Longtime local bands join at Alltel Center

City Mouse, Murphy Brothers, Gestures, JUDD all recognized by Midwest Hall of Fame

By Tim Krohn

MANKATO — For 10 bucks, area fans can listen to more than 40 years of local rock legends.

Saturday night’s Mankato Area Rock Hall of Fame Party at the Alltel Center features four bands and individuals who have been inducted into the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame.

The Gestures, City Mouse, JUDD, the Murphy Brothers Band and other special guests will perform separately and together beginning at 8 p.m.

The idea came last spring when Billy Steiner, founder of City Mouse, and Steve Murphy of the Murphy Brothers went to the Medina Ballroom to see JUDD inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“We started talking about the bands that have Mankato connections that are in the Hall of Fame. We thought it would be a good thing to do a gig with those bands,” Steiner said.

Murphy said that few fans get to go to the induction ceremonies.

“Not all the fans and supporters of the bands could make it to the induction. This is a nice big, mutual party to celebrate the inductions,” Murphy said.

The longest-running band is the Gestures, who had a national Billboard hit in 1964 with “Run, Run, Run.” Two members, Dale Menten and Tom Klugherz, remain. The late Gus Dewey and Bruce Waterson filled out the group.

Steiner started City Mouse — which now includes Steiner, Dale Haefner, Ron Arsenault, Mike Pengra, Dave Pengra and Tim Waters — in 1971. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

The Murphy Brothers is made up of Steve Murphy, Jason Anderson, Dick Dusek and Greg George. Dusek and Murphy were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005 with The Epicureans band.

JUDD, a Rochester-based band, includes member Steve McCloone, formerly of Waseca. The group, which lived for a few years in Mankato, was inducted in 2008.

Each band will play a 45-minute set with the show being opened by Paul Durenberger, a likely future Hall of Fame inductee.

“We’ll have some sort of jam at the end,” Steiner said.

He said the area has a wealth of musical talent.

“I always thought Mankato had a very rich music scene. And it’s still true today. There’s a lot of good young players out there.”

Eric Jones, marketing director at the Alltel Center, said the $10 ticket price is a great value.

“It’s four hours of music and four bands, I’m really excited about it. I’m looking forward to seeing all those guys together.”

Steiner said the low ticket price won’t bring a big pay day.

“We didn’t want people bummed about the ticket price. In this economy we wanted to give them a break. Hopefully we’ll break even when we’re done.”

Jones said booking shows at the Alltel Center for next year has been affected by the economy.

“Promoters and bands are a lot more cautious at this point. People are taking a wait and see. Shows are suffering all over the country,” Jones said.

If You Go
What: Mankato Area Rock Hall of Fame Party

When: 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Alltel Center Ballroom

Cost: Tickets $10 at the door