The Radio Stars are Merrill Piepkorn—guitars, harmonica, vocals; Gregg Temple—guitars, including pedal steel, vocals; R.P. Sell—Bass guitar, vocals; Alex Rydell—fiddle, vocals.
Piepkorn and Temple began playing together at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN about 1972. They were members of the popular band Skunk Hollow that played extensively in the Midwest from 1974 well into the 80s.
Since then Merrill, Smokey, (that’s Gregg!) and RP have performed together several times over the years—for the past few years as The Radio Stars. The newest and youngest member is fiddler Alex Rydell.
Piepkorn, born in Stanley—raised in Fargo—is known to many folks across North Dakota because of his state-wide radio program on Prairie Public. In addition to his superb musical skills, Temple is President: Label Group of Meyers Printing Company in the Twin Cities. Smokey serves as the Musical Director for the group. R.P. Sell operates his own woodworking and cabinet-making business and farms near Hawley, MN. Alex Rydell is a mortician with Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo.
Radio Stars' new CD: Headin’ West
After each Radio Stars performance over the past few years, people have asked, "Where can I get a recording of your music?" Although band members have numerous recordings to their credit over the years as individuals and with other groups, there was no Radio Stars recording. The band took care of that during the spring of 2009 by logging several hours in Temple's recording studio creating Headin' West.
Headin' West has a definite western flavor, featuring a mix of traditional and modern western tunes with other styles blended in.
Fans of that traditional sound will appreciate the Sons of the Pioneers medley, followed by "Ghost Riders in the Sky". "Ride Cowboy Ride" and "The Night Herding Song" are in the same vein. Smokey shows off his vocals in the band’s treatment of Willis Alan Ramsey tunes and Lyle Lovett's "Cowboy Man".
'Magic' Merrill steps out with his blues harp on "Know You Rider" and that good ol’ truck drivin’ song, "6 Days on the Road". The band even includes a Broadway show tune, "Mariah", from Paint your Wagon. An old Jesse Fuller blues tune, "San Francisco Bay Blues" features intricate vocals, fiddle and harmonica woven into a beautiful sound.
"My Dakota Home" is one of the originals on the album with lyrics by former North Dakota Poet Laureate, 'Dakota' Cal Waldron, set to a tune by Merrill. Williston native D.W. Grothe penned the elegantly sparse ode to our homeland, "Prairie Anthem".
The final song is Piepkorn’s tribute to his hometown of Stanley, North Dakota, a tune that he hopes will remind listeners of the qualities and characteristics of their hometown that will always make it special.
Headin' West is a labor of love—a gift from the band to you. This particular gift will be for sale at retail outlets throughout the state and at all Radio Stars performances.
The Radio Stars Circle Tour 2009
Over the past few years The Radio Stars have established a tradition of making a "western swing" through North Dakota. The public is invited to attend the following performances this summer.
Tuesday, June 30th — Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND—7:45 PM
Wednesday, July 1st — Bijou Show House, Beach, ND—7:00 PM
Thursday, July 2nd — Old School Bed and Breakfast, Arnegard, ND—7:00 PM
Friday, July 3rd — Sibyl Center, Stanley, ND—7:00 PM
Saturday, July 4th — Sibyl Center, Stanley, ND—3:00 PM
The Radio Stars are pleased to announce that they will be performing daily at the 2009 Norsk Hostfest in Minot, Thursday, Sept. 30-Saturday, October 3rd….tentatively scheduled to appear at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM each day at the Reykjavik Hall SRT stage. See you at Hostfest. Ya, you bet!
