okee_dokee_brothers

★ Featured Act ★

The Okee Dokee BrothersFacebook icon

Family music

Venues: Arts & Educational Programming, Children’s Programs, Fairs & Festivals, Parks & Recreation Events

The Okee Dokee Brothers have a mission to remind children – and adults – of their intrinsic ability to discover, imagine, and create through music. By appealing to the musical needs of the entire family and recognizing that kids deserve quality music, they are working full-time to regain the integrity of the children’s music genre. They believe that music should be an energetic, interactive, and fun experience where kids can enjoy dancing, singing, and playing instruments with their families – and that is the show The Okee Dokee Brothers will bring to your event!

Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing were childhood best friends who grew up in Denver, Colorado. They are now accomplished musicians whose original music is inspired by their own backyard adventures – and as you listen to them, they will have you remembering your own make-believe adventures and tree-house pretendings. As you hear their witty lyrics, off-the-wall humor, and unique folk style, the image that may come to mind is of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer whitewater rafting down the Mississippi with Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger!

The music of The Okee Dokee Brothers is rooted in their childhood imaginations. Their songs will give you and your audience opportunities to be both silly and serious. And their show will serve as a wonderful connecting point for families as every song makes room for kids to dance, parents to feel like kids again, and everyone to gain respect for nature, each other, and the world we live in.

The Okee Dokee Brothers also offers the option of playing with a back-up band that includes bass, drums, and electric guitar (5-piece band total).

AboutAbout KudosKudos PhotoPhoto IntroIntro RiderRider

About

Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing grew up as best friends in Denver, Colorado, where they dreamed of becoming professional singer-songwriters. Their dream came true and they spent years touring the Midwest with their bluegrass band. As time passed, they decided to keep their folk music roots, but return it to where it all began: childhood imagination. That’s when they moved to Minneapolis to start their “kindie” band called The Okee Dokee Brothers.

The Okee Dokee Brothers won national notice for their first CD release Kids with Beards in 2008, and their second CD Take it Outside is produced by Grammy award nominated Tor Hyams and showcases guest artist Adam Levy of “The Honey Dogs” on electric guitar. In addition, they won a Parents Choice Award for Take It Outside.

Reviews

“Seamlessly threading bluegrass and rock, this sassy musical hybrid album reminds us that fantasy and fun are right in our own backyard.”

–Parent Choice Award (2010 winners)

“A noble ode to kids turning off the TV and video games and heading outdoors.”

–Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Their combination of wordplay and musical chops put them in a sweet spot in family music. The fact that their live shows are infectious and engaging just adds to their appeal.”

–Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child

“The Okee Dokee Brothers were nothing short of perfect for Kids in the Rotunda! Thanks for coming all the way from Minneapolis to play for us, guys!”

–Kids in the Rotunda, Overture Center – Madison, WI

“The Okee Dokee Brothers’ solid bluegrass and folk chops form the backbone of their music. Joe and Justin explore the world around them, sometimes with humor and sometimes with heart, always with wonder.”

–Zooglobble.com

“The Okee Dokee Brothers blow the dust off traditional bluegrass and highlight its playful spirit, offering kids a knee-high gateway into the world of American roots music.”

–Dadnabbit

Intro

The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing The Okee Dokee Brothers to your audience:

“After years of touring the Midwest with their bluegrass band, childhood best friends Joe and Justin decided to return to where it all began: childhood imagination. That’s when they moved to Minneapolis to start their family music band called The Okee Dokee Brothers.

The Okee Dokee Brothers’ music is full of surprises and it serves as a connection point for parents and their children. In every song there is room for kids to dance and for parents to feel like kids again. Please welcome recent winners of the Parent’s Choice Award…The Okee Dokee Brothers!”

Rider

The Okee Dokee Brothers do not have a technical rider, but provide the following information to give you the best performance possible:

Artist requests:

  • For those venues with in-house sound systems, the duo requests the following:
    - (2) Microphones with stands
    - (2) Direct Inputs
    - (2) Tables
  • If needed, The Okee Dokee Brothers can provide their own sound.
  • If performing with their back-up band that includes drums, bass, and electric guitar, the band has a stage plot that can be forwarded to the client.