groove and heart. Brian's instrumental work and Madeline's tremendous energy pair for a wild and soaring ride. Together with guitar and mandolin in hand, they balance each other marvelously and their devotion to the audience, their craft, and each other will bring joy to your heart.

www.fendrickandpeck.com

Sterling and the Silver Lining is a Rochester Minnesota based band that blends country, folk, alternative, and rock sounds. With fun guitar, sweet violin, ethereal pedal steel, and full harmonies, the music of Sterling and the Silver Lining is dynamic, unique, and original encompassing a wide variety in the sound scape.

www.facebook.com/SterlingAndTheSilverLining/

Americana/ Bluegrass
Katey grew up with a bluegrass and old-time music soundtrack playing in the background. Singing has always been very natural to her and she sing songs all day long about everything from putting on her socks, to what she’s going to eat for breakfast. She won her first music competition singing at the Boyceville, WI ‘Pickle Festival’ when she was five years old. Soon she began singing harmony with her dad Rod Bellville, a popular fixture in the Westbank Old Time Music Scene, and eventually performing on her own. She still loves the old tunes, but now mixes them up with her original songs, and those of contemporary songwriters like Gillian Welch. She released her first full-length album in 2013. It was partially recorded in Nashville, finished in Minneapolis, and has received countless amazing reviews by listeners. Fans frequently describe her songs as ‘unforgettable’ tunes, blending modern pop sensibilities with fundamental bluegrass instrumentation.

http://www.kateybellville.com/

Roots and Blues Oddity

A “roots and blues oddity” is a very deserving description for the Minnesota-based acoustic roots and blues musician Jeff Ray. Ray’s quartet, Jeff Ray & the Stakes materialized in the Minneapolis area over the past 6+ years with no formal rehearsals and no pre-determined musical ideas. Their first gig together was on Minnesota Public Radio’s Radio Heartland, again, with no rehearsal. The gig was quickly followed by a string of shows that started out as “get-togethers on stage” and quickly developed into full-throttle improvisations on tunes they barely knew. The band reworked the songs as they went along. Their music developed naturally and unforced, something that is rare and hard to find these days.As the band became a well-oiled machine they released a live in-the-studio recording called VALHALLA in October 2015. The album quickly become a fan favorite and was released at a sold-out performance in Lowertown St Paul. (more…)

Anyone not familiar with the music of Bill Staines is in for a special treat.

For more than forty years, Bill has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960's and for a time, emceed the Sunday Hootenanny at the legendary Club 47 in Cambridge. Bill quickly became a popular performer in the Boston area. From the time in 1971 when a reviewer from the Boston Phoenix stated that he was "simply Boston's best performer", Bill has continually appeared on folk music radio listener polls as one of the top all time favorite folk artists. Now, well into his fifth decade as a folk performer, he has gained an international reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer.

Singing mostly his own songs, he has become one of the most popular and durable singers on the folk music scene today, (more…)

As the thirty year anniversary of my performing at Folk Forum approaches I stand humbled by the incredible people I have been lucky enough to perform for. I have never missed a year. Many years I was lucky enough to perform 3 times! I hope to someday hit the century mark. I am over halfway there.
The real blessing is the phenomenal artists I have been paired with. Greg Brown (first show), Dave 'Snaker' Ray, Dean Magraw, Andy White, Joel Rafael, Kristina Olsen, Joe Price, Willie Murphy, Barbara Jean, Bo Ramsey and the list goes on ...

https://www.radoslavlorkovic.com/

Traditional Bluegrass with Roots, Jazz and Blues Led by Chris Silver

The Good Intentions have been playing driving bluegrass music for over a decade. Silver says that “we were originally inspired by the sounds of Bill Monroe and other first generation bluegrass pioneer, but we created our own blend of bluegrass that taps into some of my original compositions and other contemporary songwriters. Our success has been based on the complimentary picking and singing skills of some of the best known names in the area’s bluegrass scene.

