The NW Star Award is Given to Cathy Erickson

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council is excited to announce that Cathy Erickson of Middle River has received the Northwest Star Award. The award was presented to Erickson on Sunday, April 30 in Middle River at the Middle River Legacy Center during the NW Art Exhibit Awards Reception and Program.

Erickson is a well-known musician and radio show host in the area. She has been entertaining professionally in northwestern Minnesota and beyond, playing music for almost 50 years. Cathy plays the accordion, piano, organ, guitar, and vocals. She also hosts her own radio show Cathy’s Variety Show that airs every Monday night on the Northland Community and Technical radio station KSRQ Pioneer 90.1 FM. The live variety show consists of polkas, waltzes, classic country, bluegrass, gospel, and local artists. Additionally, she hosts two other live weekly radio shows – Country Church and Live from the Farm. In 2022, Cathy received the “Volunteer of the Year'' award from AMPERS, the Association of Minnesota Public and Educational Radio Stations, for the volunteer work she has done in broadcasting and in promoting 90.1 FM community radio and old-time music.

Cathy has a two-year degree from Northland Community College, majoring in music and journalism. She completed a broadcasting class in 2007 to learn how to operate the sound board while on the radio. She worked as a reporter for the Middle River Record and became editor of the hometown newspaper for some time. Cathy taught music for three years at St Bernard’s Catholic School in Thief River Falls. Cathy also acted in three Goose Festival Productions for the Middle River Community Theatre. She served as East Valley Township Supervisor for 25 years. She has been organist and song leader at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middle River for 50 years and prior to that was organist at St. Ann’s in Goodridge.

Cathy has received grants from the NWMAC making it possible for her to purchase the necessary equipment to broadcast her radio show “live from the farm” and still take phone call requests, and to increase its hours and to also share her old-time music with residents in nursing homes or senior apartments.

Cathy reflected, “Polkas, waltzes, and variety music is still as exciting for me today as it was before the band began years ago. It is happy music that can make you laugh or cry.

I feel the time on the radio reaches out to a lot of shut-ins and elderly people who wait for my shows each week and call-in requests. Most of them I have never met, but I recognize their voices. Some have even called outside of radio time just to talk because they are lonesome. I have standing invitations to visit listeners in Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Sharing the music of the piano and the accordion and the old-time music of polkas, waltzes, schottisches, and country music to residents of nursing homes, assisted living, senior apartments, and shut-ins and to my family and community has proven that music is therapy and is a very important part of a healthy living environment. I am still actively going to several nursing homes and senior apartments that include Thief River Falls, Warren, Greenbush, and a DAC in Ada.”

Cathy likes that you can express your feelings through music. She also appreciates the “joy that it brings on the receiving end of music. It makes people alert and feel good. You can see it on your audience. There is music for every mood. It can soothe and calm you. It’s for all ages.”

Cathy has advice for aspiring artists. “Don’t give up. It’s always good to visit with people who share the same interest as what you have. Share your emotions about art. Put in your time. It’s a process. Parents, keep encouraging your kids to be involved. Don’t let them give up too soon.”

According to Mark Johnson, “Cathy’s weekly variety show reaches over-the-air-listeners in 13 counties in Minnesota and North Dakota and is also heard worldwide through Pioneer 90.1’s web stream. Her shows draw a growing number of calls, emails, and donations from several states. Each of her radio shows features recordings from a variety of local musicians, which makes Cathy an advocate and promoter of local artists.

Her programs also help our nonprofit community radio station meet its fundraising goals. In addition to donations from listeners, Cathy has organized several live concerts to raise money. Cathy’s volunteer work has also brought Pioneer 90.1 several business underwriters who support the station with financial contributions.”

Jason Rominski has worked with Cathy and hired her to perform at county fairs and events. He explained, “Cathy has established herself as one of this area’s premier performers, and her audience continues to grow and support her at every event. Her professionalism and strong support of the arts through her performances are second to none.”

Cathy’s daughter and bandmate Mary Jo Sturman said, “Cathy's love for playing and sharing her music has been evident in everything she does. She is a talented and professional entrepreneur; a teacher; a mentor; and admired by all. My mother is an icon, a mentor, and truly my idol.”

Congratulations, Cathy!

The NW Star Award comes with $5,000. Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once as a lifetime achievement award. Funding for the Northwest Star comes from The McKnight Foundation. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our seven-county region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Of the Year Award winners were nominated by area residents.