David Sharp Quartet

https://www.davesharp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DAVESHARPWORLDSQ/

Where: Cherokee Depot
When: Friday, January 13
Pub Crawl: 5:00pm-7:00pm


One of the memorable and valuable educational experiences associated with the Cherokee KeeLive Music Festival each year is the High School Jazz Band Clinic conducted by highly skilled guest musicians at the Cherokee Middle School band room, featuring area high school musicians.

This year’s clinic is Friday, Jan. 13 and will be hosted and conducted by the acclaimed David Sharp Quartet.

The clinicians are David Sharp, James Poulsen, David Altemeier, and Tim Crumley.

Sharp is the Professor of Instrumental Music and Jazz at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.  David served on the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music and earned his Bachelors of Music degree in composition from the University of Miami in  Florida and holds a Masters of Music degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

As a free-lance saxophonist and woodwind specialist, David has performed extensively throughout the United States working with several internationally renowned jazz and pop artists including the Woody Herman Orchestra, Mel Torme, Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Rod Stewart, Shirley Jones, and has performed in pit orchestras of numerous Broadway national touring shows.   He is a prolific composer and arranger of jazz, big band, brass ensemble, and orchestral music.

James Poulsen teaches music theory, ear training, and piano at Simpson College. He holds an M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of South Dakota with doctoral studies at the University of Iowa. He is also a freelance composer, residing in Des Moines. He has received 41 awards for commercial and classical music, including numerous Tellys and Addys, plus ‘Best Score’ at the Iowa Film Awards 5 times. Poulsen is also an avid jazz pianist and performs over a hundred times a year in Des Moines and throughout Iowa.

David Altemeier holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Bass emphasis and Jazz Studies Minor from the University of Northern Iowa. While there he was in Jazz Band One for four years and principal bass in the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra. He has taught for more than two decades in central Iowa and performed with the Des Moines Big Band, Orquestra Alto Miaz, and the Jack Oatts Quartet, among many others.

Tim Crumley is a Marion-based drummer/percussionist. A graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Tim is a versatile, well-respected drummer. He’s performed with numerous, nationally acclaimed  groups through the years, including David Sharp, Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Big Band, Bob Dunn, Terry Bradshaw, The Diamonds, and many more.  Tim currently works at West Music-Marion as a Combo Sales Associate specializing in drums and percussion.

David Sharp and the CMS Clinic by Paul Struck, Cherokee Chronicle Times Editor

Tank Anthony Band

https://tankanthony.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thetankanthonyband/

Where: Pastime Lounge
When: Friday, January 13
Pub Crawl: 6:00pm-9:00pm


According to their website, tankanthony.com, the Tank Anthony Band produces country music with a soulful sound. Tank Anthony is a Texas native who moved to Iowa Falls to pursue music. After spending almost nine years in the United States Marines and four years in the United States Army, with five combat tours under his belt, Tank has embraced his new journey as a country music singer / songwriter. The Tank Anthony Band will be performing at the Pastime Lounge on Friday, January 13.

IV Play

https://ivplayrocks.net/

https://www.facebook.com/ivplayband/

Where: Little Sioux Event Center
When: Friday, January 13
Pub Crawl: 8:30pm-11:30pm


By the time IV Play arrives in Cherokee for their KeeLive performance, they will be celebrating their 25th year in business. They will be appearing at the Little Sioux Event Center on Friday, January 13 from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

You won’t want to miss their large production, high energy act. They cover a wide mix of different genres of music including country, rock, pop and some rap. These six Minnesota musicians will have you on the dance floor in no time! While they are based out of Mankato, they travel the upper Midwest including Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, the upper peninsula of Michigan, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and of course, Minnesota.

Members of the band include Tyler Dylla on guitar and fiddle; Lantz Dale on guitar and keyboard; Bren Archambault on drums; Wes Bollingmo on bass; Jeremy Poland on guitar; and Wade Crooker on keyboard and saxophone. They all contribute their vocal talents.

In November of 2022, they released an original song “Lantz Dale – Snowing in Minnesota” featuring the band. You can watch the official music video on YouTube. They share their passion for entertaining through their merchandise and high-quality and fashionable clothing. New Rock’n’Roll merchandise is added often. 

IV Play’s website is at ivplayrocks.net where you will find their merchandise store, photos, and a calendar of upcoming shows. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Instagram. 

IV Play Offers High Energy Act by Cindy Hanner, Cherokee Chronicle Times Reporter

Red Dirt Road

https://www.reddirtroadband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RedDirtRoadBandMN/

Where: Whiskey Throttle

When: Friday, January 13

Pub Crawl: 10:00pm-1:00am


If you’re looking for a mix of music in one show, Red Dirt Road Band is just the ticket. This band will appear at Whiskey Throttle on Friday, January 13th from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. A typical show includes top-40, modern country with some 90’s favorites mixed in. According to Kristin Detloff, “We also have a fun 80’s rock section that is always a crowd favorite.” 

