Liederkranz Live: The Midnight Wanderers
Liederkranz 401 W 1st Street, Grand Island, NE, United StatesThe Midnight Wanderers started over a decade ago when husband and wife, Matt and Jenny Richardson started to delve deeper into the folk tradition. Matt picked up the banjo and Jenny gravitated to upright bass. From here they slowly shaped their band and the old-time goodness of their setlists which draws from bluegrass to old time, to folk and blues their music covering the gamut of americana. Matt, who grew up the son of a Texas Western Swing fiddle player, has recently started bringing more Bob Wills and western swing tunes into the group. Jenny, one of the main songwriters in the band has been adding in original tunes that blend well into the mix.
Thad Miller, fiddler extraordinaire, joined the band in 2019. He has become an integral part of their sound, with his fiery fast fiddle runs and high lonesome harmonies and vocal leads. Joel Grenemeier, a bluegrass veteran of the Lincoln scene, brought his dulcet tenor and mandolin sound to the Wanderers in early 2022. Rounding out the Sound is Colten Welch with his lightning-fast guitar licks and rhythm, bringing a fun energy to the group.
The Midnight Wanderers really are a collaborative effort. Taking turns singing lead and picking songs keep the set diverse. And with tunes curated from so many genres including classic rock, Western swing, country and bluegrass there's something for everyone.