The music of Dick Kimmel is firmly rooted within traditional bluegrass, old-time stringband, and folk music; genres where he excels as a performer as well as an historian, mentor, and teacher. Dick regularly carries his music throughout North America and Europe as a solo performer and with various music collaborations including his band Dick Kimmel & Co, The Alan Munde Trio and duos with folks like Pamela Longtine, Ian Kimmel, Adam Granger, Graham Sones, and Lori Jean.
Performances with an educational component are a Kimmel specialty. He has developed concert-based programs designed for children through seniors. His program, "Dick Kimmel's History of Bluegrass Music," has been presented at music festivals and events throughout North America and Europe for more than 40 years. Also, Dick combines his music with his calling as a professional wildlife biologist for programs featuring animal biology and animal songs. For Thanksgiving month, at the urging of Minnesota libraries, Kimmel developed a family-oriented program, "Dick Kimmel's Thanksgiving Turkey Extravaganza," combining turkey lore and the art of turkey calling with turkey and Thanksgiving songs. Dick Kimmel, Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology, was a professional biologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources spanning 4 decades before returning to his life as a full-time musician. Dr. Kimmel served as an adjunct professor at universities in West Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota; lecturing, serving on graduate student committees, and teaching courses on traditional music and conservation biology.
Dick Kimmel has been associated with bluegrass, old-time stringband music, and folk music for more than 50 years as a performer, recording artist, workshop instructor, teacher, historian, writer, and songwriter. His recent song, "Fly Away to Mexico" recently released on the CD, Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine - Fiddle & Mandolin, is slated for a conservation video about the Monarch Butterfly. Many of Dick's original songs carry messages of conservation, biology, and social concerns. Kimmel's "Homeless and Heartbroken" was made into a video concerned with homeless people. (Search YouTube for "Dick Kimmel Homeless and Heartbroken")
Dick is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist most often playing mandolin, clawhammer banjo, and guitar. He began playing music in the 1950's, singing traditional country duets with his brother, Charles. In 1962 Dick formed his first bluegrass band, a Chicago-area group of high school friends called "The Bluegrass Ramblers." During that period, Dick was part of the rock revolution when the instrumental music of groups like the Ventures shifted to vocal bands ruled by the Everly Brothers and the Beatles. Dick performed for rock 'sock hops' for Chicago's WLS-radio with his band, "The Tremolos." His first recording was a 45 rpm record version of his original "The Shake" by the Tremolos. A decade later Dick, playing guitar and banjo, was touring full-time throughout the United States with the West Virginia-based, "Keen, Kimmel & Co." While living in West Virginia during the1960's through the early 80's, Dick performed and recorded with many leading bluegrass and old-time musicians. Many bands and musicians Dick recorded with during this period are included on his Copper Creek Records solo release, "Dick Kimmel - 25 Year Collection" (Copper Creek Records CD-0143). Dick credits his jamming and performing with old-time stringband musicians like Andy Boarman, Tommy Jarrell, Kyle Creed, Woody Simmons, Glenn Smith, Dave & John Morris (the Morris Brothers), and others for his traditional approach to music.
In 2017 Dick was awarded a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council in Minnesota to study old-time fiddle music and take his mandolin, banjo, and guitar playing back another step in time - the opposite direction from musicians that have an interest in modernizing their music. His 2016 recording, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch," was a step in this direction. His CD "Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine - Fiddle & Mandolin," supported by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council grant, is a further step in this direction.
Recordings by Dick Kimmel have consistently received high acclaim from major traditional music media and radio in North America, Japan, and Europe. Dick's first LP records in the old-time stringband genre were "The F& W Stringband" recorded in Vermont in 1969 and "The Wild Turkey Stringband" recorded in West Virginia in 1972. During the 1970's, Dick's vinyl recording of "West Virginia My Home" remained on West Virginia radio charts for more than 3 months earning Number 1 status. For years this recording was played before West Virginia University Mountaineer sporting events. Dick's original, "Ride On By," also hit Number 1 on West Virginia country music charts. His more than two-dozen recordings over the past 50 years include 7 bluegrass/old-time CDs for Copper Creek Records and cuts on compilation recordings released in the United States and Europe. Dick's solo CDs include "Dick Kimmel-25 Year Collection" (Copper Creek Records CD-0143), "Dick Kimmel-Wild Turkey Rag" (Copper Creek Records CD-0115) , his clawhammer banjo release, "Dick Kimmel-Fishin' Creek Blues" (Copper Creek Records CD-0173), and a 2016 mandolin CD, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch" (Dick Kimmel Music 2016-01). Dick authored a book containing the music found on his banjo CD for Mel Bay Publications. See the "Recordings" link and "Order Form" for more information on Dick's recordings.
