The music at the St. Croix County Fair this weekend sticks to the tried and true, opening with a group of young rockers and followed up by several time-proven bands.
Positioned in Glenwood City, The Fourth Degree plays Thursday at 8 p.m. (at Croix Court), Boondoggle on Friday at 7 p.m. (at pavilion) and The Whitesidewalls on Friday at 7 p.m. (at Croix Court), Elvis Show on Saturday at 2:30 and 4 p.m., Blue Moon Drive on Saturday at 7 p.m. (at pavilion), and The Memories on Saturday at 8:15 p.m (at Croix Court).
Some bands have been shifted to a new venue, right in the middle of things, that helps you see them without paying a cover charge, meaning that yes, you get free entertainment, unlike many other places.
— The Whitesidewalls are considered by many to be the Upper Midwest’s premier doo-wop, rockabilly and rock and roll show band, and the fair has them.
Featuring five singers playing multiple instruments, the tight harmonies and driving dance beat of the Whitesidewalls are the signature of the Rock ‘n Roll Revue. Hound Dog, Swanee, Gino Gambucci, Bobby Maestro and Rocky Beaumont have handcrafted a show that will have you jumping — just like it did all those years ago. This group of versatile artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin performs for many thousands of people each year, and they have shared the stage with many big names in music over a span of four decades.
Whitesidewalls Radio is on the air, also, in Minnesota, New Jersey and Florida. After listening to them at the fair, keep the party rolling and tune in to hear host Michael Patrick “Records” Ryan interview guests, deliver the latest band news and spin the platters from the golden age of rock and roll, even a few by The Whitesidewalls. They can be found on the radio in Minnesota at KDUZ AM 1260 in Hutchinson from 1-3 p.m. Sundays, WKLK AM 1230 in Cloquet from 5-7 p.m. Saturdays, and KSCR FM 93.5 in Benson from 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays.
Also, as a followup to the fair, or to preview their act beforehand, check out the Whitesidewalls video sampler of their two-act musical “Love Potion #10,” and their new CD “Livin’ the Dream” that has been released and is now available.
Since their genesis over 40 years ago, the Whitesidewalls Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue has built a loyal fan base that continues to grow and show their support.
— Founded in 2002, Boondoggle lists its interests as rowdy bars, bachelorette parties, dancin’ fools, wedding dances, barn dances, guitars, Cadillacs and cold brewskies. The genre is variety, country and rock and they play music by Elvis, the Beatles, the Stones, Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Dwight Yoakam, and everything in-between, from the 60s to current day. Band members are Brent Ackley, Dawn Budrow, Jim Ehlers, John Wolf and Nate Dahl, hailing from western Wisconsin.
— As far as The Memories musical variety show, and the many awards that have been bestowed on them, the group was inducted to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs’ Hall of Fame in 1995.
As many groups do, The Memories got their start singing and playing music while in high school choir and band in Boyceville. In summer 1972, they were asked to perform for a friend’s wedding dance and 44 years later Warren Petryk and Tim Stevens are still making music together. They now have performed at the county fair for 31 straight years.
In what started out as a very part-time adventure, Warren and Tim, along with classmate and fellow founding member, John Lynch, performed anywhere and everywhere they could: village halls, golf courses, high schools, community festivals, wedding dances, night clubs, bowling alleys, street dances, ballrooms, barn dances, supper clubs and ski resorts included.
“I think there a few things that make us ‘different.’ We try our best to make sure our shows feature great songs, performed well from a musical standpoint. But also, that our shows are entertaining, interesting and fun for our audiences,” Tim said, adding that the band members were fortunate that they were best friends before they started performing together. “We have been told many times through the years that our friendship really comes across to our audiences when we are on stage.” Growing up together in western Wisconsin, they not only know each other extremely well, but also their audiences and the people and history of the area. “We bring that to the stage with us,” Tim said.
— The honkytonk sounds of Blue Moon Drive also have some hometown boys, this time from River Falls, and they are names you may recall: Dave Snyder, Al Canfield, Bob Feyereisen, Dave Feyereisen and Kevin Louden. “We are all about good beats and moving your feets! And we’re always looking for one more perfect gig that can change the world,” they say, adding that their influences include: Merle Haggard, Dale Watson, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, CCR, Hank Jr., The Mavericks, The Valley Boys and Larry Schorn.
— “The Elvis show is a tribute to the different periods of Elvis’ career: the 50s, the movies, his 1968 comeback special, his gospel music and the record breaking years in Vegas,” they say. Joe Sir is the leader of that band, and they have taken the name Rockabilly Rebel Band.
— The fair’s music opens with a heavier sound, provided by the group The Fourth Degree, also hailing from the area, in this case Hammond. On lead guitar and backing vocals is Tyer Dennis, lead vocals Lexi Vasser, guitar and piano and backing vocals Cris Carrasco, drums RJ Feyereisen, and bass Alex Golden. They are a group of young people that give a fresh sound to the fair, playing around the same time as the queen coronation, which means there will be all kinds of royalty from other communities present, making it even more an event of choice for a younger crowd, as far as bringing in young blood as spectators.
— For another still fresh face, although having played gigs for several years while providing his fresh sound, check out Sam Kuusisto at the Bungalow Inn in Lakeland as part of its ongoing Tuesday music lineup of duos and solo players. He will be on from 5-8 p.m. on July 17.