Sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin, crazy good harmonica and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply as Bojono. The three weave a musical tapestry ranging from folk, latin, pop, jazz, rock and bluegrass, complementing each other intuitively-Boyd’s voice soaring overhead and his rhythm’s powerful as a drummer while Joe’s lead guitar/mandolin and Noah’s harmonica blaze a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent. As a trio they push the boundaries of acoustic music offering an exciting and innovative live performance rarely seen these days.
John Smith
Whenever you read or hear about the music of Johnsmith, certain watchwords always come up, regardless of the source. Words like uplifting, or integrity, heart, or soul. His songs and voice go straight to the heart, because that’s where they come from.
Johnsmith has walked down the roads that made him whole, and when he brings that onstage, he connects with folks. He calls himself a blue collar songwriter, banging out his tunes along the back roads one show at a time.
Michael Monroe
His unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized as he blends his rich vocals, guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, combining musical styles of acoustic folk and jazzy reggae. Michael's original music and compelling energy bring a powerful style that is as much fun as it is innovative,,, music and technology working together powered by creativity... and he recycles his music on stage with his "live" layering/looping technique.
Nelson Flavor
Nelson Flavor is a nontraditional four piece band blending various musical identities into a funky-alternative sound. The band members include accomplished Minnesota recording artists MoeDeLL and Cary Aria. MoeDeLL leads off with his dark and scratchy voice blended with some fast hitting funky guitar while Cary Aria puts on a show of his own on the drums. Along with the veteran artists are Zachary Dorholt on bass guitar and Brent Cahlon on saxophone. Zach has been playing in central Minnesota bands throughout the past 10 years and isn't afraid to let you feel his low-end pop-funk presence. Brent Gahlon recently headed up Husky Sports band at St. Cloud State University and is now lending his skills to a different genre. While the band shares many influences, it is hard to find where exactly their sound comes from, which only makes the music that much more fresh…
Nikki & The Ruemates
Nikki & The RueMates music includes a heavy dose of country blues, with Nikki on guitar and singing songs done by past blues greats such as Memphis Minnie and Muddy Waters, and Rich playing finger style on resophonic slide and “regular” guitars. Carrie & Bryce are the most recent additions. They also play folk music including spirituals, ballads, country and old timey, and music with a more Caribbean and rock flair, as well as original music collaborated on by Nikki and Rich.
Their sound is rootsy, with nice three-part harmonies being one of the group’s strengths. In the past, Nikki was a finalist on the “Prairie Home Companion” Annual Talent Contest at the ripe old age of 16. Guitarist Rich Rue is well known in Twin Cities circles for work with bands including The Hightops. Now in her 20s, Nikki and the RueMates are part of the Twin Cities vibrant acoustic music scene, having played at the legendary Viking Bar on the West Bank, and various radio programs on KFAI in the Twin Cities. The RueMates have also been know to trade in their acoustic show for an electric one featuring an authentic 60s psychedelic light show. They have a friends jam at the Red Stag in Northeast Minneapolis the first & last Sunday of every month as well.
Roe Family Singers
"Old-time" country music was born in the mountains of Appalachia, not the prairies of the upper Midwest. But a Minneapolis band is putting its own stamp on a traditional American art form.
Minneapolis — The songs of the Roe Family Singers sound like they were written in some hollow in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the turn of the 20th century. Only their
Sophistication, refinement, blazing guitar/mandolin, crazy good harmonica and one hell of a voice combine to form one of the best acoustic groups around known simply as Bojono. The three weave a musical tapestry ranging from folk, latin, pop, jazz, rock and bluegrass, complementing each other intuitively-Boyd’s voice soaring overhead and his rhythm’s powerful as a drummer while Joe’s lead guitar/mandolin and Noah’s harmonica blaze a trail that leaves the audience exhausted and spent. As a trio they push the boundaries of acoustic music offering an exciting and innovative live performance rarely seen these days.
Whenever you read or hear about the music of Johnsmith, certain watchwords always come up, regardless of the source. Words like uplifting, or integrity, heart, or soul. His songs and voice go straight to the heart, because that’s where they come from.
His unique creation of music leaves his audiences mesmerized as he blends his rich vocals, guitar, bamboo and glass flutes, combining musical styles of acoustic folk and jazzy reggae. Michael's original music and compelling energy bring a powerful style that is as much fun as it is innovative,,, music and technology working together powered by creativity... and he recycles his music on stage with his "live" layering/looping technique.
Nikki & The RueMates music includes a heavy dose of country blues, with Nikki on guitar and singing songs done by past blues greats such as Memphis Minnie and Muddy Waters, and Rich playing finger style on resophonic slide and “regular” guitars. Carrie & Bryce are the most recent additions. They also play folk music including spirituals, ballads, country and old timey, and music with a more Caribbean and rock flair, as well as original music collaborated on by Nikki and Rich. 
"Old-time" country music was born in the mountains of Appalachia, not the prairies of the upper Midwest. But a Minneapolis band is putting its own stamp on a traditional American art form. 