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DAKOTA BLONDE
Blonde Heads?
Yep! That's what all the enthusiastic folks who follow Dakota Blonde across the Rocky Mountain region call themselves! This vibrant new acoustic trio is made up of Mary Huckins (yes, from South Dakota), whose sweet strong vocals are the linchpin holding the group together; the smooth, steady guitar playing and cool harmonies of Don Pinnella (nope, not blonde); and the charming acoustic bass work and humor of Tony Raddell. Performing originals and covers that are a unique combination of folk, bluegrass, and country with a little Celtic tinge, the trio nails their tight harmonies. They are an unusual group—they met through their careers in music therapy, where they work with children and adolescents who are emotionally troubled. That special capacity for empathy could explain the titanium bond the band quickly makes with their audience. All three come from musical families, and their charm stems both from the music they play and from the family feeling they bring into any concert hall or venue. Their shows are very personal, and you'll walk away feeling like you've always known them. Dakota Blonde has shared the stage with Nickel Creek, John McEuen, Jimmy Ibbotson, Pete Huttlinger, Tony Furtado, Jim Horn, John Sommers, Jim Salestrom, Firefall, Mollie O'Brien, and many more. They also played in festivals along with folks like Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, David Crosby, Lucy Kaplansky, and Greg Brown.
Mary Huckins' song "Somebody's Brother" received top honors in the 2001 Walnut Valley Festival songwriter showcase in Winfield, Kansas, and her song "Dig Real Deep" recently received top honors in the Chris Austin Song Contest at MerleFest in Wilkboro, North Carolina. The group was again honored to make it into the final round of the Independent Record Label Awards this past year. They are certainly on their way up!
This talented trio of musicians is the mainstay of Dakota Blonde, which is often not a trio any longer. They are joined by incredible talent on the stage and in the studio on a regular basis.
There are times when you discover something new and fresh and exciting that moves you so deeply that you want to share it with the world. That's Dakota Blonde.