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Arts & Entertainment

Contented Cow to Host Neil Young Tribute Show on Saturday

More than two dozen artists from Southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities will gather to perform Young's music. The performances begin at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the Contented Cow.

The management of the Contented Cow has announced that they will host Down By the River: A Tribute to Neil Young on Saturday, May 11, beginning at 4 in the afternoon. More than two dozen artists from Southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities will gather to perform the music of one of the most beloved and eclectic musicians of the past 50 years. Performers will play short 3-5 song sets that will span Young's entire career.

Continuing a string of tribute events hosted by the Cow in recent years, the bill is stocked with talent.

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“We have so many great musicians around here that we need to do something every now and then to showcase them,” said show producer Rich Larson of Left-Handed Entertainment. “When you pair that talent with a catalogue of songs that are as diverse as Neil Young's, you're bound to get an incredible evening.”

Larson says even Young's non-fans should enjoy the event.

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“Every now and then someone says they don't like Neil Young because of his nasally voice. Well then, this is an opportunity for people to hear these incredible songs, performed by different voices. In fact, in some cases, you'll hear them from some people who are incredible singers. Last year the Knightengales, the all-women a cappella group from Carleton College, stole the show when they performed at our Bob Dylan event. They'll be back again this year, and I cannot wait to hear what they've come up with.”

And indeed, the bill does offer a diverse group of performers. Northfield folk/country singer “The Norwegian Cowboy” Jon Larson will be joined by venerable folk stalwart Bill McGrath, garage rockers Martin Anderson & The Goods, upstart punk rock group Some Kid's Dad, and a host of others.

“It's one of the things I love most about these shows,” said Larson. “We'll have performers who are in their 60's playing alongside college kids. And all of them are stunningly good.”

The show will also serve as the unofficial kickoff of the outdoor performance season.

“It's been a long, long winter,” said Larson. “Nobody around here needs me to tell them that. But I've always said May is the month to be in this state. Everything is in bloom, the humidity is low, the bugs aren't really out yet. The outdoor stage at the Cow sits just in front of the Cannon river. It's a really beautiful setting, and their patio is so accommodating.  We expect that we'll have one of those spectacular May days where the weather is perfect, the music will be fantastic, and everybody will have an unforgettable time.”

Neil Young is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who is known for his eclectic, diverse songwriting. He's best known for alternately playing soft, folk based songs like After the Gold Rush and Harvest Moon, and ear rattling hard rock like Cinnamon Girl and Rockin' in the Free World. He has influenced countless artists, including Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Sonic Youth, and Pearl Jam. His work with his backing band Crazy Horse earned him the nickname “The Godfather of Grunge.”

Down By the River: A Tribute to Neil Young will be Saturday, May 11, beginning at 4 p.m., and running deep into the evening. The Contented Cow is located at 302B Division Street in downtown Northfield. For further information, contact the Contented Cow at (507) 663-1351 or Rich Larson at(612) 756-0490.

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