Hey, It’s Spring! There’s nothing that says Spring like a barefoot bluegrass band!

We’re not sure if the band will actually be shoeless or whether you can get away with that in your local drink emporium, but you have to dance in Lady Spring with Head for the Hills, coming in from Ft. Collins, and that terrific Fargo traditional bluegrass and old-time music group, the Johnson Family Band. (Check out the full feature on Head for the Hills in this week’s issue of the HPR.) These two bands will start their musical magic at the Crosstown here in Grand Forks at 9 pm. Then, they mosey on down (skirting a snow storm, I’m told) to the Aquarium in Fargo.

Seven members strong, the Johnson Family Band has been a well-kept secret from these bluegrass-loving ears. I’m really impressed with the authentic sound of these pickers and singers. Coming from the heart of bluegrass myself, the foothills of the Appalachians in East Tennessee, these players are the real deal, but with their own fresh twist on the old timey styles. The singing reminds me of the hollers that the mountain people I knew used to deliver across those mountain ridges. Their version of the “Hesitation Blues” is a raucous rendition of that old Delta blues tune.

There is a purity and ripe freshness in the band’s vocal delivery that makes you want to sing along, take a turn on the dance floor, and even hoist a few in their honor. Only six of the seven band members sing. Like his rock counterpart, the bass man stands mute, but lays down some great country blues licks. 

The Johnson Family Band, like members of Head for the Hills, come from other genres of music. Both bands found their true love in bluegrass. But the Johnson Family Band serves it up on grandma’s heirloom platter, passing around the best morsels for our welcome ear.

The Johnson Family Band is Pete Hoffman (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Max Velo (banjo, vocals), Tom Johnson (slide guitar, vocals), Steve Burket (mandolin, vocals), Haley Rydell (fiddle, vocals), Mark Reitan (mandolin, vocals), and Ross Cameron (double bass).

Come on down to the Crosstown Thursday or the Aquarium Friday and welcome Lady Spring with these bluegrass pickers and singers.