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4.2.24 Randy Larson
Randy Larson lives in Gatzke and is the Northwest Artist of the Year for Music. This award will be presented on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum.
Larson is a talented musician who sings and plays bass guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and lead guitar. He also writes music. Randy was 17 when he and a quartet from high school began The Back Behind the Barn Boys. The Barn Boys, their abridged title, added drums, piano, and guitar after a year. The Barn Boys hit the road full time touring 23 states and 3 provinces. With one 45 record, 2 albums and a CD, Randy and the band played with or fronted many national acts including, Alabama, Gatlin Brothers, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio, Charlie Daniels, Kentucky Headhunters, Restless Heart, Reba McEntire, Southern Pacific, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Marshall Tucker, and Nitty Gritty Dirt band.
Randy and the Barn Boys represented Minnesota at the Wrangler Star Search competition in Nashville, Tennessee performing at The Grand Ole Opry. The song “Come on Sunday Morning," written by The Barn Boys, reached #88 on Billboard, #68 on Cashbox, and #2 on the National Indie Charts and stayed on the charts for 8 weeks. The band played at We Fest in Detroit Lakes numerous times.
Randy has played in other bands, as well. He currently performs with Eagle Creek (with his sons and others).
Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500. Funding for the Northwest Artist of the Year 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. Listen to learn more and hear some Back Behind the Barn Boys music!
1.9.23 Lindsay Lewis
Lindsay Lewis from the MacPhail Center for Music spoke about the McKnight Fellowships for Musicians and MacPhail Center for Music. Lindsay is the contact for the McKnight Fellowships for Musicians. There are 4 fellowships available for musicians each year. Lindsay detailed many opportunities that are included with the fellowships and explained their commitment to artists throughout the entire state. Applications are open now and are due Monday, January 22. Visit macphail.org/mcknight-fellowships and listen to hear all about the fellowships!
8.8.23 George French
Crookston resident and Associate Professor George French is featured in this week’s podcast. George teaches music at UMC in Crookston and is a church organist. He provided a follow up about his organ workshops and recitals that have been happening throughout our region. George received a grant from the NWMAC to offer the workshops and recitals. Listen to hear all about the grant and how things have been going!
6.13.23 Misti Koop
Listen to Misti Koop speak about her music, acting, and other performing arts activities (Including a new album she’s working on). She also talked about the summer schedule and program for the Summer Safari Arts Stages, which will be touring a number of NW Minnesota communities. This year they’ll be performing Willy Wonka. To learn more about the Safari shows visit summerartsstages.com.
5.9.22 Cathy Erickson
Cathy Erickson of Middle River recently 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. She spoke with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West about the award, her musical background, and more!
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 on 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.
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. Listen to the podcast for an interesting conversation about Cathy!
9.13.22 Jeanne O’Neil
East Grand Forks Musician Jeanne O'Neil of the O’Neil Family Band and North Country Fiddle & Dance is featured on this week’s podcast. North Country Fiddle & Dance has received grants from the NWMAC for dance/live music events. They host dances with live music throughout the year. North Country Fiddle and Dance is involved in a performance by lynx lynx on Wednesday, September 14th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the East Grand Forks Campbell Library, 422 4th Street N.W. (Admission is a freewill donation at the door). Listen to the podcast to learn more (and even hear some music by lynx lynx).
Info about lynx lynx:
Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian-Swedish folk music duo – lynx lynx. The variety of strings includes fiddles, Hardanger fiddles, guitars, and even a mandolin. The mix of tunes is put together by both their original and traditional Nordic fiddle tunes. This is what music sounds like between two Scandinavian transplants in the Midwest coming together to share their fiddle tunes. www.lynxlynxmusic.com
9.6.22 Gerald Amiot
Polk County Historical Society Board Member Jerry Amiot spoke about Pioneer Day in Crookston at the Polk County Historical Museum on Sunday, September 11 (11 am to 5 pm). The NWMAC provided funding for music (including vocal, fiddle, and accordion) at the event — Double the Trouble, Alex Conwell, and the Ross Sutter Musicians. There is also a blacksmithing demonstration featuring Randy Oberg. Listen to hear the details and attend the event this Sunday!
7.19.22 Paige Shannon
This week’s podcast featured Singer-Songwriter Paige Shannon. Shannon performed downtown Hallock on Friday, July 22 as part of a summer music series. Hallock received a grant from the NWMAC for this series that includes the Wood Picks (they performed in June) and the Downtown Horns (they'll be performing August 26). Earlier this spring Shannon filmed a music video for one of her singles in Hallock and a number of residents participated. Listen to the interview to learn more and to hear some of the music.
1.18.22 George French
George French is featured on this week’s podcast. George is a music professor at UMC. He recently received a grant from the NWMAC to present a workshop series throughout our region to introduce organ playing to interested high school students. A recital will follow in each location. George is reaching out to area music teachers and piano instructors to get the word out. Listen to the podcast to learn more!