Pop

Bio:

Pop has quite the reputation as a singer, picker, fiddler, lasso twirler, poet and downright funny guy. He appeared quite frequently on Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion during the show's formative years and for the last four decades he has worked his cowboy magic throughout 44 states and ten countries. His cowboy anthems crackle with the warmth of a prairie campfire and his old time fiddle tunes set toes a-tappin' while he serves up spellbinding rope tricks and tall stories -- all with a good dose of friendly humor. WHAT FOLKS SAY ABOUT POP: "Search as you might, you will never discover another individual with the unique talents and accomplishments of Pop Wagner. When you hear that smoothly-rolling John Hurt-inspired guitar and that cowboy drawl, or dance to that rowdy old-time Cajun-blend hoedown fiddle and his often-hilarious calls, or marvel at the unlikely sight of a man standing on a horse's back twirling a lasso around his torso, then you're sharing in the spell that only Pop can cast. An all-around showman, you ask? Verily, the man's communicative skills are so extraordinary that he can make even a council or board meeting a pleasant experience" -- Bill Hinkley, Inside Bluegrass *********************** "Pop Wagner is a mesmerizing, authentic cowboy, who possesses the unique ability to transform an audience to the simpler times of days gone by. His captivating cowboy wit, combined with his musical talents are a treat for an audience of any age. Pop Wagner is a rich historian of our culture and, as such, is truly an American treasure." -- Jo McLachlan, Wheatland Music Organization, Remus, MI. *********************** "Renaissance cowboy/raconteur Pop Wagner ...deadpan funny ...his presence is like meeting Woody Guthrie and Will Rogers riding a single, many colored horse. Pop is a kind of 'textile genius' who is able to spin, at once, both yarn and rope." -- Ron Miles, Grassroots Concerts, Brainerd, MN *********************** "...Pop Wagner portrays the Folk-singer in a first-rate performance of Benjamin Britten's opera "Paul Bunjan." -- John Rockwell, The New York Times, Nov. 1988 *********************** "Pop's perfect for folk, blues and country songs, singing and strumming with all the right nuances and know-how." -- Martin Keller, City Pages, Dec. 1981 *********************** "Pop Wagner won all hearts as the articulate ballad-singer." -- Alan Blyth, The Daily Telegraph (London), June 1988 *********************** "At its wackiest, it ranges from Pop Wagner's slap-stick 'acoustic lasso' ... Pop Wagner's marvelously bad puns on his quirky Cajun song “The Impressionists Two-Step." -- Susan Wilson, The Boston Globe, April 1986 *********************** "... Pop Wagner a natural as the ballad-singer winning everyone from the start ..." -- Edward Greenfield, Arts Guardian (London), June 1988

Member Since:

May 14, 2008

Members:

Pop Wagner works solo most of the time but also collaborates with Bob Douglas & Adam Granger (as the Pop Wagner trio) Pipp & Guy Gillette, Dakota Dave Hull and he does a regular gig with the Twin City Playboys at the Eagles Club in Minneapolis.

Influences:

Woody Guthrie, Bob Wills, Glenn Ohrlin, Charlie Poole, Rosalie Sorrels, Utah Phillips, Libba Cotten. Mississippi John Hurt, Spike Jones, Uncle Dave Macon, etc.

Sounds Like:

Pop Wagner sound like himself mostly ... some say he sounds like Willie Nelson, some, Woody Guthrie. No one yet has said he sounds like Barbara Streisand.

Record Label:

Corral Music