Red Star Express
Bluegrass & old-time music

NEWS

GOSPEL ALBUM NEXT?

As we set our sights on the upcoming season, talk has begun to emerge about our next recording effort. We are hoping to pull off a Gospel CD project this winter, with a little help from bassman Steve Nothem and his newfound recording talents.

The itch to do a little pickin'

Red Star Express had another great opportunity to play at the annual Spring MABMA festival, Mar. 31 at the Unitarian Church in Mequon. A few of the boys didn't get enough playing time in the afternoon, so we wandered around until we found a receptive audience in Port Washington. The whole experience was in keeping with our "fun with music" theme. You can read about it at the Wisconsin Wanderings blog at iwantthenews.com.

CD available at local outlets

The brand new Red Star Express CD, entitled "Newtongrass" is now available at the following local outlets.

• Roots Music - Sheboygan Falls
• Dreams Unlimited - Plymouth
• Newton Meats - Newton
• Rupps on Washington - Cleveland
• Bonde's Quik Mart - Cleveland
• Delta Publications - Kiel.
• MORE TO FOLLOW

If you would like a copy of Newtongrass via the mail, please call Delta Publications, Inc. at 920-894-2828, major credit cards accepted.

NEWTONGRASS release May 12, 2006

Our long-awaited second recording, entitled Newtongrass, is nearing completion, and RSE has set the date for its formal release party. Butch's Settlement Haus at St. Nazianz will serve as the site for our CD release party/concert on Friday, May 12. We welcome all fans of RSE and Newtongrass to join in the fun as we perform all 23 tracks from the new CD and more.

Newtongrass promises to be a true collector's item with five RSE originals and many standards that survive in the genre we call Newtongrass. Come on out to party, pick up your copy of the CD and even have the band autograph it if you wish.

RSE hits the record button

It may have been the coldest day of Wisconsin's 2005-2006 winter, but things really heated up for the band at the Rock Garden Studio in Appleton Saturday, Feb. 18. All hands were on deck for a recording session in preparation for Red Star Express' new CD "Newton Grass" to be released this spring.

Taking part in the session were Gerry Jost, Sally SIkora, Sue Woodward, Chris Jost, Eldon Klein, Pete Scheuermann, Steve Nothem, Mike Mathes. Even Reed Woodward lent his vocal talents to "Eat at Joe's."

We had so much fun, our hardest decision will be how to keep it all on one CD.

Red Star Express is planning a release concert/party. Stay tuned to this page for details.

Check out the page of photos from our recording day.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES

Cedar Lake Resort destroyed, Jamfest cancelled!

Tragedy struck the Jumpin' Jambalaya Jamfest's home on Wednesday afternoon, February 15. A devastating fire leveled the 75 year old Cedar Lake Resort, home to the Jamfest each of the first five years. With fewer than 40 days until the concert and open jam, it was decided to cancel the Jamfest this year, giving us additional time to search for a new venue for next spring. Our hearts go out to the Braun family, who not only lost the resort, but their home and two of their cats in the fire. Keep posted to our site for more information. April 1 was also expected to be the release date for the new Red Star Express CD. We will attempt to schedule a CD release party at an appropriate venue this spring. Our special thanks to the James Creek Road band, whose graciousness was helpful in arriving at this decision.

RSE ready to hit the studio!

Red Star Express will be making some news of its own at the Sixth Annual Jumpin' Jambalaya Jamfest. The band's latest recording is expected to be ready for release at this year's festival. RSE has been preparing diligently since the holidays and is poised for a February recording session. The yet-to-be named recording will contain a well-rounded selection of songs that have been popular at RSE appearances over the past year. It's going to be full of great music and a MUST for your CD collection.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE UPDATES

Bass player joins Red Star Express

Beginning in November 2006, Red Star Express announces the affiliation of a new bass player for the band. Steve Nothem, a long-time friend of Red Star Express will be the band's main bass player for future engagements. Steve has a long background in music, having playing in several country and polka style bands. In addition to playing the upright bass, he also dabbles in the dobro and lap steel. Steve has performed on occasion with Red Star Express in the past, but now we are glad to make his presence with the band official.

We welcome Steve formally into the Red Star Express fold.

CD's available
Red Star Express released its debut CD "Fresh Out of the Barn" February 1, 2003, featuring several of the band's original pieces along with some of its favorite old-time and bluegrass numbers.

REVIEWS

Sheboygan Press feature March '02
(wait til you see what they had to say!)