News & Articles

Todd Eckart performs David Bowie’s “This Is Not America” at last year’s Duluth Does David Bowie, one of Jillybones' great musical memories of 2025. Photo by Jill Fisher.

Last year at this time there was so much in the way of musical happenings going on that I decided not to do a retrospective column detailing the highlights of the year. But this year there were rather significant highpoints that I can’t help wanting to relive, if only in my mind as I write about them.

On the other hand there were some pretty significant lows as well.

Early in the year the “Duluth Does David Bowie” at Sacred Heart Music Center on January 25, was one of the best Duluth Does series I’ve seen.

Of particular note in that multi-musician production was Todd Eckart’s rendition of “This is Not America” from the soundtrack of the movie The Falcon and the Snowman. Here’s what I wrote about his performance: “A number of attendees remarked that Eckart’s cover of this lesser-known song was moving, heartfelt and eerie. It was one of the highlights of the concert. His performance put to rest any questions about Eckart’s musical sensibility as he clearly transcended the Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison covers he is known for.”

Sadly, the lowest of lowpoints in 2025 was Todd’s tragic death in a fatal car crash in October.   

Getting to know musicians more personally is a true benefit of my writing. Profiles of our local musicians provide me that opportunity.

Jillibones with Laurie BoeDee

For the Listen column in the January 23 issue of the Reader I interviewed Laurie BoeDee on a couple of occasions. From her I got to learn more about music education available to young people of all means. She also helped me understand different guitar stylings and afforded me insight into how various music scenes evolve — as with Austin, Texas.

My follow up profiles of Veikko Lepisto (June 26 issue) and Tommy Wotruba (October 30 issue) likewise opened my eyes to how individual artists develop their musical careers.

I cherish coming to know more about these folks and appreciate them as individuals beyond their well-honed stage presences.

The JAM or Jazz Appreciation Month series throughout April was a real awakening to how fabulous jazz can be. Duluth Cider and Bent Paddle were the venues most of these various groups played.

JAM at Duluth Cider

Also in April was my introduction to the Lake Effect String Band, which played Caddy Shack on April 11. Hot stuff all around.

Then a low point occurred when I missed all of Duluth Dylan Fest in mid-May being out of town for that entire month.

Starting out with the highs of the Northland musical scene, one that comes immediately to mind is the band called Tired Eyes. It plays the music of Neil Young and is made up of top area musicians who all have their own bands. Members include Rich Mattson of the Northstars, his brother Glen, Alan Sparhawk of Low fame, and Kraig Johnson of Run Westy Run, Jayhawks and Golden Smog.

I first heard these fellas at a private party on July 3 and again at Earth Rider festival grounds on July 12. At the time I considered Tired Eyes my best discovery in 2025 and I still do.

When one of my perennial favorites, the Erik Koskinen band, headlined at Earth Rider on July 12, the opening act was Cry On Cue. That band’s frontman is Bernie Larsen, a Los Angeles musician, who has an Upper Peninsula connection with Koskinen. He was interesting enough that the Curmudgeon and I traveled to see both him and Koskinen perform at the Black Cat Coffeehouse in Ashland, Wis.

I was able to talk with Larsen more than with the most visiting musicians, which was a special treat.

Several of the concerts I attended at the West Theatre were simply wonderful. One was Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a choral group from South Africa, on March 18. Their songs were wonderfully out of the ordinary, made more so by their memorable choreography.

This all-male, 10-member group was brought to our attention by Paul Simon in his 1986 album Graceland.

Later I saw Whiskey River Downstream at this venue. The date was June 26 and I would count this enduring country-rock group from our region as one of my “finds” in 2025.

Jonathan Richman’s show there on Oct.17 was truly unforgettable. In his early days Richman was with the band Modern Lovers, of which I had never heard. Sometimes a single performer can open up an entirely new avenue of music to explore, albeit from years back!

More recently at the West was a performance by The Honeydogs from St. Paul. The whole band was good but the highlight was drummer Noah Levy. I must say he blew me away, especially on a song that I think was titled “Orange 8.”

On March 22 I got to see the Mavericks play at the DECC. Since I had become an instant fan when I first saw this band play at UPAC, a Hudson Valley venue in Kingston, New York, I wasn’t about to miss this show. And it was certainly a highlight of my musical experiences this year.

What makes it more poignant is the death of its frontman, Raul Malo, on Dec. 8. Another high coupled with a sad low.

The music festivals in this town, from Homegrown to the Reggae and Bayfront Blues festivals at Bayfront, are at the top of my list every year to attend, so I need not say more about those events other than each provide their own high points.

Jillibones with Woodblind and Teague Alexy at the Reggae/World Music Festival

Jillibones with Jacob Mahon at Bluesfest

With Bruce Katz at Bluesfest

Of course the week-long Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise that the Curmudgeon and I took at the end of October will forever be one of the most exciting and memorable music experiences of my life. Seeing and meeting Keb’ Mo’ was especially thrilling. I wrote a whole column about it (November 6 Reader) so I need not repeat my swooning comments here.

If it appears I am skipping over our more local musicians, I must say that there were so many great shows by them it would be difficult to give justice to each and every one.

Here are some standouts that deserve a mention: Climes, led by Drew Anderson was a wonderful discovery when it opened for Boss Mama and the Jebberhooch at Glensheen’s Concert on the Pier on Aug. 20.

Another cool group was Homegrown Tomatoes, with a new combination of local musicians — Sonja Martin, Harrison Olk and Nate Hynum. It instantly joined my list of favorites when I saw them perform on Sir Ben’s outside patio back on July 30.

Then there was Gavin St. Clair who I saw solo recently at Sir Ben’s.

The “Gales of November” production commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, on Nov. 6, at the Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus was certainly one of the most outstanding performances I’ve seen (Nov.13 Reader). I was grateful that I heard about it at the last minute. It brought home the incredible tragedy it was, not only for the 29 seamen lost but for all of their friends and family. Here was a highpoint based on a supremely lowpoint.

The only good thing to come out of the sinking was all the technological and logistical improvements made in the Great Lakes shipping industry since such that there hasn’t been a lost freighter since.  

While many of the musical highpoints of 2025 involved the discovery of new groups, some were the surprise of a new tune by a known musician. Such was the case when the Curmudgeon and I heard a brand new song by Misisipi Mike at the Cedar Lounge on Friday, Dec.26. He said “it came to him just a couple of days ago.”

The song, which is about Wild Bill Hickock, has the working title “Dead Man’s Hand.” It had a line I appreciate: “The dealer dealt my doom.” Mike knows how to craft a tune!

At year’s end one of the most magical musical moments I enjoyed was during the Christmas Eve service at the Coppertop Church (First United Methodist). The Extollers with members past and present of the Church’s Strikepoint Handbell Ensemble gave a short but beautiful performance of  “Emmanuel, El Shaddai” arranged by Sondra K. Tucker. (The El Shaddai portion is a song by Amy Grant.)

Since this copy is due before the end of 2025 you are undoubtedly aware of all the various musical choices on offer for New Year’s Eve. These include Saltydog plus Boss Mama at Bent Paddle.

Gee I hate to miss that but I will be celebrating Misisipi Mike’s birthday at Carmody Irish Pub, beginning at 6 pm. I understand that several musicians will be playing with him that evening.

Later, beginning at 8 pm, three bands will be playing down the street at Blacklist Brewing: Cosmic Countdown (I’ve never seen this band), The Gemstones and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. You can bet you’ll see me dancing there!

Happy New Year everyone!