Now this is a good start for a Happy New Year! American Roots Revue will take to the Dakota stage with a new show “Songs of Freedom, Freight Trains& Hope.”.

Show Times: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. | For Tickets: www.dakotacooks.com | Dakota Box Office: 612-332-5299

Larry Long, guitar, vocals | Robert Robinson, vocals | Tonia Hughes Kendrick, vocals | Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott, violin, guitar, vocals | Billy Steele, piano | Larry Dalton, bass | Daryl Boudreaux, percussion | Joe Savage, dobro, banjo, pedal steel

American Roots Revue is a revolving showcase of world-class musicians, playing a diverse repertoire. Each performance features American roots standards, plus original songs by guest artists and the core group.

Robert Robinson  is reason to believe that the greatest music crosses every border from audiences in the Pontiac Silverdome to troops in South Korea. Minnesota’s Insight News calls Robert “a beloved institution.” His live performance is “a soaring presence” which always leaves his audiences spellbound.

Larry Long tells the stories in song of hard working people that highlights the courage, deep personal experiences, and heroism found in their lives within a tradition for which Woody Guthrie is famous and Larry Long continues. Long is an award-winning songwriter on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. When Pete Seeger was told that Larry is often referred to as the Pete Seeger of Minnesota, Pete replied “I would be honored to be called the Larry Long of New York”.

Tonia Hughes Kendrick is notably one of Minnesota’s most gifted artists. Her voice has mesmerized audiences across the nation including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York and with the Minnesota Orchestra close to home.  Tonia is a recipient of the prestigious and coveted Musician’s Fellowship from the McKnight Foundation.

Billy Steele is a member of the Grammy Award winning ‘Sounds of Blackness’ and the legendary Steeles who have toured the world performing and recording with Prince, Mavis Staples, Five Blind Boys of Alabama and many more. His voice can be heard on soundtracks with Rod Stewart and James Earl Jones. He has an honesty and humility that touches the hearts of all who hear him sing and perform.

Pete Watercott is one of the most amazing fiddle players in the world. After meeting up with Larry Long in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1971, they began hitchhiking and hopping freight-trains throughoutthe western United States performing most anywhere that people gather.  Pete now calls the High Sierra Nevada Mountain Range home, where he is a mainstay at the Mill Pond Music Festival and the NationalCowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko,  Nevada.

Larry Long & Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott’s life story is something out of a John Steinbeck novel.  Throughout their early twenties they hitchhiked and hopped freight-trains throughout the West passing the hat from bar to bar, performing most anywhere that people gather.  In exchange for the hospitality and generosity shown by those who helped them out along the way, Larry would write a song in their honor.  The lyrics were left pinned onto their refrigerator door with a magnet before Fiddlin’ Pete and Larry headed back on the road.

In the course of their travels they joined up with bassist Larry Dalton, who they met in the High Sierra Mountain Range town of Truckee, California in 1976.

The music they perform together is deeply rooted in the American song tradition of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Hank Williams, and Bob Wills. Their live performances are an equal measure of lyrical ballads, country-swing and old time fiddle tunes woven together with threads of explosive instrumental improvisation.  As the legendary Jesse Ashlock, who performed with Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys remarked, “You guys got an entirely different sound and I like it.” And then with a twinkle in his eye, replied, “After sitting and listening to you play Pete, looking back, I should have never picked up the fiddle.”

 

Now fifty-years later, Larry Long and Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott have come back together with bassist Larry Dalton for this 2024 Reunion Tour to celebrate five-decades of friendship.  They are also releasing their new live acoustic recording entitled  ‘As In Those Early Days’, which they recorded along the banks of the Mississippi Rivers through the good graces of Brett Huus, Soundstrations Audio.

We sure hope  that you can join Larry Long & Fiddlin Pete Watercott on their 2024 Reunion Tour with bassist Larry Dalton.

October 13th (Sunday) Trempealeau Hotel, Trempealeau, Wisconsin 4 PM– 6 PM: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge along with special guests ‘Big River Magazine’ Editor Reggie McCleod, ‘Storyteller & Servant Leader’ Tom Thibodeau, and ‘Brief Sermon Columnist & Songwriter’ Eddie Allen.

