Brad Ray - guitar, harmonica vocals - country, folk, and rock stylist with over 2000 songs at his disposal. He’s a legend of the music festival scene and campfire songmaster, currently rotating shows at various clubs, nursing homes, and coffee houses around the twin cities. Former member of Minneapolis jamrockers The Kung Fu Hippies.
Jim Hinkley - bass, vocals - Also rhythm guitarist for the Minneapolis Grateful Dead tribute The Jones Gang.
Eldon Hagen - banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc., vocals - Former member of Nine Mile Creek, Lonesome Fools, and the Spokes, Eldon is a song-writer and multi-instrumentalist who is known to crash festivals and jam for days without any sleep! Check out his music @ www.myspace.com/eldonsnakeinthegrass
Bettina - fiddle, guitar, mandolin, vocals - Bettina is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Here is her myspace profile.
Influences
LOTS!
without naming names....
bluegrass, oldtime, country blues, Celtic, jazz, jam, country, rock, funk, soul, R&B, folk, classical, dissonance, harmony, togetherness, separateness, improvisation...
Sounds Like
We somehow strive for tightness and looseness at the same time. Is that possible? We're tryin'!
as our buddy Tood Zieper (djzeep@msn.com) puts it:
"Tunes from the Great American Songbook" - High Strung String Band embodies the traditional sense of bluegrass by envoking the likes of Ralph Stanley, The Carter Family, and Doc Watson, while keeping true to their West Bank Minneapolis roots by flavoring their sets with songs by the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Hank Williams. Couple this with their harmonious originals, and you’ll find that High Strung String Band is "Minnesotagrass" at it’s finest.
The HSSB had its earliest beginnings at Joey Flynn’s house in North Minneapolis in Fall ’05, when he invited people over a few times to jam, jug-band-style. For about the previous year Joey had spoken often (to Jim) about starting a jug band..wanted to call it "Captain Bringdown and The Buzzkills".. But the real genesis for the band was a bigger, better-attended jam in January ’06, which is where, as it was wrapping up, Brad Ray suggested that the group get together again the following week. And sure enough, a core of people showed up the following week. And the following week. That core developed into the High-Strung String Band.
The band members select tunes from many eras but mainly pull from the classic country and bluegrass realm, with an inescapable nod toward folkrock.
We know we have something very special with this group and want to nurture it, through regular rehearsal and carefully selected performances.
I was going to go camping over the weekend, but this is definitely NOT camping weather. So me and some friends went to check out Dueling Pianos. Those guys are amazing - they can play just about any song that's been on the radio between 1950 and 2005.
Speaking of music, I wanted to let you know about a show we have @ Station 4 on Friday, October 16th. We are debuting a project called Sonic Transformations. It is a series of audio-visual performance pieces. The first one is called "AN OBJECT TO CRAVE". It features live music and visuals based on a short story about life, love, loss, fantasy, obsession and death.
Another group of mine, The Magnetrons, which plays an exciting and innovative Livetronica set (i.e. STS9, Disco Biscuits, The Histronic) will also be playing. The night will be full of creative, interesting, high-energy music, good drinks and good times.
Here's the info:
Blood Root Mother - "An Object to Crave" w/ The Magnetrons & Thought Thieves Friday, October 16th Station 4 201 E 4th St St Paul, MN 55101 9pm / $5 / 18+
Just to let you know, LOUDRAY is still holding church on Thursdays.
We've been holding it down there for 10 months and as our 1 year
anniversary of this residency approaches we are stepping up the
revival. For the past 8 months we've been joined by some of the finest
musicians in town (Martin Devaney, Ric Lee, Glenn Hanson, Dave Babb,
Jake Hyer, Kurt Froelich, Meg Ashling, Zach Gusa, Eric Larson, Jen Markey, Mother Banjo, Eliza
Blue, Pete Bauer, just to name a few) but for the next 2 months, it's
just going to be the classic LOUDRAY duo of Jon Stowell and Colin
Anderson. We will be digging deep into the back catalog of songs and
bringing some new light through these old windows.
We have been doing these shows in the classic "unamplified" style as of late and look to continue that trend.
So, stop in for some fellowship and true acoustic music, and wash away the week with sweet, redeeming booze.
