Musicians/Entertainers:

 www.redpajamarecords.com  Back in college, Mark's roommate Rich introduced Mark to the music of Steve Goodman. It was love at first hear. This is the site where you can order any and all of Steve's music, including the very special DVD containing 20 Goodman performances and interviews with John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, and Steve himself. There's also a nice bio on the site that says it all.

 www.lucykaplansky.com  The official Lucy Kaplansky site. Mark heard one of her CD's in a store in Ely, Minnesota and became compulsive. A great voice who teams with her husband Richard to write unforgettable music. Cry, Cry, Cry, an album that includes Dar Williams and Richard Shindell, is a must for folkies to own.

 www.jongorka.com  A pal of Kaplansky's and every bit as good, perhaps even better, John Gorka now resides in Minnesota. His style is reminiscent of Steve Goodman, maybe that's why Rene', Mark's wife, loves his voice. A wonderful act in concert, one you shouldn'tmiss.

www.duhks.com   OK, the name is weird. But this offshoot of scruge macduhk is one of the finest young Celtic fusion acts you will ever hear. They played the Two Harbors Folk Music Festival in 2002 and blew the canvas off the tent. You can't stop tapping your feet.

www.phs.mpr.org  Log onto this site, look up Garrison Keillor, and hold onto your hat. Prairie Home Companion is what humor, roots music, and the Midwest is all about.

www.saraharmer.com  The former lead singer of the Canadian band, Weeping Tile, Mark used her lyrics and a reference to a fictional performance by Sarah in Winnipeg in his second novel, Pigs, A Trial Lawyer's Story. A wonderful performer and songwriter with a loyal following both north and south of the border.

www.brendawieler.com Having written one of the all time best songs to come out of the Midwest (Fly Me Back), Brenda has relocated to Portland, Oregon, but continues to tour the Midwest as part of her regular concert swing. Mark incorporated the complete lyrics to Fly Me Back as a means of setting the stage for the critical discord sowed by protagonist Danny Aitkins in Pigs.  Give a listen to the young lady that Richie Havens called "the little girl with the big voice."
 

www.mariabamford.com The website of native Duluthian and comedian, Maria Bamford. Sure, Maria's mom is a Deacon in the Episcopal Church (Mark's denomination) and a pal of Mark's but Maria's link is included here because: a.) Maria is really funny; b.) She got to kiss John Travolta in the movie Lucky Numbers; c.) Maria's mom said God wanted her daughter to have a link; d.) Maria has been on A Prairie Home Companion; and d.) How many funny Episcopalians can you name besides Maria? Or funny Lutherans, for that matter?

www.patsurface.com Pat’s wonderful voice and powerful lyrics combine with excellent guitar technique to make his music memorable. His booth is right next to Mark’s at the Bayfield Apple Festival. Check it out this October and hear some great music while you pick up a great book!