Articles written about Dick Kimmel, his music, and his bands have appeared in many international music magazines. Bluegrass Unlimited (August 2005) noted, "Dick Kimmel is a well-known and long-respected multi-instrumentalist and bandleader on both the bluegrass and old-time music scene." The September 2016 Minnesota Bluegrass featured a cover story on Dick's influence on the Minnesota traditional music community. Banjo Newsletter, in June 2001, featured a cover story on Dick Kimmel and his clawhammer banjo playing.
Following a 1993 solo concert by Dick Kimmel at Scotland's Guildtown Bluegrass Festival, the festival promoter, John Sheldon, wrote, "Your performance was the highlight of the main concert and the audience was totally captivated and enthralled by your great selection of songs and instrumentals. Your program gave us a wonderful combination of soulful singing combined with multi-instrumental talent with a thoughtful blend of traditional and original bluegrass interspersed with marvelous old time material."
Dick was proclaimed "West Virginia Ambassador of Good Will" by the West Virginia Legislature in 1978; earning the title for his "tireless promotion of the music of this state through performances, recordings, lectures, workshops, and coordination of bluegrass events." This title was expanded to "The Ambassador of Bluegrass," in a 1994 feature article for Bluegrass Unlimited, because of his varied involvements with bluegrass music on an international level. For 15 years Dick served as the Chair for the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) International Committee. The Ambassador title has followed Dick to Minnesota. Minnesota Bluegrass (August 2016) featured a cover story entitled, "Dick Kimmel - Minnesota Bluegrass Ambassador." The Bluegrass Association on North Dakota (BAND) awarded Dick as the "BAND International Ambassador of the Year" for 2015-16.
Dick Kimmel has written hundreds of articles and reviews for major traditional music publications in North America, Europe, and Japan. On stage, Dick's emcee work paints a picture of bluegrass music and it's colorful history from information he gained as a bluegrass historian and writer. His presentation "Dick Kimmel's History of Bluegrass Music" has been featured for festivals and programs throughout North America and Europe since the 1970's.
In 2017, Dick made more than 100 performances. Dick Kimmel's 2015 schedule included performances in Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Tennessee. Past performances include the SPBGMA Bluegrass Awards Show (Nashville, TN), The Miles City (MT) Bluegrass Festival, Martin Luther College, Bethany Lutheran College, The Garden City (MN) Bluegrass Festival, The Lakes Bluegrass Festival (MN), SPBGMA Bluegrass Showcase of Bands (Kirksville, MO), the Banjo Extraveganza (Knoxville, TN). His 2015 schedule included a tour to central Europe with The Alan Munde Trio and a Pacific Northwest Tour with his son, Ian Kimmel - SPBGMA's 2014 mandolin player of the year. Over the years, Dick has performed for: IBMA's World of Bluegrass/Fanfest (Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and Owensboro, KY), Chippewa Valley Gospel Bluegrass Festival (Bruce, WI), Bismarck (ND) Bluegrass Festival, West Virginia University, Kissimmee (FL) Bluegrass Festival, Indian Springs (MD) Bluegrass Festival, Patomic Highlands Bluegrass Festival (WV), Spencer Bluegrass Festival (Spencer, IA), European World of Bluegrass (Holland), Missouri River Bluegrass Festival (Washburn, ND), Carl Mai Festival (Germany), The Guildtown Bluegrass Festival (Scotland), The Opryland Hotel, Beartrap Summer Festival (Casper, WY); Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival (Richmond, MN), Station Inn (Nashville), Sam Bond's Garage (Eugene, OR), The Black Hills Bluegrass Festival (SD) and countless other concerts, festivals, colleges, community concerts, and events.
