It’s one of the most prized concerts of each year, and despite a hint a couple of years ago that he might be retiring, the band plays on when led by Dick Solberg, the Sun Mountain Fiddler.
Solberg and the group that accompanies him play an annual gig at Dick’s Bar and Grill, usually in the late summer or fall, when they pass through on their yearly national tour that starts in their home base out on the coast. (They were just back in town). It is typically their only stop in the western Wisconsin and Twin Cities area, an arrangement forged by Solberg’s longtime friendship with the management at Dick’s. Solberg, termed a World Class Fiddler, has been making this stop since before the turn of the millenium.
But there’s more to Solberg’s shows then scathing and creative use of the fiddle, ala Charlie Daniels. His band, which consists of several members of varying ethnicities playing a variety of instruments, hits almost every genre, and rips through songs with other types of stringed instruments, as well. When the full band is playing, they take up the entire width of the Dick’s stage, and even the top corners by the TVs with a couple of tall timber instrumentalists. (Think a popular bass player from back in the day with the rock band Deviant Distraction, known as simply Tall Paul, who goes all of 6-foot-8).
And then of course there is Solberg, who has come to be known as simply “The Fiddler,” and is also known for his liberal-oriented between-song and lyrical humor that skewers conservative politics. Many of the songs are originals. It should be noted that this is not always a show well-suited for kids, but this adults-night-out for some intelligent banter is part of the charm.
Solberg made his annual stop at Dick’s late last month, and followed through with his practice of sometimes mingling with patrons for an hour or more between sets. He started his show just after the dinner hour, and around 10 p.m. a longtime fan wondered aloud, “I wonder if he’s going back on again.” Rest assurred, there was more music to come.
Solberg at this point is past the usual retirement age, but keeps on touring. He often is somewhat nattily clad when on stage, such as wearing a floral pattern shirt you’d see from Jimmy Buffett, which fits with his stylishly unkempt white facial hair. On the cover of a recent CD, he is sporting such attire while riding an inflatable beach toy in a swimming pool.
All the more reason for a flyer at Dick’s to say, “A once a year show you’ll love.”
Maybe “free love,” considering Solberg’s commentary, such as lighthearted but occasionally barbed quips about legalizing marijuana, well before it was popular.