Artist description The Granary Girls, a great folk music duo consisting of two rural feminist singer/songwriter women, Patty Kakac and Jodi Ritter, made their debut at a coffee house in central Minnesota in February of 1999. They have been performing at numerous festivals, concerts, coffee houses and concerts, including the Fergus Falls Festival of the Arts, The Black & White, The East Ottertail Co. Museum Pioneer Festival, The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, the Northfield Arts Guild, and The Cedar Cultural Center, Mpls. Their harmoenraptures the audience. "With tenderness, integrity and humor, they tap the best of our traditions - our deep love of the land, of social injustice and of community. Their music makes me cry and laugh, and it strengthens what's best in me." (Polly Kellogg, professor of Human Relations, St. Cloud State University.) " I'm sure that listening to the unique harmonies that Patty and Jodi send spiraling around and in our ears (and spirits) have added a year or two to my life expectancy." (Author, Harold Huber). Their first Granary Girl CD, called Sowing Seeds, showcases their harmonies with strenght,gentleness and a little humor thrown in for good measure. Patty Kakac has been writing and performing her own music since 1978 as a farm activist and power line protester. She has written music for a PBS documentary and for numerous educational plays that speak to social issues such as the farm crisis, Aids, gender equity and violence prevention. Her music has been recorded on two CDs. She plays a variety of musical instruments; guitar, autoharp, harmonica, penny whistle, upright bass. Patty's vocals have been likened to Dolores Keane, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Kate Wolf. "A wild Rose of the prairie who pours her love of the land into her songs!", said fellow farm activist, Alice Tripp. Folk singer Larry Long describes Patty's work as "that of Grandma Moses, Elizabeth Cotton and Woody Guthrie." Jodi Ritter has been singing all her life and often speaks of how her mother propped her up against the piano before she could walk for voice lessons. As a native flatlander (North Dakota) Jodi's music is influenced by wide open spaces and also social justice issues. Described as having "a huge soul, tender heart, voice like deep water", she can belt the blues one moment and caress a love song the next. Her influences have been artists such as Mary Black and Connie Kaldor, Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, Bonnie Raite and Patty Larkin. She writes music, sings, plays the guitar, upright bass, and penny whistle. Jodi works as an in-home counselor for domestic violence survivors and childrenny, described as "Hauntingly Exquisite"

Music Style Acoustic folk, political, feminist,

Musical Influences Carter Family, Kate Wolf, Patty Larkin,Rosalie Sorrels,

Similar Artists Delores Kean, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Indigo Girls, Mary Black

Artist History The Granary Girls, Patty Kakac and Jodi Ritter, are a rural singer/songwriting women folk duo from Minnesota "With tenderness, integrity and humor, they tap the best of our traditions - our deep love of the land, of social injustice and of community. Their music makes me cry and laugh, and it strengthens what's best in me." Polly Kellogg, professor of Human Relations, St. Cloud State. " Their harmony, described as "Hauntingly Exquisite enraptures the audience". Nancy Casper, Carleton College Patty Kakac has been writing and performing her own music since 1978 as a farm activist and power line protester. She has written music for a PBS documentary and for numerous educational plays that speak to social issues such as the farm crisis, AIDS, gender equity and violence prevention. Her music has been independently recorded on two CDs; Heart of a Woman and Patchwork. She plays guitar, autoharp, harmonica, penny whistle and upright bass. Patty's vocals have been likened to Dolores Keane, Joan Baez, Judy Collins and Kate Wolf and most recently to Rosalie Sorrels by Jim Ed Poole. She is "A wild Rose of the prairie who pours her love of the land into her songs!", said fellow farm activist, Alice Tripp. Folk singer Larry Long describes Patty's work as "that of Grandma Moses, Elizabeth Cotton and Woody Guthrie." Jodi Ritter, raised in gospel tradition, has been singing all her life. "a huge soul, tender heart, voice like deep water" poet J. Otis Powell!; Her voice ranges from a Karen Carpenture sweet singing about Kittys to raw blues like the Uppity Blues women singing about skunks! She belts out the blues one moment and caresses a love song the next. Her influences have been artists such as Mary Black and Connie Kaldor, Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, Bonnie Raite and Patty Larkin. She writes music, sings, plays the guitar, upright bass, and penny whistle.

Group Members Patty Kakac & Jodi Ritter

Instruments Voice, Guitars, Double Bass, Autoharp, Harmonica, Penny Whistle, Bohren, Piano,

Albums Patty has two albums to her credit... Heart of a Woman and Patchwork which can be view on MP3.com at Patty & the Pinetones

Press Reviews Cultural Center Folk Favorites, the Granary Girls, return to perform music from their new CD "Sowing Seeds." Join us for an evening of good music, great fun and the witty banter of the Granary Girls - New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. This harmony singing is the stuff of angels, with an attitude. Their CD is great fun to listen to. We will all have a good time when these two come to town. - The Bothy Folk Club - Mankato "One minute your laughing the next your crying" - The Daily Grind "The Granary Girls are steeped in rich tradition of social change through music. The Granary Girls are the real thing and their new CD is SUPERB. I guarantee you have not heard traditional songs like the Banks of the Ohio until you've heart it sung by the Granary Girls" - World renown folk singer/songwriter Larry Long says "Their Harmony is hauntingly exquisite; it enraptures the audience" - Nancy Casper - Carlton College "The Granary Girls music appeals to all ages." - Peggy Scott "With tenderness, integrity and humor, they tap the best of our traditions - our deep love of the land, of social injustice and of community. Their music makes me cry and laugh, and it strengthens what's best in me." - Polly Kellogg - SCSU " Their songs and music address the human contrition and spirit in a fun and joyful way." How come we are so lucky to have these two perform for us!! Great music. - Margarite Andrews "We were so very delighted with the Granary Girls. Naturally, our spirits did entwine, and that is why we could radiate true connection, appreciation and love of your music." Sr. Clara Stang "It's very rare to hear such clear, assured a capella singing as in your rendition of "Briar and the Rose... ..in spite of the fact that you confront a few rough issues, the album comes across as so bright, loving and positive - it's a great achievement!" - Jan Hammerlin "Your talents and gifts are just SO spontaneous!! It is such an inspiration to see the flow between you both....and then it grows and we all have a good time!!" - Christine McLane "It's been a Granary Girls Summer since going to Glendalough" "I'm sure that listening to the unique harmonies that Patty and Jodi's send spiraling around and in our ears (and spirits) have added a year or two to my life expectancy." - Author - Harold Huber ECHO PRESS ARTICLES Blending voices - Friday 4/27/01 Granary Girls to perform in Evansville - Friday 9/21/01 Young and old share wisdom, songs and experiences - Wednesday 10/31/01

Location Evansville, MN - USA

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