tag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:/blogs/latest-news?p=6Latest News2023-10-18T10:53:37-05:00The Double Down Daredevilsfalsetag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/72894872023-10-18T10:53:37-05:002023-10-18T10:59:57-05:00Busy Fall season coming up !<p>It's been a busy year for the Daredevils so far. Just looking back at 2022 we played 15 shows. In 2023, by the time it's over, we will have played 28 shows! Now bear in mind, we are not a full time band. Most of us still have jobs. In addition, some of us play in other groups. Phil has a 3 piece group he calls The Eclectics. Brin and Mary Ellen are both in the Moss Piglets, and I stay busy with solo and duo shows </p><p>A couple of important dates coming up yet this year. This Sunday October 22nd and again on November 26th, and December 10th we will be at Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee. This is a great brewery in their new location in Canterbury Park. </p><p>On October 28th, DDD returns to HAC. The Hastings Arts Center. Located in a former church with great sound and acoustics we will probably us this event to showcase some of our best a capella harmonies. For reservations and ticket info contact the Hastings Arts Center at <span style="color:rgb(92,92,92);">651-437-4320</span></p><p>November 11th, as part of the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Tim Music Associations Fall Jam event at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, we will have a one hour set at 1 pm. This as part of a recent recordings showcase the event organizers put together to showcase member bands. This event requires paid admission but your wristband gives you access to the entire festival including more than 20 acts on 3 stages, pro level workshops, round the clock jamming and more. Get all the info on that event at: <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/Fall-Jam-2023" target="_blank">https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/Fall-Jam-2023</a></p><p>Then on December 2nd our 8th annual show at Hobgolin Music in Red Wing. We played our very first ticketed show here in 2016 Playing Hobgoblin for us is very much like coming home. Gary and Eve Stone are like family to us and the venue, in the hayloft of the barn has the most amazing acoustics. I think we all agree that this is always a very special show and you won't want to miss. Reserve your seats by calling Hobgoblin Music at 651 388-8400 </p><p>And we are already booking up for 2024. If you'd like to have the Double Down Daredevils at your venue, email us at <a class="no-pjax" href="mailto:doubledownbluegrass@gmail.com">doubledownbluegrass@gmail.com</a> Or you can reach me directly at 612-232-5292 </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/70269902022-07-29T21:41:34-05:002023-10-16T09:50:10-05:00The CD is here !!<p>Wow. It's been a busy summer already an then after what seems like forever, The CD project is finally done!! We were able to introduce the album at our gig in Currie MN (My home town !) It is 14 songs including 10 originals. You can buy it right here on our website <a contents="https://doubledownbluegrass.com/store" data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store" target="_blank">https://doubledownbluegrass.com/store</a> Or download it from your favorite streaming platform! Physical CD's are also available at our shows or see any band member! </p>
<p>Speaking of shows! We are so pleased to be hosting our CD Release party during the August Festival! Friday night at 10 pm we will have a full hour at the Ranch house ! Please come and help us celebrate!</p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/69263462022-03-18T16:33:38-05:002022-03-18T16:33:38-05:00March is Amazing !<p>Wow. After January and February being so quiet March has come in like a lion musically for the Daredevils ! First we were honored to be chosen to open for the Headline band -Mile 12- at MBOTMA's Winter Bluegrass Weekend festival. We had a good show and a great time on the main stage and really all weekend long! Then, just a week later we were asked to open for the Gibson Brothers at the Cedar Cultural Center! Can't wait to see what comes next!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/583094b5438fe2749e2ab7720693759fd40d1478/original/the-cedar.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/69184792022-03-09T22:23:59-06:002022-03-09T22:23:59-06:00Double Down Daredevils to Open for The Gibson Brothers a the Cedar!<p>News Flash! The Double Down Daredevils will open for The Gibson Brothers at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, Saturday March 12th! This is a BIG deal ! The Gibson Brothers have been an inspiration to us from the very start. In fact, at the beginning of this band, Nathan and I covered so many of their songs we used to joke that we were a Gibson Brothers Tribute band! To be opening for them is just amazing, and at the Cedar no less. True confession here: I have a personal list of venues that I want to play "someday" and the Cedar is near the top of that list! This is going to be so exciting. Tickets are available <a contents="Click Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thecedar.org/listing-2/2020/4/16/the-gibson-brothers-with-special-guest">Click Here</a> See you at the Cedar on Saturday!</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/68865012022-02-02T09:19:14-06:002022-02-02T09:19:14-06:00Exciting News!<p>Okay, I know it's been a while since I posted here. We had this little pandemic thing kinda took the wind out of the sails for a little while. but... it's 2022 and we are moving forward with a bunch of exciting news!</p>
<p> The Double Down Daredevils have been chosen to be the local opening act for National Headliner "Mile 12" at MBOTMA's Winter Bluegrrass Weekend ! We will be on the main stage Saturday night at 7 pm. Get all the information and tickets at: <a contents="https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/" target="_blank">https://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/</a> Hope we see you there !</p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/60738922020-01-09T11:54:04-06:002020-01-09T11:58:01-06:002020 Vision!<p>Wow. The new Year is here already. It's going to be another exciting year for the Daredevils! We are heading for the studio (FINALLY !) late in January to record our first CD. Still somewhat fluid but it looks like about 60% original songs and the other 40% will be covers carefully chosen to highlight our strengths This will be a process I'm sure and really exciting for most of us who have never done any studio recording before. I hoping to have some photos and video of the sessions I can share in this blog so stay tuned!</p>
<p>Pretty much taking January and part of February off from performing to focus on the recording project but then we'll be back at it with the Big Turn Festival in Red Wing, February 21st and 22nd We play at 7 pm Saturday at United Lutheran Church. This is a BIG deal folks. 200 bands in more than 20 venues in downtown Red Wing. Check out <a contents="The Big Turn Website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bigturnmusicfest.com/" target="_blank">The Big Turn Website</a> for tickets and schedule information. Then in March we will be at the MBOTMA Winter Bluegrass Weekend doing some of the songs from the new CD. Check out <a contents="MN Bluegrass.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.Minnesotabluegrass.org" target="_blank">MN Bluegrass.org</a> for all the details on that event! The following Saturday, March 13th we will be at Juniors in River Falls! A new venue for us and we are so excited to play there! That's going to be a Fun 3 hour show you won't want to miss!</p>
<p>For those in the Red Wing Area, I will be offering a songwriting workshop on February 5th at the Red Wing Arts Association Gallery. That's in the Depot in Red Wing. This will be the first of what the Arts Association hopes will become a series of "First Wednesday Workshops" on various topics of interest to the creative community in Red Wing and the surrounding area. I'll share a few of my songs, along with some insights into the craft of songwriting as I have experienced it so far.</p>
<p>The calendar page (Shows) will be continuously updated now as more booking are solidified for the year. so be sure to check back often and come and see us when we are in your area!</p>
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<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58594312019-08-15T19:48:23-05:002019-08-15T19:48:23-05:00Playing in Red Wings Living Room<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/786e4df1b92d47e47952bc35903564d7dd5579c0/original/red-wing-central-park.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span class="font_regular">3 years ago, about the time we started this band actually, I made it a goal to play on this stage. Check another one off the bucket list !! We played the Central Park Bandshell... what we like to call Red Wings Living Room, last night as part of the Red Wing Arts Association Summer Concert Series. And it was every bit as much fun as I'd hoped it would be. Great audience (we are guessing 350 or so?) and we had the absolute best weather all summer. Low 70's no humidity and no bugs. I couldn't have ordered it any better. We played for almost 2 hours with a very short break and I could have kept going.. It was the kind of show.that reminds you why you do this. Professional sound by Mike Murphy. The band was "on it" Tim actually set his bass amp on fire..... No literally, smoke and everything. It's now 24 hours latter and I still want to grab my guitar and run back out there. Too much Fun !</span></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58551002019-08-12T10:34:06-05:002019-08-12T10:34:06-05:00Minnesota Bluegrass and OT Music Festival<p>Another Minnesota Bluegrass August Festival is in the books. This one was the 40th Anniversary, and what a celebration it was! I don't even remember how many of these festivals I have been to now but El Rancho Manana feels like a second home to me now and when we all gather there for the weekend, it feels just like a family reunion. This year I was there for 4 days and 4 nights and it still wasn't near long enough. The weather was beautiful - well, okay we could have lived with a little less rain on Saturday but at least it settled the dust. The Ranch House stage was rocking every night. There is just so much talent assembled there! Couple of highlights for me was the Mabel and Me set at the Ranch House on Thursday. Friday night the Double Down Daredevils did a full hour show at the Ranch House. Saturday Guitar Showcase on the Showcase Stage with Clay Hess, Mike Cramer and Stash Wyslouch. All three are amazing guitarists. Stash probably has the most interesting story having found his way into Bluegrass and Old Time Music via punk / heavy metal Saturday night Headline show was Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. I've been watching Ricky Skaggs since he was in Emmy Lou Harris' Hot Band. The man puts on a show!. It's very well put together from an organizational standpoint. You can tell this was not just 7 guys who got together under a tree somewhere and said "hey, we should start a band" He sang a bunch of the old favorites like "Uncle Pen" along with some newer songs. Kinda heavy on the instrumentals for my taste but with pickers like that I didn't really mind so much! I'd been hoping for a version of "Country Boy" but alas, that did not happen. Clay Hess spent some time in Kentucky Thunder as the hot picker. At the showcase he said that going into Rickys band he knew he would have to be rock solid at 200 beats per minute. For anyone who doesn't know.... that's really fast ! Of course the jamming was awesome too. All day and on into the night till nearly dawns early light. Funny how you can be so bone tired you can barely keep your eyes open and then somebody says "it's your turn" and you pick something you hope you can remember in your somewhat addled state, and you turn in one of your best songs of the evening!</p>
