"The Dakota Ramblers Band"
"Real Country Since 1956"
Band Member's Bios
Bruce...was born in Shakopee, MN on March 11, 1952. "I received my first guitar as a birthday gift when I was 8 years old (my Dad drove thru a snow-storm to get it for me, and I still have that first guitar). I had three guitar lessons, was thrown out of the third lesson for playing Johnny Cash's Walk The Line. My teacher didn't like Country Music. So, I kept on learning on my own. In 1963, when I was eleven years old, I had my first real gigging band, The Country Swingers. We were five cute little kids playing and singing those Country jukebox hits and cheatin' songs. We got on the radio when I was 14 and had a blast. Years later, in 1989, after winning a True Value Country Showdown Contest, I was invited and asked by Hoyt Axton's organization to come down to Fan Fair in Nashville, to perform at their "New Stars Showcase". What an honor that was to perform with the very best of the very best. I was offered and asked to stay in Nashville by The Hallmark Agency, and work on a record deal, but having a young family back home, a good job and knowing the uncertainties of the music business, I turned it down. Yeah, I know, but I did get to make some wonderful, lasting friendships while I was there. Sorry, no name dropping here. Besides, there were so many bars, clubs and honky-tonks back home that hadn't been played yet. I took over the reigns of the band in 1998, with the approval and encouragement of our members and fans. It was tough to take over where Goody left off, and at times it still is. My family has always been so supportive of me in this music all thru the years. I'm sure I drove my folks nuts when I was learning to play and sing. My Mom even let me and my Brother put on a little concert in our house one snowy day in 1961. The neighbors waded thru deep snow across those snowy fields and departed with their nickel admission fee to hear us squeal out "Wolverton Mountain". My Dad used to drive me to those smoky bars and clubs back then so I could "legally" play in them since I was so young. What a cool, fun way I grew up! Thanks to my folks and Pat and Ed and everyone who has helped and encouraged me along the way (thanks to Roy for teaching me to play Honky Tonk Man when I was a young teen). Thanks to Jen, my daughter and roadies (Jen and Debbie) and to my beautiful and wonderful Debbie for all of her love and support.
***One Final Note*** A lot of folks ask me if my Dad, Willie Krohn was ever in the band years ago. Well, no he never was. But, because I was so young, and not old enough to drive or even be in the bars we played, he "gladly" drove me there and as my legal, of-age-guardian, he was there with me. And occasionally, he would sing 2 or 3 German or Country songs.
Bruce Krohn
KEVIN MINCKE on Pedal Steel and Vocals
