For 16 years, area musicians have brightened winter in Minot by hosting the Frozen Fingers Old Time Music Festival.
The 17th annual version will be Saturday and Sunday with the High 48s, a non-traditional bluegrass band from the upper Midwest along with many area groups. All activities will be at Sleep Inn
Area performers include the Gilbertson family, Tin Star, Highway 43, Chris Rogers, Macey Larson, Norsk Hstfest Accordion Club, Just Us, and the Peterson family from Alamo. The Dakota Rose band from Minot, who will make music for a dance Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m., also is on the daily program.
Article Photos
Submitted Photos - - Among the performers at the Frozen Fingers Festival are, clockwise from above left, Tin Star, the High 48s and Chris Rogers of Maxbass.
Karen Rath, festival association president, said workshops also are scheduled, with Jerry Schlag offering an accordion class and Ivan Vanderberg and Gloria Gunderson giving dance lessons, perhaps in the polka and schottische, both at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Willy Rose is teaching a guitar workshop at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
"The High 48s are a non-traditional bluegrass band born and raised in the Upper Midwest," Rath said.
The group includes Rich Casey on bass, Eric Christopher, fiddle, Chad Johnson, mandolin, Anthony Ihrig, banjo and Marty Marrone, guitar. Casey, Christopher, Johnson and Marrone share vocals.
Fact Box
Admission
Frozen Fingers tickets, available at the door, are $15 daily for adults or a $25 ticket for both days. Those under 16 are admitted free. Saturday's dance costs $5, and concessions will be available.
The group, formed in 2006, took their name from railroad slang for boxcars on the hotshot freight trains. The group, which perform many original songs, took first place in the Rocky Grass Bluegrass Competition in Colorado. They will perform at Frozen Fingers at 7 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Performers
Tioga's Gilbertson family, who host a gospel jam each January in Tioga, play classic country-western and gospel songs. They will perform at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Norsk Hstfest Accordion Club, directed by Rath, has played for more than 30 years at Minot's Scandinavian festival. Many of their 200-plus members are expected for the Frozen Fingers at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Kevin Ternes on lead guitar and piano, Jim Mackey on bass and Toby Nelson on Drums make up "Tin Star," who perform at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Minot-based trio has performed together since 1995, specializing in waltzes, polkas, country and a little rock and roll, Rath said. Highway 43, a trio from the Turtle Mountains, play at 4 p.m. Saturday. Ron Hett and Dick and Brenda Johnson sings songs from the Civil War era through contemporary, including some of Hett's compositions.
Chris Rogers, Maxbass, who will entertain at 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, started early with music, continuing through college. Five years ago he formed his own music and karaoke business. In 2009 he placed third among 9,000 contestants at WeFest. Macey Larson, a 16-year-old from Burlington, is already a music veteran. The youngest-ever cast member in the Medora musical last year, she loves to sing anything from the '50s to country, rock and the blues. She will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Also on Sunday's program are Just Us at 1 p.m. and the Peterson family at 2 p.m. Dakota Rose plays at 3 p.m. Dave Medttler, Don Boardman and Tina Bullinger from Bottineau perform easy listening music that blends classic country, folk and country gospel. Dakota Rose, three guitars and a keyboard, involves Rath, Rose, Larry Nelson and Floyd Borud.
There will be open stages at noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.
A polka worship service at noon Sunday will include Schlag, Bud Witty, the J-M-B Band, Rae Ann Neva and Pastor Larry Borud.