The bands at Hammond Heartland Days this weekend — and they always bring the best to rock the house top-night — could definitely not be more different, and they’re bringing in shows bigger in scope than laying it down with mere basic foursomes. These are professional musicians, well-suited, literally, sporting the ware required by their genres. Hammond Days music runs Aug. 8-9, so check it out for yourself.
Starting off the country on Friday evening — set between shows by DJ acts across both nights — is a band, Maiden Dixie, of many backgrounds in style and sound and genres, with true diversity, gained from living in multiple countries, beyond just country. In schools where they have studied music and gotten their notes to develop a blend of the best of country, rock, blues and Americana, too.
— There is also a truck and tractor pull starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, and if local parades are any indictator, these are the types of implement equipment you will see, although the tractors are far amped up in size to be able not to bale but to pull huge payloads: a method of propulsion that looks like a cannon sticking forward, a sloped top angling away from the steering wheel to reach high, and oversize for the rest of its machinery big yellow wheels. —
Kaytee Amaro on lead vocals has driven forth sound with her powerful voice and commanding stage presence since 2007, whether leading a country rock anthem, recording streaming and commercial voiceovers, or collaborating with other local bands with what’s called an incredible vocal range.
This bassist is widely renowned for his backup singing and largely responsible for writing their originals, true of many in rhythm sections, and all members have parts in putting together their 130-song set list, which includes a keyboardist.
Their best known original song, Goin Down, weighs in at 4:45 minutes. There is a female lead singer, with men on backup vocals. She has tattooed forearms that showcase numerous ink stars, befitting a true star status, and the guys can often be seen wearing checkered long-sleeve shirts, and hey that’s true country.
The band members range from France to England to Massechuesetts as far as where they grew up, bringing that again, diversity to their sound. They have influences from church and gospel music to state fairs, to shredding through Zeppelin in basement sessions, and the drummer is also well-versed in jazz, metal, funk and other genres.
One member even has had punk influences. He on drums has multiple degrees in studying music, from places as far afield as London — the main birthplace of modern music — and other bandmates have studied in big cities all across the country.
While checking out those scenes, Maiden Dixie gained the grit, groove, and good times that have commenced since bursting onto the scene in 2011 as an electrifying five-piece, and building a loyal following across Minnesota and beyond that they will bring to Hammond.
They’ve shared the stage with national acts, rocked A-list venues, and are said to have earned their place as a must-see act on the Midwest live music circuit. More than just a band –they’re a band of brothers (and sister) who are as tight as they are rowdy.
— Maiden Dixie plays from 7-11 p.m. Earlier on Friday, starting at 5:30 p.m., is DJ Brayten, said to be a “sconic alchemist” who mixes his own.
Saturday, from 5 p.m. to midnight, is another free performance, by the DJ Kar Jackers Entertainment, in a return engagement. Like Maiden Dixie, they are no strangers to such stages in the area and broader region. —
The Kar Jackers are a professional family-owned mobile DJ, photo booth and professional karaoke business based in Western Wisconsin, covering all of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Iowa. As members of the New Richmond, Clear Lake, Amery, and Siren Chambers of Commerce, they work with these communities to give free shows for retirement homes and music for schools/town events.
Due to the referrals from past clients, banquet halls and event planners they have become one of the most sought-after entertainment services in the area, providing music and entertainment at thousands events since 2006.
Their digital library includes all genres of music from the ’40s to today’s hits, and is updated weekly, so if you saw them in the area last year …
The sound system is second to none, they say, with three different size systems depending on your needs and the size of the event. From 12-inch JBL speakers for small intimate engagements up to 14-foot-tall speaker towers pushing over 30,000 watts of window-shaking sound, combined with hundreds of professional-grade intelligent LED lights and laser. They also have fog and bubble machines, large screen televisions and a three-person team of entertainers, including Sean Springsteen, a 25-year Elvis tribute artist, and an emcee/production manager/ordained minister for weddings.