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| Updated March 22, 2008
What's new: ********************************** Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger completed a live recording on March 7 & 8, 2008 at the Rhein River Arts Center in New Ulm, MN. We expect "Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger - Live at the Rhein" to be available this summer. The recording was done by Jim Reynolds of Custom Recording Studios (Golden Valley, MN), who has recorded many of Dick's recordings for Copper Creek Records. ********************************** We are excited to have two new names in the DKC lineup: Bruce Bernhart (mandolin) and Lee Folta (bass). Bruce, from Owatonna, MN, has played bluegrass for years with various artists including Loraine Clark and String Fever. Lee Folta, originally from Kentucky, was a member of the Houston, Texas-based The Bluegrass Solution prior to his recent move to Minnesota. Bruce and Lee join long-time band members Tim O'Connor (banjo and guitar), Jerilyn Kjellberg (vocals and guitar), and Dick Kimmel. We are excited to begin performing with our new band configuration. ************************ Our latest CD, released this past spring, features Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg in a duet setting. The CD, "Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg - Somebody Loves You Darlin'" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-0245) features just this pair of vocalists along with Dick's instrumentation on guitar, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo. There have been so many requests for recordings of the duets that Dick and Jerilyn perform, that this type of project was a natural. Reviews have been superb: For the December 2007 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited, Steve Goldfield writes: "Duet singing is one of the primary threads in old-time and traditional country music. We have brother duos, sister duos, and male/female duos. Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg are a marvelous addition to this tradition...Kimmel and Kjellberg braid their voices together into a deliciously rich harmony...They learned "Rose Of My Heart (Moffatt) from the Whitstein Brothers; the singing in this version is as delicate and finely shaped as rose petals. "On And On" is Kimmel's slower version of the Monroe standard. The duo puts their stamp on all the songs, no matter how many times others have recorded them...The arrangments (with Kimmel on guitar, mandolin, or banjo) are simple and tasteful. Both have strong and subtle voices that express the material beautifully...Highly recommended to anyone who loves great duet singing." For the January 2008 Inside Bluegrass, Jerry Barney writes, "Somebody Loves You Darlin'...is more than a just nostalgic recreation of the 'good old days.' It is a demonstration of nigh onto-perfect harmoney, applied to bluegrass-traditional country-folk music...What this is not is a hard-drivin' demonstration of intense speed an volume. Rather, it's mostly gentle music, drawn from the softer, more subtle sources of contemporary bluegrass...Oh, there's energy here, but it's controlled energy...Dick and Jerilyn have voices quite different from each other, but which complement each other perfectly. They harmonize beautifully, with the harmony voice always moving to the most effective note...I suspect most listeners will want to quit whatever else they're doing to concentrate on the flow of the harmony and the intricate instrumental background...for those who like gentle harmonies from contrasting but complementary voices, accompanied by simple, well-chosen instrumentation, I'd highly recommend 'Somebody Loves You Darlin'." A review in Sing Out (Winter 2008, pages 122-123) noted, "Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg present truly lovely renditions of classic bluegrass and old-time songs sung and played with sincerity, warmth, and great beauty." Eberhardt Finke in Bluegrass Buhne (Germany - translation by J. Diffley) (August/September 2007), writes: "Everything is tasteful, well-played, and simply wonderful to listen to again and again." Al Shusterman from Backroads Bluegrass (KCBL, Sacramento, CA) writes: "Wow!! The impact of this extraordinary CD just takes your breath away. If you enjoy listening to authentic duets from years past, then this CD fits that bill...I was totally mesmerized while listening to this wonderful CD. The vocals were excellent and you could really feel the emotioin and enthusiasm in their voices...The instrumental work was superb...I played the entire CD and received many calls to play it again....Truthfully, you need to play this CD several times in order to get the full impact from their beautiful voices and the great lyrics of each song." (May 23, 2007.Lindsay Mar from Chicken Hot Rod Radio (Australia) (Album highlight for the week of August 26, 2007) writes: "Appreciate what you did with 'There Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone.' An imaginative arrangement. Bluegrass, as any art form, deserves more imaginative approaches." Phil Nusbaum (syndicated radio's Bluegrass Review and KBEM, Minneapolis, MN) writes: "Great songs, great harmony, and sung from the heart. You can't ask for more than that."
