Upper Midwest bluegrass pioneer Dick Kimmel has been inducted into the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame, along with his performing partner Jerilyn Kjellberg.
Previously known as the Rock and Country Music Hall of Fame, the Mid-America Hall recognizes musicians of every stripe in Midwestern states whose contributions are deserving of the honor. Like Kimmel, they are based in Minnesota.
Dick has also been inducted into America’s Old-Time Country and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. His career in music spans 50 years, involving dozens of recordings, many articles in various print publications, countless workshops and seminars, and hundreds of live performances all over the world. More recent work has centered around his bluegrass band, Dick Kimmel & Co., and in its scaled-down duo form, Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg.
As a typical proud papa, when I contacted Dick about them receiving this award, all he wanted to talk about was Barton’s Hollow, a Minnesota teen bluegrass band which includes his 16 year old son, Ian on mandolin. Other members include Kiley Ellingson on guitar, Hugh Stier on banjo, Carl Sones on guitar, Daniel Halvorson on fiddle and John Halorson on bass.
Have a look and listen.
Congratulations Dick and Jerilyn!