$2.75 select taps from 5-7pm!!! Plenty of parking!!
Come on, isn't it time to slum it at the Dub!!
LOUDRAY
EVERY THURSDAY
5:30-9pm
Dubliner Pub
2162 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55114
This clip is from the film 'Moments and Truths' included with the new Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank CD 'Traveling Show' coming out Setember 1. Order now at www.hobonephews.com
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
I just wanted to stop by to say hello and give you a little update on what Blood Root Mother is up to! We will be recording an EP of new music in August, and we recently finished recording a live DVD. The DVD is currently unreleased and I actually just saw it for the first time a few days ago. It features the last two performances with Tony Ellis still alive, and some footage from the tribute show we played on the night of his funeral.
There are some cool covers, as well as some NEW music that will be on our upcoming EP. We're very excited about the new music and we'd like to share a sneak peak with you. Here's a video of a new tune called Run Bobby Run:
Just wanted to say thanks for being a friend! Have a great day! Come by and see us play at Eclipse Records Thursday July 16th at 7pm. Othr acts are Lollipop Factory, Company Inc. and Ribbons. Stop by our page for more info and a sample of some music!
DEADHEADS GET READY TO PARTY HEARTY WITH FAMILY GROOVE COMPANY~ROOTSTAND~IFDAKAR,AND MORE! Hey now! The 3Gs ('aka Grateful Garcia Gathering), is returning back to the Camp NCN Venue in beautiful Black River Falls Wisconsin July 30th though August 2nd 2009 where it all began over 6 years ago! A grateful place where Garcia fans will be gathering! It also marks the celebration of Jerry Garcia's 67th Birthday, plus the 14th Anniversary of Jerry's untimely passing. We have leased the campground venue for July 30th though August 3rd 2009 for our 6th annual music festival.
Other great music festivals have hosted at this venue such as Weedstock, Farmapalooza, Big Wu Family Reunion, Campout Roots Festival,just to name a few!
Artists included: Family Groove Company, Rootstand, Ifdakar, Boney Fingers, Baghdad SCUBA Review, Fungus Garden Reverb, Jam and the Playground Kids, In the Dark, MMC Trio, Elf Lettuce, Vinny Weible & Soul Logic, Groovitational Pull, The Reggie, Grateful Beth and the Volunteers, The Bar Tab Band, John Statz, Mr. Cab Driver, Brok'n Arrow, Greyleaf, and more Jambands to be added soon!
Our friends at Mystix Toyz will be on board at the 3G's for tons of family fun with juggling demonstrations, including juggling workshops, face painting, kids parades, plus drum circles and fire dance jams every night
Blood Root Mother will be playing at Trocaderos in Minneapolis on Friday, June 26th. I cannot stress enough how awesome this show will be!! We're playing with three of the sweetest local rock bands: Claret, Niobium and Casanatra. If you haven't heard these guys, check them out immediately! Please come to this show!!
I recommend stopping by during happy hour for two for one drinks along with free buffet, which is delicious. We'll be hanging out at Trocs all night, so come by and chill/party with us :)
Again, here's the event info:
Friday, June 26th Trocaderos 107 3rd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 18+ // $6 // 8pm
Please come out and support some great local music!! Music starts at 9:30pm, we should go on around midnight. Invite your friends, pile into a car (or a party bus), and together we will make this one of the highlights of the summer :)
That's right friends, neighbors, and music lovers, the CD Release for "Old Crow" will take place TOMORROW at the Red Mug in Superior. As part of this event, Chelsey Miller (who did the stellar artwork for the CD) will be having an art show that begins at 7:00pm. She has got some GREAT art, so come on down, have a drink, see some art, hear some music and support local, independent artists!!
What: Matt Ray's CD Release Party and Art Show When: Friday - May 22 Art Reception Starts: 7:00pm Music Starts: 8:00pm Where: The Red Mug - Superior, WI Cost: FREE, FREE, FREE!!!
Can't make it to the CD Release? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Click on the image below to purchase your copy of "Old Crow" today. Or, if in Duluth, stop by the Electric Fetus and pick up a copy.
Online Now!
Facebook Event: 
Get them here!
