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Music should not be a competition. It is a form of communication. It is an art form. Even professional musicians should encourage others to play. Once folks hear live music they want to hear more. Amateurs help to create larger audiences for professionals. Organizing musicians together for the purpose of jams and concerts does much to spread the word about the joys of acoustic music. Here is a little information on the music association we are presently part of.

The River Prairie Minstrels

   In June of 1993 a group was formed in the Quad Cities consisting of musicians interested in performing and promoting all forms of acoustic music. This group became known as the River Prairie Minstrels. Coming together in this organization were a diverse group of musicians representing all styles of acoustic music including folk, blues, country, blue grass, and other traditional and not so traditional musical forms. There were a number of purposes for forming this group. One was to establish a monthly jam session where anyone would be welcome to come and play together. Another reason was to develop ways of promoting acoustic music and getting it out to the public. Also a very important part of the groups purpose was to act as a agency for booking it's members at musical events. Since there are over 40 active members, representing many varied musical styles, there are almost unlimited performance possibilities within the group. The experience range of these members extends from those occasional "sing for your supper" type performers to acts that have records or have played on the radio. Members of the group have participated in most of the local and regional music festivals, including The Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, The Fiddler's Jamboree, Summer Pickuns, the Rock Island Back Alley Music Fest, and many Village of East Davenport events. Several years ago RPM won the Best Music Group trophy at the Rock Island Labor Day Parade. During the winter months the group provides all of the music for the monthly Community Room Coffee House put on by the Rock Island Public Library.

   The River Prairie Minstrels are available either individually or as a package of groups of performers.  The group is located in the Quad Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf Iowa and Rock Island and Moline Illinois. For bookings contact us at  the E-Mail address below.

Check out the links on the Skiffle page for more info on other organizations that support acoustic music.