Local Musicians Getting Set For Battle Of The Jug Bands

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A unique group of musicians will gather on Sunday in Minneapolis for the 30th annual Battle of the Jug Bands.

Rob Davies plays the jug for the Roe Family Singers. They've been together for several years and have taken the title of "America's Great Best Jug Band" once, but lost last year.

"I'm a recovering trombone player," said Davis. "We've been playing together every Monday night at the 331 Club for six years now."

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports

The band has a total of nine members and they're all gearing up for this weekend's big event.

Davis said Minnesota has a long tradition of folksy and Mississippi Bluegrass style of music. He said that's reflective in the number of bands that registered in this year's battle.

"There's literally 30 to 40 jug bands that applied to get into the jug band battle this year," said Davis.

As many as 20 bands in the "Waffle Iron League" will play on Sunday. Groups are competing for a 1937 Waffle Iron with names of past champions engraved on it.

"It's the Stanley Cup of Waffle Irons," said Davis.

It's a good time and it's for a good cause. The competition is a fundraiser for the Cedar and West Bank School of Music.

The big show starts on Sunday at Cabooze on 917 Cedar Ave. South in Minneapolis. Bands will compete from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and there is a $5 cover at the door.