<p>The 40th Anniversary Festival will be one of those events that sets the bar for all future festivals. It was so much fun it never even occurred to me to take any pictures</p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58407332019-07-29T15:18:24-05:002019-07-29T15:21:16-05:00"From Moville to Red Oak"<p>Here is video #4 from our night at the Hastings Community TV station in June. <br>This one is an instrumental written by <a contents="Phil Nusbaum" data-link-label="Phil Nusbaum" data-link-type="page" href="/phil-nusbaum" target="_blank">Phil Nusbaum</a> called "From Moville to Red Oak". Hope you enjoy it. </p>
<p>Thanks for watching!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="bW_Wj0M3vPk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/bW_Wj0M3vPk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bW_Wj0M3vPk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58407322019-07-29T15:17:49-05:002019-07-29T15:20:49-05:00"She's Not Here"<p>Here is video #3 from our night at the Hastings Community TV station in June. <br>This is the second song written and sung by <a contents="Brin Peterson" data-link-label="Brin Petersen" data-link-type="page" href="/brin-petersen" target="_blank">Brin Peterson</a> called "She's Not Here". Hope you enjoy it. </p>
<p>Thanks for watching!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="pYlfpkgU9qM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/pYlfpkgU9qM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pYlfpkgU9qM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58276892019-07-17T14:43:32-05:002019-07-17T14:43:49-05:00"Minnesota Morning"<p>Here is video #2 from our night at the Hastings Community TV station in June. <br>This one is a <a contents="Tom Peschges" data-link-label="Tom Peschges" data-link-type="page" href="/tom-peschges" target="_blank">Tom Peschges</a> original called "Minnesota Morning". Hope you enjoy it.</p>
<p>The next one should be up very soon. Thanks for watching!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Tz3SxDEPf7Y" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Tz3SxDEPf7Y/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tz3SxDEPf7Y?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/58179272019-07-08T19:11:24-05:002019-07-29T15:19:55-05:00"Home"<p>We are very excited to share the first of 4 originals with you. We recorded the videos last month at the Hastings Community TV station. The team over there did a fantastic job and we had a great time making them. <br><br>The first song is "Home", written and sung by our own <a contents="Brin Petersen" data-link-label="Brin Petersen" data-link-type="page" href="/brin-petersen" target="_blank">Brin Petersen</a>. We can hardly wait to share the rest of them with you as they are released on the "Around the Mic" sessions on their Facebook and Yahoo pages. Check back soon for the next installment!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="fuQtsfHi3gU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/fuQtsfHi3gU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuQtsfHi3gU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/57359892019-04-29T09:30:35-05:002019-04-29T09:30:35-05:00We Hooted !<p>It was another fun music filled weekend in Hastings! The Daredevils played Friday night At Spiral Brewery. It's a great venue with good beer, super friendly staff and the audience was awesome too! Owner Nick Fox tells me they are working on a rooftop patio and I'm really excited to see that!. </p>
<p>Then on Saturday it was the 10th Annual Hastings Hootenany 8 venues with a new band every half hour. Tons of musicians, all styles - it's crazy fun and the whole thing is a fundraiser for the Hastings Middle School Music Program. It was a Hoot !</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/e481f5e0f733420ce89ce717b857f95393d8653e/original/spiral2.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/57233892019-04-17T17:07:59-05:002019-04-17T17:07:59-05:00Milestones<p>As a band, over the 3 years we have existed as such, we have checked a number of boxes. Our first gig. Our first PAID gig, Our first Festival gig.... It's been so much fun. Last August we checked off another Milestone. We were invited to play the main stage at the Minnesota Bluegrass Festival. One of the larger festivals of it's kind. (Ricky Skaggs is playing there this year, just sayin) We had a blast even in the heat and humidity of August in Minnesota, and the whole show was captured on video by {Pioneer Public Television. This week feels like another milestone for us as our performance last August will be featured on Pioneers show "Grassland Jam" Saturday at 7 pm on Pioneer Public TV and it will be available on Youtube next week. It's all really exciting ! Here's a clip:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Y-IgzFugqE8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y-IgzFugqE8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-IgzFugqE8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/56686882019-03-04T15:02:31-06:002019-03-04T15:02:31-06:00Winter Bluegrass Weekend in the books<p><span class="font_regular">The Daredevils were in fine form Friday night at The Minnesota Bluegrass "Winter Bluegrass Weekend" We performed on Friday night at 11 pm. Now at first, we thought Wow, we got pushed all the way to the end of the night.... wonder if anyone will come? So we were blown away by the number of our friends and fans who did come to see us at that late hour. We decided to make it a party and party we did ! This festival had about 40 bands I think? on 3 stages going all weekend long. In addition there were tons of great workshops. i particularly enjoyed Jeff Woods, Bluegrass Guitar workshop and a songwriting workshop with Mark Krietzer. And then of course,, jamming till the wee hours. The joke is you have a hotel room but it's mostly for naps and a quick shower. If you've never been, check them out <a contents="www.minnesotabluegrass.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org" target="_blank">www.minnesotabluegrass.org</a> The August festival will feature Ricky Skaggs! See you 'round the campfire! Till then... lot's of local gigs coming up. Flat Earth Brewing Next Saturday March 9th. Maries in Red Wing. March 23rd</span></p>
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<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/55470622018-12-09T20:26:28-06:002019-04-12T18:23:35-05:00Last Show for 2018 Flat Earth Brewery<p>So last night at Flat Earth Brewery was our last show for 2018, and what a show it was! So much fun. So many of our friends showed up to support us, it was truly humbling. Combined with a brewery tour that came through and we had the biggest crowd we've ever had at Flat Earth. It was awesome! I'd been dealing with a cold for the past three weeks so I didn't sing quite as much as normal but the rest of the band picked up the slack and we had a guest appearance from Adelle Hyrkas too! For all of that though... we got upstaged big time. Check out the video</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8SBH_UkGXv8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8SBH_UkGXv8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8SBH_UkGXv8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/55105562018-11-12T20:37:32-06:002018-11-12T21:24:04-06:00Boy do we love playing at Hobgoblin Music !<p>Well the 3rd Annual show at Hobgoblin Music Loft is now behind us. Located in a converted barn, there is just something about that place that always makes for a great show. We had a bigger audience than we were expecting, given the weather. Gary and Eve Stone, the owners, were as welcoming and helpful as ever and the acoustics are, well just amazing. It's just a great place to play and hear live music! If you have never been, I hope you will take the opportunity one day soon. </p>
<p>We have a 30 minute set at a benefit for our friend Gary Cobus next weekend and then Flat Earth Brewing in St Paul on December 8th and that's it for this year. Wow, that went by fast. Come to think of it, 3 years has gone by so quickly. The Daredevils have covered a lot of ground. We have played many of the venues we thought were "someday maybe" kind of goals and we keep rolling along. We are already into the planning process for 2019 and it's going to be exciting! Stay Tuned</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/54702892018-10-15T11:14:41-05:002018-10-15T11:19:26-05:003rd Annual Hobgoblin Music Loft Show Nov. 10th!<p>Wow, it's coming up fast! Our 3rd Annual fall show at Hobgoblin Music Loft!. This place feels like coming home to us. We had some of our initial practices here and so many good times. It's always a thrill to play in this restored barn with the most amazing acoustics. Our last concert style show of the year we always work hard to make this one a little extra special, so expect a new song or two and the best of our best from the past year! It's going to be a great time. Tickets are $15 at the door! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/cf79c382dfa3bcbedadd2896f24f87169df19312/original/dsc07683.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/54505932018-10-01T11:25:34-05:002018-10-01T11:29:51-05:00October Shows!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/7e8daba5a1f789b6b40a4ec5e978f33b1ae0e981/original/ann-ijima-photo.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Wow, October is a busy month again for the Daredevils! We kick it off This Saturday, October 6th at Flat Earth Brewery in St Paul. One of our favorite places to play this taproom and brew house is located in the old Hams Brewing building on Minnehaha Ave in St Paul's East Side. It's a fun atmosphere with friendly people, Good Beer AND, its DOG Friendly! So bring your 4 legged friend and come on down. If there weathers nice we'll be on the patio which is really awesome!</p>
<p>Then October 13th we'll be at Maries Underground Tap and Grill in Red Wing. I love playing in that space, always have. This time, I have the whole band with me! Singing for the hometown crowd is one of my favorite things! Come enjoy some great food, fun people and good music!</p>
<p>October 20th The Daredevils go back to one of our regular haunts, Kinney Creek Brewery in Rochester! Small, friendly taproom with some great beers by the pioneer in Rochester Craft Brewing, Donovan Seitz. We hope to see lots of our freinds in SE MN at this one!</p>
<p>October 26 and 27th is the Minnesota Bluegrass Fall Jam at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth MN. No formal stage show for the Daredevils but we will be around there jamming, leading or attending workshops and theme jams. Tom Peschges, of the Daredevils is the chairman of the event committee. Come and jam with us!</p>
