For the past 9 years since it began, I've had the pleasure of working as one of the Sound Engineer's for the Riversong Festival held in Hutchinson Minnesota right by the Crow River.
Every year, there is either a band or solo performer that really leaves an impact and i would like to share with you 3 in particular.
RiverSong is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers from Hutchinson, Minnesota and surrounding areas.
RiverSong’s Mission
RiverSong provides a high quality music and art festival experience in a natural and sustainable community setting. The festival expands local art initiatives by showcasing local and regional musical talent, offering educational artistic opportunities for all ages, and demonstrating the skill and knowledge of a diverse group of talented artisans. RiverSong builds on the distinct musical heritage of the Hutchinson area and leverages the wide array of strong community assets that are available.
The first band I want to talk about is Shoeless Revolution:
Band Members
- Reed Grimm - Drums, Lead Vocals
- Jack Kolb-Williams - Keys, Vocals
- Zach Mullan - Guitar, Vocals
- Ben Peterson - Bass, Vocals, Tenor Sax
They are a blend of Funk, Pop and Jazzy Rock
You may have seen Reed Grimm in 2012's American idol. He made it to the top 6. I first met Reed while working for the Whiskey Juntion, a blues bar located in Minneapolis. He was performing with The Allie Washington Band and you could just tell he was something special. Extremley outgoing and entertaining to say the least. Be sure to keep an ear out for him.
He just launched a Kickstarter Campaign for his upcoming album. be sure to check it out.
Shoeless Revolution 
Shoeless Revolution
Reed Grimm American Idol Audition
The next performer I'd like to introduce you to is Michael Shynes
This is his Bio
"Shynes has the rare ability to blend shades of every genre over an acoustic landscape, and his songs possess a lyrical depth rarely paired with such mainstream appeal. Having broken ground in the major markets of Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City over the past year, Shynes is a talent to watch in the years to come. Vastly emerging from his humble beginnings as a Singer/Songwriter in a small central Minnesota town, he has recently opened up for Eric Hutchinson and Tyler Hilton and has begun actively touring Nationally. All the while he continues to independently write and produce his own albums, and maintain the down to earth nature that enables him to fully appreciate every part of the musical journey."
Michael Shynes 'Little Falls'
Last But Not Least
Heather Maloney
BIO
HEATHER MALONEY IS A MASSACHUSETTS BASED SINGER-SONGWRITER AND WRITER-SONGSINGER.
HER LATEST RECORD MAKING ME BREAK WAS PRODUCED BY BILL REYNOLDS (BAND OF HORSES, AVETT BROTHERS, LISSIE) AND FEATURES AN ALL-STAR BACKING BAND INCLUDING MEMBERS OF BAND OF HORSES (BILL REYNOLDS, TYLER RAMSEY), THE WALLFLOWERS, MY MORNING JACKET, AND DARLINGSIDE.
UPON THE RELEASE OF MAKING ME BREAK, MALONEY LANDED ON SPIN MAGAZINE’S “ARTIST TO WATCH”, WITH ENTHUSIASTIC REVIEWS FROM THE HUFFINGTON POST, CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND, AND NO DEPRESSION. THE LAST SONG ON THE RECORD, “NIGHTSTAND DRAWER”, BECAME MALONEY’S FIRST MAJOR TELEVISION SONG PLACEMENT ON THE CBS SERIES “ELEMENTARY”.
Reviews
“…stunning, breathy, and starkly memorable.”—SPIN
"With an exceptional mix of indie rock and Americana, Heather Maloney has crafted an unforgettable album with Making Me Break. Slated to hit the streets in late April, the new disc is a fascinating listening experience front to back, combining intricate melodies with dynamic musical arrangements and thoughtful lyrics — culminating in one of the most exciting records we’ve heard in a long time."
-Diffuser
"Lyrics that cut to the chase"
-Huffington Post
"Her music is riveting, her voice adventurous, her lyrics thought-provoking..."
-NO DEPRESSION
I would love to know your impression of these artists. It's an honor that i get to work with talented people on a regular basis. It is very humbling to say the least.
Danny Melgarejo aka Sky Pixel Pilot