********************** Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn
Kjellberg performed at IBMA's World of
Bluegrass-Fanfest in Nashville,
TN on October 5, 2007 at the Nashville Convention Center. On
October 6, Dick was part of the
Masters Clawhammer Banjo Showcase for this event. ********************** "Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps A Record" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-240), released in 2005, is the band's first all-gospel bluegrass CD. This recording receiving great reviews and a 2nd round consideration for the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Gospel Recorded Performance of 2005." Bluegrass Unlimited (August
2005) writes, "Highlights of this gospel program included a hot, almost
jazzy version of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; and a swinging version of
''Til The Answer Comes' that benefits greatly from Kimmel's excellent
clawhammer banjo playing...warmly recommended to bluegrass gospel
fans." Static (January 2005) noted:
"With sixteen tracks of bluegrass standards, uplifting gospel,
and originals of both great joy and terrible sadness, 'My Lord Keeps A
Record' is a wonderful collection of beautifully rich vocal
harmonies..." Inside Bluegrass (December 2005): "...great Gospel collection...many of the songs on Dick's recording are...inspirational, with some amazing vocal and instrumental work." ********************* Comments
from letters and emails: Dan, New Ulm, MN, April 14, 2007 ---------- Just a note to let you know we are enjoying the new CD! Great sound. We put it on after our family Easter dinner for all to enjoy, and everyone did. We hope you had a Blessed Easter, too! He is Risen-for you and me! Alleluia! Corinne, St Peter, MN, April 8, 2007 ------------- "I saw you on RFD-TV with Jerilyn
Kjellberg singing 'Katy Dear' and 'The Midnight Train.' You sang
three songs on that show. This is the best Bluegrass since Bill
Monroe and Flatt and Scruggs. I am 79 years old and have been
picking Bluegrass and Country for 65 years and really think you got
the best band I have heard in a long time." Clem, South Point OH, July 27, 2006 ----------"Now that the holiday is over and the first annual Bismarck Bluegrass Festival is in the books, I would just like to thank you and the members of your group for the great job you did to make our first festival something to remember. The jam after the Saturday performance was worth another admission ticket and made my weekend." Jim, Bismarck Bluegrass Festival Committee, September 6, 2006 ---------- "Hello from
Hedgesville (WV)! I recently purchased the 25 Year Collection CD
because I
was looking for music with Andy Boarman. When I got the CD, I was
hooked on every track. So as soon as I get some money
saved up, I'm gonna have to check out all the other projects that
were part of that compilation...I just wanted to thank you for making
the
music that you've made for years. What you guys have done over
the past few decades, and what you're still doing,
has inspired the
next generation. Keep it up!"
Aaron, Hedgesville, WV, January 21, 2006
---------
I heard "Three Jewels in the Master's Crown" on RFD-TV on March 17. I thought that the song was very beautiful. I hope to see you perform again on RFD-TV. Clair, Caldwell, Ohio, April 8, 2007 ********************* D'Addario Strings - Dick uses D'Addario
strings on all of his instruments. He uses D'Addario EXP17 or
EJ17 Medium
Gauge Guitar Strings, EXP74 Medium Gauge Mandolin
Strings, and J61 Medium
Gauge Banjo Strings. "The EXP strings
have a great sound that maintains itself in between string changes.
The best strings
I've ever used." Chuck Lee Banjos - Dick Kimmel plays a
custom
banjo designed for him by Chuck Lee, an exceptional Texas banjo
craftsman. Dick says, "Chuck was great to work with in designing
a
non-traditional banjo. I asked for a 3 1/2 inch deep pot--12
inches in diameter with a wooden tone ring to bring out the deep deep
tones. The banjo is extremely resonant. The artistic
quality of my banjo and the craftmanship
are superb."
For information, including a photo of Dick with the Lee "turkey"
banjo visit: http://www.LeeBanjos.com LaPlant Mandolins - Dick uses an F5 style mandolin handmade by Lloyd LaPlant of Grand Rapids, MN. He has owned, performed and recorded with 3 different LaPlant mandolins since the 1980's. ********************* Dick Kimmel's last European tour was to the UK with Adam Granger. The duo played concerts in Scotland, England, and Wales. For information and performance dates for Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger, visit: http://www.newulmtel.net/~kimmel/granger.html
__________________________________________________ Quotes... Comments from reviews of Dick's solo clawhammer banjo CD, "Dick Kimmel - Fishin' Creek Blues" (Copper Creek Records CC-0173), include: "...high quality
old-time country music. The solo banjo playing of Dick Kimmel on
'Pretty Little Dog,' 'Hornpipe Medley,' and 'Ian Charles' are
masterpieces of his style. When you can play an instrument this
good, no other instruments are needed." "Dick Kimmel...is best known to bluegrass fans as a fine
mandolin player, but he has always been serious about the clawhammer
banjo. Now his fifth (Copper Creek) CD is dedicated entirely to
this style. Kimmel shows the full range of the clawhammer banjo
whether as a solo instrument or in an old time band or playing