Dick's bluegrass band, Dick Kimmel & Co, has produced 3 recordings including a traditional bluegrass gospel CD entitled "Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps a Record" (Copper Creek Records CD-0240). This recording earned recognition by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as one of the top bluegrass gospel recordings in 2005. With Adam Granger, Dick produced, 'Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger - Live at the Rhein" (Jeep Records 2218), a 2-CD set recorded live at the Grand Center for Arts and Culture in New Ulm, MN. Dick's son, Ian Kimmel has recorded with his father on 4 CDs.
Bands and Duos with Dick Kimmel
Kimmel & Coyle
Dick Kimmel & Kelly Coyle perform as a Minnesota-based acoustic music duo playing an eclectic mix of old-time stringband, bluegrass, and folk music. Both musicians sing and between them play mandolin, mountain dulcimer, clawhammer banjo, and guitar.
Dick Kimmel has played, recorded, and promoted traditional music internationally for more than 50 years as a solo artist and with musicians like Del McCoury, Alan Munde, Hazel Dickens, and Becky Buller. He was inducted into 3 music halls-of-fame including the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Dick has made more than 2 dozen recordings, including 7 CDs for Copper Creek Records. He served as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s International Committee Chair for 15 years, earning him the title “the Ambassador of Bluegrass” for an article in Bluegrass Unlimited magazine.
Multi-instrumentalist Kelly Coyle has played music for more than 45 years. A native of Kentucky, Kelly played old-time and bluegrass music with such Kentucky musicians as fiddler Tom Taylor and his brother, banjoist Ballard “Pappy” Taylor, The Altar Way Gospel Singers, and Pam Gadd. He has a degree in folklore from the University of Kentucky. Kelly has played bass and guitar on 4 recordings including CDs by the New X Art Ensemble and the Endtime Quartet.
Kimmel & Longtine
DICK KIMMEL - 2010 inductee into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame
PAMELA LONGTINE - "One of Minnesota's best old-time fiddlers" (Minnesota Bluegrass, March 2017)
Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine present a diverse repertoire drawn from old-time stringband, folk, and traditional bluegrass music. In 2017 they released, "Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine -- Fiddle & Mandolin." Folk musician, Ron Miles writes, "What a splendid piece is your new album -- my traveling companion." Stringed instrument builder and enthusiast, Lloyd LaPlant relates, "Every cut on the new Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine CD is wonderful."
This CD has received excellent reviews:
Minnesota Bluegrass (August 2017): "This CD is the first by Dick Kimmel and Pamela Longtine, two stalwarts of the Minnesota old-time and traditional string music community. Kimmel is a multi-instrumentalist legend, adept at guitar and clawhammer banjo as well as mandolin; Longtine is a superb fiddler with experience in many tradition genres...they've put together the perfect CD ...Top notch stuff all around."
Bluegrass Unlimited (November 2017): "...their music here is well-played and enjoyable, most impressive is their ability to write tunes that sound as if they could be a hundred years old."
Pamela is a traditional fiddler inspired by the fiddlers who carried schottisches, jigs, and polkas from Northern Europe to America. She specializes in rural American hoedowns and waltzes as well as French-Canadian jigs and reels. Pamela began playing fiddle in the early 1990s. In January 2018 she released a solo fiddle recording, "Pamela Longtine - Saddle Old Kate." Minnesota Bluegrass (March 2018) gave this recording an excellent review stating, "This CD shows the depth and breadth of Longtine's talents...Another solid effort featuring one of Minnesota's best old-time fiddlers..." She is also featured on the 2011 CD, "The Minnesota Fiddle Tunes Project." Pamela’s original tunes, one of her specialies, are carefully placed within the style of historic fiddle tunes.
In August 2016, Minnesota Bluegrass presented a cover story entitled, "Dick Kimmel - Minnesota Bluegrass Ambasador." Dick Kimmel is a traditional musician, who has performed bluegrass and old-time music internationally for more than 50 years. He sings historical songs from the bluegrass, old-time, and folk music traditions, as well as performing original songs and instrumentals. Dick plays mandolin, clawhammer banjo, and guitar. He has been inducted into 3 music halls of fame: America’s Old-Time Country and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2008, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame in 2012. He has recorded more than 2 dozen LP’s and CD’s, including 4 solo recordings.