Formerly of the bands Stoney Lonesome, Tangled Roots, and the Kate Mackenzie Band, Silver plays fiddle and mandolin with a deep appreciation for traditional bluegrass music. His solos stretch beyond the boundaries of bluegrass including hints of jazz, blues, and roots music. Chris has amassed a credible sized discography featuring bluegrass, Americana, and global acoustic styles.(more…)

Composer, arranger, producer, guitarist Dean Magraw has fine-tuned his “Heavy Meadow” approach to music from years of performing and recording with some of the finest musicians in the United States, Europe, and Japan. His first recording, Broken Silence, came out in 1994 and won the NAIRD award for Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year.

Dean has since produced myriad passionate albums, including his latest release, Fire on the Nile (Red House Records), a duo collaboration with renowned percussionist, Eric Kamau Gravatt.

“Dean Magraw's guitar playing transcends, transports and lifts the soul to a higher level as he weaves, cajoles and entices every note from his instrument. The note, length of note, tone of note, the bending of the note; every colour of the note is explored and delivered with a master's care and love. Just as important are the silences with which he knits his music… these can only come with being at one with one's art. Dean Magraw is an incredible world class musician who's modesty only makes him more appreciated by the listener.” -Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Altan)

“Dean Magraw… so liquid, lyrical and effortless it’s like listening to a dancer.” -Steve Tibbetts(more…)

Jeannine Marie Photography

Minneapolis-based soul blues singer/songwriter/guitar-keyboard

Joyann Parker brings a full range of talent to her performances as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter. She has performed for thousands at major venues and festivals across the country, frequently sells out the most prestigious clubs in the Twin Cities and garnered national and international attention for her newest record, "Hard To Love." Joyann is a 2018 Blues Blast Magazine Music Award nominee and Heritage guitars artist. She has opened for Grammy winner Robert Cray, taken the stage for Grammy nominee Elvin Bishop in a pinch, represented Minnesota at the 2015 International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN and won the award for 2016's Best Self-Produced CD from (more…)

Midwest-stylized, blues/country/rock/bluegrass
Straight from the great Mill City comes the Pistol Whippin’ Party Penguins. Don't let the name fool you! This is not a violent group of flightless aquatic birds looking for a party, but rather 5 self proclaimed gentlemen, 2 guitars, a mandolin, a bucket of fiddles, an upright bass, a banjo, and a 4 part vocal harmony that will make angels cry. This quintet from Minneapolis strives to maintain the original spirit of the "string band" while continuing to play new original music and creative cover songs. The combination of folk, rock, blues, bluegrass, and the occasional stage banter will create an experience that anyone can enjoy! Don't miss this night of music!!!

http://pwppmusic.com/

Homegrown, Get-down Blues
Vicki and Joe Price are a husband and wife blues duo from SE Iowa. They do some dynamite blues in the old traditions as well as a good measure of high-powered originals. Vicki’s exemplary guitar playing and smooth vocals perfectly compliment Joe’s raspy voice and mean slide guitar. They have a well earned following who come again & again to see the incredible energy that comes alive on the stage in this quiet like-able guy that Greg Brown at times has called the “Buddha”.Scene Magazine says ” Vicki’s powerful bluesy voice evokes an image of a woman in a 1920’s speakeasy singing her heart out. If you like upbeat, straightforward blues, you can’t go wrong with what the Prices are laying down.” Come feel the music and shake them bones...

http://www.joepriceblue.com/

Texas Swing

Honky-Tonk Jump plays swingin' Texas dance hall music in the tradition of Bob Wills, Milton Brown, Ernest Tubb and Spade Cooley with a sprinkling of Hank Williams and other early honky-tonk legends. Honky-Tonk Jump is made up of Dan Newton (accordion and vocals), Joe Savage (pedal steel/vocals), Tom Schaefer (fiddle), Dehl Gallagher (drums), Dan Lowinger (guitar) and Vaughn Asselstine on upright bass. This band rustles up a rhythm roundup with accordion, fiddle, guitar, pedal steel, bass, drums and vocals. Our music features signature twin and triple leads on accordion, fiddle, pedal steel and guitar with soulful vocals, all backed by a hard-swingin’ rhythm section. This band has fun and it’s contagious!

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Singer, Songwriter, Storyteller, Song collector and Adventurer

Performed at Renaissance Festivals since 1970.