<p>We look forward to seeing you at one of these events! </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/54265862018-09-12T22:16:39-05:002018-09-12T22:16:39-05:00Killin' it in Cameron!<p> The Daredevils had a great weekend in Cameron Wisconsin at the Pioneer Park Bluegrass Festival. The weather was perfect. The venue was gorgeous and the people.... well, the people were just awesome! We played 2 sets. Saturday evening opening for the headliner, The Tommy Brown Band (man those guys can pick!) We opened the day on Sunday morning with another fun set. The bands were so good, some of us hung around the rest of the day just to hear them again! Here's some video from one of our shows.<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="y72xFCtag_E" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/y72xFCtag_E/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y72xFCtag_E?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/53970112018-08-22T08:40:31-05:002019-02-05T00:34:40-06:00SEMBA 2018 in the Rear View Mirror<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/62bd4a353d35640bdd60b0bae02b71b14f565d96/original/group-shot.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />SEMBA 2018 is behind us now. Held every year in Houston MN, this is a fun little festival full of nice friendly folks who love their traditional Bluegrass ! This was our 2nd time at SEMBA! It's a smaller festival as festivals go maybe 300 attendees? (Just my guess) It really kinda feels almost like a family reunion. People who mostly know each other and have for many years. I don't think any of us brought any food with. We just ate at the barn with everyone else. The food was home made, very reasonably priced and it was all a fundraiser for relay for life... a cancer research organization.</p>
<p>The Daredevils played 4 sets in 2 days, including a Gospel set on Sunday morning. Everything went pretty well and every show was just a lot of fun! The other highlight was the late night jam on Saturday with all of the Daredevils and David Robinson and Rick Lee. </p>
<p>Now we have a couple weeks off and then The Pioneer Park Bluegrass Festival in Cameron WI, September 7 - 8, and a full calendar in October, we will be somewhere every weekend!</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/53912792018-08-17T08:49:51-05:002019-03-21T12:15:40-05:00Wow Summer is going fast!<p>Seems like just last week I wrote a blog entitled, "Summer is finally here! " Now it seems like Summer is almost gone! The Daredevils were on the main stage at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association Festival last weekend for two shows. This was yet another milestone for us in what seemed at times, to be an improbable journey. We started this band less than 3 years ago, with the goal of "someday" playing at the Minnesota Homegrown Kick-off Festival (A much smaller MBOTMA festival) At the time, the Main Stage at the August Festival seemed unlikely for a group of guys in thier 50's and 60's and yet, here we are - Killin' it! It was exciting, it was fun, it was gratifying in a dozen different ways. </p>
<p>Having achieved much of what we originally set out to do, I have spent a little time lately thinking about "Whats next?" Momentum seems to be building for a CD project. That is probably going to be the next big thing but it's still just in the "thinking about it" stage right now. </p>
<p>For the moment we are finishing up our Festival Season with 4 sets at the Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association (SEMBA) festival is Houston MN this weekend. We will be under the lights on the outdoor stage Saturday night - that's going to be cool! Then the Pioneer park Bluegrass Festival in Cameron WI September 8-9. Then we take a little breather, get reacquainted with our spouses and get some fall vacations out of the way. Back in October with a series of local gigs. Fun Times</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/7e8daba5a1f789b6b40a4ec5e978f33b1ae0e981/original/ann-ijima-photo.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/53610602018-07-25T09:04:07-05:002018-09-28T07:18:26-05:00Updated Events List!<h4>Summer is a busy time for everyone it seems and the Double Down Daredevils are no exception! I Just finished updating our <strong><em><a contents="EVENTS PAGE" data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><span style="color:#f1c40f;">EVENTS PAGE</span></a><span style="color:#f1c40f;">.</span></em></strong> Festival season gets especially busy for us. (remember, most of us have real jobs too!)</h4>
<p>July 28 -Brew and Bluegrass Festival at St Pauls Flat Earth Brewing (open jamming and multiple bands!)</p>
<p>August 5th. A Sunday evening concert, outdoors at the LeDuc historic estate in Hastings</p>
<p>August 9-12 is the Minnesota Bluegrass and OT music Festival with 2 stage appearances by the Daredevils 1 pm on Friday and 11 am on Sunday!</p>
<p>August 16-19 SEMBA! The Southeast MN Bluegrass Association Festival The Daredevils play 4 sets!!! 2 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday!</p>
<p>September 7-8 The Cameron Pioneer Bluegrass Festival in Cameron Wisconsin. Daredevils will play 2 shows</p>
<p>Come out and see us sometime ! </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/53180942018-06-26T10:40:10-05:002018-07-19T04:49:40-05:00Summer is really here!<p><strong>Yep, it's Summer. And the way we know that is the Daredevils have lots of gigs lined up for the next couple months. Here's the high altitude overview </strong></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>June 30th: Picks and Pints Beer and Music Festival </strong></span> at <a contents="Kinney Creek Brewery" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/149120712461583/?notif_t=plan_user_associated&notif_id=1529931437004340" target="_blank">Kinney Creek Brewery</a> in Rochester. Outdoors, rain or shine. 5 Bands! Starting at 2pm going till 10pm. Kinda proud that I have played this festival every year since it began (Back when I was a solo act). There are Food trucks, games, music and of course, Kinney Creeks awesome lineup of fresh beers!. It's an event worthy of a Summer Saturday! Hope to see you there!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/12c80bdf0b837c041df2d5c16e1e6abbdb860b3c/original/2018-pics-and-pints-logo.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><br>D'Sievers 2-3:30pm <br>Trevor Marty 3:45-4:45pm <br>Fred The Bear 5-6:30pm <br><span class="font_regular"><strong>The Double Down Daredevils 6:45-8:15pm </strong></span><br>The Swamp Kings 8:30-10pm</p>
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<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>July 7th: Red Wing Farmers Market</strong></span>. 10 am till Noon or so. At the Saturday Farmers Market in Red Wing. What a great way to start a weekend</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/8751bfd430d2da603be32073da979ca29b8b392a/original/dsc06085.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" />I love playing the Farmers Market, and even more fun when the whole band joins me. Bring a lawnchair or a blanket and enjoy some homemade bread or a carmel roll instead and afterwhile, a piece of Rhubarb pie! It's a nice, sunny little venue by the Depot in Red Wing. Quiet, intimate and outdoors. Quiet that is until a train rolls through. The rule is if a train interrupts your song, you have to sing a train song.</p>
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<p>July 14th: Private Party</p>
<p>July 21st: Private Party</p>
<p>July 28th: Beer and Bluegrass at Flat Earth Brewery in St Paul - On The Patio</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/6abb602d2e37db8252197f4a91b8634254f3b13c/original/brews-and-bluegrass.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Just so you understand, this is more than just a show for the Daredevils, this is a Bluegrass Festival! Jamming from 3-6. All musicians welcome, please! Bring your Instruments!</p>
<p>This will be on "The Patio" For those who've never been, Flat Earth is located in the old Hamms Brewery (which is cool enough in itself) The Patio, is really a part of a 2 story building with the roof and the upper floor removed. It's a huge open space with stone walls on either side and absolutely amazing acoustics. </p>
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<p>There May be another Band there as well (TBA) Drawings for Flat Earth Merch and Maybe even Bluegrass Karoke with the Double Down Daredevils. If you hang around a while, we might even have an all star jam to close out the night!</p>
<p>Daredevils play 6:30 - 9:30 </p>
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<p>That's it for July ! August begins Festival Season Big time! Next Post</p>
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<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/52901662018-06-11T21:43:33-05:002018-06-11T21:44:16-05:00Fun in the Wilds of Northern Wisconsin!<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/83988de34bac5d43db81e74f9e50caddad463af8/original/20180609-145829.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>We had a Great Time In Ladysmith! </strong></span> </p>
<p> <span class="font_regular">As festivals go this one was a little smaller than some we have played but we had a warm, appreciative audience and a lot of fun. Good line-up of bands too. We had some good jamming both nights we were there. Friday night was especially fun as were were joined by Bruce King who plays Mandolin with Art Stevenson and Highwater - and plays almost everything else off stage! He's a great musician and fun to jam with! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Big Thank you to the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the whole crew of volunteer running the festival too. We hope we get to come back next year!</span></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular">Heres link to a youtube video from the weekend too : <a contents="Tune of a $20 Bill" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQMkrtFlHv0" target="_blank">Tune of a $20 Bill</a></span></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/52814252018-06-07T12:36:43-05:002018-07-04T05:34:15-05:00Next Stop Ladysmith WI<p>Okay, first, let me apologize. It's been a long time between posts here. I'll try to do better. Summer festival season is in full swing. Last weekend was the Minnesota Homegrown "kick-off" festival in Richmond MN. Daredevils played a set on the ranch house stage and, as usual, we had a blast. MBOTMA is kind of like coming home for us, playing for and with so many longtime friends.</p>
<p>Tomorrow we head off to the wilds of Wisconsin for a brand new festival for us. The Northwoods Bluegrass Festival in Ladysmith WI promises to be a great time! W'll be sharing the stage with the Woodpicks, The Biscuit Boys, King Wilkes Dream, Blue Hazard and last but certainly not least, MR Wisconsin Bluegrass himself, Art Stevenson and Highwater. Our very own Nathan Fjeld will be presenting a flatpicking workshop alongside other workshops including beginning clogging. The Woodpicks will present a workshop on vocals too. </p>