IA typical performance by Kimmel & Longtine opens with a rousing fiddle tune, such as “Little Betty Brown,” with Pamela's fiddle accompanied by Dick playing clawhammer banjo. This is a Central US tune from a version learned from Minnesota/Missouri fiddler Gail Heil, with whom Dick recorded the tune. Next Kimmel & Longtine, playing mandolin and fiddle, join with harmony vocals for "Buffalo Gals," a fast-paced song attributed to nineteenth century minstrel musicians. This is followed by an historic country song played on fiddle and guitar, “The Prisoner’s Song,” in a style faithfully representing the 1924 Vernon Dahlhart recording. This is followed by "Goodbye Old Pal," penned by Bill Monroe - the father of bluegrass music, performed in an early bluegrass/old-time style with just fiddle and mandolin. Longtine then adds one of her originals, "The "Metamorphosis Stomp," followed by Kimmel's "Ride On By," an environmental classic that was a #1 bluegrass record for Kimmel in the 1970s. Kimmel & Longtine wind their way through various songs and tunes, each introduced with information on how it fits within our culture. Their audience is not only entertained, but learns about the music as well. A Kimmel & Longtine audience leaves their concert with big smiles for the music along with an appreciation for the acoustic music these musicians perform.
In addition to concerts, Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine present concert-based programs at festivals, libraries, and history centers Their programs include "Fiddle Fun - Passing Down the Tradition," "Creeping Critters - Animal Songs," "Dick Kimmel's History of Bluegrass Music," "Talkin' Turkey Songs," "Songs of the Environment," "Beautiful Bugs - the amazing Monarch Butterfly," "Songs of a Healthy Planet," and "Songsmithing - the Art of Writing Songs and Tunes."
Dick Kimmel & Co
featuring Dick Kimmel - vocals, mandolin, guitar & clawhammer banjo
Dick Kimmel & Co is a 4 piece bluegrass band based in southern Minnesota. Since the 1970's, Dick Kimmel's bands have performed throughout North America and Europe. In 2008, this band received the National Traditional Country Music Association's "Rising Legend Award." Dick Kimmel & Co's style of bluegrass is laced with original songs that seem like classics.
Recent CD's from Dick Kimmel & Co include the award-winning bluegrass gospel recording, "Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps A Record" recognized as one of the top bluegrass gospel recordings in 2005 by the International Bluegrass Music Association. In 2016, Dick Kimmel & Co was featured on 2 recordings including Dick's 4th solo release, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch."
Over the years, Dick Kimmel & Co has included some of the biggest bluegrass musicians in the business. Thus, band personnel often varies from year to year and gig to gig, but always maintaining the strong Kimmel bluegrass sound.
Ian Kimmel often joins his Dad on stage providing an extra Kimmel punch to the music. Ian is a junior at Berklee College of Music in Boston - considered the foremost contemporary music school in the world. Ian sings and plays mandolin, Dobro, guitar, and a variety of other instruments. He has performed and recorded with Dick Kimmel & Co since the 1990s. His most recent solo CD is "Ian Kimmel & the Heard - Nothing to Say Nothing to Tell." On March 21, 2017, Ian had the honor of performing with his band at the Bitter End in New York City - an historic venue noted for launching the career of many musicians including Bob Dylan.
A favorite Dick Kimmel & Co musician is banjo phenom, Graham Sones. He has played Scruggs-style banjo for more than 40 years. This Rochester, MN native performed and recorded with some of the Midwest's top bluegrass bands. Additionally, Graham is an excellent lead singer and adds the baritone vocals to DKC's trio and quartet harmonies.
Other musicians often filling out the DKC mix include singer/guitarist Tony Rook. standup-acoustic bass player Terry Johnson, Prairie Home Companion guitarist/songwriter Adam Granger, traditional fiddler Pamela Longtine, and electric bass man/Berklee student Mark Donohue.
Kimmel & Granger
Dick Kimmel-vocals and mandolin, clawhammer banjo, and guitar.
