BEMIDJI — Listen to the songs and stories of the Northwoods lumber camps during a Saturday, March 18, presentation at the Bemidji Public Library.
Brian Miller will present Irish Lumberjack Folksongs 1-2:30 p.m. at the library, 509 America Ave., Bemidji. The Tell Me a Story event will also be livestreamed at the Cass Lake Public Library, 223 Cedar Ave., Cass Lake.
Miller will explain how the Irish influenced music in the Northwoods and tell the stories of prize-winning fiddler and singer Albert Hannah, who worked on the railroad, and Shevlin and Hank “Cuckoo of the North” Underwood, who would sing on the steps of the Kelliher Hotel and also performed at the unveiling of the Paul Bunyan statue in 1937.
A native of Bemidji, Miller has performed throughout the U.S., Canada and Ireland for over two decades. His work to revive the “woods music” of Minnesota’s logging era has led to grants from the Minnesota Arts Board and the American Folklife Center.
Miller will also be the opening night speaker and singer March 24 at the Inishowen Song Festival in County Donegal, Ireland. Miller promotes the revival of regional songs with his duo The Lost Forty and his blog, Northwoods Songs.
Tell Me a Story is a presentation of the Bemidji and Cass Lake public libraries along with the Beltrami County Historical Society. This program is made possible through the Minnesota Legacy Amendment, which supports the arts, culture and heritage of Minnesota.