<p>Of course, as usual we will be jamming well into the wee hours I'm sure. So come and join us, even the weather is looking pretty good. Click on the logo for more info!<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.northwoodsbluegrassfestival.com/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/99eacb10323482e2065ac0e2c6ebc5d70cc2ec81/original/bluegrass2018.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51733682018-04-09T23:44:30-05:002018-06-06T00:39:04-05:002 years and 50 shows later....<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/978423ffa5b9a07a24027b7b1e8bf32e62e3e271/medium/13124836-906010109498000-2211514792013749243-n.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /> By Tom Peschges</p>
<p> <span class="font_large"> The Double Down Daredevils were in Duluth this past weekend for the Cabin Fever Festival. We played a set early on Saturday afternoon in the main ballroom. A little while later a couple of us led an organized "Singers Jam" which was a lot of fun. Then we hung out, ate good food, drank good beer and played more music till midnight or so. It's what we do. This one was a little different. Tim was traveling so Julie Kittleson stepped in and earned her "Daredevil" wings. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This weekend marked the second anniversary for the Daredevils. Most of us have known each other and played music together for longer than that but our first actual performance was two years ago, on April 9th. Later this month, in Hastings MN, we will play our 50th show. I was thinking about this today. There are 6 of us now. 50 practices a year and roughly 25 shows a year. Many of those shows are Festivals that involve camping together for an entire weekend. Six, smart, funny creative, talented people sharing a passion for the music we love. It really does create a magical connection, or at the very least deep and satisfying friendships. </span> <span class="font_large">I will do this as long as I am able and the rest of them will have me. No doubt someday Nathan or Brin will come to visit me in "the home" and I'll say "Remember that time at SEMBA when we had to get up and do a Gospel set at 9 am ???" (I could barely talk, much less sing!) Good times </span></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51361042018-03-19T13:41:52-05:002018-04-27T06:26:57-05:00New Video<p>I found a couple video's when I was going through my phone last night. This one is Jammin in Jamaica at the Big Turn Music Festival in Red Wing about a month ago.</p>
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<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="28f8jiyeACA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/28f8jiyeACA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/28f8jiyeACA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51352772018-03-19T00:13:08-05:002018-12-03T12:57:21-06:00The Hootenany !<p>Save the Date! April 28th Hastings Minnesota! The Double Down Daredevils are pleased to be one of the 80 or so musical acts performing at The 9th Annual Hootenany, in downtown Hastings. Walk from one venue to the next. FREE to attend, but a suggested $5.00 donation at the door benefits Hastings Middle School Music Programs! I was there last year as an attendee. Looking forward to performing this year! Venue and time slot to be announced!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/914f820387599b7bfecfa84dd06668459f9373c1/original/the-hoot.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51352562018-03-18T23:36:27-05:002019-01-11T00:44:10-06:00What a whirlwind couple of weeks!<p>Wow, the Daredevils have been busy these last few weeks! The Brews and Bluegrass sort of Mini-Festival at Flat Earth Brewery was a huge success. Lots of Fun with that crowd. Then Sunday the 11th, we performed for the Chili Hubub in Oakdale. Raising money for The Christian Cupboard Food Shelf. </p>
<p>Saturday March 17th We returned to one of our fav's Kinney Creek Brewery in Rochester. Kind of a tight space of 6 of us but we celebrated St Paddies Day with a rollicking good time! This turned into one of those gigs that went from fun to funny somewhere around the 3rd set. Everybody cut loose, lots of laughs were had. There may have been alcohol involved. If you weren't there you missed a good time! If you were there, Thanks for coming out! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/cf229792dc473d5da070e13f13e32bdcfa58c6a5/medium/20180317-190504.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51117442018-03-05T09:42:53-06:002018-06-02T03:30:16-05:00Bluegrass and Brews<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/6abb602d2e37db8252197f4a91b8634254f3b13c/original/brews-and-bluegrass.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular">There are two things you need to know about the Double Down Daredevils. <strong>We love our Bluegrass.and We love our Beer! </strong> This festival combines those two things promising a really good time this coming weekend. Bluegrass and Brews will be at St Pauls Flat Earth Brewing Company. The Daredevils play on Saturday night at 7, but <strong>open jamming starts at 3 pm</strong> for anyone who wants to jam so bring your instruments!! If there is enough interest, we may even put together a couple draw bands the jammers. Or You might be invited to Join us for Live Band Karoke! We don't really know what all might happen but we know it's going to be fun!! More details here: <a contents="https://www.facebook.com/events/599657463708235/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/599657463708235/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/events/599657463708235/</a> See you Saturday !</span></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/51117252018-03-05T09:24:01-06:002018-06-02T03:29:35-05:00Awesome Winter Bluegrass Weekend<p>So much fun and excitement this past weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth. The Daredevils performed Friday night, 6 pm on the main stage. Check out this video: <a contents="Harrisburg" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/julie.kittleson.3/videos/10209981306123228/">Harrisburg</a> with Nathan doing some of his very best work on the guitar! The best part of these festivals is the friends you make. We meet up with friends, many of whom we met at earlier festivals and often only see at festivals, but they become like family. We eat, drink laugh and play our music for and with them all weekend long usually well into the night (Saturday I finally gave in at 3:30 am Not a personal record but close) The friendships I've made through music have easily been some of the best and most meaningful in my life and I know this experience is not unique to me. It's a refrain you hear over and over again among musicians. Check out some of the festivals offered by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association. Come and see for yourself Here a link to the MBOTMA website Here is the link: <a contents="http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/">http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/</a> We'll see you around the campfire !</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/50789462018-02-14T09:27:47-06:002018-02-14T09:27:47-06:00Daredevils Update<p>Happy Valentines Day! It's been a busy time with the Daredevils! Getting ready for upcoming shows and booking new shows like crazy! Next up.. the BIG TURN Music Festival in Red Wing THIS weekend! The Daredevils kick off this event at the St James Hotel Portside room, 7 pm Friday night! (2/16) 2 days, 100 bands in 18 venues in a 4 square block area of downtown Red Wing. Check out ALL the bands and order tickets here : <a contents="https://www.bigturnmusicfest.com/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bigturnmusicfest.com/" target="_blank">https://www.bigturnmusicfest.com/</a> </p>
<p>That's Friday... then on Sunday afternoon (2/18), we will do a set at "live in the Loft" at the Onion Grill in Downtown Hastings. The event starts at 1 pm. several groups play 1/2 hour sets. This is a fundraiser for Hastings Schools Music Program. Great way to spend a Sunday listening to live, local music!!</p>
<p>After that it just gets busier! Please check out the upcoming events page for all the details: <a contents="https://www.doubledownbluegrass.com/shows" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.doubledownbluegrass.com/shows" target="_blank">https://www.doubledownbluegrass.com/shows</a> </p>
<p>That's all for now but stay tuned. Exciting news is coming ;-)</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49908052017-12-22T20:58:52-06:002018-06-02T03:01:05-05:00WOW ! Bucket List Item Right here!<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Santa Claus came early this year for the Daredevils </strong></span>!! We were just notified today that the Daredevils were selected to play the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time music Association's August Festival! For many of us in this group, this is the Brass Ring, the Pinnacle, a major Bucket List Item! Over the Moon, beyond excited! I can't think of enough superlatives right now !! LOL We played the Minnesota Homegrown Festival on the same stage in June. We thought that was the thrill of a lifetime. The August Festival is as big as it gets in Minnesota. As if that wasn't enough, today, we also got invited to play a small festival in Cameron WI in September! While a smaller festival, often times those are as much fun! Certainly more intimate with a friendly small town feel. Check out the growing list of upcoming shows for 2018 on our shows page (Nav bar top of the page) </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49487022017-11-25T14:51:15-06:002019-03-20T10:34:32-05:00New Shows added for 2018<p>So Booking for 2018 is in Full Swing! Check out our events page for several new events added just this past week! We are Happy to announce that the Double Down Daredevils will be playing the inaugural Big Turn Music Festival in Red Wing Feb 16 and 17. 100 bands in 17 venues within a 3 block area over 2 days. We kick things off at 7 pm Friday in the St James Hotel! We are also thrilled to have been selected to perform at the 11th annual Northwoods Bluegrass Festival in Ladysmith WI in June! We have lots of plans in the works for 2018 that aren't ready for public consumption just yet but stay tuned. Meanwhile, if you have a favorite venue you'd like to see us play at, tell them about us! Send them to our website! Or send us a message and we will talk to them!</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49400412017-11-19T21:29:56-06:002019-01-11T00:20:35-06:00Harvest Jam 2017<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/7dff844875f27a51146a39c54b425fd4e2eb4828/original/harvest-jam-2017.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>MBOTMA's Harvest Jam 2017 is in the books. The Daredevils played an acoustic set (look Ma! No microphones!) during Happy hour while folks were waiting to be seated for the banquet. It was a fun set. We thought we were going to just be background noise but folks were pretty attentive. It was nice :)</p>
