MBOTMA proudly presents the Lonely Pines Concert Series, featuring tours throughout the state by two nationally-known bands: The Charlie Sizemore Band (February 2008) and Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (March 2008).

These concerts are sponsored by these Patrons of the Bluegrass Arts: Dick Robison (Duluth), Tom Schommer (Mpls & Savage) And these area businesses: Merrill Lynch (Duluth), US Bank Home Mortgage (Duluth), Great Northern Music (Duluth), Morrie's Buffalo Ford (Maple Lake), Overbeek Electronics (Bemidji), Williams Precisiely Sharp (Bemidji), KRKB Music Outlet (Bemidji), Ken Berge Construction (Bemidji), and Berge Welding & Machine (Bemidji). The Mankato concert is co-produced by The Bothy Folk Club.

CARRIE HASSLER & HARD RAIN

Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain jumped on the music scene last year with the release of their brand new self-titled album on Rural Rhythm Records. Carrie's pure voice combined with the extraordinary talent of this young band has caused quite a stir in the bluegrass and country communities. Their highly entertaining performances along with a mega chart topping album has made them one of the most requested bands in bluegrass. Their album debuted at #11 on Billboard's Top Bluegrass Album Chart. Just over a month later, the single "Seven Miles From Wichita" hit the #1 spot on Sirius Radio's Bluegrass Top 40 and spent 10 months on the BU Top 30 Single Chart. "Going on the Next Train" is currently on the BU Top 30, and the gospel song "Least That I Can Do" was #7 on September's Bluegrass Now Gospel Truths Chart.

THE CHARLIE SIZEMORE BAND

Charlie Sizemore was raised on Puncheon Creek in Magoffin Country in Eastern Kentucky. His first instrument was the fiddle, which he began playing when he was six years old. A few years later, Charlie played lead guitar for regional favorite Lum Patton before touring the eastern U.S. with the Goins Brothers Band. At the age of sixteen Charlie joined Ralph Stanley's band as lead singer, replacing Keith Whitley. Nine years and more than a dozen Stanley albums later, Charlie formed his own band which toured for a dozen years and made seven critically acclaimed albums. His high esteem within the music industry is demonstrated by the numerous artists who have appeared on his records, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Vern Gosdin, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, J. D. Crowe and Ralph Stanley.