Southwestern Wisconsin Bluegrass

Sparetime Bluegrass Band

2011-01-21T21:13:00.003-04:00

Roxbury Breakdown......Brooklyn Bluegrass Fest 2010

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T10:37:00.004-04:00

The Star of the County Down, by Denny Egstad

Oak Street Ramblers

2009-03-03T12:17:00.002-04:00

After a full day of jamming and dancing I was glad I stopped by the High Noon Saloon to catch the last set of the literacy network benefit. The last band was the Oak Street Ramblers and it was good to see my buddy and fellow banjo picker Mark Schlutt. In spite of the late hour for a Sunday the crowd was still enthusiastic and ready for some bluegrass.
We were not disappointed as the Ramblers performed a great set with hot instrumentals and super tight vocal harmonies. You can catch them at the Alchemy cafe on the first Saturday of the month and the third Monday at the Malt house on Madison's east side.

To see all four videos of the Ramblers go to DenWolf YouTube

Lilly of the West

2009-02-26T00:11:00.004-04:00

I ran across a great bluegrass band from Bulgaria named Lilly of the West, featuring Lilly Drumeva on vocals. It's amazing what a great feel they have for the music and nice to see bluegrass has such a worldwide appeal.

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T00:09:00.009-04:00

Watch some great Telluride and Grey Fox festival video. Sorry about the small size but this isn't YouTube. Then again you won't find these vids on YouTube. Go to WOLF TUBE and ENJOY!

Tuvalu Coffee & Tea

2008-05-22T08:56:00.007-05:00

There is a great new acoustic music venue in Verona. The Tuvalu coffee house features folk, old time, new age, acoustic rock, jazz, and bluegrass. The first Thursday of the month is old time, and the third Thursday features bluegrass. There is also an open mic every other Friday and various performers every Saturday.
Tuvalu is located right next to Miller's Grocery in the center of home town USA.
They offer good food, fair trade coffee, and tea. Also BEER AND WINE!
Stop by and enjoy the fun.
Tuvalu coffee & tea

New Pioneers

2007-10-13T10:29:00.002-05:00

I've heard Jerry Wicentowski on recordings but have never seen him live so my friend Dave Bacholl and I made the trip to the Cafe Carp to see the New Pioneers. This all star group consist of Jerry(lead vocals and guitar), John peik(bass), Mike Schmidt(banjo), Paul Kienitz(fiddle), and Bruce King(mandolin). Bruce wasn't there the night we attended but Brian Ray did a good job as a sub. Jerry's vocals were a pleasure to hear live as he has one of the best bluegrass voices around. Being a banjo player I was thrilled to see two of the finest in the area. Mike's playing can only be described as smooth and tasty and John(banjo for Nob Hill Boys) got to pick one when Mike played bass. This band plays every 2nd Thursday at the Cafe Carpe in Fort Atkinson and we will definitely be going again to see the regular lineup with Bruce King. To see a couple of videos go to DenWolf YouTube.

Gandy Dancer

2007-08-27T08:37:00.000-05:00

Once again Madison proves itself to be a great place for music. The Gandy Dancer benefit to restore an old DNR train car brought bluegrass banjo pioneer Alan Munde right to my backdoor. Opening were several local acts including the Nob Hill Boys making a rare appearance in their home town. The afternoon also included a free train ride. For all you banjo fans I have a video of the NHB doing Ground Speed featuring John Peik. Also Alan Munde performing Powder Creek and a Banjo Medley. For pictures of all the bands see WOLF PHOTO.
ALL ABOARD!

Great Taste of the Midwest

2007-08-24T10:44:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of performing as a volunteer musician at the great taste beer fest at Olin Park in Madison. This event sells out the first day of ticket sales so playing music is a great way to join the fun. To see what a crowd of 5000 looks like and meet the bands new friend "Bubbles" go to SWB PHOTO.

Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands

2007-08-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

It was a humid rainy Monday night and Laurie Lewis commented how nice it was to be indoors at the High Noon Saloon after playing a string of outdoor festivals. The small but appreciative crowd was treated with two perfect sets by Laurie and her all star band. To see a video of "Texas Bluebonnets" go to DEN WOLF YOUTUBE.
I was smiling the entire show.

Lost Gonzo Band

2007-08-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

My 4th show of the 5 shows in 4 days first weekend of August was at Tex Tubbs tacos. I was lucky to find out about this one thanks to WORT. Kind of a well keep secret for such a nationally known act. The afternoon started with Cork and Bottle String Band and plenty of lone star beer. Tex Tubb and the lonely stars followed leading up to the Lost Gonzo Band. It was hard to believe I was seeing Texas legend Gary P. Nunn in a parking lot on Atwood ave. Thanks to Kevin Tubb for bringing them to Madison as he is a friend of the band.
The tacos were also GREAT
For pics go to SWB PHOTO.

Sugar Maple

2007-08-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

The first weekend of August was a big one for me as I started my 5 shows in 4 days with the sugar maple festival. Fridays lineup started with the Magnolia Sisters from Louisiana and I was totally smitten with the Cajun girls. I even got to join in on their Cajun jam with my Dobro. This festival has multiple venues and it was hard to decide which stage to attend. The guitar workshop was awesome and I got a few tips from super picker Clay Hess. There was so much going on I didn't take to many pictures but I couldn't pass up the chance to get a few shots of the Magnolia sisters. See them at SWB PHOTO.
GREAT JOB to all those involved putting on this fest

Archie Fest 07

2007-08-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

The 8'th annual bluegrass fest at the Mondeaux dam lodge was the best yet. The weather was pleasantly cool for July and the crowd the largest to attend. Most of the bands have played every year since the festival's birth and it felt like a big family reunion. As you will see by the pictures the best part is location, location, location.
To view the pics go to SWB PHOTO
see you next year!

Great time at Brooklyn

2007-06-04T06:11:00.000-05:00

After a rainy morning it turned out to be a great day at the Brooklyn bluegrass festival. This years addition of the HUGE circus tent was a nice touch and provided some welcome shade when the sun did make it's appearance. This years lineup was stellar and all the bands put on a great show. It was nice to see a few "up north bands" this year, with my favorite being Sloppy Joe who made their first trip to Green county and played a rousing set of their special brand of old timey tunes.
I was really looking forward to this years headliner, the Chapmans, and they didn't disappoint. With an extra professional set of driving instrumentals and tight vocal Harmony's(it helps to be brothers) I would challenge anybody to show me a better band who will be in Wisconsin this summer.
I was busy socializing but did get a few nice pictures of Cream city, and Sloppy Joe. See them at SWB photo. Also a couple of videos of the Chapmans. Go to Den Wolf Youtube.
Thanks Doug Hodge for all your hard work

Dry Bean Jam

2007-05-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

Join the fun every Monday at the dry bean open bluegrass jam. The Dry Bean Saloon and Smokehouse is located on Verona Road just before Highway PD. The jam starts with everyone playing from 6:30-7:30. From 7:30-9:30 there are half hour open mic sets that anyone can sign up for to showcase their talents. 9:30-10:30 is another open jam. If weather permits there is also room on the patio for some outdoor pick'n. Hosted by the always gracious Dave Bacholl this jam welcomes beginners and pros alike. For photos go to SWB PHOTO.
See you Monday

Old Crow Medicine Show

2007-04-23T11:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the ticket fairy I was able to attend Saturdays O.C.M.S. concert at the Barrymore theater. After seeing eight bands at the swbmai jamboree I was feeling a little burnt out but that all changed when ocms took the stage with no opening band and played two energized sets. I have a short six picture show at SWB photo.

SWBMAI Jamboree PHOTOS

2007-04-22T10:13:00.000-05:00

To see a slide show of all eight bands that played at the swbmai jamboree go to SWB photo.

Honey Bucket Photos

2007-04-15T21:05:00.000-05:00

My first post on this blog was a farewell to the Honey Buckets. You can view the rest of this great photo set at SWB photos.