bluegass." **************** The January 2001 issue of Bluegrass Now contained a feature article entitled "Dick Kimmel & Co - Variety Within Tradition." Author Len Kalakian writes, "A performance by Dick Kimmel & Co includes a variety of traditional styles: the driving bluegrass numbers we'd expect from a band carrying a traditional label, original songs that, unless you've done your homework, you'd mistake for classics, and haunting ballads, old-time music, and beautiful brother-style duets. DKC not only plays a style of bluegrass reminiscent of music that the trailblazers grew up with. A DKC performance is like taking a tradition music trip down memory lane, as the blending of traditional and original material makes this band an entertainment delight. Let's sit back and enjoy the show..." ********** "Chalk up the Dick Kimmel & Co mini tour of
Wisconsin as a total success!! ...they played at the Copper Grid
in Madison, Wisconsin, to a standing room
only crowd of bluegrass fans...The band played and sang hard driving,
straight forward bluegrass music liberally sprinkled with stories and
laughter. Paul Horrisberger , bass player, was in his element
singing songs he has written...the audience loved the variety...My
favorite song of the evening
was Dick singing the beautiful old Prisoners Song . Dick
sang it tenderly and with great feeling...Then, he absolutely brought
down the house by singing it like a typical bluegrass band would sing
it today--with lots of fire and speed!!!...After two encores, the crowd
reluctantly let them close the show...It was a steller evening at the
Copper Grid. I know they will be coming back to Wisconsin soon
and when they do, don't miss their show." "Dick Kimmel & Co played bluegrass since before
bluegrass was cool." What they are saying about Dick Kimmel. . . "Now a Minnesota
resident, the acclaimed singer/picker has spent the last four decades
bringing traditional country, hard-core bluegrass and old-time
string-band music to an international audience." "...internationally acclaimed bluegrass artist..."
"An Ambassador of Bluegrass." What they are saying about Kimmel Recordings. . .
(Copper Creek Records CC-0173): "This is (Dick Kimmel's) first release concentrating on his
clawhammer banjo playing and it is long overdue...This is a very good
project full of honest vocals and excellent picking from Kimmel and all
of the others on this CD. From the opening strains of Tracy
Schwarz's 'Fishin' Creek Blues,'
through the closing strains of Lotus Dickie's 'Dickie's Discovery,'
there is a lot to keep you coming back to this fine music."
"Veteran Kimmel does an outstanding job playing clawhammer
banjo on 17 well-chosen, mostly traditional tunes. An excellent
& highly enjoyable old-time album." "This opening selection, the album title song, introduces
the pleasures that await the listener on Fishin' Creek Blues.
..The four solo pieces display clean, clear, well
articulated playing...Even the fastest pieces have
the relaxed feel of a musician who is capable of placing every note
exactly where it belongs without straining..."
"Dick Kimmel has
put together a clawhammer banjo masterpiece in "Fishin' Creek Blues,"
probably my favorite work of his to date. He plays with
power and authority and a respect for
the way these tunes should be played. Highlights include the
title track, "Waterbound," "Hornpipe Medley," "Satan Your Kingdom Must
Come Down" and "Dickie's Discovery." "Kimmel is a known quantity, and he doesn't disappoint
here. The playing is crisp and well done..."
"...high quality
old-time country music. The solo banjo playing of Dick Kimmel on
'Pretty Little Dog,' 'Hornpipe Medley,' and 'Ian Charles' are
masterpieces of his style. When you can play an instrument this
good, no other instruments are needed." "Dick Kimmel...is best known to bluegrass fans as a fine
mandolin player, but he has always been serious about the clawhammer
banjo. Now his fifth (Copper Creek) CD is dedicated entirely to
this style. Kimmel shows the full range of the clawhammer banjo
whether as a solo instrument or in an old time band or playing
bluegass." "On this CD you will find 17 versions of the BEST 5-string
on the market and radio today...you can not put it down until it's all
been played..." "Fred Cockerham,
Kyle Creed and Wade Ward are already in the history books as virtuosi
of the banjo style known as clawhammer. In the fullness of time
another name will join them, that
of Dick Kimmel." "I usually think
of Dick Kimmel with mandolin in hand, leading his band in powerful,
traditional hard-driving bluegrass. But Dick has a great way of
incorporating old-time style into his recordings and his band's
performances. Last spring,
Copper Creek Records released 'Dick Kimmel - Fishin' Creek Blues'
(Copper Creek Records CC-1073), a very successful recording featuring
his clawhammer playing." "This is real stuff from a respected master of clawhammer
banjo." More quotes regarding past releases: "... a recording
steeped in tradition"
-Frank Overstreet, Bluegrass Music News, 1996 "...original songs are good ... a must have ... the new
material and subtle arrangements should make it of interest to all who
enjoy a traditional sound." "This is hard driving bluegrass. Anyone who loves
bluegrass music will want to add this to their collection."
"The same excitement and great musicianship they bring to
the stage is captured here, showing all of us why they have earned such
a loyal following. The album should garner them the recognition
they deserve." |
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