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American Musical Treasures: Los Lobos

Recently we had the opportunity be a festival opening act on a bill that included a band I have been following for probably 30 years. Los Lobos remains one of the great musical treasures of our time with a career spanning more than 40 years and 17 albums, a host of awards and guest appearances, collaborations and side projects. The music crosses genres in a way that few bands are able to do and does so effortlessly. They will play acoustic shows on a range of traditional Mexican instruments as easily as they will rock out to a great blues shuffle or blasting rock extravaganza. Our recent show with them was at a small festival in Valparaiso, Indiana; and despite the size of the show and venue relative to other places I have seen them perform, they just absolutely lit up the night. Few of those attending were sitting by the end as there is no way to rock with Los Lobos and not move your feet.  

We were also able to spend a big part of the afternoon with two of the members sharing stories about family and life, talking guitars and other musicians we were following and being influenced by, etc. I’m happy to report that these guys are wonderful, down-to-earth humans as well as off the chart talents on a level I feel is hard to match today. If you have not blessed your ears and soul yet with the music of Los Lobos you need to get hip.  

One thing I have been aware of for a long time is an assumption that many make. They hear the name of the band and think, “Oh yeah. That’s the band that played La Bamba in that one movie, right?” That’s true, but it’s sad that this is where knowledge of the band starts and ends. Some of the most impressive work in their catalogue comes from directions that surprise many. You want virtuoso level guitar work -- David Hidalgo was part of several Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festivals because he remains one of Eric’s favorite players. Check out The Neighborhood (especially live versions), Don’t Worry Baby, I Walk Alone, Más Y Más, Whisky Trail and the stunning and soulful playing on Just a Man. David is also one of the best vocalists out there today. You want funky, driving bass? Check out the amazing Conrad Lozano on Revolution, The Neighborhood, Peace and so many others. You want fuzzed out grunge rock, check out Viking. 

These guys are also innovators and inventors in the studio as can be heard with the groundbreaking Kiko album and (my favorite) Colossal Head. They have collaborated with John Hiatt, Bobby Womack, Richard Thompson, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Disney, Sesame Street, Warren Haynes and many more. There are stories of love, loss, hope, faith, revival, social justice and calls to action in their music with beautiful and powerful lyrics and world class musicianship and songwriting on all levels. As a guitarist their recordings are full of to-die-for guitar tones, and the rhythms will sear your soul (in a good way).  

The title song from one of their first albums, Will the Wolf Survive, says it best. 

 
Sounds across the nation 
Coming from your hearts and minds 
Battered drums and old guitars 
Singing songs of passion 
It's the truth that they all look for 
The one thing they must keep alive 
Will the wolf survive? 

I can say with certainty that The Wolf is definitely alive!

08/26/2019

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Summer 2022 Shows (more added daily)

  • Saturday May 21st (private wedding party), Hayward, WI
  • Friday June 3rd, The Pines, Mercer, WI 8-midnight
  • Thursday-Friday June 9-10, Happy's Pub, Woodruff, WI 9-1
  • Friday June 17, Sweetwater Spirits and Resort, Eagle River, WI 9-1
  • Saturday June 18, (Mark with Comstock Lode Country Band), Mud Creek, Eagle River, WI
  • Sunday June 19th, Pine Harbor Bar and Grill, Rhinelander, WI 2-6
  • Saturday June 25th, Jeb's Bar, Irma, WI 7-11
  • Sunday June 26th, H2H Public House, Rhinelander, WI (Cancelled)
  • Friday July 1st, Bortolotti's Cin Cin, Eagle River 6-9
  • Saturday July 2nd, The Timbers, St. Germain, WI (TBD)
  • Sunday July 3rd, (Mark with Comstock Lode Country Band), Bad Bones BBQ, Arbor Vitae, WI 5-8
  • Monday July 4th, (Mark solo show), Private function, Phelps, WI 5-8
  • Wednesday July 6th, (Mark solo show) Manny's Parkside, Manitowish Waters 6-9
  • Saturday July 9th, Mole Lake Casino, Mole Lake, WI (TBD)
  • Wednesday, July 13th, Private event, Tomahawk, WI
  • Saturday July 16th, The Rustic, Athlestain, WI 7-11
  • Sunday July 17th, Private event, Tomahawk, WI
  • Wednesday July 20th, Music on Mainstreet, Boulder Junction, WI 7-9
  • Saturday July 30th, (Mark with Comstock Lode Country Band), Rhinelander Brewing Co. (TBD)
  • Friday August 5th, Bortolotti's Cin Cin, Eagle River 6-9
  • Saturday August 6th, (Mark with Comstock Lode Country Band), Otto's, Minocqua, WI (TBD)
  • Friday August 12th, Manny's Parkside, Manitowish Waters, WI 6-9
  • Sunday August 14th, Private event, Tomahawk, WI
  • Saturday August 13th, Mark and Michelle with Dr. Z and Deeper Roots Blues Band@ Renee's Red Rooster Festival, Stevens Point, WI (3pm to 4pm)
  • Saturday August 13th, (Mark with Comstock Lode Country Band), Otto's, Minocqua, WI (TBD)
  • Saturday August 27th, Manny's Parkside, Manitowish Waters, WI 6-9
  • Friday September 9th, Sweetwater Spirits and Resort, Eagle River, WI 9-1

