July 10th, 2009
The Crabgrass Crew
All Kinds of Music with a Twist of Bluegrass

The Crabgrass Crew, an acoustic bluegrass band, has been performing for public and private events for the past ten years.  This diverse group of local professionals includes: optometrist Richard Barnett (banjo), Wells Fargo mortgage advisor Matt Billion (mandolin, bass, lead vocals), attorney Jim Billion (guitar, vocals) real estate salesman Dave Donahoe (snare drum, spoons, jews harp), Ditch Witch of South Dakota sales manager Dave Jansa (guitar, harmonica), golf professional and coarse manager Tom Jansa (guitar, lead vocals), real estate investor Steve Odea (electric guitar), local actor/director and Sioux Empire Community Theatre’s Rod Pierce (lead vocals, trombone, kazoo, and percussion), fourth grade teacher Greg Schmitz (bass, jews harp, glockenspiel, percussion), and dentist Tom Weisbecker (banjo, dobro, fiddle, and harmonica).

July 17th, 2009
Dakota Jazz Collective
Featuring Saxophonist Nathan Jorgenson

Rooted in the classic style of jazz, Dakota Jazz Collective (DJC) is a horn driven ensemble, featuring some of the finest jazz talent in the region.  DJC musicians bring countless years of experience and talent, as well as endless passion for playing live jazz.  Catch DJC and hear for yourself!

Nathan Jorgensen is Assistant Professor of Music at South Dakota State University.  He is responsible for directing both of the University’s jazz ensembles, and teaching private saxophone and clarinet.

July 24th, 2009
Mike Connor and Friends
Irish Tunes and Other Favorites

From the time he was a seventh grade beginning guitar player, Mike Connor has been organizing performing groups.  He made a “45” record in 1965 with his high school rock and roll band featuring his own songs.  As a founding member of the South Dakota Acoustic Group, he organized the December Christmas concerts for many years.

July 31st, 2009
Nathan Glazier with Carol Skallerud and Josh Scott
Ballads: Celtic and Folk

Nathan Glazier has had a life-long love of music of all kinds since a young boy swaying to the sounds of the family band of his parents and uncle who played the popular music of the day in rural South Dakota.  Most recently, he has discovered the streams of traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic in the Celtic and American old-time traditions as a source of inspiration and lends his instrumental and vocal talent to local bands Fiddler Nelson and the Sioux Falls Ceili band.  Nathan plays several stringed instruments and favors the heartfelt ballads of the Celtic and American folk traditions in his song repertoire.

August 7th, 2009
DWE Chamber Players
Uncommon Winds, Unequaled Music

Along with conducting the DWE Chamber Players, David King is the tubist with the Dakota Wind Ensemble.  David was principle tubist with the South Dakota symphony and has performed with the Bamberg (Germany) Tuba Trio, the 1st Infantry Division Band, The Sioux Falls Municipal Band, the Lima Ohio Municipal Band, and soloed with the 3rd US Infantry Division Band and the 147th SD National Guard Band.  David was band and vocal music director in Arlington, S.D.  Mr. King has degrees from South Dakota State University and Bowling Green (Ohio) State University.

August 14th, 2009
Gordy Pratt
Songs, Humor, and Fancy Pickin’
www.gordypratt.com

An accomplished writer and seasoned performer, Gordy has been in the entertainment business since age 12. He does hundreds of shows a year for corporations, associations and other special events. He has appeared on ABC's Good Morning America and numerous Public Television shows and has opened for Kenny Chesney, Michael Martin Murphy, Williams & Ree (The Indian & the White Guy), the Beach Boys, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many more.

"As an only child I grew up entertaining myself. My family moved around a lot and I learned the quickest way to make friends was to make people laugh. With you or at you, it didn't matter. I was always a foot taller that anybody else so I was kind of a conversation piece. I got used to people laughing at me. My second grade room was a sea of little desks with this huge desk in the back... mine. I was very lucky at the age of 12 to start spending summers in a theatre company in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and I was hooked: on the entertainment business and the Hills".

August 21st, 2009
Doc Walker Trio
Traditional Jazz, Well Seasoned

The Doc Walker Trio has had an interesting past.  It was formed in 1982 using the most experienced jazz musicians in the area.  Its members represent a total of 201 years of professional playing experience.

The Doc Walker Trio plays in may varied settings, and performs in styles from traditional jazz to big band styles, and even some 50s rock and very select country tunes.  In the end, the band loves to make music for people to enjoy, and has great fun in the process.

August 28th, 2009
Small Potatoes
Celtic to Cowboy
www.smallpotatoesmusic.com

Small Potatoes is Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso.  This Chicago-based duo has been touring on the folk circuit since 1993 and in that time they’ve become sought-after regulars at many clubs, coffeehouses across the U.S.  They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Folk Festival, and Philadelphia Folk Festival. They were one of the “most requested” acts at the 1999 Falcon Ridge New Artist Showcase.  Jacquie is also a past winner of the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest.

They call themselves eclecto-maniacs.  They describe their music as “Celtic to Cowboy” and say in has taken them “years of careful indecision” to come up with a mix of music that ranges from country, blues, and swing to Irish, with songwriting that touches on all of those styles and more.  Their four recordings, “Alive!”, “Waltz of the Wallflowers”, “Time Flies”, and “Raw” cover all these styles.  They both sing, they both play guitars and an array of other instruments.  They even yodel.  Dirty Linen Magazine called them “one of the most polished, inventive, and entertaining shows on the circuit.”  Sing Out Magazine called them “wonderfully eclectic” and said “Small Potatoes might well be leading mainstays on the folk scene for years to come.”