Performed at numerous Folk Festivals through-out North America and the Caribbean.

Artistic Director Coffeehouse Extempore 1983-1986, tutored under Steve Alarik.

Has written music for three movies ( Renaissance theme )

New Orleans and Hot Club Jazz Swing Band

Miss Myra and The Moonshiners are a formidable 5-piece swing band bringing a fresh female-driven perspective to traditional New Orleans and hot club jazz, playing a broad repertoire of classic tunes from the ‘20s and ‘30s and inspired originals. With powerful vocals, a smoking horn section, and sweet rhythm, they are guaranteed to lift spirits and fill the dance floor.

Miss Myra is a threat on every level. Her golden voice will bring you from rock bottom to ecstasy and back while her driving guitar rhythm holds the Moonshiners together. Her style of hard hitting swing guitar is reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. She also draws influence from legendary blues guitarists such as Leadbelly and Blind Boy Fuller. If you let her near a piano, you'll hear virtuosity from ragtime to Lizst. In addition to her musical talent, she is known for lighting up the dance floor with tradtional American jazz dances such as lindy hop, charleston and blues.

"Beautiful horns, delicious vintage jazz and ragtime music and excellent vocals"
- Richard Wagenaar, The Next Gig(more…)

Guitar double-header

Jerry Kosak was selected as a 2019 recipient of a MN State Arts Board Grant and is presenting a guitar double-header with Prairie Home alumni Pat Donohue at a number of perfect listening venues around the state.

Grammy award-winning finger-picker Pat Donohue’s devotion to acoustic guitar has made him an American standard, as he echoes the tones of Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Merle Travis or Muddy Waters. Chet Atkins called Pat one of the greatest fingerpickers in the world today; Leo Kottke called his playing “haunting.”

https://www.patdonohue.com/

The guitar music of Jerry Kosak has incorporated the structure and complexity of classical, the soul and passion of the blues, the happiness and drive of Americana, and the groove and swing of R&B and jazz. His music has been described as a fusion of rhythmic drumming, grooving bass lines, and thoughtfully disjointed melodies, producing “a great reflection of many different styles” according to Kevin Barnes of KBEM Jazz 88.

http://jerrykosak.com/

Originals & Traditional Folk Duo

Curtis & Loretta’s music comes straight from the heart. The husband and wife duo’s extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and traditional pieces from America and the British Isles. The current menagerie includes mandocello, folk harp, guitars, clawhammer banjo, ukulele, and mandolin, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers. Curtis’ down-home sense of humor and Loretta’s theater background engage the audience in an experiencethat runs the gamut of rolling with laughter to holding back tears, with plenty of side-trips in between. They rack up countless miles each year, crisscrossing the country to deliver their own unique brand of folk singer/songwriter music.(more…)

Solo Acoustic Guitar

Michael Gulezian (gu-LAY-ze-in) is one of the most highly acclaimed solo acoustic instrumental guitarists of our time. He is a phenomenal technical guitarist with the rare ability to transcend his own virtuosity, creating music that touches and moves people at the deepest level. He’s been called the musical link between John Fahey and Michael Hedges. Artists as diverse as Michael Hedges, Willy Porter, and Henry Kaiser have claimed him as a primary musical influence; young lions such as Erik Mongrain and Andy McKee are quick to acknowledge him as an inspiration. In concert, Michael is all warmth and humor … and though it’s visually breathtaking to watch him perform, a concert with Michael is more than a display of cutting-edge virtuosity – it is the passionate communion of master musician engaged with his audience in the mystery of self-revelation, creating music of atmospheric power, ecstatic joy, and haunting beauty. If you enjoy the artistry of musicians such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges – guitarists who amaze us with what ten fingers and one guitar can do – then you will love Michael Gulezian.

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Traditional Celtic music

but with unique and innovative arrangements, with a variety of songs from Britain and Ireland, accompanied by guitar and Northumbrian smallpipes (a quiet bagpipe from Northeast England), or various whistles. They also play plenty of traditional tunes from Cape Breton Island, Scotland, Ireland and Northumberland, with a good measure of original music in the traditional style. As well as a broad range of styles of Celtic music, this program also features an impressive range of emotion, from the jaunty and humorous to soulful, led by Patsy’s warm and multi-colored baritone voice, Dick’s variety of bagpipes and whistles, and the nimble instrumental virtuosity of them both.

