A Taste of Nashville, At the Goodman

Classic counJean Cole try music is his passion, and Hibbing’s Curtis Takkunen is planning a concert event for Virginia’s Goodman Auditorium on March 27 that promises a “Grand Ole Opry” feel.

Takkunen visited our offices recently to tell us about it. Dressed in all black, carrying his black guitar case, and wearing the requisite western boots, Takkunen had a slight Johnny Cash thing goin’ on. For a little while he played some lovely tunes in our reception area, which provided our HTF staff with a welcome attitude shift. “That was nice,” Vicky said. “Can’t he stay?”

But he was there to tell us about his upcoming concert at the Goodman. The musician, singer, songwriter and front man for the group Pier Country creates each concert event with passion, selecting the best local artists and often recruiting talent from across the state.

“What I look for in a musician is the ability to pick something up very quickly,” said Takkunen. “That’s usually a sign that things should go pretty well in a concert setting when they know their craft.” Takkunen has been involved with professional music shows most of his life. While a teenager in the mid 70’s, he was a regular performer at a show called the North Country Shindig in Cloquet, MN.

The Shindig was held every Saturday night, and was very similar to the Grand Ole’ Opry and Louisiana Hayride. At that time Takkunen was part of a group called the Kettle River Ramblers, as all members lived in or around the farming communities of Kettle River. “When we were growing up, music was a major part of our past times, much different than what our kids have for entertainment today. I also think there were more musical influences bacCurtis Takkunen. Submitted photok then that eas- ily prompted a musician to see if they could learn what they were listening to. We had Elvis, the Beatles, Peter, Paul & Mary, John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond…artists that were making America’s music, and music you could pick up a guitar and start playing along with.”

Ironically, country music during that era was very commercialized with arrangements that included string orchestras and large sounds. “I remember playing records from Lynn Anderson, Ray Price, Glen Campbell, and Anne Murray and thoroughly enjoying the sound, but could not really relate to it as a guitar player,” he said.

When country rock made a breakthrough with entertainers like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, the simplicity and foot stompin’ of country music came back. “They were called outlaws because they were disrupting the comfort zone of commercial country back then,” Takkunen said. And then there were groups like Pure Prairie League, the Marshall Tucker Band, and The Eagles that brought both country and rock fans together.

The early 90’s began a whole new phase of country music, with new artists such as Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Alabama, Faith Hill, and many others. The country music industry in the 90’s was just bursting at the seams. “You could watch TNN (The Nashville Network) every night and see a new star, not only in interviews, but also performing live. I just took it all in, knowing that this would have a major impact on America’s music,” Takkunen said. He became inspired to learn a whole new catalog of songs.

“My favorite vocalist is Vince Gill, he has one of those golden voices that is only his.” Takkunen enjoys performing Vince Gill songs, but has to be careful which songs he chooses. “It takes a lot of preparation and vocal conditioning for me to be able to sing a Vince Gill song, and there are songs of his that I would love to sing, but I do know what my limits are, thankfully.”

The idea for Pier Country came along in 1999. Takkunen envisioned a high quality show that would be similar to a theater show down in Branson or Nashville’s Grand Ole’ Opry. The name, Pier Country, was selected after much thought. The word Pier sounds like “Pure” and represents the purity of classic country music, but when read, also represents our land of many lakes, the great state of Minnesota.

“I’ve enjoyed taking this concept and putting it into action. I get a lot of satisfaction when I can bring our show into a town that will receive us with open arms, and then when we get asked when we’re coming back, we know we did something right,” said Takkunen. Pier Country has been performing in school auditoriums, fairs, and festivals, around northern and central Minnesota since 1999.

Pier Country at VHS’s Goodman Auditorium, March 2:

“We have performed in various Iron Range communities surrounding Virginia, but this is our first concert in Virginia. We are really excited about the Goodman Auditorium, a true gem and historic place and beautiful venue for our show.”

The talent on board for Pier Country is a mixture of local and regional entertainers. The musician traveling the furthest is Carolyn Boulet, from Minneapolis. “Boulet is one of the finest violin/fiddle players in the state of Minnesota. She brings a very authentic classical style to our show,” said Takkunen. “When you hear Carolyn play that violin, you know you are listening to a real pro.”

On lead guitar is Billy Barnard, a world renowned jazz guitarist, and the creator and head of the Jazz Guitar Department program at University of Minnesota, Duluth. “Billy has extensive professional experience that will be an outstanding asset to our show,” said Takkunen. “He was hired to help enhance our menu of western swing tunes for the concert, because when you combine jazz with country, you get western swing.”

On steel guitar is Mike Randolph. Randolph has been playing his steel guitar at various establishments on the Iron Range and Lake Vermilion for years, often teamed up with his lifelong friend, Eric Pederson. “Mike is a rare talent, with a soulful and deep rich steel guitar that is only his style. He’s also strong technically, which is important on an instrument which is very complicated to play,” said Takkunen. While Randolph has had many opportunities to travel as a professional musician over the years, he has chosen to remain a northern Minnesota resident because he loves to fish and enjoy the great outdoors.

On piano will be the “rare talent” of Jodie Zilbert. Zilbert grew up on the western end of the Range and has played with various groups in the Twin Cities over the years and is now settled in Grand Rapids. She will bring all the needed sounds from the classic country era of artists like Floyd Cramer, Crystal Gayle, and others. “Jodie also has a great singing voice and will be providing most of the harmony parts along with her own lead vocals,” Takkunen said. The bass player, Darrol “Butch” Schmidt, is “about as solid a bass player as can be found,” and also lives in Grand Rapids. He is active in the Itasca Community Orchestra as well.

The drummer is “a farm boy from my home town of Kettle River,” said Takkunen. Rory Butkiewicz will be the backbone of the rhythm section. Butkiewicz was the drummer for Kettle River Ramblers and is a lifelong friend of Takkunen.

Takkunen will handle all the acoustic rhythm guitar work, and also do some lead and harmony singing.

A very special guest vocalist, Jayne Mahovlich of Gilbert, will also grace the stage at the Goodman Auditorium. She is well known in the Quad Cities area as a real pro. She heads up the band Wild Angels, and stays busy performing around the local area. Mahovlich will be performing a five-song tribute to the late Patsy Cline. (See sidebar story, right) Local surprise performer

Also, the Virginia Community Education Department made possible the chance for a local singer to audition and take part in the concert event. Auditions were held on Tuesday and Thursday this week at the new Holiday Inn Express in Mt. Iron, and the results of those auditions will be one of the surprises in store for the show! An opportunity, not work

Takkunen loves what he does. “I have to say that this really is not work. I love the tasks that go along with every show. I love that we can offer a chance to an aspiring singer and give them a moment in their lifetime that they can cherish forever. I love the fact that I can create an event where musicians who have never met up until our show, can share the stage for the first time and make some great music. That always just blows me away, and I have to sometimes mention that at the end of a show - that certain people are working with us for the very first time, because the audience would never believe it,” Takkunen said. “No, this is not work, this is an opportunity.” Get your tickets

If you’re up for a great taste of Nashville, right here at the Goodman Auditorium, get your advance ticket now: Adults, $10 (advance), $12 (at door); students $8 (advance), $10 (at door). Available at Walgreens, Perpich TV, and Schmitt Music. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.