<p>So the old joke is that we all have a drug problem. At some point, someone drug us to a bluegrass festival and now we're hooked. To extend the analogy, If music was like alcohol, a festival would be a 3 day bender. Harvest Jam was the very first festival I ever attended. It starts on Friday, checking into the hotel, seeing friends you haven't seen since the last festival, making new friends and jamming....... If you quit and go to bed before 2 am you're a rookie! At this particular festival there are also "theme jams" centered around special interests like Gospel, Country, Old Time Fiddle, Progressive Bluegrass and even a Singers Jam (No fiddle tunes allowed!) There is a band contest, an open stage, workshops and main stage shows featuring local and international talent. This years headliners, the Malina Brothers put on an amazing show. The Minnesota Association of Songwriters had their own room and hosted original music jams, workshops and open mic performances. And then there was a partnership with the Greater Minnesota Ukelele group bringing more stage shows, workshops and fun for devotees of the Ukelele! All in all another really FUN weekend! That is the bottom line. It's fun!</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49300642017-11-12T23:50:38-06:002018-06-02T02:57:28-05:00Hobgoblin Music Loft!<p>Wow, what a great night! We played Hobgoblin Music Loft last Saturday night. This was our 2nd time on the Hobgoblin Stage and we just plain LOVE the place. The acoustics are amazing and Gary and Eve Stone are so accommodating. We played a full 2 hour show and it was so much fun. We got to introduce Zach Tauer, our new banjo player in his first gig with the Daredevils. Mary Ellen Fox is settling into her place in the band playing fiddle and providing some back up vocals. It was a great audience and there were treat there from Emilys Bakery in Hastings too. So much fun. Here's a sample :)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rm-nDUKgaz8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/rm-nDUKgaz8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rm-nDUKgaz8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49191572017-11-04T08:37:16-05:002018-03-17T06:18:23-05:00New Faces!<p>As many of you know by now, the past 6 months have brought some changes to the Double Down Daredevils. Davids departure, even on the best of terms left us in the tall grass for a little while but we figured it out and we’re coming back stronger than ever! The Daredevils are now a 6 piece group! With the addition of Mary Ellen Fox and Zach Tauer </p>
<p><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/937f3a4e91e906fc62a9daf577748f326cea94dd/small/maryellenfox.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Mary Ellen Marks Fox: (<a contents="Offsite bio" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://foxviolin.weebly.com/about.html" target="_blank">Offsite bio</a>) Mary Ellen came to our concert at the Hastings Arts Center a while back and, after the show, she said “I’d like to play with you guys” We said “Okay” Mary Ellens background is classical violin and viola. When she is not busy with her job as head nurse for the Hastings School System, She teaches violin in her own studio, conducts the Hastings Middle School Honors Orchestra, and plays with a contemporary band at Church and also plays in the recently formed Ponticelli String Chamber Ensemble. You might notice that nothing here really says “Bluegrass” but she wanted to add bluegrass fiddle to her toolbox and as you get to know Mary Ellen one thing becomes quite clear- Underestimating her is a mistake. She has the desire and the work ethic – proven through months of intense practice. She will be one to watch on the bluegrass scene!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/50b5d6ab26c71617ae73093737d3e4918d779a99/small/zacht.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Zach Tauer: Zach received a banjo for Christmas in 2014. In the spring of 2015 he started the band Compost Sleeping Bag. As a self-taught banjo player, he has been able to excel by playing with other musicians since he started learning the banjo. He enjoys bluegrass jams, whiskey infused late night jams, sit-ins, and gigging around Minneapolis. Zach also has been playing banjo with the progressive bluegrass group, The Common Ground Company since the fall of 2016. He is excited to starting playing with the Double Down Dare Devils. Zach plays 3-finger style banjo. He combines Scruggs, melodic, and single-string techniques. His banjo role models include Scott Vestal, Chris Pandolfi, and JD Crowe. He plays a Recording King RK-35R. Zach is approximately half the average age of the rest of us and we try to give him the requisite amount of grief over that. He's a quick study and a free spirit and we are glad to have him in the Daredevils!</p>
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<p>Come and meet the new Daredevils this Saturday (November 11) at Hobgoblin Music Loft in Red Wing! It's gonna be a great show!</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/49097282017-10-27T22:07:50-05:002018-06-02T03:31:08-05:00Farewell to David (Satire)<p>The Daredevils have sad news to report. We have lost our beloved banjo player, David Smith. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/941c5bd6820599bc85cadacdf305bdd79eaaf169/medium/dsc07083.jpg?1483125494" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> </p>
<p>It happened late one night as we were on our way back from a late gig in Rochester and stopped at a gas station. Everyone thought he was just sleeping in the back but too late, it was discovered we had apparently left him behind in the mens room of a Super America in Zumbrota. He eventually made it home and came to practice the next Thursday but he said he couldn’t play with us anymore. Something about “trust issues” </p>
<p>None of that is true and you know it, I’m just having a little fun with David, as I often do. He’s a fun guy to have fun with. David is however, no longer with the Daredevils. The truth is that between his real job, and his other very successful bluegrass band, “Blue Groove” He was just stretched too thin. So while we miss him being a weekly part of the group, he will still fill in with us sometimes and we will continue to be friends and jam buddies just as we always have. We wish him and all of our pals in Blue Groove, continued success and happiness. And we want to thank you David for all of your contributions to the Daredevils success and we will carry them forward for as long as we perform together. On stage or off, you’ll always be “one of us”</p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/48632072017-09-24T12:01:56-05:002018-06-02T03:18:58-05:00Mary Ellen Fox Debut Performance!<p>The Daredevils were in Woodbury last Friday night, at Christ Episcopal Church. What a beautiful little Church and the acoustics were awesome! We had George Payne of the Moss Piglets filling in for a vacationing Tim Wankel on bass. And the BIG news of the night. This was the debut performance for the Newest Daredevil, Mary Ellen Fox! Check it out!!</p>
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<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="2VILFmsj4oY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/2VILFmsj4oY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2VILFmsj4oY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/48229262017-08-23T12:19:03-05:002017-08-23T12:37:19-05:00Welch ! Friday Night!!!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/941ee698a6e65abc437a9b04d5b3764f5c63cd15/original/cannon-river-inn.jpg?1503508109" class="size_l justify_left border_" height="105" style="width: 268px;" />It's Time for a party!! Join us in Welch MN at the Cannon River Inn. I've been here so many times playing solo or Open mics and such... but this is the first time I've been able to bring the whole band here for a show! So excited! We will be outside... (I've already had a talk with the weatherman... I even said "please and thank you!") Bring a lawnchair.... we will bring the Bluegrass!</p>
<p>By the way, in case you hadn't heard - The Cannon River Inn now offers a full bar! They also have amazing pizza's and burgers! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Party starts at 7 pm goes till 11. Possible jam after... just sayin'</p>
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<p>See You Friday.................. In WELCH!</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HtC0a8SmZP8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/HtC0a8SmZP8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtC0a8SmZP8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/48141892017-08-14T19:58:40-05:002018-11-30T02:06:54-06:00MBOTMA 2017. The reason I do this stuff!<p>By Tom Peschges</p>
<p>I just got back from 5 days at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association Festival at El Rancho Manana Near Richmond. I arrived Tuesday night for a 2 day, pre-festival camp I had signed up for, learning audio and sound with Doug Lohman of Armadillo Sound. Doug has been running sound for every MBOTMA festival I’ve ever been too and for many years before that. Tech stuff aside, it was an in depth look inside his world that was fascinating to say the very least. Having been on both sides of his microphones, I have tons of respect for this guy.</p>
<p>The fun continued on Friday with a Volunteer shift. This is a pretty huge festival and it takes hundreds of volunteer man hours to make it all work. I volunteer for a shift at every festival I go to and, for the camping ones, I’m getting to know the grounds pretty well (1200 acres) So I ride around on a golf cart, take stuff or people where it/they need to go. It’s fun, I get a tee shirt and a warm fuzzy for feeling like I contributed something. </p>
<p>There are supposedly two main reasons to go to a Festival like this. The national touring acts ( and some really good locals) on the main stage, and the jamming around the campfires late into the night. Between jamming, volunteering, our Daredevils set at the Ranch House stage and more jamming, I didn’t spend a lot of time at the main stage. I did get to see a couple shows though. The Po’ Ramblin Boys. These guys were fantastic! They were showmen! I could not look away from the stage and I could not stop grinning the entire time. They entertained and inspired me. The other show I did catch was the other headline act “Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen” These guys were amazing musicians. Their show was a little less traditional/acoustic and geared more to the younger/progressive audience. I did do a lot of jamming. Every night I was there. It’s always interesting to me, the diversity of people you meet. From 16 to 86 and beginner to so far past expert it makes you want to cry. And yes, it IS a bluegrass festival but you always hear some jazz, some blues and this year, quite a bit of Glen Campbell </p>
<p>Speaking of a younger audience. Bluegrass music in general and MBOTMA in particular has had a problem with the audience getting a little older every year. As attendance declined, the joke was that the nursing homes were getting stingy with the passes. But this year, it seemed to me that there were a LOT of younger kids around. Teens and 20’s – 30’. Young families. Anectdotal as it was, it was good to see. </p>
