Moonshine
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History
Moonshine is an Americana original. The band has continued performing in various forms since the Carter Years (Jimmy & Carlene). Moonshine began in 1974, in Jordan Minnesota with Bruce Krohn, Kevin Adamek, Mark Ballard and Pat Richards. A traditional Country/Country Rock band, Moonshine played the honky tonks and dance halls of the Minnesota prairie and the Twin Cities area. Mark Ballard left the band in 1977, replaced by bass player/vocalist Chris Hinding. After four years of hard miles and loud-loud music, Bruce Krohn left in 1978, to head up The Dakota Ramblers. The last original member was gone.
Michael McKern & Sandy Hinding joined Chris in 1978. With pedal steel whiz Mike Juen and a parade of guitarists, the band flourished. The new Moonshine honed their chops playing huge barn parties in the southern burbs. In the late Seventies & Eighties Moonshine developed a fervent following of crazy suburban kids. The band romped through classic roadhouses: the Mendota Saloon, Starks, Croix Country and the Cabooze. The five piece band toured Colorado ski bars like the Snake River Saloon, and Cassidy's playing fast and loose, a notorious party band.
The Eighties Moonshine finished their performances by inviting audience members on stage to help on the encores. The drunken howling Moron Tabernacle Choir includes people who "grew up" to be judges, lawyers and firemen. Moonshine Madness was a condition of the times, before DUI crackdowns, when bars were wild and seemingly lawless. It was a great time to be rocking Twin Cities clubs.
Sandy and the Hitmen and the Dakota Ramblers continue playing traditional roots music and carry on the Moonshine spirit. One of Minnesota's first Alt Country bands lives on where ever Bruce, Chris, Sandy, Mike J & Michael are playing and singing. Long may they run!
Members
Bruce Krohn, Kevin Adamek, Mark Ballard, Pat Richards, Mike Juen, Chris Hinding, Michael McKern, Sandy Hinding, Shel Kenyon, Brian Hanson, Old Dainer, Dehl, Jim W, the Kent Bros and the drummer who was tied to a tree: Tim Bob. Too many to list here.
Minnewiki Links
Discography
"Time Will Tell" "Mole People" - 1980 - 45 RPM - collectors' item, Bigger Than Life records
"Picks" cassette - 1990 - Jangletown (as Sandy and the Hitmen)
