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The Expedition Show will perform in Mankato Friday, March 19. Submitted photo
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Renowned bluegrass musicians to perform
MANKATO — Musician Blake Williams’ resume includes stints playing with some of the best-known musicians in bluegrass music.
Now, as part of The Expedition Show, Williams will perform with his band in Mankato Friday, March 19, at the Eagles Club.
Williams, a banjo player, is from Sparta, Tenn., which also happens to be the hometown of Lester Flatt, of the Flatt and Scruggs bluegrass duo. Williams began playing banjo when he was 13, and when Flatt and Scruggs broke up, he started playing with Flatt’s new group, Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass.
Williams stayed with the Nashville Grass until Flatt died in 1979, when Williams was 21. A few years later, Williams was hired to play with another bluegrass great, Bill Monroe, whom he toured and recorded with for 10 years.
“With The Expedition Show, it’s my first chance to run the show, and it’s not a traditional bluegrass presentation,” Williams said.
Jed Malischke agrees The Expedition Show is about more than just music.
“Williams and his band members are, well, hilarious,” said Malischke, executive director of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association. “That’s not a word associated with bluegrass musicians very often.”
That’s not to say the music isn’t good, Malischke said. Wayne Southards and Kimberly Williams, two other members of the band who play guitar and bass, respectively, are experienced, award-winning musicians. Williams calls the final member, mandolin player Alex Hibbits, 23, “an amazing and exceptionally talented young musician.”
The group performs traditional, contemporary and gospel music, among other genres, and also throws in some comedy. Williams learned about comedy while working and touring with Mike Snider from the “Hee Haw” television show. That’s when Williams says he learned how to establish rapport with the audience.
“The great thing about bluegrass music,” says Williams, “is that you can play Carnegie Hall one night, and play the next night in a corn field.”
The Expedition Show concert is part of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association’s Lonely Pines Concert Series, in cooperation with the Bothy Folk Club.
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