Meet the Sapsuckers
Indie-Country songwriters with a fresh take on honky-tonk
Official Showcase Artists, SXSW ~ Nominated Best Country Band, Wisconsin Area Music Industry Assn.
The Sapsuckers write and perform original songs that blend humor, heartache, and honky-tonk.
Nikki Grossman (guitar, fiddle and vocals) and Joe Hart (guitar, mandolin, and vocals) cut their teeth in the old-time music scene of the upper Midwest, , and while those hillbilly roots still shine, the pair have cemented their reputation as a top-notch Americana songwriting team.
They launched their 2018 album, “Don’t Think About Tomorrow Tonight,” at an official SXSW showcase, where they earned a standing ovation from attendees, as well as numerous Midwest tour dates. The album was co-produced by John Wood (Richard and Linda Thompson, Cat Stevens, Incredible String Band). The Sapsucker’s video for the song “Fools Were Made to be Broken” was premiered by Radio Heartland on Minnesota Public Radio, The Current. Their 2015 album, “Ocooch Mountain Home,” (their second), has received high praise from the likes of fROOTS, Bluegrass Today, and Country Music People UK.
In 2018, the Sapsuckers were nominated for Best Country Band in Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry Association.
The couple splits their time between St. Louis and their rural Wisconsin homestead and tours frequently throughout the Midwest and beyond. They are a favorite headlining act at festivals including Mile of Music, Fox Valley Folk Festival, and the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Association. They are also frequent radio and television guests, with live appearances on Radio Heartland/The Current (Minneapolis), 30-Minute Music Hour (PBS-Madison), The Midnight Hour (Chicago), Simply Folk (Madison), including public radio appearances in Wisconsin, Iowa, Chicago, and Minnesota, and a half-hour PBS special in Madison, Wisconsin.
PRAISE FOR THE SAPSUCKERS
“Enchanting harmonies… note-perfect old-time fiddle playing… To be devoured by those who love old-time acoustic country music.” --fROOTS Magazine, John Atkins
“Talented musicians and vocalists… impressive… a unique, enjoyable take on old-time music.” —Bluegrass Today
“Gifted songwriters, their songs are heartfelt, catchy, humorous, and somehow old-timey and brand new all at the same time. A must listen!” —For the Country Record
“Clearly the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers have got it all, the songs, the voices and great pickers... Wonderful.” —Country Music People (UK)
“Clever, charming, perfectly executed, and last but not least, really funny.” —Klutch Chronicle
“Grossman and Hart are pretty much a match made in heaven.” —American Roots UK
“Fine old-time fiddle tunes with tight harmonies.” —Northern Sky Magazine
“Beautiful harmonies and instrumentation… an absolute doozy.” —Bearly Ramblin
“A warm blend of Appalachian music and Midwestern folk roots.” —Hymie’s Vintage Records
“Their prowess on fiddle and guitar, with their strong vocals, is the bedrock of the duo’s success and charm.” —Lonesome Highway
“One of five Americana bands you have to hear to believe.” —Ear to the Ground Music
“Evokes an unchanging country idyll. The light touch doesn't falter…” —Whisperin’ and Hollerin’
“No matter the tempo of the song, audience members were dancing.” —Concert review by Nina Matti on WNUR radio, Chicago
-Best Albums of 2015
American Roots UK
-Top 10 Albums of 2015
KDHX, St Louis Radio
-Top 20 Singles of 2015
Ear to the Ground Music