Event
Purdy River Band
Formed in 2013, Chuck Lahr & The Purdy River Band performs primarily original music, written by Chuck Lahr, in the traditional and contemporary style of bluegrass, along with classic standards, instrumentals, and gospel. The members of the band are diverse in their musical talents, bringing together many years of experience. A CD was completed and released in July of 2014 containing 12 of Chucks original songs, with Chuck on the lead vocals. It was selected as the "2015 Vintage Bluegrass CD of the Year" by the Rural Roots Music Commission. A second CD of original songs is currently being recorded, and will be released in the near future. Chuck Lahr and The Purdy River Band was nominated for "Bluegrass Band of the Year" at the 2017 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America's annual midwest awards convention.
Members of the Band:
Chuck Lahr: Born and raised on a farm in eastern Iowa, Chuck has been involved with music in one form or another since grade school. He started out singing in church and school choirs, and at the age of sixteen, bought a new Silvertone electric guitar and taught himself to play. He formed his first band in the mid 60s, only to have the members drafted one by one during the Vietnam War. Chuck began writing songs in the early 70s, and over the years, has formed various bluegrass and country bands performing at a variety of venues throughout the Midwest and western states. After living in various locations throughout the U.S., Chuck currently resides in his hometown of Manchester, IA with his wife and family.
Band Founding Member
Primary Lead Vocalist; Songwriter, Guitar Player
Point of Contact for Bookings
Dave Anderson: Dave's first instrument was his mother's Silvertone guitar, which he taught himself to play at the age of nine. After being inspired by Hee Haw, he learned to play his Dad's banjo. Not only has Dave played in various bluegrass, country, and variety bands, he and his wife, Beth (see right), formed their own family band with their children. Presently, Dave is busy freelancing in computer repair, piano tuning, string instrument repair, and as an announcer at a local radio station. Additionally, Dave owns and operates a recording studio where he records Chuck Lahr & The Purdy River Band, as well as other bands.
Dave lives in Preston, MN with his wife and family.
Banjo Player
Lead, Harmony Vocalist
Operates Recording Studio 411
Brian Elzey: Brian was born and raised in a small rural town in central Iowa. He began playing guitar as a teenager, when he bought a friend's used guitar with money he saved from detasseling corn. After high school, Brian attended the University of Northern Iowa, where he met his wife. Together they had two kids and lived and worked in Missouri for a time. They eventually returned to Iowa, where Brian started playing in various bands, and expanded his playing to include guitar, bass, mandolin, and ukulele. After years of teaching through a local music store, Brian opened his own store (BE Music) in Independence, Iowa, where he gives music lessons and sells and repairs instruments.
Mandolin Player
Harmony Vocalist
Beth Anderson: Beth keeps a steady beat for The Purdy River Band on the upright bass. She bought her first guitar at the age of fourteen. She and her husband, Dave (see left), have played in various other bluegrass and country bands throughout the years, playing electric and upright bass. Beth and Dave home-schooled their five children, which included musical training on various instruments, and they occasionally perform as a family band at various local venues. Beth lives in Preston, MN with her family, and is the director of the Preston Public Library.
Upright Bass Player
Library Director
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LocationThe Steeple Center (View)
14375 South Robert Trail
Rosemount, MN 55068
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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