About
BIO
The Minnesota-based Barley Jacks is comprised of front–man Brian Wicklund on fiddle and mandolin, Mike Cramer on guitar, Joel Arpin on drums, and bassists Keith Yanes, Kevin Rowe and Josh Granoski. They are jaw–dropping instrumentalists and longtime masters of the fiddle, guitar, bass and drum who meld their divergent backgrounds of blues and bluegrass, Celtic, R & B and bebop to inspire each other and create something entirely new. Their 2010 debut recording Either Side of Night and 2011 recording The Lighthouse has been met with great praise by reviewers. Virtuosity, magic and a little danger combine to make every performance unique.
Their latest album, Coming Down the Mountain (2021) is a collection of crisp, hard-hitting instrumentals, thoughtful vocals and fan favorites.
The Barley Jacks sing original vocals and play jaw–dropping instrumentals in a spirit of excitement and fun. They are masters of the fiddle, guitar, bass and drum who meld their divergent backgrounds of blues and bluegrass, classical and Celtic, R & B and bebop to inspire each other and create something entirely new. Front–man and fiddler Brian Wicklund is joined by Mike Cramer–guitar, Joel Arpin–percussion, and notable bassists including Kevin Rowe, Josh Granoski, Keith Yanes and Gary Raynor. They have released three albums: Either Side of Night, The Lighthouse, and their 2022 release Coming Down the Mountain.
Virtuosity, magic and a little danger combine to make every performance unique. The first thing an audience notices is how much fun the Barley Jacks have when they perform. These Minnesota–based veterans of years in the musical trenches enjoy making music together so much that they sometimes giggle like little kids completely lost in play.
"I LOVED THE BAND... LOT'S OF GOOD FEEDBACK. THE BARLEY JACKS ARE DYNAMIC, EXCITING AND JUST PLAIN FUN!"
-Mary Doub, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
"THE BARLEY JACKS HAD THE CROWD STANDING, CLAPPING, DANCING AND SHOUTING FOR ALMOST THE ENTIRE FINAL HOUR. THEY ARE ONE FINELY TUNED MACHINE. AN ABSOLUTE TREAT TO LISTEN TO!"
-Greg Schmitz, Sioux River Folk Festival
"THE BARLEY JACKS ARE MUSICIANS' MUSICIANS PLAYING SERIOUSLY GOOD MUSIC. IF YOU CAN SIT THERE AND LISTEN TO THESE GUYS WITHOUT SMILING OR TAPPING YOUR TOE, CHECK YOUR PULSE."
-Ron Arsenault, Rock Bend Music Festival
The long-awaited third release of the Barley Jacks, “Coming Down the Mountain” features clever writing and virtuosic musicianship matured over the band’s hundreds of performances in the last decade. Band leader, songwriter, fiddle and mandolin player Brian Wicklund is ably accompanied by some of the upper midwest’s finest acoustic musicians in Mike Cramer - guitar, Kevin Rowe - bass, and Joel Arpin - drums. With a nod to their bluegrass roots, the project includes swing, old-time and Celtic influences to create a truly unique sound. Wicklund says, “Of the dozens of recordings I’ve made with various combos to date, this one I am most proud of.”
Coming Down The Mountain - album
(fiddle/mandolin) Minnesota Music Hall of Fame 2024 inductee, Brian Wicklund has been an integral part of the acoustic music scene for decades. As a teenager, he won dozens of fiddle contests and has toured internationally with
Stoney Lonesome, Judith Edelman Band, Kathy Kallick Band, Chris Stuart Band, and with Brother Mule. He is a busy studio musician and producer with dozens of projects to his credit. Brian wrote the bestselling, American Fiddle Method published by Mel Bay and is in constant demand as a teacher worldwide. Mike Cramer–(guitar) is a champion flat picker and jazz phenom. Keith Yanes –(bass) is as comfortable in a bebop combo or a bluegrass band. Joel Arpin–(drums)grooves on cajon and trap set.
SELECTED APPEARANCES
GREY FOX BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL - NY
MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN FOLD FESTIVAL, MI
CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER - MINNEAPOLIS, MN
SIOUX RIVER FOLK FESTIVAL, SD
ROCK BEND FOLK FESTIVAL, MN
PORTAGE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, WI
MINOCQUA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WI MINNESOTA STATE FAIR
GRAND OPERA HOUSE, WI
MABLE TAINTER THEATER, WI
OCONOMOWOC PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, WI
SCHAUER CENTER , WI
BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED - "A DOUBLE THREAT... THIS EXCEPTIONAL FIDDLER ALSO PROVES TO BE AN ABLE COMPOSER AND APPEALING SINGER."
INDIE-MUSIC.COM - "WICKLUND'S FIDDLING RINGS IN PRISTINE TONALITY... SUPERB ORIGINALS."
INSIDE BLUEGRASS - "WONDERFUL ORIGINAL TUNES, GORGEOUS HARMONIES AND A LEVEL OF MUSICIANSHIP THAT FEW IN THE REGION CAN DREAM OF MATCHING."
CITY PAGES - "THEY RAISE THE NOTCH BY PERFORMING INTERACTIVE BLUEGRASS, ENGAGING THE AUDIENCE AND MAKING EVERY PERFORMANCE UNIQUE."
Brian Wicklund
