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PRAISE FOR THE SAPSUCKERS
“Enchanting harmonies… note-perfect old-time fiddle playing… To be devoured by those who love old-time acoustic country music.” --fROOTS Magazine, John Atkins “Talented musicians and vocalists… impressive… a unique, enjoyable take on old-time music.” —Bluegrass Today “Gifted songwriters, their songs are heartfelt, catchy, humorous, and somehow old-timey and brand new all at the same time… An old-timey masterpiece… A must listen!” —For the Country Record “Grossman and Hart are pretty much a match made in heaven. Tremendous album!” —American Roots UK “Clearly the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers have got it all, the songs, the voices and great pickers... Wonderful.” —Country Music People (UK) “Fine old-time fiddle tunes with tight harmonies.” —Northern Sky Magazine “Beautiful harmonies and instrumentation… The whole album is an absolute doozy.” —Bearly Ramblin “A warm blend of Appalachian music and Midwestern folk roots.” —Hymie’s Vintage Records “Clever, charming, perfectly executed, and last but not least, really funny.” —Klutch Chronicle “Their prowess on fiddle and guitar, with their strong vocals, is the bedrock of the duo’s success and charm… A rewarding and resolute album.” —Lonesome Highway “One of five Americana bands you have to hear to believe… a hit Americana album.” —Ear to the Ground Music “…evokes an unchanging country idyll. The light touch doesn't falter…” —Whisperin’ and Hollerin’ “No matter the tempo of the song, audience members were dancing.” —Concert review by Nina Matti on WNUR radio, Chicago -Best Albums of 2015 American Roots UK -Top 10 Albums of 2015 KDHX, St Louis Radio -Top 20 Singles of 2015 Ear to the Ground Music |
![]() THE SAPSUCKERS perform original country songs that blend humor, heartache, and honky-tonkin'.
The duo (Nikki Grossman, guitar, fiddle, and vocals; Joe Hart, guitar, mandolin, and vocals) got its start as an old-time fiddling square-dance band, and while those hillbilly roots still shine, the pair have cemented their reputation as a top-notch Americana songwriting team. As their country sound has evolved, they've added to the lineup and now perform gigs not only as a duo, but with a full band. In either configuration, Grossman and Hart's tight country harmony remains the focus. In recent years, the band has received widespread recognition for their lively performances and their songwriting, including an official showcase at SXSW, and a nomination for "Best Country Band" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry association. They've also been widely featured on folk/Americana radio and television, including Simply Folk (Wisconsin), The Current (Minnesota), The Midnight Hour (Chicago), and Wisconsin Public Radio. The Sapsuckers launched their 2018 album, "Don't Think About Tomorrow Tonight," at an official SXSW showcase, where they earned a standing ovation from attendees, as well as numerous Midwest tour dates. The album was co-produced by John Wood (Richard and Linda Thompson, Cat Stevens, Incredible String Band). The Sapsucker's video for the song "Fools Were Made to be Broken" was premiered by Radio Heartland on Minnesota Public Radio, The Current. Their 2015 album, "Ocooch Mountain Home," (their second), has received high praise from the likes of fROOTS, Bluegrass Today, and Country Music People UK. The couple and their family divide their time between their rural Wisconsin homestead and Saint Louis. RADIO & WEB RADIO
In-studio performance: Minnesota Public Radio, Radio Heartland/The Current, MN Video Premier: Minnesota Public Radio, Radio Heartland/The Current, MN Wisconsin Public Radio, Simply Folk WNUR, The Midnight Special, Chicago IL KUMD, Duluth, MN WTIP, Grand Marais, MN WNUR, Chicago, IL White Wall Sessions, Sioux Falls, SD WDRT, Viroqua, WI Iowa Public Radio, Iowa City, IA NEWSPAPERS & TV Wisconsin Public Television, 30-Minute Music Hour "Sapsuckers don't mind being pigeonholed," in the La Crosse Tribune "Learn how to yodel, it's easy," in the MPLS Star Tribune Tribune "Interview: Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers at Mile of Music in CW14 "Sapsuckers Ready for Takeoff" in the La Crosse Tribune "Hot Country for the Cold Snap" in The Country Today "Meet the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers" in Northern Wilds "Boisterous Band" in Paducah Sun (pg 6) |