October 15th (Tuesday) The Commons, Viroqua, Wisconsin 7 PM – 9 PM: An evening of stories and songs with special guest ‘Community of Goodness WDRT Podcast & Radio co-host Tom Thibodeau.

October 17th (Thursday) St. Francis Campus, Little Falls, Minnesota  2:15 – 3:45

October 18th (Friday) Grassroots Concert Series, Live Well Night Club &  Coffee Bar, Nisswa, Minnesota 7:30 – 9:30

October 19th (Saturday) New York Mills Cultural & Arts Center, New York Mills, Minnesota 7:30 – 9:30 PM

October 20th (Sunday) Granite City Folk Society, Bo Diddley’s, St. Cloud, Minnesota  7:00 – 9:00 PM

October 22nd (Tuesday) American School of Storytelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

 

 

 

 

 

Okemah, Oklahoma’s first tribute for Woody Guthrie will be available on digital platforms worldwide on July 14, 2024.  The first tribute took place on December 1, 1988 at the historic Crystal Theatre in Okemah.  This album is a live recording of that event.   It contains works by Guthrie, as well as songs collectively written by Larry Long and children of Oklahoma.

The event played before a full house which included Guthrie’s sister, Mary Jo Edgmon, who wrote, “I felt the warmth of my family all around me. Clara, Roy, Woody, George, Papa and Mama. They, too, all sat in this very theater many years ago. When the children came marching down the aisle and onto the stage, I swelled with pride and the tears came. I knew Woody was watching.”

Besides Larry Long and seventy school children from Okemah, Langston, and Davenport, Oklahoma there was banjo virtuoso Alan Munde, “Fiddlin’ Pete” Watercott, gospel pianist Shirley Davis, Woodrow (Wotko) Haney and  Olen Edwards.  This was not only the first time that an African American Choir had ever graced the stage of the Crystal Theatre, but that Woody Guthrie’s words were spoken in both the Seminole & Creek language.

As a result of Long’s work in Okemah, an organization known as W.O.O.D.Y. (Woody Guthrie Okemah Organization for Developing Youth) was born. Founding members included Okemah residents Carolyn Price, Dr. Larry and Vicki McKinney, Lois Tanner, Mark Smyth, Shari Parks, Bobby Massey, and Mike and Wilma Lambeth. The organization’s goal was to hold an annual event to not only honor Woody Guthrie, but to also raise funds for the education of local youth. This organization eventually transitioned into the Woody Guthrie Coalition Inc.

One of the featured songs on this collection, which was collectively written with Okemah youth, entitled “Okemah Waltz” became Okemah’s official town song on November 12, 2012 by a unanimous vote of the Okemah City Council.

Plans are presently in the works for Larry Long & the Children of Oklahoma to have a reunion in 2025 during the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.

The entirety of It Takes a Lot of People can also be downloaded on Larry’s Bandcamp site.

 

Larry Long writes songs the same way an artists uses found objects: a bit of local folklore here, a traditional American Indian instrument there, and, before you know it, he’s created a thing of beauty.  It might take a little time before that beauty becomes clear, but the listener’s patience never goes unrewarded.

On this, his third album, the Minneapolis song crafter and guardian of the Mississippi River has assembled a most intriguing and beguiling collection of tunes.  (Long has called in some chips, and fans of local music will recognize assistants like Michael Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Leo Kottke, Billy Peterson and Bruce Kurnow).

The centerpiece of the album is a 13-minute-long “Water in the Rain,” which recalls and is dedicated to the 38 Dakota warriors who were hanged en masse in Mankato in 1862.  It also features Dakota poet Amos Owen listing the names of the 38 and offering a prayer for reconciliation.  It is a project of moving depth and emotion that demands repeated hearing and rapt attention.  Rating: 4 Stars – James M. Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch

Larry Long – Lead Vocal, 12-String Guitar | Amos Owen – Dakota Prayer & Reciting the names of the 38 Dakota hung by Lincoln’s decree in 1862 | Raymond Owen – Hand Drum on Memorial Song ‘Dakota Oyate’| Mitch Walking Elk – Drum, Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Sherry Blakey Banai – Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Claudia Schmidt – Support vocals | Peter Ostroushko – Violin
Billy Peterson – Acoustic Bass | Steve Faison – Beanpod, Congas | Ron Miles – Rainstick | Production: Amos Owen, Larry Long, Rick McArthur, Billy Peterson

Produced by Billy Peterson & Larry Long
Digitally recorded at Creation Audio
Recording Engineer: Chopper Black
Mixing Engineers: Chopper Black & Lynn F. Peterson
Musical Consultant: Rick McArthur
Front Cover Art: Traditional Cree Biting of Birch Innerbark by Angelique Merasty (Beaver Lake, Saskatchewan)
Front Cover Photo: Ron Miles

Sweet Thunder is made available through Larry Long Music in association with Rock the Cause Records

The University of Minnesota Libraries is one of the largest special collections departments in a university setting in the United States.

Larry Long’s Archives include the life-stories of over one-thousand elders who’ve been honored through his multicultural curriculum entitled ‘Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song’. These elder stories personalize their tragedies and triumphs, often against injustice and terrible odds, while contributing to the well-being of their communities.

This collection also includes artifacts from Larry’s fifty-years of performing and organizing throughout the world, including the Central Minnesota Powerline Struggle, American Agriculture Movement’s Tractorcade to Washington D.C., Senator Paul Wellstone, Mississippi River Revival, Run For Freedom with Lakota youth, American Indian Movement, Pete Seeger, Studs Terkel, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott, Kris Kristofferson, Meridel Le Sueuer, Hormel Strike, Soviet-American Peace Cruises down the Volga and Mississippi Rivers, South Africa, Brazil, PACERS Small Schools Cooperative in rural Alabama, honoring of Mrs. Rosa Parks at the 45th Anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the first hometown tribute for Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma.

The University of Minnesota’s goal is to have Long’s archives digitized and available to the public by for his 75th birthday on November 21, 2026.

Larry Long Music in association with Rock the Cause Records & the Orchard are happy to announce the release of Dove with Claws by LARRY LONG from the Melvin James Sessions on digital platforms worldwide, including Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple, iTunes, YouTube, and more.
As Eddie Allen, Brief Sermon Columnist, writes in the linear notes, “The late Johnny Cash coined the phrase “a dove with claws” to describe the fierce pacifism that grew from his first-hand look at America’s endless wars while entertaining soldiers in Vietnam. Cash’s words are a perfect description of the life and work of Larry Long. Long’s music had an indelible influence on a young cousin fromhttps://orcd.co/2008jk2 Iowa who became the charting rock artist, Melvin James. Now Larry and Melvin have joined forces. The claws of Melvin’s guitar sharpen the urgency of Long’s message in a way that will surprise and delight you. “
Featured songs: All Across America (3:04), Lay Me Down Easy (3:53), Mississippi Levee (2:48), Living In A Rich Man’s World (3:55), Walking Like Rain (4:45), Circle Time (2:54), Joshua Tree (4:03)
Seven Strong Women (3:08), Old Ways (3:27), Lay Hatred Down (3:27), plus bonus track Uncle Mel (2:31).
In celebration of today’s release filmmaker Bob Trench kindly uploaded ‘Living in a Rich Man’s World Director’s Cut’ onto my LarryLongTroubadour YouTube Channel to view.
Larry Long: Lead Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica | Melvin James: Backup Vocals, Guitar, Drums | Sid Gasner: Bass | Sandy Berlin: Backup vocals on Lay Hatred Down & Joshua Tree
Recorded at Junior’s Motel, Otho, Iowa | Special thanks to Kirk Kaufman for his hospitality | Photographs: Roger Feldhans | Design: Planet Claire Creative
All words & music by Larry Long | Produced by Melvin James
Larry had a lengthy association with folk music icon Pete Seeger. When Larry got together with Phil Nusbaum from JAZZ 88.FM to talk about the American Roots Revue, Larry first addressed the influence of Pete Seeger.  The show will be broadcast the week of January 8; Monday 8:20PM Thursday 11:20AM and 5:20PM.  Listen now by clicking on JAZZ 88FM.
Showtimes: 6:30 & 8:30 PM
For tickets: www.dakotacooks.com
Box Office: 612-332-5299
 Dakota Address: 1010 Nicollet Mall | Minneapolis MN 55403

For over 40 years Larry Long worked in communities throughout the United States honoring over one-thousand elders through his program Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song. 