The current members of the Red Dirt Road Band are Emma Maruska, lead vocals; Brian Thompson, lead guitar, fiddle, and vocals; Kristin Detloff, bass guitar and vocals; and Brent Schubbe on the drums. While Emma joined the band in this past summer, the others have been together since 2016. The band is based out of the Mankato, Minnesota area with members living in the surrounding area.

Red Dirt Road tries to make each show a memorable experience. With their tight harmonies, killer musicianship, and arena-style lighting show, they are more than just a band playing song. They have fun together both on and off the stage. 

Their original album will be released in the fall of 2023. “We’re very excited to share that project with everyone next year!” commented Detloff. You can find their videos on all major streaming platforms. 

To check out the Red Dirt Road Band in person before Kee Live, they will be appearing at Doxx Bar in Sioux City on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31. Following Kee Live, they will play at Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford, IA on Saturday, January 14. To see a complete list of their tour dates, visit their website at reddirtroadband.com.

Red Dirt Road Band by Cindy Hanner, Cherokee Chronicle Times Reporter

Levee Town

https://www.leveetown.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LeveeTownBand/

Where: Mud on Main
When: Saturday, January 14
Musician Jam: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Pub Crawl: 5:00pm-8:00pm


Levee Town is a trio who will be bringing their unique sound to Kee Live on Saturday, January 14. They will be facilitating an open musician jam from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mud on Main. After a short break, they will be performing at Mud on Main from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Members of Levee Town are Brandon Hudspeth on guitar and vocals, Jacque Garoutte on bass and vocals, and Adam Hagerman on drums. The band just celebrated their 20th anniversary. Their newest release “Trying to Keep my Head Above Water” was released on March 19th, 2022.

The album reached and maintained a #1 spot on the RMR Blues Rock category and was nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award for Best Blues Rock Album in 2022. You can sample their sound at the band’s website, www.leveetown.com

Levee Town by Cindy Hanner

Kali Indiana with KC Cameron

https://www.kaliindiana.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KaliIndiana/

Where: Brightside Lounge
When: Saturday, January 14
Pub Crawl: 8:00pm-11:00pm


Those of us who are a certain age remember the song “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock’n’Roll”, but when you combine the musical talents of Kali Indiana and KC Cameron, you get that and more.

This couple is based out of Omaha, Nebraska. They will be performing at the Brightside Lounge from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, January 14th during Cherokee’s Kee Live. 

Kali Indiana, or KI, is an “outlaw country-rock” artist. Her distinct sound is said to be a combination of “the tone and timbre of Miranda Lambert with the power and growl of Janis Joplin” set to outlaw country music. KI’s show is a high-energy and rock-infused, unique for female country artists. 

Her single “Wild in Me” was recorded in Nashville with Jordan Lake at the Record Shop.  She released the single “Probably Not” in March of 2022. It is for those who just want to be left alone to have a drink. Her music available on all streaming platforms.

KC Cameron is not only KI’s husband, but a talented musician and songwriter in his own right. He grew up country, influenced by his family’s quarter horse business, but adds in some Detroit rock into his music as well. In his songwriting, you’ll hear influences from George Strait to Bob Seger to everything in between.

KC’s debut EP “Don’t Get Better” is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. 

Kali Indiana and KC Cameron by Cindy Hanner, Cherokee Chronicle Times Reporter

Dawson Hollow

https://www.dawsonhollow.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dawsonhollowmusic/

Where: KeeStirs
When: Saturday, January 14
Pub Crawl: 10:00pm-1:00am


Dawson Hollow will be closing the Kee Live event with a performance at the VFW/KeeStirs on Saturday, January 14 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. The band is made up of the five Link siblings, who have been touring, writing, and making music together since 2001. Together they add their vocal and various instrumental talents to a unique Indi-Folk-Rock sound.

Sibling 1 is Rachel Link Starnes, plays the mandolin, cello, flute, and keyboard. Sibling 2, Kyle plays the fiddle. Sibling 3 is Benjamin Link not only does lead vocals, but plays the electric guitar and banjo. Aaron is Sibling 4, adding the electric guitar and kit to the mix. Last, but not least is John, Sibling 5, who adds bass to the music.

Dawson Hollow has a unique brand of entertainment that fuses the cinematic colors of pop, nostalgic string elements of Americana and iconic 5-part blood harmonies. They are based out of the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Despite having performed over 3,000 shows collectively, their performances are high energy with supporting lyrics that carry a hopeful undertone.

The band is currently working on a new EP called “Covers” that offers fresh spins on some of the band’s favorites. They have amassed millions of streams on Spotify as well. For updates about the band, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Their website is dawsonhollow.com.

Dawson Hollow by Cindy Hanner, Cherokee Chronicle Times Reporter