Adam Granger- vocals and guitar
Dick Kimmel and Adam Granger have collaborated for duo performances since the 1980's performing throughout North America and Europe. When these two musicians take to the stage together, magical moments happen as the duo weaves through a spontaneous program that includes hot picking (on guitar, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo), impromtu humor, and exceptional singing on a thoughtful selection songs
Both Dick and Adam are recognized individually for many decades of performances, recordings, songwriting, and various other involvements with bluegrass, folk, and old-time music. On stage, Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger feature a variety of traditional bluegrass music, old-time tunes, original songs and instrumentals, and 'off-the-wall' numbers. "Both Dick and Adam have been playing acoustic music since Dwight Eisenhower was President...to see and hear Kimmel and Granger on stage is the complete acoustic music experience..." (Bluegrass Unlimited, April 2010.)
In 2008, Dick and Adam released their first recording together, "Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger - Live at the Rhein" (Jeep Records). This is a double-CD recorded live at the Grand Center for Arts and Culture in New Ulm MN. In 2016, Adam played guitar on Dick's solo mandolin recording, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch."
Dick and Adam tour internationally as part of the Alan Munde Trio with world-class banjo player, Alan Munde. Adam, and Alan Munde are both featured on Dick's latest recording.
Dick & Ian Kimmel
Dick Kimmel - vocals and guitar, mandolin, and clawhammer banjo
Ian Kimmel - vocals and guitar, mandolin, and resonator guitar
Exciting music is in store as Dick & Ian Kimmel, a father-son duo, take the stage for an energetic performance of classic bluegrass and old-time songs, contemporary folk rock, and exceptional original songs.
Ian Kimmel has spent much of his 20 years performing music with his father, triple hall of famer Dick Kimmel. When Ian was 17 years old, his musical prowess was recognized by the Society for the Preservation of the Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) when they honored him as their Midwest 2014 SPBGMA Mandolin Player of the year. He has played and recorded with his own bands, most notably Ian Kimmel & the Heard and Barton's Hollow. In recent years he has toured and performed with many artists including Becky Buller, Alan Munde, Adam Steffey, Franks Sullivan, and Bobby Hicks. Ian is currently a music major at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA majoring in Music Production and Music Performance
Dick Kimmel is well-known within bluegrass and traditional music circles having performed for more that 50 years throughout North America and Europe. Dick is a 2012 inductee into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame, a 2010 inductee into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and a 2008 inductee into the Traditional Country and Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. In 2014 Dick was nominated as SPBGMA's 2014 Bluegrass Entertainer of the Year. In 2016 Dick was awarded "2015-2016 International Ambassador of the Year" by the Bluegrass Association of North Dakota (BAND). See the 'Artist Profile' page on this website for a full description of Dick's impact on bluegrass music. Dick is a full-time bluegrass musician.
Ian and Dick Kimmel have been featured on 4 recordings together, "Dick Kimmel & Co - Dreamin', " and the "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch" (2016), "Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine - Fiddle and Mandolin" (2017), and "Pamela Longtine - Saddle Old Kate" (2018).
As a duo, Ian and Dick Kimmel play music as close as those famous brother duets from the earliest days of bluegrass, traditional country music, and the family folk music groups. However, they add a very special menu of more modern flavorings, rock or blues numbers, songs penned by both musicians, as well as traditional and original bluegrass selections.
The music of Dick Kimmel is firmly rooted within traditional bluegrass, old-time stringband, and folk music; genres where he excels as a performer as well as an historian, mentor, and teacher. Dick regularly carries his music throughout North America and Europe as a solo performer and with various music collaborations including his band Dick Kimmel & Co, The Alan Munde Trio and duos with folks like Pamela Longtine, Ian Kimmel, Adam Granger, Graham Sones, and Lori Jean.
