LITT MAGAZINE

Photo Courtesy of Rudolphs.com

Mrozinski...Tom Lieberman...then came Louisiana musician Chris Mulkey, (songwriter, actor, whose songs you may or may not know from HBO and Showtime theme songs)..no more, no less special than the local talent that came on before and after him-blew into town for this special night...rocked the house with a great performance before being whisked away for an HBO performance early the next morning... Chris told me that he dug the camaraderie of the Twin Cities musicians, and wants to hook up with Metsa in a return. Mary Jane Alm belted a few great tunes, leaving the audience wanting more, but being the gracious artist she is she didn't want to hog the preciously little stage time from others ...go girl! Then came Larry Long and J.D. Steele who tore the whole damn house down with tunes from their recent release "Don't Stand Still".

This was only one day and not even half of the people involved in the two day event. For those not mentioned-no offense intended, it’s simply a matter of the writer's Alzheimer’s competing with a shortage of space-sincere apologies.

Paul Metsa, singer, songwriter, and major Brother on the TC music scene, booked and scheduled the two day event and engineered its smooth, almost seamless transitions, act by act. It was an incredibly long two days, but at the benefit's conclusion, the generosity of Theros and the hard work of Metsa showed the more sincere side of Minnesota goodness. The Japanese Relief Concert was the most positive example of a small group of like minded people-doin' what they do-to help others in need.

Originally approached to donate one day of the proceeds from his restaurant-Theros did the effort one better and upped the ante 100%-Theros donated two days instead of one. That's for real generosity. Bravo, Rudolph's, and, bravo, for all the participating artists/musicians for donating the fruits of their labor to people who aren't having much fruit these days.

RE

One of the more enduring intangibles about Minneapolis is that incredible occurrences can happen in unlikely places. A great example of that observation took place recently at Rudolph's restaurant. The event, the Japanese Relief Benefit Concert that took place March 28-March 29th was the partnership of commerce meeting artistry to benefit a great cause. Never has such a tiny stage displayed such big talent.

 James Theros, owner of Rudolph's, and Paul Metsa Presents teamed up to benefit the relief effort for the victims of the recent disasters in Japan. For two days Twin Cities musicians gave their all for people a half a world away. The enthusiasm was infectious, and the spirit of giving was incredibly Minnesotan.

The roster on the 29th ranged from Alm to Walker-there were strummers, pickers, crooners, and jammers-all represented some of the best and most divergent talent on the scene to date. Each band, group, duo, or individual had their range and edge. There was the "damn I feel good" music of one of the coolest gentleman to wear a Stetson, in this area, the legendary Sherwin Linton and his lovely songbird.... to the wail of Mary Cutrufelo. Mick Sterling lent his brilliance, as much as Willie Walker bought his soulful best to the party. Let's not even forget inspirational singer Mari Harris teaming up with Metsa and Sonny Earl...Geno jammed, heartily...Barry Goldberg...Terry Walsh...Tony O. (that's Ortiz-not Oliva) and Mary Rancone...let's go with the pair of Bobby V's,- Bobby Vandell at one end and Bobby Vee at the other... did we not yet mention the steady man of Minneapolis scene music, Arne Fogel...Kevin Boe staged quite a performance too...Nick