No strangers to The Black Rose stage and very excited to be back, Dakota Blonde has been lovingly called “the darlings of the Front Range” and “the sweetest acoustic sound around.” The group is made up of Mary Huckins, Don Pinnella, and Tony Raddell; they met through their careers in music therapy, working with children and adolescents who are emotionally troubled. That special capacity for empathy could explain the titanium bond the band quickly forms with its audience. All three come from musical families, and their charm stems from the music they play and the family feeling they bring to any concert hall or venue. Their shows are very personal and sincere.
Dakota Blonde has received top honors for its songwriting, CD projects, and performances nationwide and internationally!
Mary, Don, and Tony will be joined by the one and only Ernie Martinez. Ernie also comes from a large musical family and is a one-man band, playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, and dobro, just to name a few! In 2023, Ernie was honored with the International Western Music Association Curly Musgrave Spirit of the Cowboy Achievement Award, and in 2018, he was the IWMA Instrumentalist of the Year -an extraordinarily talented and sought-after stage and studio musician throughout the United States and beyond.
Performing originals and covers, Dakota Blonde's unique blend of heart, humor, authenticity, and contagious spirit makes for a magical night not to be missed!
Current Members:
Mary Huckins
Don Pinnella
Tony Raddell
joined by Ernie Martinez
Discography:
‘Til They Fade – Wind Over Dakota Records ©1997
Something Simple – Wind Over Dakota Records ©2000
South Dakota Afternoon – Wind Over Dakota Records ©2003
Blonde Highlights “Live” - Wind Over Dakota Records ©2008
By Heart “Live” – Mary Huckins with Pete Huttlinger ©2012
The Love We Build - Wind Over Dakota Records ©2013
Awards:
Winner in the Walnut Valley Festival New Song Showcase (Winfield, KS);
Finalist in The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, MerleFest (Wilkesboro, NC);
Finalist in the Independent Record Label Awards;
Winner in the International CD Design Contest;
Finalist in the 2013 Indie Acoustic Project Awards for "The Love We Build"
Website: www.dakotablonde.com
Opening acts:
Monument Creek KanKickers, Lee & G
(+++ ABOUT OUR OPENING ACTS +++)
+++ NO ADVANCE TICKET SALES. ADMISSION IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED AT THE DOOR. +++
Doors open at 6:15 pm; the concert starts at 7:00 pm with two opening acts. $15 general admission, $8 members and students with ID; free for ages 12 and younger (become a member before or at the show and $tart $aving right away!).
No advance ticket sales. Admission is only at the door.
+++ Free, off-street parking is available in the church lot across the street from our hall. +++
Baked goods, coffee, tea, and water are available for purchase in the Community Center.