Dave's Music #152 Mike Munson - Two Chickadee's Project Winner
If you read our post about the Two Chickadee project; last week I found out who will play my house concert on March 3rd when The Two Chickadee Project announced this on Instagram:
And the award recipient of the feb/mar writer’s retreat is……. @mikemunson_
Munson has built a body of work that blends his Midwestern home with his Mississippi travels. His music is a master class in creative composition and performance, often heavy, yet lyrically compelling and altogether danceable. He never loses sight of his artform or the music’s roots while seeking a sound that is distinctively his own. Munson released his sixth full-length album, “Let Some Light In” in 2021.This decision was extremely difficult. The caliber of artists was phenomenal.
It was SOOOO difficult that we chose another musician for a second retreat at a date yet to be decided. Nikki Grossman is the lead vocalist and also plays fiddle and guitar for the @sapsuckers_music duo with her partner Joe Hart. They have received extensive accolades and awards and she performs with a style ranging from hillbilly roots to Nashville pop. The band’s engaging performance style has earned a growing fanbase in the Midwest and beyond.
We will share more information about Nikki and her second retreat in the future.
We are over the moon excited to offer this opportunity to both of these musicians, and we want thank all of our applicants.
We will try to keep doing good things. Stay tuned to learn ways you can help support this project.
Of course this is a music blog and I do own several of Mike's albums and YES he is on Bandcamp.
I did buy though the Rose Hill vinyl from Mike face to face at my favorite lunch cafe in Winona, The Blue Heron Coffeehouse. The description of the album is perfect so why try to rewrite it:
"Rose Hill" was recorded in Bentonia, Mississippi at the famed Blue Front Cafe under the watchful eye of the establishment's owner, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes. The cinderblock building provides the perfect backdrop for this album of haunting and somber tunes and rhythmic and caterwauling stompers. From the driving fingerpicking of the instrumental title track to the swampy Rot Gut Devil and the reflective Good as Good May Be, Munson's original tracks establish his compelling and unmistakable voice. Munson also honors the music's roots with covers of Skip James' Illinois Blues and Fred McDowell's Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning. Jimmy "Duck" Holmes makes multiple guest appearances both on harmonica and vocals on Jack Ain't Had No Water and Broke and Hungry. Additionally, esteemed Mississippi Blueswoman Libby Rae Watson is featured on musical saw on Big Black and Broke and Hungry. "Rose Hill" follows the Mississippi River from Munson's Minnesota roots down to the birthplace of country blues.
Take a journey through the album:
I also have the 2014 release of him live with Mikkel Beckmen at the great Winona venue, Ed's No Name Bar. Again take a taste:
Another project that I absolutely loved how Mike was basically the whole rhythm & lead section in an OUTSTANDING retro rock & blues group, The Old Fashioneds When I talked about how we could do music at my retirement party, I seriously considered wondering what it would take to get them to restart their touring schedule. Here's a little snippet of their music.
But let's go WAAAAY back to the first time I was introduced to that great acoustic slide guitar in 2013 when he was the guest musician on a rare Michael Feldman Whad'ya Know WI Public Radio show trip to LaCrosse WI. I looked and googled until I found this rare video that has been viewed only 14 times.
Michael Feldman's Whad'ya Know with Mike Munson from Polly Forsell Scott on Vimeo.
Intrigued? Hey if you are within reasonable driving distance of LaCrosse/Onalaska/Holmen area, consider attending this house concert on March 3rd. Suggested $15 donation each, and it's a BYOB party, doors at 7:00, music at 7:30. Find the Facebook event and message me to get on the official reservation list.
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