A Minnesota native bluegrass band will make a stop in International Falls as part of its 4,000 mile, 10th anniversary tour across the country.
Monroe Crossing will perform for the community at the Backus Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23.
After being inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and featured in July’s edition of “Inside Bluegrass” magazine, the band members feel there is a lot to be proud of.
“We recently released our first DVD,” said band member Matt Thompson, who plays the fiddle and provides vocals for the group. “This will be the first time this is available in the 10 years we’ve been together.”
The DVD was filmed live in concert and features many original songs written by band members as well as a number of audience favorites.
Monroe Crossing is currently traveling the country playing sometimes multiple shows each day. They have performed more than 1,000 concerts together and released 10 CDs.
“Next year, we will have our first European concert,” added Thompson.
Aside from Thompson, the band consists of Art Blackburn, who plays guitar and provides vocals and is involved in songwriting; Benji Flaming on the banjo; Mark Anderson playing the bass and providing vocals; and the band’s lone female, Lisa Fuglie, who plays the fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and performs vocals and is involved in songwriting.
International Falls is not a new stop for the band, which has been here twice in previous years.
Birchdale performers, “Sloughgrass,” is the special guest and will open the performance.
“We’re excited to play with them again,” said Sloughgrass member Soren Olesen.
Tickets for the show will be available in advance for $12 at City Drug, the Backus office, or Betty’s in Fort Frances. They can also be purchased at the door for $15. Tickets for children age 12 and under are $5.
