MINNESOTA MINSTREL JERRY RAU PASSES ON

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of our good friend, Jerry Rau, and send condolences to his family. 

Jerry Rau was known as the "Minnesota Minstrel." He was a Vietnam vet, and spent his whole life passionately sharing his heartfelt music with everyone in Minnesota and beyond. He was so very encouraging to many young musicians in the area, including us, when we were starting out. RIP Jerry, you left this world a better place.

There will be a Musical Celebration of Jerry's life at the Hook and Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Ave So, in Minneapolis, on Sunday Oct 31, from 1 pm till 5 pm. We are honored to be among the many musicians who will play that day. 

There will be a funeral Mass at Jerry's church, St Joan of Arc, at 4537 3rd So in Minneapolis, on Monday, Nov 1 at 11 am. There will be a visitation one hour earlier, at 10 am.

ANDREW KELSAY OF CHARLES & MYRTLES COFFEE HOUSE PASSES ON

We are so saddened to say that another good friend, Andrew Kelsey,  has also passed on. Andrew Kelsey was  passionate about music, and booked a concert series in Chattanooga, TN, known as "Charles and Myrtles Coffeehouse." We performed there many times over the years. He welcomed musicians from across the U.S. every weekend, and was very supportive of both national and regional musicians. Plus, the cookies he baked every weekend were delicious, and giant!  RIP Andrew, and thank you for all the late night talks.

Andrew's funeral was Oct 24 at 2 pm, at Christ Unity Church,  in Chattanooga, TN. It was the perfect place for his memorial, since it was his beloved church, and also the venue where he presented concerts every weekend for years and years. Our deepest condolences to Andrew's family.

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The Critics Say...

"Loretta's almost operatic alto and Curtis' rich tenor form a lush, polished and varied vocal blend. The pair's instrumental interplay is equally compelling, with Loretta's harp textures dancing in and around Curtis' deft guitar and mandolin lines."                          ... Dirty Linen

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Curtis & Loretta are an acclaimed folk singer/songwriter duo featuring extraordinary harmonies and an array of stringed instruments.

Curtis Teague: vocals, guitar, mandolin, mandocello, clawhammer banjo, steel ukulele, harmonica 

Loretta Simonet: vocals, folk harp, guitar, mandolin, kazoo, shakers 

 Curtis & Loretta at Pacific Northwest Folklore Society, Sept 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of Steve Marti, Loretta's high school friend!

UPLIFTING NEWS FROM WTIP RADIO,

GRAND MARAIS, MN

 

 

Lutsen resident Dave Howe on what inspired him to donate a kidney to a stranger.

In October 2018, we did a live radio show on WTIP in Grand Marais. We chatted about the music tour we were doing at Arrowhead Libraries, and we sang a song I'd written, "When There's Good to Be Done." It's a true story about Christy Harding, a young woman who donated a kidney to a little girl she'd never met before.

We got this email a few months later -

"Loretta, we learned recently that one of our listeners was so inspired by a story and song YOU shared on our show that he actually donated a kidney to a stranger. So amazing and wonderful!! Here's the link to the interview with him; thought you'd like to hear his story:

Click here to hear the interview with Dave Howe

:) You should feel really really good about this. All the best! Annie"
-- 
Annie Possis, producer, The Roadhouse