Some musicians pooh-pooh the idea of playing for older people; like it’s unhip compared to, say,  a room full of drunks screaming for “Free Bird” or something.  I’ve been doing it for 16 years, and consider it more than fine.

$20. 7pm Thursday, August 13th ROCKABILLY DANCE PARTY FUNdraiser David K + Band for The Karen Sorbo Foundation. Granada Theater, Uptown, Minneapolis. Tickets at www.granadampls.com

Ruby Blu, frontwoman and songwriter of Minneapolis retro roots-rock band Red Eye Ruby, born and raised in North Dakota, Ruby spent part of her childhood in Medora—a place that helped shape her imagination and remains deeply woven into her story.

Believe me? Well… let me tell you! We had been performing tons of shows and then lockdown happened. All I did at home was rehearse thinking it’d be over sooner than it was. I’d wake in the middle of the night to get up and go to the restroom, and Roy Orbison was in my head. One night he’d be singing, “Pretty Woman… walkin down the street…” One night I’d wake and it was “Crying, over you…” I’d tell Roy, “Stop it Roy, I’ve gotta get some sleep.” One night I woke to a melody, words were coming out of my mouth as I woke up, and I started to chastise Roy, and then I realized, “This isn’t a Roy song. What is this song?”

I’m a big fan of Kacey Chambers, an Australian singer songwriter who wrote huge hit called, NOT PRETTY ENOUGH and that debut album was amazing. She may have been blown away by fame and the critical acclaim, so she took a break and never really reached her rocket momentum again, though she still tours the world and still writes great songs. I noticed she’d take selfies with their crowds, and I thought it was the cutest cool thing… so we started ding it.

THE ABIDERS (Twin Cities, MN) put on an unforgettable show of Americana music with something for everyone - originals and classic blues, country, some folksy stuff too. These musicians have a groove - some special kind of chemistry - that sets their sound apart from the rest and connects with audiences. Whether bangin’ out their originals, gritty ol’ blues or back-hill country, The Abiders deliver their own kind of music full of heart and soul. If it ain’t fun, we ain’t doin’ it!

My father was a Methodist minister. He let us throw coffeehouse open mics and concerts in his Minneapolis suburban church sanctuary as teens. We also had dances there. Years later as I evolved into a tribute artist…

Creating yours, within your band’s wheelhouse, costumed or not, can generate more money.

The good thing is, you get to perform for a wider variety of age groups, families etc. which can be charming - When doing the solo background to enjoying the day, and people drinking. But the bad thing is, sometimes not all people pay attention and kids can be screaming and running around. Oh well, goes with that territory. Doing the band show thing. If it’s a ticketed show…