Biography

The Sloughgrass Band from Birchdale, Minnesota, is a family affair with Grandma Audrey Nelson setting the rhythm on the upright bass. Her two daughters, two sons-in-law and three of her grandchildren all join her in playing on a variety of instruments. The band's music is a blend of Bluegrass, Old-time, Scandinavian, Gospel, Country and Folk music. All of the group members take turns on the vocal and instrumental pieces. The band has performed throughout Minnesota at a variety of events including: local meetings and celebrations, The Rollag Steam Threshers Show, The Blackduck Bluegrass Festival, Baudette Variety Show, Roseau Pioneer Farm, The Bemidji Winter Bluegrass Weekend, International Falls Bandstand Summer Concerts, Timber Producers Annual Expo in Grand Rapids, Birchdale Pioneer Days, The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener 2006, Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-time Music Assn. August Festival and its Winter Bluegrass Weekend and also at several county fairs. In 2004 the band also performed at the Blomster Festival in Roskilde, Denmark. Sloughgrass played at the Minnesota State Fair in 2009 where a record 1.8 million people visited the Fair. They performed the Ramberg Senior center and on the "radio show "Garage Logic" on AM 1500.

In 2005 Sloughgrass released their first CD "Down The Road." It was recorded live at Bemidji Music Center.

In July of 2007 Sloughgrass released their second live recorded CD "Are We There Yet?" which got its name from a phrase that some of the band members kept repeating while they traveled throughout Minnesota. The CD is available at stores and from the website or by contacting the band members directly.

The band members are: Audrey Nelson, upright bass; Christine Hultman, banjo & lead vocals; Dave Hultman, rhythm guitar & lead vocals; Gary Hultman, resonator guitar, banjo, lead-guitar, mandolin; Judith Nelson, fiddle, lead vocals, rhythm guitar; Søren Olesen, mandolin, rhythm guitar & vocals, Sofia Olesen, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin; Holger Olesen, resonator Dobro guitar, saxophone, lead vocals.