Patsy O’Brien, from County Cork, is a fine traditional singer, and a superb guitarist for traditional music, but with an eclectic technique that allows forays into many different styles. He is also an awarded songwriter.

Dick Hensold is the leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America, and for the past 20 years has performed and taught in England, Scotland, Japan, Canada, and across the United States. His solo Northumbrian smallpipes CD Big Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes was released in 2007.(more…)

Solo Acoustic Singer/Songwriter

Dan Israel will perform solo acoustic in his debut performance at the Oak Center General Store on Saturday, November 9, 2019. Israel, who was named Songwriter of the Year in the 2006 Minnesota Music Awards, has been performing live for 30 years, and has released 14 acclaimed studio albums, including 2018's "You're Free", about which No Depression said "Dan Israel's new 11-song release, "You're Free," is an individual work of musical art a year in the making and solidifies Israel's standing as one of the country's best singer/songwriters working today."

Dan Israel is a longtime fixture on the Minneapolis music scene. He was the first guest on 89.3 The Current’s “Local Show” and has been called “the hardest working singer-songwriter in Minnesota.” He won Song of the Year (for “Come to Me”) in the 2005 Minnesota Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year in the 2006 MMA’s. He formed Dan Israel and The Cultivators in 1996 and has released 14 critically acclaimed albums. He received a 4-star review from the UK’s “Uncut” (more…)

Innovative bluegrass and roots music played with virtuosic skill and soul

The Barley Jacks sing original vocals and play jaw–dropping instrumentals in a spirit of
excitement and fun. They are masters of the fiddle, guitar, bass and drum who meld their
divergent backgrounds of blues and bluegrass, classical and Celtic, R and B and bebop to inspire
each other and create something entirely new.

"The Barley Jacks are musicians' musicians playing seriously good music. If you can sit there and listen to these guys without smiling or tapping your toe, check your pulse."
–Ron Arsenault, Rock Bend Music Festival

"The Barley Jacks had the crowd standing, clapping, dancing and shouting for almost the entire final hour. They are one finely tuned machine. An absolute
treat to listen to!"
–Greg Schmitz, Sioux River Folk Festival

"I LOVED the band... lot's of good feedback. The Barley Jacks are dynamic,
exciting and just plain fun!"
–Mary Doub, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

https://www.barleyjacks.com/

Original and provocative folk and storytelling

Singer/songwriter/farmer Chuck Suchy returns to the Oak Center General Store to perform his special original songs and stories. Suchy has been heralded as “One of the great American songwriters” by Rod Kennedy, founder of the Kerrville (TX) Folk Festival – the premiere songwriting festival in America. Dirty Linen Folk Magazine says of Suchy: “ Ya gotta love this guy, he writes a fine song , plays steady guitar, sings with rare confidence and lives his material!” He is the recipient of the 2015 North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts. Suchy raises grass fed beef on the farm he grew up on near Mandan, ND.

http://www.chucksuchy.com/

Alt-Folk

Combining a wintry longing with the warmth of a familiar folktale, Humbird stretches between experimental folk and environmental Americana to embrace the unexpected. This music invites a refreshing dissonance into the house, it leaves breadcrumbs along the path and reflects light back at the stars.

Currently based in Minneapolis MN, Humbird’s companion EPs “Elsewhere” and “Where Else” were released in summer 2017. Both collections explore themes of the human body within various environments and showcase minimalist soundscapes, looping, and extended vocal techniques to create an otherworldly, though familiar sound rooted in folk music traditions.

Now, moving between intimate solo performances, improvised duo sets and full band arrangements, the songs and stories continue to evolve, shift and flourish. Humbird’s debut full length album is set to be released in 2019.

http://www.humbirdmusic.com/

We're a group of musicians in the Twin Cities that likes to focus on the music found on Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music. Mikkel Beckmen--percussion, Jillian Rae--fiddle and vocals, Adam Kiesling--guitar, banjo and vocals. We're usually down at the 331 Club on the first and third Sundays of the month.