Two years ago his alma mater, St. Louis Park Schools, contracted Larry to assist in integrating Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song  into their curriculum.

One of the elders they honored was Nadia Mohamed, subsequently elected mayor of St. Louis Park, becoming the first elected Somali American immigrant in the US to serve as mayor in any state.

Here is a portion of the words she shared with 4th grade students in the St. Louis Park Schools. In response, the students then honored Ms. Mohamed and other community elders with a song and celebration.

“I am Somalian American. That means I come from Africa. I’ve been here for about 15 years. I graduated from the high school, and I have a twin brother, which is a pretty cool thing.   I have a little brother, a little sister, and one older brother.  So in total we are a family of seven including my two parents. . .We all grew up in St. Louis Park. . . it was pretty difficult for me because there wasn’t a lot of kids that looked like me. And there weren’t kids that were dressed like me. When I say dressed like me, as you guys can tell, I wear a longer skirt, right? And I wear a hijab. . . or a scarf.

There are a lot of times where I didn’t feel like the things that were being done around me were right. So, I think I waited up until like college to start talking. That’s when I found my voice, I started going to community events. I actually went to Susan Lindgren. . .to their parent-teacher committee. .  I had conversations with them about how to be more inclusive with their students, with parents of color, and just kind of having those conversations and going to those community events, my voice got louder and louder and louder. Then I won a human rights award from the city, which is just basically saying that you fight for, or you advocate for human rights. Right?

After I won the human rights award, the council member before me reached out. . . you should run for office. . . at the time, I think the only person of color . . . in a position of an elected official was Barak Obama. . .

So, when you come from a different country, especially from Somalia, it is so different from America, right? Our grocery stores are like fresh markets. Everything is outside. Our fruits are outside, our meats. Everything is just fresh. There’s no like frozen stuff. I don’t know if you guys know this, but the main reason why a lot of people moved away from Somalia, because there was a war that broke out.

There was no school systems set up. There was no health system set up, a lot of the things that we had that made us a successful country, we lost during the war. So, a lot of people were like my children, needing a better future.  They need to get an education.  They need to do better than I am.  I can’t keep being afraid for my life.

Be kind to yourself as much as you are kind to others. And truly and actually believe in yourself that you can quite literally do anything.”

 

 

American Roots Revue is baaaaack! The Revue’s stellar players slated for the band’s return for two shows on Saturday, January 13th in the new year include gospel legend Robert Robinson, R&B, soul singer and actor Tonia Hughes Kendrick, American Troubadour Larry Long, singer-songwriter and film composer Barbara Cohen, vocalist & keyboardist Billy Steele, drummer Michael Bland with Cellist Jacqueline Ultan, lead guitarist Jeremy Yivisaker, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott, bassist Liz Draper, and Anishinaabe Ojibwe singer Alana Dickenson-Gaabay Aniikwaad.

Indigenous song, Gospel, R&B, Blues, Folk, Rock and all stops in between and combined are on tap when the American Roots Revue takes the Dakota stage with its most robust – and rootsiest – lineup ever! The evening will swing from an Anishinaabe Ojibwe tribute for water to rhythm and blues, old-time fiddle tunes, soul, folk, and gospel and a handful of memorable Larry Long original tunes.

Band Led by former Prince and current Soul Asylum Drummer Michael Bland and Keyboardist Billy Steele from Sounds of Blackness.

Show Times: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
For tickets: www.dakotacooks.com
Box Office: 612-332-5299

“You could think of the American Roots Revue as Larry Long’s version of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. Well-known rockers, soul singers, folkies and other first-class musicians rotate through the line-up at different gigs, giving audiences the rare chance to see different artists collaborating on each other’s songs.” – Martin Keller, Twin Cities Author & Journalist

American Roots Revue’s last performance at the Dakota in October 2022 was featured on the inaugural of STAGE –TPT-PBS.