<p>My personal best moment of the festival though was playing with my band on the Ranch House stage, Saturday night. Even though the headliner was on the main stage, the house was full. With David Smith under the weather, we borrowed Ian Gamble to play banjo and we played one of the best sets we’ve done all summer. We had people clapping and tapping their feet and singing along with us. It was a blast, and it was over so quickly. Just 30 minutes but those memories will last a lot longer than that. It rained hard on Sunday pretty much all morning. It didn’t matter, it was a great festival… one for the books for sure.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/ff192ac43bc2a2ec8b31025aa50f13ac8483bcf6/original/august17ranchhouse.jpg?1502758679" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47972852017-07-31T00:33:09-05:002018-06-02T03:26:26-05:00My Milaca Magic Moment!<p><em><strong>MY Magic Moment in Milaca!</strong></em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/a4ad3f0112151d6698e20c5c27bb5c73b5bbcf81/original/20170729-230515.jpg?1501478852" class="size_l justify_right border_" height="186" style="width: 444px;" /></p>
<p>By Tom Peschges</p>
<p>Spent the weekend in Milaca MN for RecFest. A wonderful little Bluegrass Festival in a charming little town put on by some really nice people. Great line up of bands. It was so fun sharing the stage with our friends Blue Groove and the Tony Rook Band as well as Sarah Mae and the Birkland Boys and Porcupine Creek. I have been to quite a few Bluegrass Festivals now, both as a performer and as an attendee. There is almost always a magic moment somewhere in the course of a weekend at one of these things and you never know when or where it will show up. It might be on stage, or it might be in a late night jam with some really amazing musicians. My Milaca magic moment came in an evening jam with a group of folks in a jam tent. There were probably 20 or so people gathered around maybe 10 musicians. Mostly they were older than me ( that always makes me feel good) They were playing simple 3 and 4 chord bluegrass standards. Shortly after I arrived, one lady was starting to leave and I stopped her…. I just had to know her story. </p>
<p>I asked her what her name was, and she replied “Mary Anderson” and she was the youngest of 9 children. With further prompting, discovered that she was 86 years old and had been playing guitar since she was a teenager. “The guitar is like a part of me… I could never give it up” she said. Then asked her if we could sing a song together. What happened next I will carry with me for a very long time. Check it out:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="gglzTvicYko" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/gglzTvicYko/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gglzTvicYko?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47891202017-07-22T21:44:01-05:002019-03-14T15:17:30-05:00Well THAT was Fun !<p>Grandma's Old Blue Car Show and Bluegrass Get Together, in Byron, MN today. Shared the stage with a couple other MBOTMA bands; Cabin Fever and our friends, the Tony Rook Band. It was hot. It was humid, we had a blast anyway! The people there were so nice and the food at the Bears Den was great! Here's a little bit of our show today.... we have a great time with this song. Brin shows us his mastery of the mandolin with a staccato sound in a few places that just doesn't seem humanly possible and yet, there it is. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HeWImT5gso8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/HeWImT5gso8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HeWImT5gso8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47690202017-07-06T09:43:21-05:002018-03-14T08:07:42-05:00Old Cars and Bluegrass!<p>Up Next on the Double Down Events Calendar! This should be fun. Car Show and Bluegrass in Byron MN with our friends the Tony Rook Band and Cabin Fever.</p>
<p>If you are into Old Cars or Bluegrass, this is a fun event just 8 miles from Rochester on Highway 14. Come on Down !</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/3d21397262f83402cb72d57cafe9ca278fff7be5/original/grandmasbluecarshop.jpg?1499352035" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47689532017-07-06T08:43:10-05:002018-08-21T10:38:05-05:00Bad Tommy<p>Jeez, been a while since I posted My Bad. We had a Fantastic time at the Hastings Arts Center. Thank you again Sarah and Travis, for having us. We can't wait to come back. Being inside, during some of the nicest weather we'd had to date, the audience was small, but about what we expected. We tried something sort of new for us. We changed up our normal sound configuration, going away from each of us having our own vocal and instrument Mics (10 inputs) to using 2 large diaphram condenser Mics. MUCH more convenient set up and a rich, warm "Live" sound. We still need a little practice in working with that set up but I think it's going to be better for what we do, especially close harmonies. It's "the Bluegrass Way" for a reason I guess :) <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/28c05e9ac3582384f1c862ce8b389bd5341e5253/original/dsc07354.jpg?1499348533" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47469292017-06-16T10:48:46-05:002017-06-16T11:15:50-05:00Next Week!!<p>By Tom Peschges</p>
<p>It's only a Week away! Our show at the Hastings Arts Center Saturday June 24th, 7 pm. We were there a couple days ago for a technical sound check. You just can't believe the acoustics in this former church. WOW! Almost like we wouldn't even need a sound system they are soooo good! The perfect venue for us to try out our new Mic configuration. We are going to be all gathered around a single condenser microphone. (It's the Bluegrass Way) Creates a warmer, more natural "acoustic" sound and allows us to not only hear each other better but to see each other as well which helps a lot when singing in close harmony. It's a lot less work for the sound guy too :) </p>
<p>We also discovered that, in addition to awesome acoustics, the Hastings Arts Center will offer a cash bar at the event!! ( We've been told we sound better after you've had a few LOL )<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/b8bd47dd42dbfddacac00670cd63cc7fa5b1e9c8/original/hastings-arts-center.jpg?1497628105" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47347762017-06-05T23:15:28-05:002017-06-05T23:15:28-05:00Spring Kickoff is in the books!<p>By Tom Peschges</p>
<p>So my last blog post was about the realization of a dream, achieving the goal of putting together a band and playing on the main stage at the Minnesota Homegrown Kickoff. And we did that and it was every bit as exciting as I'd hoped it would be. I think all of the guys were satisfied with our performance, the only real problem, from our perspective, is that it was over so quickly. Just getting really relaxed and having fun and Marty is telling us "1 More Song" </p>
<p>Thinking of Marty brings me to my purpose in writing this post. It takes a lot of people to put on a festival like the Kickoff, and a lot of those people don't get the accolades they deserve. Starting with Marty America and Doug Lohman (Armadillo Sound). these guys are absolute professionals. I've been on both sides of their microphones enough now to know. You will hear what you need to in the monitors and you just don't need to think about the front of the house (what the audience hears) It's going to be great. </p>
<p>The festival (any festival) is a significant undertaking. Mostly run by people who are dramatically underpaid or outright volunteers. In the case of this particular festival, a huge debt of gratitude goes to the Festival Director, Matt Johnson and his committee members. Ann Iijima and Chuck and Sandi Millar put in a lot of hours and did a great job, making a lot of things work that otherwise simply would not. There were other committee members too and I don't know who they all are (I told you they were under-appreciated) And then there were dozens more volunteers doing everything from selling wristbands to running errands, setting up and tearing down, moving chairs and selling tee shirts. </p>
<p>For nearly a decade now, I have watched some of the top performers in bluegrass perform on that stage. I've seen many of my friends there as well. It was an amazing experience to stand there in the same place as so many people I have looked up to and to perform for so many friends I have made over the years. It was an experience many of us may never have had without the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association. I am grateful to MBOTMA for that opportunity and I urge everyone to consider supporting the organization. Buy a membership, attend the events and volunteer a little time either at an event or on one of the committees. Whether you aspire to be a stage performer, campfire jammer or just come to listen. </p>
<p>See you around the campfire !<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/d82ad54d197ff15541d5bf170eecf28cde5fe5f9/original/kickoff-stage-photo.jpg?1496722484" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47266412017-05-29T23:29:52-05:002019-03-21T12:18:55-05:00Living the Dream <p>By Tom Peschges <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/aa6fc82a65b8cf61499ff1f77396eb79ddf16c5f/original/dsc06665.jpg?1496119212" class="size_l justify_left border_" height="30" style="width: 82px; " /></p>
<p>It was June 2013, a Sunny Sunday afternoon and I was packed up and leaving the Spring Kick Off at El Rancho Manana. Driving out of the Double Down camping area I stopped to say goodbye to my friend Adelle Hyrkas. It had been a GREAT festival weekend and I was full of enthusiasm as I told my friend that I wanted to start a Bluegrass band with a goal of playing the main stage at a June Festival. Well it has taken 4 years but I did start that band. Beginning with just myself and Nathan Fjeld playing as a duo in small coffee shops. Tim Wankel would join us, playing bass for Ranch House gigs, along with jam buddy David Smith on Banjo. About a year and a half ago now, we wanted to be a real band and went looking for a mandolin player to complete the line-up. The stars aligned and we were lucky to find Brin Petersen, willing and so very able to fill that slot. We discovered that we all love to sing and soon enough, 3 and even 4 part harmonies became our signature. We've made a lot of friends, played in some venues I had dreamed of playing in for years. And this Friday night, at 7:50 pm, the Double Down Daredevils will take the main stage at the Minnesota Homegrown Kick-off Festival. If you are looking for me, I'll be the one in the middle.... Living the dream!</p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/homegrown-kickoff.html"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/d7175b3ad11b21173163e1d0097ac4b1c70b5c9a/original/kickoff.png?1496118895" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="178" style="width: 222px;" /></a></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/47187072017-05-22T22:16:07-05:002018-06-02T03:29:04-05:00SEMBA! What a Blast!<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/c6983c4609e9b7f616072199dd4727f52ad1b861/original/sembalog.jpg?1495509244" class="size_l justify_center border_" />So the Daredevils were in Houston MN over the weekend at the South East Minnesota Bluegrass Association (SEMBA) festival! We have been preparing for this festival for months! We had an aggressive performance schedule of 5 shows and a workshop we presented over 3 days. More than 50 songs with only maybe 1 or 2 repeats. The weather was cold and rainy and it idn't matter, we had a blast! Really. Such good people. SEMBA is a small festival, perhaps only a couple hundred people. But I can honestly say I've never had a more attentive and appreciative audience. The whole thing took place in a pole shed. The food was awesome! We brought a bunch of camping food and took most of it home with us again. It really felt like a big family reunion. They treated us like royalty</p>
