Tom Lieberman, Captain Gravitone Bill Smith Owatonna Arts Center

Tom Lieberman, WITH
Tom Lieberman began his musical journey playing his original songs in the coffeehouses
in the fabled West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis. He was a regular contributor to "A
Prairie Home Companion" from 1976-86; and, in the late 70s, formed the vocal trio Rio
Nido with Tim Sparks and Prudence Johnson.
In addition to performing, he has worked on projects that include writing songs for
beloved children's brands like Sesame Street and Arthur; a 10-year musical theater
collaboration with New Orleans jazz great Delfeayo Marsalis; and creating music and
producing the award-winning feature film "Sweet Land."
Today, Tom performs as a solo artist, as well as with Rio Nido, and his own group,
Tommy & The Liebermen. Reviewers for the The Minneapolis StarTribune described his
2013 recording of original songs, "Common Denominator," as, “gentle, romantic, playful
& infectious…;” “…bluesy, simmering, profoundly philosophical…” and, “a charming,
eclectic album of original songs,” (liebermania.com).
Captain Gravitone
& the String Theory Orchestra
The Minnesota-based group plays a blend of roots music, influenced by jazz, Gypsy,
tango and a fictional super-hero named Captain Gravitone. The group’s music has been
gaining attention and radio time, appearing on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Radio
Heartland;” Kathryn Tickell’s, Amazing Radio show from Gateshead, United Kingdom;
“Fubar Omniverse” and “Harold’s House Party” on KFAI radio, Minneapolis, MN;
“Bluegrass Saturday Morning” and “String Theory” on KBEM radio, Minneapolis, MN;
“Minnesota Homebrew” on Pioneer 90.1, Thief River Falls, MN; and “Folk Scene, etc.”
on KMSU, Mankato, MN (captaingravitone.com).
Featuring
Bill Smith
AKA Wailin Willie
Bill started playing in the early 70’s with the string band, Blind Moose Review. He learned to love playing jazz
standards and swing while hanging out with Tom Lieberman. Bill figured there were enough blues harp
players so he concentrated on swings and ballads, (though he can belt out the blues when called upon). Bill
joined the Radio Rangers and learned Western Swing, while adding some sound tech skills to his game. Bill
moved to the Mankato area in the mid 90’s and started Prairie Wind a vocal based group, with Marcie Stoyke
and Bruce Davis. He was active with the Bothy Folk Club, a group of friends that produced concerts in the
Mankato area, for 21 years, booking and running sound for concerts. Bill is currently playing with Big Trees,
Papa John Kolstad, The Blind Moose, Dale Dahlquist’s Riff Rangers and Eli Hoehn’s Captain Gravitone &
the String Theory Orchestra. It’s all fun. As Spider John says: “music is just a bunch of notes.”
Sunday, April 3, 2:00-4:00 pm
Owatonna Arts Center
540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna
(use front entrance of Owatonna City Hall)
Suggested donation $15/
Everyone Welcome
This activity is
made possible by
a grant provided
by the Prairie
Lakes Regional
Arts Council from
funds appropriated
by the Minnesota
State Legislature.