That performance is also captured on American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota and is now available on all social media platforms, Spotify, Apple, etc., plus on CD.  Available for purchase online through the Dakota.

Larry Long writes songs the same way an artists uses found objects: a bit of local folklore here, a traditional American Indian instrument there, and, before you know it, he’s created a thing of beauty.  It might take a little time before that beauty becomes clear, but the listener’s patience never goes unrewarded.

On this, his third album, the Minneapolis song crafter and guardian of the Mississippi River has assembled a most intriguing and beguiling collection of tunes.  (Long has called in some chips, and fans of local music will recognize assistants like Michael Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Claudia Schmidt, Leo Kottke, Billy Peterson and Bruce Kurnow).

The centerpiece of the album is a 13-minute-long “Water in the Rain,” which recalls and is dedicated to the 38 Dakota warriors who were hanged en masse in Mankato in 1862.  It also features Dakota poet Amos Owen listing the names of the 38 and offering a prayer for reconciliation.  It is a project of moving depth and emotion that demands repeated hearing and rapt attention.  Rating: 4 Stars – James M. Tarbox, St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch

Larry Long – Lead Vocal, 12-String Guitar | Amos Owen – Dakota Prayer & Reciting the names of the 38 Dakota hung by Lincoln’s decree in 1862 | Raymond Owen – Hand Drum on Memorial Song ‘Dakota Oyate’| Mitch Walking Elk – Drum, Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Sherry Blakey Banai – Singer on ‘Dakota Oyate’.| Claudia Schmidt – Support vocals | Peter Ostroushko – Violin
Billy Peterson – Acoustic Bass | Steve Faison – Beanpod, Congas | Ron Miles – Rainstick | Production: Amos Owen, Larry Long, Rick McArthur, Billy Peterson

Produced by Billy Peterson & Larry Long
Digitally recorded at Creation Audio
Recording Engineer: Chopper Black
Mixing Engineers: Chopper Black & Lynn F. Peterson
Musical Consultant: Rick McArthur
Front Cover Art: Traditional Cree Biting of Birch Innerbark by Angelique Merasty (Beaver Lake, Saskatchewan)
Front Cover Photo: Ron Miles

Sweet Thunder is made available through Larry Long Music in association with Rock the Cause Records

Larry Long’s lost classic Run For Freedom has been reissued and remastered digitally for the first time. Run for Freedom is a tapestry of working-class anthems and social justice hymns from a bygone era that still speak urgently to the social and environmental justice activations of the present day. We encourage you to discover Run For Freedom for yourself and dig deep into the legacy of one of America’s still-living folk greats!  – Scott Herald, Rock the Cause Records   (Click to stream or download)

From Woody Guthrie’s America, Larry Long has come a-singing and organizing, his dog Dubious at his side, his guitar slung handsomely over his faded work shirt. Long hasn’t made a record in a number of years and if you studied his calendar, you’d see why he hasn’t had the time.  For one he spent three years organizing chapters up and down the Mississippi ver, trying to clean up the Big Muddy.  Two, he’s put in a lot of time singing for the American Indians and their numerous causes, not to mention Central American peace committees, farmers who are about to lose the seat of their pants plus their land, and just about anyone else who asks to be on his mailing list.

So, Run for Freedom is a long-time a-comin’, but it’s come out real good (as they say down on the farm) in the long run.  Moving to the city from his little Granite City abode in St. Cloud has sharpened his musical wits and exposed him to a wide range of non-folkie players, most of whom he uses judiciously and, in the case of Billy Peterson, the grand Twin Cities bassist, poetically.  Peterson’s playing on “Michael” is as spirited as it can get without drawing to much attention to itself.  And although the ubiquitous Claudia Schmidt falls apart on “It Feels OK,” crumbling into the contagious laughter Long can elicit with his own big grin and muse, that’s OK, too. ‘Cause throughout “Run for Freedom” a genuine spiritless remains – even when the story is told at the expense of songcraft, “Anna Mae” is a case in point.  The song seeks to immortalize people such as Anna Mae Aquash, a recent Indian hero, and by some accounts, including Long’s, a martyr for a human and just cause – Indian rights. The message gets in the way, but the emotion runs so true within the tale that it finally doesn’t matter whether the songs itself works.

