Children's programs on bluegrass music are important to provide information on what bluegrass music is  really all about.  Along with duo partner, Jerilyn Kjellberg, Dick Kimmel has been presenting bluegrass music programs at Minnesota libraries.  (Dick actually began doing history of bluegrass programs at libraries in 1974.)  Their latest program of this type was presented on September 25, 2012 and included ace Nashville fiddler, Becky Buller.  The program was aimed at children and covered bluegrass "Critter Songs, " although the large audience was nearly 2/3 made up of adults.  After the program, one mother sent a note to the libary: "LOVED the bluegrass music last night! My four year old asked for a turkey call and wanted to listen to his (Dick Kimmel's) new cd on the way home :) Keep up the great presentations!"

Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg Induction - On February 24, 2012, Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg were inducted into the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame.  Kimmel & Kjellberg have earned accolades for their warm traditional duet singing.  This was their first award as a duet. 

New CD - Dick Kimmel & Co's latest recording, entitled "Dick Kimmel and Co - Dreamin'" presents a unique collection of songs: driving bluegrass numbers from the masters of bluegrass (Goodbye Old Pal: Bill Monroe and I'll Love Nobody But You: Jim and Jesse), Kimmel-Kjellberg duets (Dreamin' and All I Have To Do Is Dream) - always a favorite part of this band's repertoire on recordings and in concert, and originals from this band (Homeless and Heartbroken by Dick Kimmel and Sweetie Honey Baby by Jerilyn Kjellberg).  Comments from an Inside Bluegrass review of  Dick Kimmel & Co - Dreamin' included: "Dreamin' is DK&Co's third album, and it exhibits maturity that can only get gained by experience. Its twelve cuts represent the art of the bluegrass genre as it exists...Original-song seekers will appreciate the Kimmel-penned 'Homeless and Heartbroken'...and 'Sweetie Honey Baby,' Kjellberg's ode to sweet-talkin' waitresses...A safe recommend."

CD Review from Australia - Jan Dale from Southern Style (PBS-FM, www.pbsfm.org.au) writes:

"Dick Kimmel & Co. just keep getting better and better.  Their latest offering Dreamin'  has some fine lead vocals and duets by Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg and lovely harmonies which include baritone vocals by their bass player Tim O'Connor.  Very accomplished instrumental work too. Every track is good but I especially love the title track Dreamin',  Jesse McReynolds song I'll love nobody but you,  Sweetie Honey Baby written by Jerilyn and Monroe's Goodbye Old Pal on which Dick shows what a fine yodeller he is.   I love this album and enjoy playing it for my listeners."

Thanks for the excellent CD reviews!  Comments regarding two of our past recordings include:

"Dick Kimmel & Jerilyn Kjellberg - Somebody Loves You Darlin'" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-0245)

For Bluegrass Unlimited, Steve Goldfield writes:
    "Duet singing is one of the primary threads in old-time and traditional country music.  We have brother duos, sister duos, and male/female duos.  Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg are a  marvelous addition to this tradition...Kimmel and Kjellberg braid their voices together into a deliciously rich harmony...The duo puts their stamp on all the songs...The arrangements (with Kimmel on guitar, mandolin, or banjo) are simple and tasteful.  Both have strong and subtle voices that express the material beautifully...Highly recommended to anyone who loves great duet singing."

 Al Shusterman from Backroads Bluegrass (KCBL, Sacramento, CA) writes: 
     "Wow!!  The impact of this extraordinary CD just takes your breath away.  If you enjoy listening to authentic duets from years past, then this CD fits that bill...I was totally mesmerized while listening to this wonderful CD.  The vocals were excellent and you could really feel the emotion and enthusiasm in their voices...The instrumental work was superb...I played the entire CD and received many calls to play it again....Truthfully, you need to play this CD several times in order to get the full impact from their beautiful voices and the great lyrics of each song."  (May 23, 2007).

"Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps A Record" (Copper Creek Records CCCD-240)

California Bluegrass Association: "Dick has assembled a fine band with wonderfully blended vocal harmonies and instrumentation ranging from hard-driving to softly melodic...With the deeply heartfelt vocals and stirring messages of hope and redemption, it's hard to believe that the band has never recorded a gospel album before...Jerilyn('s)...rendition of 'Tramp on the Street' has a poignancy and sensitivity that few singers can muster...Definitely a must for fans of well done gospel music." 

Comments from Letters and Emails

Just wanted to let you know the CDs arrived today. Thanks for getting them out to me so quickly. I spent an enjoyable afternoon listening to them. They are all great, however, I think my very favorite would be the Dreamin' CD.  I love it.

- Elaine, Shakopee, MN, January 9, 2012

What an excellent evening of musical fun at your cd release at Turner Hall was! The music as well as the onstage banter provided everyone a wonderfully entertaining night. Kudos also on a wonderful new cd, I must have listened to Katie Dear a dozen times already since I purchased the cd.

-Dan, New Ulm, MN, April 14, 2007

I heard "Three Jewels in the Master's Crown" on RFD-TV on March 17.  I thought that the song was very beautiful.   I hope to see you perform again on RFD-TV.

-Clair, Caldwell, Ohio, April 8, 2007

"Chalk up the Dick Kimmel & Co mini tour of Wisconsin as a total success!! ...they played at the Copper Grid in Madison, Wisconsin, to a standing room only crowd of bluegrass fans...The band played and sang hard driving, straight forward bluegrass music liberally sprinkled with stories and laughter...My favorite song of the evening was Dick singing the beautiful old Prisoners Song .  Dick sang it tenderly and with great feeling...Then, he absolutely brought down the house by singing it like a typical bluegrass band would sing it today--with lots of fire and speed!!!...After two encores, the crowd reluctantly let them close the show...It was a stellar evening at the Copper Grid.  I know they will be coming back to Wisconsin soon and when they do, don't miss their show."

-Carmen Burnett, Fireball Mail, May-June, 2000

ENDORSEMENTS  - Dick Kimmel is proud to endorse:

D'Addario Strings  - Dick uses D'Addario strings on all of his instruments.  He uses D'Addario EXP17 or EJ17 Medium Gauge Guitar Strings, EXP74 Medium Gauge Mandolin Strings, and J61 Medium Gauge Banjo Strings.   "The EXP strings have a great sound that maintains itself in between string changes.  The best strings I've ever used."

Chuck Lee Banjos  - This exceptional Texas banjo craftsman designed a custom banjo with Dick Kimmel.  Dick says, "Chuck was great to work with in designing a non-traditional banjo.  I asked for a 3 1/2 inch deep pot--12 inches in diameter with a wooden tone ring to bring out the deep tones.  The banjo is extremely resonant.  The artistic quality of this banjo and the craftsmanship are superb."  For information, including a photo of Dick with the Lee "turkey" banjo visit: http://www.LeeBanjos.com

JR's Claw Picks  - Like many clawhammer banjo players, I don't have fingernails that will hold up through many nights of performing. Also, I've found that flatpicking a guitar and mandolin also wears the right index nail down as well.  I had struggled with various false fingernail concoctions for decades.  JR's Claw Picks sound natural, seat firmly on my finger, and feel great to play with.  For information contact Val Johnson at fungis2001@yahoo.com

LaPlant Mandolins  - Dick uses an F5 style mandolin handmade by Lloyd LaPlant of Grand Rapids, MN.  He has owned, performed, and recorded with 3 different LaPlant mandolins since the 1980's.  Lloyd's mandolins (and guitars) are excellent, both in craftsmanship and tone quality.  LaPlant instruments are totally handmade.

Seth Kimmel Banjo  - Seth Kimmel, a fine luthier from Eugene, OR mainly known for his exception string basses, recently presented Dick with a Kimmel (Seth Kimmel) fretless banjo.  Expect to see this banjo at Dick's solo performances and on future recordings.  (Seth is Dick's nephew and a fine old-time musician.)