Dick Kimmel & Co was featured on the cover of  the December 2009 issue of Inside Bluegrass.  The cover story by Len Kalakian, long-time Kimmel historian.  The feature, entitiled,  "Dick Kimmel & Co - Going Strong after Three Decades," focused on the "& Co" name, which Dick started using in the 1970's. 

Dick Kimmel & Co was recorded live at the Midwest Country Theater in Sandstone, MN on August 15, 2009.  Songs from this concert have been appearing regularly on RFD TV's Midwest Country.  We appreciate all of the positive comments we've received from our TV audience!

Thanks for the excellent CD reviews.  Comments regarding two of our recent recordings include:

"Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg - Somebody Loves You Darlin'" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-0245)

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...The duo puts their stamp on all the songs...The arrangements (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."

 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 emotion 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).

"Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps A Record" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-240)

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."  

California Bluegrass Association (July 2005): "Dick has assembled a fine band with wonderfully blended vocal harmonies and instrumentation ranging from hard-driving to softly melodic...With the deeply heartfelt vocals and stirring messages of hope and redemption, it's hard to believe that the band has never recorded a gospel album before...Jerilyn('s)...rendition of 'Tramp on the Street' has a poignancy and sensitivity that few singers can muster...Definitely a must for fans of well done gospel music." 

Comments from Letters and Emails

What an excellent evening of musical fun your cd release at Turner Hall was! The music as well as the onstage banter provided everyone a wonderfully entertaining night. Kudos also on a wonderful new cd, I must have listened to Katie Dear a dozen times already since I purchased the cd.

-Dan, New Ulm, MN, April 14, 2007

"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

"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...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 stellar evening at the Copper Grid.  I know they will be coming back to Wisconsin soon and when they do, don't miss their show."

-Carmen Burnett, Fireball Mail, May-June, 2000

ENDORSEMENTS  - Dick Kimmel is proud to endorse:

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  - This exceptional Texas banjo craftsman designed a custom banjo for Dick Kimmel.  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 tones.  The banjo is extremely resonant.  The artistic quality of my banjo and the craftsmanship are superb."  For information, including a photo of Dick with the Lee "turkey" banjo visit: http://www.LeeBanjos.com

JR's Claw Picks  - This is the latest advancement for clawhammer banjo players. Like many players, I don't have fingernails that will hold up through many nights of performing. Also, I've found that flatpicking a guitar and mandolin also wears the right index nail down as well.  I had struggled with various false fingernail concoctions for decades.  JR's Claw Picks sound natural, seat firmly on my finger, and feel great to play with.  For information contact Val Johnson at fungis2001@yahoo.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.  Lloyd's mandolins (and guitar) are excellent, both in craftsmanship and tone quality.

Seth Kimmel Banjo  - Seth Kimmel, a fine luthier from Eugene, OR mainly known for his exception string basses, recently presented Dick will a Kimmel (Seth Kimmel) fretless banjo.  Expect to see this banjo at Dick's solo performances and on future recordings.  (Seth is Dick's nephew and a fine old-time musician.)