The rest of Long’s second record is chock full of American folksinger attributes – tuneful melodies and strong lyrics looped over tunes about the wide panorama of North America’s varied regions. It has what John Wayne called “true grit”.

In “Blue Highway” Long confirms the sentiment of William Least Heat Moon’s travelogue, “Blue Highways”.  Both are about life on the road, as so many good American stories are, and Long underlines the same dimension: the unseen people who live along those untraveled backroads and affect us with their invisibility.  (Long penned this song as he watched the river near St. Anthony Falls and claims that he never laid eyes on Moon’s best seller).

The passing of causes and individuals – whether their American Indians or farmers resorting again to penny sales Long sings about in “Grandma’s Penny Sale” – represents an important time in American history. The folk singer has always been there to record his or her version of these transitions, whether they’re tragic or magical, (the feeling behind “Sacred Black Hills” covers both). To his credit, Long’s written and recorded the transitions of our time in one of the finest national anthems the USA has ever heard – “American Hymn” – a deep song that makes room for everyone, regardless of political motivation or how you feel about corporations or fishing rights on Leech Lake.

Larry Long has a pretty good idea about what’s bad in America.  But more importantly he understands it’s people.  So, when he’s singing these songs, he’s really just singing about me and you, and how we stand above what some other folkie once called “the fruited plain”.  The patriot who wrote those lines would do well to check out the “Run for Freedom” LP.  The population has changed quite drastically – more newborn babies, worldwide immigrants, and illegal aliens everyday – since “purple mountains’ majesty” was an “in phrase”.  Long might be able to provide quite a few new lines for “America the Beautiful.”  Knowing his budget for such endeavors, it’s likely he’d work cheap with this fellow songwriter, providing, of course, the chap picks up a copy of this vinyl history.  – Martin Keller | City Pages| 1984

Join the Alliance and community leaders for its fabulous Fortieth Anniversary Celebration, an extraordinary evening with inspiring talks, music and delicious French Meadow food & drinks. Discover the incredible impact the Alliance has had over 40 years and its innovative programs and vision for the next 40. Be uplifted by thought-provoking talks by famed Diet for a Small Planet author, Alternative Nobel-Prize winner and Small Planet Institute Founder Frances Moore Lappé, along with Alliance Co-Founder, President and author Terry Gips.

Enjoy energizing live performances by Smithsonian Folkways recording artist and “true American troubadour” Larry Long and award-winning singer-songwriter-actress Mari Harris. Be part of this unforgettable evening at historic French Meadow Bakery and Café, the oldest continually operating organic bakery in the US.

  • 5 pm Reception on French Meadow’s beautiful garden patio where you can connect with Frances Moore Lappé and other leaders over appetizers and drinks
  • 5:45 pm Organic, Gluten-Free Buffet Dinner featuring some of the best of French Meadow’s culinary creations, including locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients; No Host Cash Bar
  • 6:30 pm Program with a welcome from elected leaders, followed by the talks and music
  • 8:45 pm Dessert Social and Book Signing where you can indulge in delicious French Meadow desserts while getting to meet Frances Moore Lappé and get them personally signed (books will be available for purchase)

There are only 150 tickets available for this unique gathering, so please register as soon as possible.

Date & Time: JANUARY 12, 2023 |THURSDAY | 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Free Parking
Free & Open to the Public
Donations go to the Ukrainian-American Center
$5000 match has been secured.

Featuring: Tatiana Riabokin, the haunting Ukrainian singer and bandura player (the national instrument of Ukraine) with singer Nataly Nowytski, troubadour Larry Long with cellist Jacqueline Ultan, John Munson of the New Standards, clever singer/songwriter Dylan Hicks with cellist Michelle Kinney, singer-songwriters Fendrick and Peck, poets Hawona Sullivan-Janzen, Thomas R. Smith, Dougie Padilla, Jim Lenfestey, Robert Bly in absentia, poet-musician Tim Frantzich.

