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What started as a fundraiser for music students now promises to be a high-energy performance by a group that sounds remarkably like the Steve Miller Band.
The Locals, as they call themselves, are comprised entirely of Rock County musicians who will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in the historic Palace Theatre.
Kenny Rolling is lead singer and lead guitarist, Susan Skattum plays keyboard. On drums is Dean Luethje, Keith Maine plays bass guitar, and Chris Nowatzki is a singer and guitar player.
Their concert is a tribute to the Steve Miller Band with classic 1970s hits like “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Jet Airliner,” "Jungle Love" and "Swingtown."
The Locals say the star of their show is “warm up singer” Susan Schneekloth, who performs 1970s hits from artists like Blondie, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Sheryl Crow Jefferson Starship and Journey.
“It’s something way outside of my box,” said Schneekloth, who said she’s more accustomed to singing at weddings and funerals from sheet music.
“None of these guys use music,” she said. “They listen to something and they just play it.”
Schneekloth said she asked for sheet music and they suggested she listen to YouTube.
“That’s what I did,” she said. “And some of the words to these songs … you have to wonder what frame of mind these artists were in.”
Schneekloth said she may not get all the lyrics right, but she’s enjoyed working with her band mates. “Being around these musicians … They’re amazing to me,” she said.
Rolling is the mastermind behind the operation.
He’s a multi-talented musician who sings and plays guitar — and steel guitar — and even crafts his own instruments.
The idea behind the Oct. 7 event, he said, was to showcase local talent.
“There’s so much talent in this town,” Rolling said. “And this show will be a great example of that. … Everyone’s heard these guys perform in church, but they’ve never heard them like this.”
The story behind the band name is simple.
“There’s a ‘Luverne Shops Local’ sticker in every storefront, but when it comes time to hire a band, it seems like we bring someone in from outside Luverne,” Rolling said.
“There’s enough people in town, we can do this on our own.”
To prove it, Rolling started recruiting talent.
In his own church, St. Catherine, he found members Skattum, Schneekloth and Nowatzki.
“I went in kicking and screaming,” said Susan Skattum who agreed to join the group after repeated requests from Rolling.
“He started asking me last spring, and I kept telling him, ‘I’m not your girl.’ I’m a church accompanist.”
She is also a piano teacher and board member for the Luverne Street Music program, the non-profit that will receive proceeds from the Oct. 7 show.
Skattum said she’s had no regrets about finally agreeing to join.
“I’m having a great time,” she said Monday. “I’m learning. … I’m a note reader, and now I’m relying on chords. It’s been good for me.”
Ironically, she said the experience has forced her to take her own advice.
“I tell my piano students, ‘Don’t be afraid to share your talent,’ but now I’ve had to get out of my own comfort zone,” Skattum said.
The Locals’ music sounds remarkably like the tribute artists who wrote the songs, and that’s largely due to practice.
“I knew everyone was capable of doing what this group has become,” Rolling said.
“But it’s really been cool to watch them blossom.”
Rolling said he’s looking forward to the Oct. 7 show, but he’s already setting his sights on the next one.
“My goal is to do this again on a regular basis,” he said. “Maybe recruiting different musicians.”
Papik Motors, Jaycox Implement, Main Street Financial, Exchange State Bank and Professional Ag Marketing are sponsoring the Oct. 7 production.
Tickets are on sale at the Palace Box Office. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for students.
All proceeds benefit Luverne Street Music