Performances with an educational component are a Kimmel specialty. He has developed concert-based programs designed for children through seniors. His program, "Dick Kimmel's History of Bluegrass Music," has been presented at music festivals and events throughout North America and Europe for more than 40 years. Also, Dick combines his music with his calling as a professional wildlife biologist for programs featuring animal biology and animal songs. For Thanksgiving month, at the urging of Minnesota libraries, Kimmel developed a family-oriented program, "Dick Kimmel's Thanksgiving Turkey Extravaganza," combining turkey lore and the art of turkey calling with turkey and Thanksgiving songs. Dick Kimmel, Ph.D. in Wildlife Biology, was a professional biologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources spanning 4 decades before returning to his life as a full-time musician. Dr. Kimmel served as an adjunct professor at universities in West Virginia, Minnesota, and South Dakota; lecturing, serving on graduate student committees, and teaching courses on traditional music and conservation biology.
Dick Kimmel has been associated with bluegrass, old-time stringband music, and folk music for more than 50 years as a performer, recording artist, workshop instructor, teacher, historian, writer, and songwriter. His recent song, "Fly Away to Mexico" recently released on the CD, Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine - Fiddle & Mandolin, is slated for a conservation video about the Monarch Butterfly. Many of Dick's original songs carry messages of conservation, biology, and social concerns. Kimmel's "Homeless and Heartbroken" was made into a video concerned with homeless people. (Search YouTube for "Dick Kimmel Homeless and Heartbroken")
Dick is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist most often playing mandolin, clawhammer banjo, and guitar. He began playing music in the 1950's, singing traditional country duets with his brother, Charles. In 1962 Dick formed his first bluegrass band, a Chicago-area group of high school friends called "The Bluegrass Ramblers." During that period, Dick was part of the rock revolution when the instrumental music of groups like the Ventures shifted to vocal bands ruled by the Everly Brothers and the Beatles. Dick performed for rock 'sock hops' for Chicago's WLS-radio with his band, "The Tremolos." His first recording was a 45 rpm record version of his original "The Shake" by the Tremolos. A decade later Dick, playing guitar and banjo, was touring full-time throughout the United States with the West Virginia-based, "Keen, Kimmel & Co." While living in West Virginia during the1960's through the early 80's, Dick performed and recorded with many leading bluegrass and old-time musicians. Many bands and musicians Dick recorded with during this period are included on his Copper Creek Records solo release, "Dick Kimmel - 25 Year Collection" (Copper Creek Records CD-0143). Dick credits his jamming and performing with old-time stringband musicians like Andy Boarman, Tommy Jarrell, Kyle Creed, Woody Simmons, Glenn Smith, Dave & John Morris (the Morris Brothers), and others for his traditional approach to music.
In 2017 Dick was awarded a grant from the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council in Minnesota to study old-time fiddle music and take his mandolin, banjo, and guitar playing back another step in time - the opposite direction from musicians that have an interest in modernizing their music. His 2016 recording, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch," was a step in this direction. His CD "Dick Kimmel & Pamela Longtine - Fiddle & Mandolin," supported by the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council grant, is a further step in this direction.
Recordings by Dick Kimmel have consistently received high acclaim from major traditional music media and radio in North America, Japan, and Europe. Dick's first LP records in the old-time stringband genre were "The F& W Stringband" recorded in Vermont in 1969 and "The Wild Turkey Stringband" recorded in West Virginia in 1972. During the 1970's, Dick's vinyl recording of "West Virginia My Home" remained on West Virginia radio charts for more than 3 months earning Number 1 status. For years this recording was played before West Virginia University Mountaineer sporting events. Dick's original, "Ride On By," also hit Number 1 on West Virginia country music charts. His more than two-dozen recordings over the past 50 years include 7 bluegrass/old-time CDs for Copper Creek Records and cuts on compilation recordings released in the United States and Europe. Dick's solo CDs include "Dick Kimmel-25 Year Collection" (Copper Creek Records CD-0143), "Dick Kimmel-Wild Turkey Rag" (Copper Creek Records CD-0115) , his clawhammer banjo release, "Dick Kimmel-Fishin' Creek Blues" (Copper Creek Records CD-0173), and a 2016 mandolin CD, "Dick Kimmel - Corbett on the Couch" (Dick Kimmel Music 2016-01). Dick authored a book containing the music found on his banjo CD for Mel Bay Publications. See the "Recordings" link and "Order Form" for more information on Dick's recordings.
