2008 JACKPINE JAMBOREE ARTIST LINEUP:

Sloppy Joe  Your host band

Every Sloppy Joe performance draws on a deep well of original songs.  This material is frequently recombined with jug-band instrumentation (spoons, jug, wash-tub, musical saw etc.)  all while band-members swap the guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and bass around the stage.  One observer claimed to see the upright bass change players three times in one song.   In this era when many bands perform out of a  weak-eyed allegiance to pop-culture’s  formula for “success” and a soul-less mimicry of music  that’s already  ‘been there and done that’  this originality of sound and subject-matter is the refreshing difference that sets Slopgrass apart from any other stage-style.  2008 celebrates 10 years of Slopgrass.

Piper Road Spring Band  35th Anniversary Tour

   Piper Road Spring Band was born into the age of rock & roll with individual backgrounds diverse as classical, cowboy, folk, blues and Dixieland. Influenced by some live performances of Doc Watson and Bill Monroe and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band release of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" in the early 1970's, they put away the electric amps and guitars and developed a unique acoustic/bluegrass style. They never completely abandoned their musical roots and have blended Irish fiddle tunes with American country, big band, novelty and space-aged Grateful Dead inspired jams. The band continues to swing! With their strong bond of friendship, commitment to quality musicianship and continuing support of a strong fan base, Piper Road Spring Band invites you to join them as their show hits the road. The current Piper Road Spring Band roster has accumulated over 100 years of experience performing together.

 The Yankee Coalition  'Rides Again'

The Jackpine is your only chance to see the boys play as they once did back in the days of The Great Northern Bluegrass Festival (Mole Lake, WI).  Tuck Pence is a well renowned musician in his own right but when backed by Danny Lincoln -banjo wizard and pedal steel extraordinaire, Joe Kronick -alias "mandolin man", the uncle of Bluegrass-  G.T. "Doghouse" Hauser, and "keeping the beat" Donny Lincoln.

The .357 String Band  Milwaukee based "Streetgrass"

  Steeped in old-school punk, outlaw country, Irish and mountain madness driven by banjo, fiddle and mandolin creates a sound that they like to call amphetamine-fueled mountain music. The .357 String Band are here to break-open the mold of a genre vastly overlooked. The .357 String Band have built a following in and around Wisconsin at a break-neck pace. It's the unique blend of fans that shocks people at first.  Not many groups can bring tie-dyed hippies, street punks, bikers and cowboys to the same venue.

Hoe-down meets throw-down in an all-out frenzy that matches up against any snake worshipping Christian revival tent show ever staged to spook an audience into a glazed-eye state of euphoria.

Dangergrass   "Dangergrass is dangerous"

 Reverend Eddie Danger's newest project 'Dangergrass' puts an old timey bluegrass twist to Eddie's signature unique style, which can be described as Cosmic Folk with a Tribal Twist of Jazz.  Scatman Reverend Eddie Danger's brilliant and worldly shows delight in finding snappy audio tricks and playing them on dozens ofinstruments from around the world ...sometimes with an electronic aid.  Dare to cast your eyes and lend your ears to this dangerous new ensemble.

Tani Diakite and Mali Blues  African folk, world music, afro-desert blues / Madison, WI

  Tani Diakite (tan-NEE JAH-kee-tay) is a native of the Wassoulou region of southern Mali.  He grew up in a small village with earthen homes and thatched roofs. Tani is a Malian singer and professional kamelon ngoni virtuoso. The  Kamele Ngoni is a stringed, long-neck gourd instrument that has been outfitted with an electronic pick-up made from old radio parts. The instrument's name means "young person's harp." He is also a master craftsman, playing the traditional Malian instruments he personally creates. He is a member of the highly prestigious Bureau of Malian Artists, an honor given by the Malian Ministry of Culture.  Tani's music is featured on the National Geographic's  world music webpage as well as Wisconsin Public Television's 30 minute music hour.   It is a mesmerizing mix of traditional melodies from Mali, blended with traditional American delta blues. He is also a wonderful vocalist with a warm, yet excitable tone.  Mali Blues presents a musical and cultural experience for all listeners, dancers, and seekers of a positive vibe.