“The care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.” — Wendell Berry

American Roots Revue returns to the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis, Minnesota for two shows Saturday, November 12th. This concert celebrates the release of American Roots Revue Live at the Dakota, recorded at their sold-out performance in April and filmed by PBS. The November show will feature new artistry by Robert Robinson (“Pavarotti of Gospel”), Claudia Schmidt (“Masterful Weaver of Story & Song”), Tonia Hughes (“Powerhouse of Soul”), and Larry Long (“American Troubadour”).

LISTEN to interview with Larry Long & Michael Bland:
American Roots Revue Returns to the Dakota in Minneapolis for Two Shows on November 12
from KBEM/Jazz88—Twin Cities Weekend

The all-star band is led by Michael Bland (former Prince and Current Soul Asylum Drummer) and Billy Steele (Keyboardist for the Legendary Steele Family and Sounds of Blackness). The Roots band includes the virtuosity of Joe Savage on dobro and pedal steel, and first-time performances by Jeff Bailey (Bassist for Joey McIntyre, Andres Prado, Minnesota Orchestra), world percussionist Marc Anderson, and new sensation Geoff LeCrone on lead guitar.

Show Times: 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Tickets:  6:30 PM – $40/$35 / $30   |  8:30 PM – $30/ $25/ $20
Ticket Sales: www.dakotacooks.com — and at the door

Watch the April performance of American Roots Revue: Live at the Dakota now streaming on PBS-TPT Stage.

 

“American Roots Revue was created to celebrate the many cultures that call this land home. The featured artists and band members are not only dear friends and incredible musicians, but deeply committed to the communities in which they live.  As Pete Seeger, whose Hammer Song is featured on this recording, said, “If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things.”  And one of those things is you.  My our music bring you joy. Thanks for all you do.”  — Larry Long,  Producer of American Roots Revue & Featured Artist

“Music brings us all together so that we can touch heart to heart because we’re all human beings. I think people will be amazed at what they hear because they’re gonna hear almost every genre of music within the American music spectrum.  African American music, folk music, the blues, gospel, all of it’s there.” — Billy Steele, Keyboards & Vocals

“Everybody in this group is about the project and the music and believes in it. So that makes all the difference in the world. I heard somebody describe live performance is like sharing air they called it collective effervescence. Isn’t that wonderful?” — Claudia Schmidt, Featured Artist

“Music really is a universal language, a language that everybody can speak.” — Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Featured Artist

“I think all of us are trying to put our best foot forward and create a moment that people can take with them forever. That’s kind of like why we do what we do. We want everybody to walk away with that moment. If I can say one thing to wake you up or to keep you encouraged to keep living, I’ve done my job.” — Robert Robinson,  Featured Artist

“Music is love as far as I’m concerned. I always want people to be uplifted.” — Michael Bland, Leader of the Band & Drums

American Roots Revue Premieres Friday, July 22nd at 9 P.M. on STAGE:TPT-PBS.

Streaming on the PBS Video App

Wow!”  “Breathtaking!” “I wish I had heard music like that as a kid!”   These were just some of the reactions shared by those who attended the Larry Long and friends’ performance on August 17 at the Danish American Center, Minneapolis.  This was the first in a series of concerts entitled, “Music on the Mississippi” organized by Danish American Center members Scott Thomsen and Paul Juhl.

Larry Long, a local social activist and internationally known singing troubadour invited four other friends and local jazz performers to join him in a 90-minute concert: Scott Fultz-saxophone; Jacqueline Ultan-cello; Will Kjeer-piano; Billy Peterson-bass.   Regarded as one of the world’s top bassist, Billy Peterson has worked with numerous top musicians including being a member of the Steve Miller Band for over 20 years. And Will Kjeer has just received a full ride to The Juilliard School in New York. These are talented performers.  What a treat to have them at the DAC!

Most of the songs they played were composed by Long, some were performed for the first time.  Drawing from themes of nature that included butterflies, rivers and beauty, his life affirming lyrics could have come from a Grundtvig text.  The heartfelt piano, bass, sax and cello contributed to the intricate healing music for the soul.   Truly a night to remember.

Story by Diane Greve, Minnesota Local Editor