You Never Know Where You Might Find Great Music

"So what are you doing tonight?" Kent asked. This is his version of planning ahead.

"No plans, why?" I replied? That's my version of retirement.

"Wanna go see some bluegrass?" Music, I presumed.

"Sounds interesting. Where?"

"At the St. Paul Yacht Club."

"Bluegrass music, in Minnesota, at a marina... I gotta see that. What's the deal?"

"Well, a buddy of mine at work is part of a bluegrass band, and they're playing for a charity event at the yacht club. I guess they're asking for a $10 donation."

The picture forming in my mind was of a three or four guys at the end of a dock sitting on fenders plucking their guitars. Sounded like a great day to spend some time with my son, in a marina, and help out whatever charity the yacht club found worthwhile.

Close. But not really.

The yacht club is located on Harriet Island across from downtown St. Paul. We had docked there overnight in the past. It harbored several old neatly restored woody cruisers and steamboat-styled live aboard boats in it's slips. The view of the downtown skyline is beautiful at night. At a minimum, we'd have a good backdrop for whatever music his friend was able to generate.

At the end of Plato Boulevard, we found the open gate into the St. Paul Yacht Club parking lot. There were a few cars, but not many more than you might expect for a summer weekend. We parked on the furtherest end, next to the yacht club offices, which are effectively converted construction trailers. I could see the boats and docks from there, and that the dock had a locked entrance gate. Nothing happening there that I could see.

As we walked to the other end of the harbor, we saw some sort of building at water level with people milling on the surrounding deck. Walking down the ramp, it was clear that's where the action was. It was a beautiful club house building on floats right on the water. Inside was a full, stainless steel shiny kitchen and several large round tables, all full with about 50 people.
In front of all of them was a five piece band of what i would have guessed were insurance actuarial analysts, minus the pencils. Dressed in full suits and ties, they looked comfortable in the 90 degree heat. But what came out of those instruments was another matter. It was hot.

The High 98's was not some sort of neighborhood weekend band. I learned later that these guys are all accomplished, recognized musicians in their field. Several of the songs they played were written by members, and sounded like  classic standards of bluegrass. Three and four part harmonies were sung effortlessly and precisely, with instrument solo's fast, crisp, with all the notes.

Apparently Kent's associate, a supervisor in another department, was an accomplished touring bluegrass guitarist and lead singer that wanted to settle down as a family man. Marty Marrone has played with some of the best, including the father of bluegrass music himself, Bill Monroe. He was the only one in the band that had a regular job in addition to his music career. The other members all supplemented their performance income teaching any number of bluegrass instruments from home.

It turned out to be a special night of fantastic music in a fantastic and intimate setting. Next time my son calls and asks what I'm doing that night, I'm going to listen closely.

To see and listen to one of the numbers they played that night, click on this YouTube link:

High 48s at the St. Paul Yacht Club

For a commercial introduction to the High 48's, see this video:  An Introduction to the High 48s