2022 Shows (more added daily)

  • Saturday January 8th Dr. Z's Acoustic Mayhem (Mark solo) Mud Creek Saloon, Eagle River, WI 8:33pm 
  • Saturday January 15th, Prairie Rapids Tavern, Tomahawk, WI 8pm
  • Friday January 21st, CT's Deli, Rhinelander, WI Dog Sledding Race FUNdraiser, 5-8
  • Saturday January 29th, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • Wednesday February 2nd, Red Rooster, Madison, WI TBD (Cancelled...will be rescheduled)
  • Saturday February 5th, H2H Public House, Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • Friday February 11th (Mark, Michelle and Chris with Dr. Z and Deeper Roots Blues Review) Renee's Red Rooster, Stevens Point, WI 7pm
  • Friday February 18th, Sweetwater Spirits and Resort, Eagle River, WI 9pm
  • Saturday February 26th, Heal Creek Sled Dog Race, Northwoods Golf Course, Rhinelander, WI 5-8pm
  • Friday and Saturday March 4-5, Mud Creek Saloon, Eagle River, 8:30pm
  • Saturday March 12th, H2H Public House, Rhinelander, WI 7-11pm
  • Thursday March 17th, Rocky Reef St. Woodruff, WI St. Paddy Celebration 4-7
  • April 2nd South Shore Brewing Co., Washburn, WI Mark solo show 7-11
  • April 9th, H2H Public House, Rhinelander, WI 7-11
  • April 16, Margaritaville Beach Party, Blue Heron at Wild Eagle Lodge, Eagle River 5-9
  • Friday and Saturday April 22-23 Happy's Pub, Woodruff, WI 9pm
  • Friday April 29th, Marilyn's Fire Station Maple Fest Party, Medford, WI 7-10
  • Friday May 6th, Sweetwater Spirits and Resort, Eagle River, WI 9-1                                          (See above for summer shows for 2022)

2021 Shows (more added daily)

  • Saturday June 12th Big Road Acoustic at Pirate's Hideaway, Eagle River, WI 7-10
  • Sunday June 13th Bad Bones BBQ, Arbor Vitae, WI 6-9
  • Friday June 18th Skyview Lodge and Supper Club, Presque Isle, WI 6-9 (NEW!)
  • Saturday June 19th Skyview Lodge and Supper Club, Presque Isle, WI 7-10 (change)
  • Thursday July 1st Big Road Acoustic at Rocky Reef Brewing Company, Woodruff, WI 4-8
  • Saturday July 3rd Camp 28, Rib Lake, WI 4-8 (before the fireworks) This is a change.
  • Wednesday July 7th Music on Main St. Boulder Junction, WI
  • Saturday July 10th Skyview Lodge and Supper Club, Presque Isle, WI 6-9
  • Sunday July 11th Bad Bones BBQ, Arbor Vitae, WI 6-9
  • Monday July 19th Antigo Music in the Park, Antigo, WI 6-8
  • Saturday August 7th Skyview Lodge and Supper Club, Presque Isle, WI 6-9
  • Friday August 13th Leroy's "Hot Stuff," Porter, IN (TBD)
  • Friday August 20th Bad Bones BBQ, Arbor Vitae, WI 6-9
  • Saturday August 21st Bike Race Merrill, WI (TBD)
  • Saturday August 21st, Eagle Lanes, Eagle River, WI 9-1
  • Friday September 3rd Skyview Lodge and Supper Club, Presque Isle, WI 6-9
  • Saturday September 4th PRIVATE PARTY Three Lakes, WI 6-10
  • Saturday September 11th Celebrate Amherst, Amherst, WI (4-6)
  • Saturday September 18th Rock Island, Merrill, WI 2-6
  • Saturday October 2nd, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • Saturday October 30th, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • Saturday November 6th, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • Saturday November 13th, Mosinee Brewing Co. (Mark, Chris and Michelle with Dr. Z and Deeper Roots Blues Review) Mosinee, WI 54568 7pm
  • Saturday November 20th, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI 7pm
  • New Years with Big Road, H2H Public House (formerly the Flyin Finn), Rhinelander, WI TBD

 

 

2019 Shows (more added daily)

  • Saturday May 18th: Mud Creek Saloon, Eagle River, WI
  • Friday May 24th: The Pines, Mercer, WI
  • Saturday June 1st: The Great Dane, Wausau, WI
  • Thursday July 4th: Music in the Park, Koller Park, Manitowish Waters, WI 4-6
  • Friday July 5th: Eagle Lanes, Eagle River, WI
  • Saturday July 13th: (Mark and Michelle with Mark Cleveland Band, Minocqua Brewing Company)
  • Sunday July 14th: (Mark and Michelle with Mark Cleveland Band, Torpy Park, Minocqua, WI)
  • Wednesday July 17th: Music on Main Street, (next to Peoplelures down town) Boulder Junction, WI 7-9
  • Saturday July 27th: Rock Island, Merrill, WI
  • Saturday August 3rd: (Mark and Michelle with KNW band Minocqua Brewing Company)
  • Sunday August 4th: (Mark and MIchelle with KNW band, Torpy Park, Minocqua, WI)
  • Saturday August 10th (Mark with Pops Fletcher and the Hucksters, Minocqua Brewing Company)
  • Sunday August 11th: Musky Days, Boulder Junction, WI 11-2
  • Sunday August 11th: (Mark with Pops Fletcher and the Hucksters, Torpy Park, MInocqua, WI)
  • Friday August 16th: Canal Shores, Evanston, IL 7:30-9:30
  • Saturday August 17th: Prairie Magic Music Festival, Valparaiso, In (with Los Lobos)
  • Sunday September 1st: Fibbers Bar and Restaurant Old Fashion Party, St. Germain, WI 2-6
  • Friday September 13th:  Northwoods Harley Davidson, Arbor Vitae, WI
  • Saturday September 14th: Pik's Pub, Tomahawk, WI
  • Saturday October 5th: Black Bear Bar, Minocqua, WI
  • Saturday October 12th: Great Dane Pub, Wausau, WI
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