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Jillian Rae

In the fall of 2017, David Huckfelt left behind the familiar—the comfort of his home in Minneapolis; the camaraderie of his critically acclaimed band, The Pines; the luxuries of heat, hot water, and electricity—and relocated to Isle Royale, America’s most remote and least visited national park in mighty Lake Superior. Six hours by boat off the Michigan coast, Isle Royale is the largest island in the world’s largest freshwater lake, an isolated stretch of wilderness seemingly forgotten by the 20th century (to say nothing of the 21st). There, as an Artist In Residence selected by the National Park Service, Huckfelt spent ten hours a day for two straight weeks writing in solitude, channeling the mysterious and lonesome island’s spirits into his stunning debut solo album, ‘Stranger Angels.’

“The island is surrounded by 300 smaller islands, decrepit lighthouses and abandoned mines, lined with shipwrecks, ghosts, and the stories of the northern Ojibway, fisherman, and early settlers,” Huckfelt reflects. “I brought a mountain of notebooks and poetry and history books with me”, says Huckfelt, “and for the first time in nearly a decade, I found the solitude, depth, range, danger, beauty, and inspiration to go all kinds of places in my writing that I hadn't had the space to visit before. With a sense of place so strong, it was less like an anchor and more like a launching pad to free up and access all kinds of places from throughout my life. It’s easy to travel anywhere in your mind in that kind of solitude, your whole experience rises up from the deep.”(more…)

Featuring:
- ERIK KOSKINEN
- PISTOL WHIPPIN’ PARTY PENGUINS
- Special Guest GREG BROWN

These immensely talented and generous musicians play the big room once again; this time to help fix and sustain the 105 year old building that has hosted so many magical, musical evenings.

Tickets are $100 per person, with all proceeds going to help fix and maintain the Oak Center General Store, including purchase and installation of new boiler. Join us for an intimate evening with THREE amazing acts, including Greg Brown who has not played here in over 10 years! Your ticket includes an organic buffet with appetizers and desserts, plus a ticket for a free drink! Doors open at 3pm; Come early to peruse the store for those special holiday gift items as well as graciously donated raffle and silent auction items – including a handmade quilt, pottery, gift certificates & artfully arranged gift baskets.

Link here to purchase tickets

Erik Koskinen
Pistol Whippin' Party Penguins
Greg Brown

Becky Schlegel
Songstress.

Her music is original, drawing on the influence of classic country, bluegrass, folk, and her own thoughtful spirit. Becky’s incredible voice floats, whispers then soars above music of the highest quality. She takes her listeners on a musical journey, exploring new places and meeting new people in every song.(more…)

Drew Peterson is an independent Americana singer-songwriter who has captivated fans across the Midwest for over 15 years. Since fronting the Minnesota-based group Forty Watt Bulb, Peterson has spawned two other successful Roots projects;the twangy,upbeat Dead Pigeons and bluegrass-influenced Boxstore Bird,paired with the incredibly talented multi-instrumental Mandy Fassett.

Peterson has built a unique brand that transcends the genre. With clever, dry humor and thought- provoking lyrics, Peterson’s music is like oil over gravel. Drawing on influences from John Prine, Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, among others, Peterson offers the world upbeat tunes with a soft- spoken gravitas that belies his years.

With a performance style that can transform from intimate listening room to rowdy festivals and bars, Peterson always gives his heart and soul to the stage. And with each new performance, he works to connect with the audience through storytelling.

https://drewpetersonmusic.com/

Authentic, Northshore Blues

Authentic gets used way too much, but when you hear Charlie you'll understand its meaning. Charlie shows up with his lived-in rasp of a voice, a National Resonator guitar, a twelve string acoustic, a banjo, a batch of his own songs, and well-traveled numbers by revered bluesmen from other times. He executes his music the way it should be with a self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking, quasi-frailing techniques, and a voice that says, "this is the blues". Charlie Parr is the real deal. We’re not pulling your leg. But don’t take our word for it... listen to his music. You’ll be glad you did. Always a sold out show at Oak Center, get your tickets early!