I have been to the Minnesota Bluegrass Winter Weekend, hosted by Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Association (MBOTMA). It’s a little like showing up at a huge family reunion, except these folks are talented musicians. And hopefully no one owes you money! It was great to learn more about the event from Executive Director (and musician in his own right) Ross Willits. You can check it out March 6-8 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth MN.
Please tell us about yourself and how you got involved with Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association.
I started playing bluegrass music as a kid in Milwaukee, and played in a band through high school and part of college but gave it up because all of the band members went our separate ways for school. About 20 years later, a friend of mine invited me to join a band he was in, and I caught the bug all over again. He introduced me to the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association, and about a month after I started, we played at the Winter Bluegrass Weekend. That was 23 years ago!
Since then, I’ve played in a number of MBOTMA bands, and was contracted as Executive Director about two years ago.
Is the Minnesota Bluegrass Winter Weekend for musicians, fans or both?
The festival is absolutely for fans as much as it is for performers. There are performances on three stages from Friday night through Sunday afternoon, with bands from across Minnesota, and two national headline bands— the Grammy-nominated Po’ Ramblin’ Boys on Saturday night, and a great old-time duo, Showman & Coole, on Friday night. All of the concerts are included in the price of the festival ticket, and you can come and go between the different stages as your taste directs you.
There are also organized and informal jam sessions going on all over the hotel that are open to all to participate in. If you play even a little bit, bring an instrument along and join in! All day Saturday there are workshops as well where you can learn everything from fiddle technique to Shape Note singing. You don’t have to be a player to join in the workshops, either. You’re welcome to poke your head in and observe.
I won’t ask who you are looking forward to most but, what bands or sessions would you recommend for someone with kids, or new to Bluegrass, looking for something that’s really new or looking for something that’s very different?
For kids, we host the Grass Seeds Bluegrass Academy. A three-day band camp where kids learn to play music together, and even perform on the main stage on Sunday afternoon. Last year, there were nearly 50 kids participating, and for me, one of the highlights was that one of the “bands” performed a song that they had written together that weekend. It’s an inspiring weekend of learning and building community for kids 8 and up. The camp is taught by The High 48s, one of Minnesota’s absolute best bluegrass bands.
That’s kind of a big commitment, but one of the best things for families with kids is the big square dance on Saturday afternoon! There’s nothing quite like dancing with 50 or more people with a live dance caller and band. You don’t have to know anything about it to have a great time. The caller tells everyone what to do! There’s more joy and laughter at these dances than anywhere else these days!
For newbies what are some of the “must-see” or “must-do” activities at the festival?
Apart from the concerts by the national acts Friday and Saturday nights, one of the best things to do is just sit yourself down in one of the auditoriums, and listen to 2-3 bands you’ve never heard back to back. Every band brings their own flavor, and it’s exciting to discover what makes each one special. One band may focus on songwriting and will wow you with great lyrics. Others may be all about fancy solos and virtuosic playing, and still another will knock you off your seat with amazing harmonies. Whatever you enjoy, you’ll be able to find a lot of it!
Of course, you don’t even have to step into a concert hall to hear great playing! In the hallways and side rooms of the hotel there are always small ad hoc groups of people playing all kinds of music until deep into the night. If you can manage to stay up late, you can hear some incredible stuff!
Do you have a memory that you’d like to share from past events?
The best part about Winter Weekend for me is how it brings the whole community back together after a long winter. Being the first weekend in March, it always seems to coincide with a big thaw! There may still be snow on the ground, but the ice is melting away under a strengthening sun. It is a wonderful opportunity to gather and celebrate a shared love of music and togetherness. People you meet at a bluegrass festival can become lifelong friends. What better time to meet them than now?
Mostly Minnesota 