The Johnson Family Band

By Paul Hankel, contributing writer

Of the many unique and eclectic things that the Fargo-Moorhead area has to offer, the music scene is surely one of the most intriguing. One doesn’t have to travel very far to stumble upon a local venue playing host to one of our area’s talented bands. Ranging from indie, acoustic, Irish jig and blue-grass all the way to dub step and good old rock-n-roll, the FM area continues to play host to a barrage of bands and musical acts on the rise. A simple trip downtown on any given night and you’re bound to find a stage where these artists are honing their skills by playing local venues to masses of loyal fans.

When the conversation of “Best Local Act” comes up, The Johnson Family Band is definitely in the conversation. Founded in 2007 by guitarist and lead vocalist Pete Hoffman, The Johnson Family Band is a blend of Midwest artists that were united by their love of bluegrass and mountain music. Hoffman, a Colton, South Dakota native picked up the guitar at the age of 14 and has been playing and composing ever since. He credits his time spent as a conservationist on a wildlife preserve in New Mexico with instilling a love of bluegrass music in him, which he brought with him to Fargo. While studying philosophy and music at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), Hoffman joined with Tom Johnson to form the Johnson Family Band. The two originally met in a jazz improv class while attending MSUM. They brought in Haley Thiel, who was studying Music Education at MSUM along with Ross Cameron on the bass, Mark Reitan on the mandolin and guitar, and many other local artists and collaborators. While Hoffman writes the majority of the songs for the group, their albums are true collaborations in the sense that all of the group’s members contribute vocally, musically and in the writing of the lyrics.

The band began playing locally and nationally and released their first album, “Old Ruby,” in 2008. Hoffman recalls one of the bands first shows at the Underground at MSUM. “We used those shows to develop our sound and really find out who we were as a band”. The band refers to their unique style as, “neo-old time,” and credits 1920’s and 30’s folk mountain songs as being their main influence.

Since their first album was released, the Johnson Family Band has continued to play at local venues including Duffy’s, the Hodo and the Aquarium. They have also played with and opened for acts including Trampled By Turtles, Pert Near Sandstone, Amanda Standalone, the Inside Out Strings and others along with playing at a host of bluegrass festivals around the country.

When listening to Johnson Family Band, whether in concert (which I highly recommend) or on cd, one can’t help but start to slap their knee along with the fast-paced rhythm and propose a toast (a shot of rye whiskey of course) to the wonderful genre that is bluegrass and mountain music. They seamlessly blend banjo, guitar and violin with both male and female harmonies in an effort to transport the listener to the old Smokey Mountains. And all in the comfort of your local bar or tavern! Their songs feature tracks about good times, sad times, lost love and old-time jig. Their second album, “Snake Oil Woman,” is set to be released on May 6, 2011 and is intended to highlight the immense musicianship that the band possesses along with highlighting numerous local artists who contribute on almost all of the tracks. Pat Theil, Haley Theil’s husband and a past contestant in the Fargo Star vocal competition(2009 and 2010), Mary Jo Johnson, a retired high school band director and clarinet player, Steve Wallevand a brass musician and instructor and Zach Kobrinsky a local saxophone player and former HPR editor are just a few of the collaborators on the new album.

One track, entitled “If You Only Knew,” even features lead vocalist Tom Johnson’s mother playing the clarinet during a segment that is a tribute to Dixie-style funeral processions from the south. Wanting to stay true to their roots, the new cd will contain several tracks that are fast-paced, up-tempo and true to their form. Along with these, Hoffman says, there will be several tracks that are slow, reflective and existential in nature. “We wanted to make our second record existential in the sense that it speaks to finding your place in this world”. Johnson and Hoffman wrote the album in the hopes that it would seem auto-biographical, create dark imagery and even establish some local connections. “The track, “Town with No Sheriff,” is a tribute to Fort Ransom, North Dakota,” says Hoffman, “We have played shows there eight or ten times, and it is one of our favorite places to play. Being a town of only 88 people, we were blown away by the size of the crowd and the support they showed.”  Hoffman’s comment speaks to a sense of Midwest loyalty that fans show for their local bands not only in the bluegrass genre of music but all genres.

The Johnson Family Band will be holding a cd release concert on May 6, 2011 at the Venue at the Hub. The event will celebrate the release of their second studio album titled, “Snake Oil Woman”. The band will be playing several of their hits from their first album and all of the songs on the new album. Tickets are $7 at the door on the day of the show. The doors open at nine with an opener TBA. This is a 21+ event. For more information on the Johnson Family Band visit their website at johnsonfamilyband.com.

IF YOU GO:
What: Johnson Family Band cd release party.
Where: The Venue at The Hub
Time: Doors open 8:00 pm; Music begins at 8:30 pm. Opening acts: The Boys ‘N the Barrels and Inside Out Stings.
Tickets: $7 at the door on the day of the show