Colin O'Brien  Song and Dance Man in the style of John Hartford

Reminiscent of the late great John Hartford, Colin O’Brien’s solo show features his dazzling dancing foot percussion. Indeed the wonderful rhythms of his feet have soul! While dancing, Colin sings and plays the daylights out of his fiddle, banjo and guitar. His live shows leave audiences spellbound with the impression that they're listening to an entire band. He has just released “Dancing by the River” which captures his enormous instrumental range and songwriting in full swing.  Colin tours throughout the U.S.A. and has recently authored the book Play Banjo Today!

The New Arkdale Ramblers

   Authentic West Virginian high lonesome vocals, driving doghouse bass, bluegrass banjo, mandolin, and guitar, with an occasional old time fiddle interlude.  Comprised of Paul Tanner, John Stake, Tim Lick and Jeff Sachs.

Deep Fried Grass   These boys can pick!

 Deep-Fried Grass is good time bluegrass at it's finest- high energy, dynamic, inviting, intense, feel-good music. Based out of Beautiful Door County, DFG has very quickly become known as one of the top bluegrass bands in Wisconsin. Ryan Thompson played and recorded music with Bill Jorgenson "the Father of Wisconsin Bluegrass" for over 6 years, until his passing in early 2007. Deep-Fried Grass as a band, backed up Bill for most of the last year or two of his life.  A high energy delivery of just about all corners of the bluegrass genre; traditional bluegrass, rock influenced "newgrass", self-coined honky-grass(honkytonk/countrygrass),and dead-head grass influenced by the likes of Jerry Garcia, makes this a must see band.
 

Tuck Pence  Northwoods Icon

Singer-songwriter, Tuck Pence has been in the music business for over 25 years. An astounding performer, and true friend, he is the finest example we know of what great musicianship really means.

The Mighty Lumberhorn   "A new standard in hillbilly music"/Milwaukee, WI

The Mighty Lumberhorn play a smart, funny brand of hillbilly music.  They are in a class by itself these days, because it is the only band in the world that features -- and is named after -- the mighty lumberhorn, a type of home-made acoustic bass. And ... and! ... its members have also invented a drum set that serves as its own storage case.  In the hands of BJ, the lumberhorn becomes a rock-solid foundation for their up-tempo, twangy mix of bluegrass, country, folk, rock and all-out hillbilly sound.  With their own material and a mix of traditional fiddle tunes, country standards and obscurities and bluegrass, The Mighty Lumberhorn has been rockin' Milwaukee crowds since 2003.

Mike McAbee   Swinger/Songwriter

  Mike McAbee comes to us from Decorah, Iowa. He plays up and down the Mississippi River Valley from Guttenberg to Winona, and throughout the Midwest.  He also does Stand-up comedy on a regular basis. He's a funny, funny man!

Thacia's Blue Rune   Acoustic high energy  rockin' soul from Appleton, WI

  Thacia's soulful singing and insightful songwriting brings a breath of fresh air to our local music scene. Some of you may remember her from the late-night campfire jams at the Jackpine last year.  She rocked us out all night with her ukelele and beautiful singing. Thacia has hooked up with some great band members recently and is heading in an exciting new direction. We are very much looking forward to having them join us this year.

Paul Tanner

Born in West Virginia and now residing in Adams county, Paul's singing is "the real deal". He will bring his wonderful blend of bluegrass and timeless country tunes to our stage , sure to delight all!  He will be performing with his  band on Fri. The New Arkdale Ramblers as well as a Sunday Paul Tanner set.

Hand Picked Bluegrass "Bluegrass Music at its Finest !"

Hand Picked Bluegrass Band is a multi-talented three-piece group with strong musical abilities and tight harmonies.  Their innovative approach to acoustic music ranges from  "Bluegrass to Swing...and Everything in Between"

Besides it's own originals, the group draws it's material from a wide variety of artists including Bill Monroe, Lonesome River, New Grass Revival,  Allison Krauss and more.

Hand Picked has recently finished their debut studio recording "Do What You Gotta Do" which showcases the bands fine songwriting and musicianship.

The Free Radicalz  Acoustic uprising

 Songs that won't necessarily change the world, but will certainly stir things up a bit.

The Mad Hatters Jug Band Club Parade

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join the Mad Hatters Jug Band Club Parade...

Hat making work areas and face painting beforehand. Bring something to make a funny hat out of.