Country band Dakota Drifters returns to the Sibyl Center in Stanley Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m. The Sibyl Center favorite will play a variety of country, gospel, rock-a-billy and even some rock ‘n’ roll. Fans of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Chet Atkins and similar music will enjoy Dakota Drifters.

Dakota Drifters is comprised of Dick and Brenda Johnson from the Turtle Mountains in north central North Dakota, Toby Nelson of Minot and Carl Kannianen from the Stanley area. The Johnsons met Carl while jamming together as members of the Frozen Fingers Music Association of Minot. All three are homegrown, self-taught musicians who really enjoy country music.

Dick Johnson farms near the International Peace Garden. He has been involved with music from the time he was young. He plays guitar and handles most of the vocals and is known to favor Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash songs and always includes a few Norwegian jokes to keep things lively.

Brenda Johnson formerly worked for the North Dakota Forest Service in Bottineau. She enjoyed piano and band while growing up in Sherwood, but only tackled the stand-up bass a few years ago. She keeps the group organized and is always looking for new “old” material. She and Dick Johnson have played and entertained together for several years and have been married for more than 45 years.

Nelson is the owner of Prairie Winds Band Instrument Repair LLC in Minot. He and his staff keep busy repairing and maintaining all types of musical instruments for the upper northwest region of ND. As a sophomore in high school, he taught himself how to play drums and is excited to help keep traditional country western music alive.

Kannianen farms in the Stanley area and has played the guitar for many years, having found early in life that he enjoyed music. He has a unique style and his instrumentals are intricate and skilled, sometimes compared to the Chet Atkins style. He joins Dick Johnson in harmony on several songs, as well as soloing on others.

The Sibyl Center is at 301 1st St. SW, Stanley. Admission is by freewill donation at the door.

For more information about this event, call Linda at 629-1721. For more about the Sibyl Center and its upcoming events for the 2019 season, go to sibylcenter.org.