<p>And then there was the music! The Roe Family Singers, Singleton Street, The Baker Family, The Grass Run Band and The Wildwood Valley Boys ! Great lineup! All in all a great weekend!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/46921092017-05-01T13:28:10-05:002017-05-01T13:29:07-05:00The Hastings Arts CenterSo last Saturday was the Hastings Hootenany. And what a hoot it was. 4 venues all within Walking distance of each other in downtown Hastings, with a different band or performer in each one, every half hour!. The Daredevils weren't performing but I did go and do a solo Open Mic shot at the Hastings Arts Center. What a fabulous venue! It's a former Church so the acoustics were wonderful, the sound system was great and stage lighting was perfect and audience seating were plush upholstered chairs.<br><br>Now the really cool thing about the Hastings Arts Center is that the Double Down Daredevils will be playing there June 24th and having now been on that stage, I can't wait to go back there with the whole band. Put it on your calendar and come out and see us! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/ec74f626413796c95645a15eb22d12c1b22953db/original/hastings-arts-center.jpg?1493663260" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="309" style="width: 298px;" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/46651472017-04-10T10:11:00-05:002017-04-10T10:13:01-05:00Going Back to Kinney Creek!Going back to Kinney Creek - almost sounds like a song title doesn't it? So the Daredevils head back to Kinney Creek Friday May 5th - Yep, Cinco de Mayo. It's also the release date for one of Kinney Creeks Awesome seasonal Beers <span class="font_large"><em><strong> "</strong></em></span><span class="font_regular"><em><strong>Controlled Burn"</strong></em></span><span class="font_large"><em><strong> </strong></em></span> Pass the word to the Rochester peeps and we'll see you there!!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/57b9743ff2e955aea179ef2283a657dc76362d0b/original/dsc07117.jpg?1491836878" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/46573752017-04-04T09:45:37-05:002017-04-04T09:55:09-05:00Cabin Fever FestivalThe Daredevils were in Duluth last weekend for the Cabin Fever Festival! Always a good time in Duluth. The festival is held at the Radisson Harborview. There is a lot of jamming that happens at this particular festival but I think my favorite this weekend was the hallway jam on Friday night. The acoustics where we were were just amazing. Couldn't have designed it any better I don't think. It actually started out as a rehearsal for our set Saturday morning show but people kept coming by to listen or play along. It was magic! <br><br>The other "moment" was seeing our friends The High 48's ! Now understand, I've seen the High 48's before... many times. I can finish most of their jokes for them... and I had even seen their afternoon set earlier that day. So Nathan and I decided we would stay for a little bit of their evening set and then go play in the halls. We ended up staying for the entire set we were so mesmerized by these guys. They are all amazing musicians and really nice guys to boot! <br><br>We also decided to take advantage of the nice weather and try to get some promo pictures of the band. With my wife Cindi behind the camera we got a lot of fun pictures. Brin cleaning them up in photoshop and they should be out soon but here's a raw sample<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/b4bb593244dbff69f68b418a826d99fe0bfe363d/original/dsc07299.jpg?1491317036" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="248" style="width: 378px;" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/46272322017-03-12T22:22:56-05:002017-06-03T15:17:54-05:00Chilli Hubub! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/998a16d393b5c98a2507533594364bc8351ba276/original/chili-hubub.jpg?1489374801" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="287" style="width: 343px;" />It was Daredevils Lite at the Chili Hubub this year, and it was cold but man did we have fun! Great set with just Tom, Tim and Brin. This is an awesome event with Chili and Mac and Cheese prepared by some of the best restaurants in the Oakdale area and live music all day. As is typical of these events, you pay an entrance fee, taste the various dishes and vote for your favorite. The whole thing is a benefit for a local food shelf. Judging by the size of the crowd which was huge, they should have done very well for the charity. We were pleased to contribute our efforts to the cause!The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/46182752017-03-06T11:19:25-06:002019-03-21T11:45:41-05:00Another Amazing Festival in the BooksWe just got back from the Winter Bluegrass Weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth. The Daredevils played a 35 minute Showcase set on Friday night and the rest of the weekend was all about watching other stage shows and jamming till the wee hours!. There were over 40 bands on two stages throughout the weekend so, impossible to see them all and this is a great jammers festival. Since we had a "showcase" set we decided to play our new songs we've been working on all winter. 9 songs and I think 7 of them we had never performed for an audience Here's a sample:<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-OqVZITsy9g" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/-OqVZITsy9g/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-OqVZITsy9g?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/45765212017-02-04T11:15:02-06:002017-08-25T05:12:55-05:00Break's Over!by - Tom Peschges<br><br>Okay, so not much for public performances in January or February for that matter, but the guys have been busy. Between winter vacations and family obligations, we went almost 3 weeks without a practice night which has NEVER happened for us. But we are back in the saddle now with a whole raft of new material we are working up, and a bunch of new bookings I just added to the show calendar. We have 5 shows in March alone! We'll be at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend festival with a stage time of 6 pm Friday night on the Europa Stage. On the 12th, we get to play for the Chilli Hubub in Oakdale. Then the 18th we share the stage with the Blue Drifters at Palmers Bar in Minneapolis. Friday the 24th you can find us at the Red Wing Elks Lodge for Burgers and Bluegrass! Music starts about 6:30, everyone is welcome. The following Tuesday, the 28th, we are pleased to be once again part of Sarah Cagelys Bluegrass Showcase at the Underground Music Café. Other shows have been added throughout the year as well. check out the full calendar and get more info about each show on the "Shows" tab at the top of the page.<br><br>The forecast for March is for a LOT of Bluegrass! We'll see you out there!The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/45389622017-01-05T17:24:12-06:002019-02-23T00:46:28-06:00A Band of Singersby Tom Peschges<br><br>So we had our first practice of 2017 last night and by all indications this year is going to be amazing! We have shifted gears, changing from the grind of preparing for performances to working up new material which is always exciting for any band. Understand that we are a very young band, still less than a year old (but not for long) One of the things we have discovered about ourselves as a group, is that <strong>we all love to sing</strong>. So we have 5 guys, and in any given show you will hear all 5 of us singing both lead and harmony parts in a formidable array of vocal combinations. It's like a kaleidoscope of vocal harmonies from one song to the next. Factor in a songlist that ranges from very traditional Bluegrass to Americana to Celtic and Gospel, many including significant A Cappella parts as well and we can only hope you will be as excited to hear our show as we are to be presenting it. As Brin put it last night "We are a band of singers" This is going to be FUN!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/9a6844f4827afe1e74e0840f6e850b8e52aa1707/original/dsc07236.jpg?1483658633" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="258" style="width: 414px;" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/45311092016-12-30T14:18:27-06:002018-09-10T06:54:07-05:002016 - What an amazing year!by: Tom Peschges<br><br>Well 2016 is just about over and what a year it has been for the Daredevils! Our group didn't even exist as a 5 piece group at the beginning of the year. This video was one of the first times we were all together. It was March 12th<br>.<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="R_QbuVOQ-V4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/R_QbuVOQ-V4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R_QbuVOQ-V4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br>Since that time, and this seems unbelievable to me, we have played 20 shows, including a band contest at the Minnesota State Fair, and opening for the national touring band "Breaking Grass" which was headlining the Saturday night at MBOTMA's Harvest Jam! We played our own show at the Hobgoblin Music Loft and a backyard burger cookout in a thunderstorm, celebrated a couple of birthdays in the band with a big bash at Kinney Creek Brewery in Rochester. Sometimes it feels like we are riding a rocket. We literally have done things,we thought it would take years to get into. It's been a great ride so far and the best part is: We're just getting warmed UP!<br><br>This band has been so much fun we often joke that we could forget about performing and just practice and it would still be worth doing. My bandmates are smart, talented, fun people. The kind of guys you want to go have a beer with -- and we do that, pretty much every week!! The group philosophy has been from the start "We are Friends First! We try really hard to let small stuff be small stuff. We play music we love and put our passion on display at every show. We love working up new material including a small but growing list of originals and we are working on some we can't wait to play for you! See you in 2017!The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/45174022016-12-19T14:02:26-06:002016-12-19T14:02:27-06:00Don't Forget! Double Down Daredevils at Dulano's New Years Eve!Remember to mark your calendar, make your plans, call up your best girl and head for Dulano's Pizza New Years Eve for the Double Down Daredevils! We play from 8-10 which is midnight in the US Virgin Islands.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/b7fcd542a712dcdbe22b66e2f0790a031f742edf/original/dulonos-pizza-horizontal.gif?1481693658" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/44858042016-11-27T14:04:45-06:002019-03-21T12:01:06-05:00Harvest Jam 2016 is in the Books!What a GREAT weekend. One end to the other it was non stop excitement for us. We got a few candid shots of us in the last minute rehearsal before the show. That's the one where everything you've been practicing for weeks goes out the window and you can't do anything right! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/ab06cb7482657dd46442f39847c41a9e37fa1af7/original/dsc07147.jpg?1480276036" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p>We get comments all the time about Brin and how he moves his hands so fast!