Articles written about Dick Kimmel, his music, and his bands have appeared in many international music magazines. Bluegrass Unlimited (August 2005) noted, "Dick Kimmel is a well-known and long-respected multi-instrumentalist and bandleader on both the bluegrass and old-time music scene." The September 2016 Minnesota Bluegrass featured a cover story on Dick's influence on the Minnesota traditional music community. Banjo Newsletter, in June 2001, featured a cover story on Dick Kimmel and his clawhammer banjo playing.
Following a 1993 solo concert by Dick Kimmel at Scotland's Guildtown Bluegrass Festival, the festival promoter, John Sheldon, wrote, "Your performance was the highlight of the main concert and the audience was totally captivated and enthralled by your great selection of songs and instrumentals. Your program gave us a wonderful combination of soulful singing combined with multi-instrumental talent with a thoughtful blend of traditional and original bluegrass interspersed with marvelous old time material."
Dick was proclaimed "West Virginia Ambassador of Good Will" by the West Virginia Legislature in 1978; earning the title for his "tireless promotion of the music of this state through performances, recordings, lectures, workshops, and coordination of bluegrass events." This title was expanded to "The Ambassador of Bluegrass," in a 1994 feature article for Bluegrass Unlimited, because of his varied involvements with bluegrass music on an international level. For 15 years Dick served as the Chair for the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) International Committee. The Ambassador title has followed Dick to Minnesota. Minnesota Bluegrass (August 2016) featured a cover story entitled, "Dick Kimmel - Minnesota Bluegrass Ambassador." The Bluegrass Association on North Dakota (BAND) awarded Dick as the "BAND International Ambassador of the Year" for 2015-16.
Dick Kimmel has written hundreds of articles and reviews for major traditional music publications in North America, Europe, and Japan. On stage, Dick's emcee work paints a picture of bluegrass music and it's colorful history from information he gained as a bluegrass historian and writer. His presentation "Dick Kimmel's History of Bluegrass Music" has been featured for festivals and programs throughout North America and Europe since the 1970's.
In 2017, Dick made more than 100 performances. Dick Kimmel's 2015 schedule included performances in Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Tennessee. Past performances include the SPBGMA Bluegrass Awards Show (Nashville, TN), The Miles City (MT) Bluegrass Festival, Martin Luther College, Bethany Lutheran College, The Garden City (MN) Bluegrass Festival, The Lakes Bluegrass Festival (MN), SPBGMA Bluegrass Showcase of Bands (Kirksville, MO), the Banjo Extraveganza (Knoxville, TN). His 2015 schedule included a tour to central Europe with The Alan Munde Trio and a Pacific Northwest Tour with his son, Ian Kimmel - SPBGMA's 2014 mandolin player of the year. Over the years, Dick has performed for: IBMA's World of Bluegrass/Fanfest (Nashville, TN, Louisville, KY, and Owensboro, KY), Chippewa Valley Gospel Bluegrass Festival (Bruce, WI), Bismarck (ND) Bluegrass Festival, West Virginia University, Kissimmee (FL) Bluegrass Festival, Indian Springs (MD) Bluegrass Festival, Patomic Highlands Bluegrass Festival (WV), Spencer Bluegrass Festival (Spencer, IA), European World of Bluegrass (Holland), Missouri River Bluegrass Festival (Washburn, ND), Carl Mai Festival (Germany), The Guildtown Bluegrass Festival (Scotland), The Opryland Hotel, Beartrap Summer Festival (Casper, WY); Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival (Richmond, MN), Station Inn (Nashville), Sam Bond's Garage (Eugene, OR), The Black Hills Bluegrass Festival (SD) and countless other concerts, festivals, colleges, community concerts, and events.
Dick's bluegrass band, Dick Kimmel & Co, has produced 3 recordings including a traditional bluegrass gospel CD entitled "Dick Kimmel & Co - My Lord Keeps a Record" (Copper Creek Records CD-0240). This recording earned recognition by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as one of the top bluegrass gospel recordings in 2005. With Adam Granger, Dick produced, 'Dick Kimmel & Adam Granger - Live at the Rhein" (Jeep Records 2218), a 2-CD set recorded live at the Grand Center for Arts and Culture in New Ulm, MN. Dick's son, Ian Kimmel has recorded with his father on 4 CDs.