Blues in Green...
By SSG Mike Hagburg
This is a press release that was sent out to media and North Dakota National Guard sources after Blues in Green performed a pair of shows in December. Blues in Green is the rock and blues combo, a part of the 188th Army Band in Fargo, North Dakota. Special thanks to SSG Mike Hagburg, Bismarck, for working up this release.
A new party band is rocking across the prairie this winter.
Blues in Green, the 188th Army Band’s blues-rock group, rang in the season with Christmas party concerts in Wishek and Edgeley Dec. 3-4.
The concerts were for soldiers and family members from the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion.
“It was humbling to see how much the troops and their families appreciated us coming out,” said Blues in Green rhythm guitar player SGT Kevin Kosiak.
Blues in Green is a horn band, with a trumpet, saxophone and trombone playing along with the guitars and drums.
“Using a three horn front, it’s possible to take classic rock tunes and make them our own, adding a new sound while still preserving the integrity of the original tune,” said SPC Chris Hanson, who plays bass and sings with Blues in Green. “We attempt to cater to all ages with high energy dance tunes.”
“I think just playing popular music and seeing other people enjoy it is what I like best about Blues in Green,” said SPC Kacie Hughes, a drummer for Blues in Green.
“It's a really fun group of people to play with and a different style of music than what I normally play,” said SGT Brian Tucker, the group’s trombone player. “It also gives me a chance to sing, play auxiliary percussion and learn about sound and lighting.”
Hanson created Blues in Green in 2002, but until this winter, it played primarily at 188th Army Band social events.
“The purpose of starting Blues in Green was to bring an additional sound and type of rock and dance music into the already diverse stylings of the 188th Army Band,” said Hanson.
Hanson said that Blues in Green also gives the Band a “second option” to send out when TTR, the Band’s country-rock combo, is unavailable or too busy.
“We thought it would be nice to pick up some of the load, especially during this holiday time,” said Hanson.
Blues in Green members said the group’s first holiday tour was a success.
“The people we played for were extremely appreciative of what we do,” said SGT Justen Reed, a Blues in Green drummer. “The hometown atmosphere was alive and well in both Wishek and Edgely and we were treated like family. It was like coming home after being away for a long time.”
Reed said Blues in Green also won the heart of a young fan during the tour.
“The high point of the weekend, hands down, was our little fan, Rebecca, a little 8-year-old from Edgeley who helped us tear down and asked for our autographs,” said Hughes. “She made me feel like a rockstar. What a little sweetheart!”
Hanson said he would like to take Blues in Green on the road on a regular basis to play for units around the state.
“Ultimately, I would love to see Blues in Green pick up and follow in the footsteps of our country-rock band in the future,” said Hanson. “TTR has had a long, well-known ride over the years as a highly entertaining band that has played all over the state, as well as the country and world. It is a lasting legacy that I would love to follow.”
Blues in Green
SPC Christopher Hanson- bass and vocals
SPC Jesse Braunagel- guitar and vocals
SGT Kevin Kosiak- rhythm guitar and vocals
SPC Kacie Hughes- drums and vocals
SGT Justen Reed- drums and vocals
SGT Tim Knabe- trumpet and background vocals
SPC Paul Barta- saxophone and vocals
SGT Brian Tucker- trombone and background vocals