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/7ad5a3d918e55d06dd893ecc16576a91412e3f51/original/dsc07209.jpg?1480276441" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="592" style="width: 401px;" />It all worked out as you can see :)<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HtC0a8SmZP8" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/HtC0a8SmZP8/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtC0a8SmZP8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/44355102016-10-24T22:14:32-05:002019-04-13T20:18:35-05:00Harvest Jam!Man, exciting things just keep happening! Didn't see this one coming either! The Double Down Daredevils have been invited to play Saturday night, on the main stage at Harvest Jam! We'll be on from 8 to 9 pm, yes, we will be opening for the Headliners "Breaking Grass" These guys are amazing and we were looking forward to seeing them... then to find out we will be opening for them... Wow!<br><br>Now for those who may not know... Harvest Jam is one of the festivals put on every year by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association. It's held the weekend before Thanksgiving at the Minneapolis Marriott West. Get all the details <a contents=" HERE " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/harvest-jam.html" target="_blank"> HERE </a> If you've never been, you gotta come check it out. If you love this music, you will love this festival!<br> <table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 75px;"><tbody> <tr> <td><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/ebda2b4d12eedc1a8bd76daebfafd7d93e0bf707/original/harvest-jam-logo.jpg?1477322743" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="105" style="width: 191px;" /></td> <td>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/fb6bb808120cfb02b6d2439c5f06583155ff22a5/original/breaking-grass-orig.jpg?1477323444" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="133" style="width: 348px;" /> Breaking Grass!</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/44219662016-10-16T22:28:19-05:002017-01-16T07:40:30-06:00Hobgoblin Music Loft!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/671d2ca3e5e1a5ac4ed90c721b84985d7ce5e065/original/good-phto-esther.jpg?1476674002" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Saturday October 15th is an evening I'll remember for a long time! After years of watching so many other bands perform on the stage at Hobgoblin Music Loft, finally, it was my turn. The Double Down Daredevils took the stage and gave what we think was our best performance yet! What an exciting evening to be playing in that wonderful space. The acoustics are amazing and the audience was warm and friendly! Thank You so much to all that came out for the show. We hope you had as much fun as we did! It was a GREAT night and we can't wait to go back there again!The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43993312016-10-01T09:40:41-05:002018-10-12T23:32:50-05:00Underground Music CafeWe had a great time at the Underground Music Café last Tuesday! Thanks to Sarah Cagley for inviting us to participate in the monthly Bluegrass Showcase! Snagged some video which is on our video page <a contents="HERE !" data-link-label="Videos" data-link-type="page" href="/videos">HERE !</a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.doubledownbluegrass.com/videos"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/255ecdf8162bdcd301224b17e5dccd4b141997ed/original/umc.jpg?1475332823" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43773062016-09-17T13:27:39-05:002019-01-29T02:46:58-06:00So then THIS happened!You might recall a few weeks ago, I posted about getting rained out at the Farmers Market in Red Wing. We went inside the Depot and played on because that's what we came to do and we love doing it. Well, The Depot in Red Wing is home to the Red Wing Arts Association.... which among many other things they do, they put on the Summer concert series in the Central Park Bandshell. If you go back far enough on my Facebook page you'll find this picture along with the statement that I would like to play this venue "someday" Kind of a bucket list thing for me. Well as fate would have it, the Director of the RW Arts Association happened to be in her office and heard us singing outside. Seems we were auditioning and didn't even know it. We will be playing Red Wings Central Park Bandshell August 2, 2017.. Is that cool or what?<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/20d1bfca7ad985299855398b7753abc6c12299f3/original/bandshell.jpg?1474136528" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="199" style="width: 314px;" /><br>Now for this other place I would like to play "Someday" :)<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/a6e86c5d40a9e55a76e23547ea20479589ea09a2/original/sh3ldon.jpg?1474136736" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="86" style="width: 282px;" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43581062016-09-05T21:29:14-05:002017-01-16T07:40:30-06:00State Fair band Contest Recap!Congratulations to the New Riverside Ramblers - the 2016 MN State Fair roots/Americana band contest winners! <br><br>The Daredevils didn't win this time, but we had so much fun! I remember walking off the stage and saying to someone... "I want to go back! I'm not done yet! " It was an exciting, memorable afternoon at the Great Minnesota Get Together!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/10c96ec8305dcb4ff56157d3aa36f87d924667bd/original/state.jpg?1473128343" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43467152016-08-29T07:58:29-05:002017-01-16T07:40:30-06:00Rainy Day at the Farmers MarketOur Annual chance to play at the Red Wing Farmers Market took an interesting turn. We started playing outside but unfortunately, got rained out rather quickly. But, we decided to step into the Depot building and "practice" a little. The Acoustics were awesome! We ended up having a small audience in there and a really exciting time. It was just a beautiful place to sing! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/a29b05fc11802230bf6a7a87567fe2ef6232e6c8/original/depot-sing.jpg?1472475385" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="217" style="width: 395px;" />The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43467052016-08-29T07:42:05-05:002017-01-16T07:40:30-06:00Band Contest on Saturday!<strong><span class="font_large">GULP!</span><span class="font_xl"> </span></strong>The State Fair Roots Americana Band Contest is THIS SATURDAY! And the Daredevils are in it! Yikes! This is one of those deals where you are so excited when you sign up and then, as the date draws closer.... Well, we are still excited to be playing on the biggest stage yet for us :) Seeing some friendly faces in the audience wouldn't hurt a darn thing though... 'just sayin'. We'll be at the West End Market Stage, just a few steps from where the buses drop you off to enter the grounds. There are 8 bands... each play two songs and then the top four go for a second round. The fun starts at 3 pm. Order of play is determined by drawing on Saturday, right before the contest begins. Come out and see us at the Fair on Saturday!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/38b139689890c21dabd1ecd23344f5bfe914d2e6/original/state-fair-logo.jpg?1472473582" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="297" style="width: 249px;" /> The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/43337642016-08-19T20:49:43-05:002017-01-16T07:40:29-06:00Double Down Daredevils at Hobgoblin Music LoftTickets are now available for our show at Hobgoblin Music Loft in Red Wing. October 15th 7:00 pm. We are so excited for this show. The Hobgoblin Barn is an amazing venue. The acoustics are so awesome we can't wait to get some 4 part harmony going in that space. It's going to be great!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/207689/e4dd9fea090b3754557bb6c878d3ec56262a1136/original/dsc06686.jpg?1463697743" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We are trying something brand new to us... you can buy tickets for the show on Yapsody! with PayPal or any credit card! Give it a try... or see one of the band members or Hobgoblin Music!!! See you October 15th<br><br> <p><a href="https://doubledownbluegrass.yapsody.com/event/book/47895/227122?ref=ebtn" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.yapsody.com/widget/custombutton?show_id=47895" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Buy Tickets" /></a></p>The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/42831292016-07-18T07:56:50-05:002016-07-18T07:56:50-05:00Pioneer Park Pickers FestivalJust got back from a weekend at Annandale MN for the Pioneer Park Pickers Festival. This is a very small gathering of musicians. Most of these folks are what we call pickers or jammers. Most of them are not performers. With few exceptions you will never see them on a stage. They play just for the love of playing. They start in small groups around 10 am and often are still going strong at 10 pm. The unique thing about this festival is that it is held in Pioneer Park, a small community park dedicated to preserving some of the areas history in the form of old buildings that would have otherwise long since been torn down. Pickers get in free - because they are essentially the entertainment. There are no stage shows. In fact there is no stage, nor sound system. It's all acoustic.. People from the area are then invited to come out and sit among the groups of players and enjoy the music, in much the same way it would have been enjoyed 100 years ago. (In fact you will hear some of the same songs!) <br><br>At the end, someone asked me if I would come back next year. Sure I would! It was a nice weekend, in a nice location making music with people who love the music as much as I do! Also, for camping, we had as much privacy as we wanted when we wanted it too. Annandale is a friendly small town with everything you need almost within walking distance. See you next year! The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/41898552016-05-20T13:16:35-05:002017-06-03T15:19:23-05:00Picks and Pints!Look out Rochester! The Daredevils are coming back to<a contents=" Kinney Creek Brewery" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://Kinneycreekbrewery.com" target="_blank"> Kinney Creek Brewery</a>. Last time we were there was April 9th for Tom and Nathans Birthday Bash! Now we are coming back June 25th as part of an 8 band line-up. Yes, you heard right EIGHT BANDS It's the annual Kinney Creek Picks and Pints Music and Beer Festival! We will do a 90 minute set from 3pm to 4:30 ! Other groups include Fred The Bear, Root River Jam, Dog House John and the Misbehavers, Gideons Radio and Tom Schramm! This is a ticketed event! Follow us on <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/MNDaredevils/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> . The Double Down Daredevilstag:doubledownbluegrass.com,2005:Post/41889552016-05-19T20:18:46-05:002016-05-19T20:19:53-05:00Double Down Daredevils at the State Fair!September 3rd just might be a good day to head over to the State Fair and if you go, make sure to check out the Heritage Square Stage about 3:00 pm. The Double Down Daredevils have entered the State Fair Roots/Americana Band Contest. There will be eight bands performing so there is going to be a lot of great music. Come out and root for us!!! We are IN IT TO WIN IT !!!The Double Down Daredevils