What People are saying about Kevin McMullin:

Here's hoping McMullin... keep s talking (and singing)... The people in Sarona may not have much political clout, but they do have a voice...

- Don Huebscher , The Eau Claire Leader Telegram

 

State environmentalists have a rocking new anthem… “Just Send Cash” is a raucous, in-your-face ditty intended to draw attention to the 2.15 million tons of trash dumped into Wisconsin landfills… by neighboring states…”

- Wisconsin Trails Magazine

    

Professional storyteller/musician, Kevin McMullin, from Sarona, Wisconsin delighted Pepin elementary students with multicultural stories and a diversity of musical instruments to accompany the stories, The children were active participants for each story and happily so. The students and teachers wanted an encore presentation; however it was time to go home… All of the children were smiling, lestening, and laughing throughout the stories; as were the adults.”

  The Courier Wedge , Pepin, Wisconsin


Wow! Listening to Kevin McMullin tell a story is a real treat! He is a wonderful storyteller and a great musician and he blends the two beautifully.

-Terry Visger , LaCrosse Story Telling Festival

 

Kevin McMullin is a great fiddle player, a helluva song writer and he owes me $40.00.

    -Randy Sabien , internationally known jazz violinist

 

Kevin McMullin is a great fiddler, wonderful story teller, and a sensitive and skilled organizer. He is a major force in community building through dance and music in Wisconsin. He would be a wonderful and versatile addition to any family week.

     -Peter Amidon , Vermont caller, story teller and song leader

 

Kevin's stories are fresh and exciting! He charms the audience into the present moment and surprises us with a moral or a joke. He's always a delight to listen to.

     -Nanci Olesen, host of MOMbo, a radio resource for moms.

 

Kevin's story telling is fantastic. The Magic Box is as good as any storytelling recording I've heard.

     -Stuart Stotts , Wisconsin story teller.

 

…it was our most successful program ever, in terms of attendance, participation and enjoyment.

     -Donna Dachel , Director of Samson Memorial Library

Nothing but good comments... I thoroughly enjoyed the program myself! I had students come up to me for a week after asking if we could have you back again. Many were singing your songs over and over. Thanks again for coming! Hope we can get you back again!

      -Mary Kay Behnke , Media Specialist

 

Staff and students had only good things to say about their experiences with Kevin. The combination of Kevin's personal style and command of music and story make for a relaxed but dynamic program. I recommend him without reservation.

     -Barb Wetzel, Reading Specialist

 

I have to admit that I am somewhat embarrassed for suggesting you do booktalks, when I realize now what a powerful storyteller you are.

     -Linda Schuster , T. B. Scott Free Library

 

…an excellent choice for a performance of the arts for an elementary audience.

     -Marian and Joe Walsh , The Walsh Family Fund

Biography (PDF doc.)

 
 


What People are saying about Duck for the Oyster:

“With all the friends and relatives coming in from so far away tonight, we have decided to forego a rehearsal dinner and instead have a potluck and outdoor dance at the farm. We have a rented tent set up over folding tables and chairs under the big old white pine overlooking the valley, and at supper time, people start showing up with a dish to pass. I cannot and do not like to dance, but tonight I am in good hands, because we have hired oddly named band Duck for the Oyster , a four piece acoustic group that comes complete with Karen the folk dance caller. A pint sized woman with an encyclopedic repertoire and a willingness to lead, she has us weaving and snaking around the hilltop, one new dance after the other, from old pioneer reels to Guatemalan traditionals. Honestly, anybody can do it, and everybody does, from Amy to Grandma. Only once do I go into the tent to flop in a folding chair for a break. I hold Anneliese on my lap and what we see is everybody swinging and bowing and do-si-doing on this hilltop in the late summer evening, the angling golden light perfectly matched to the mellow, woody fiddle. Anneliese stands and draws me by the hand and we get back out there and dance until the dew is down and the sun is gone, leaving the night young enough so that everyone may take to bed and be rested for the morning.”

      From the Book, Truck, a Love Story, by Michael Perry

 

 

" Duck for the Oyster has reinvented the community dance in Northern Wisconsin. If you want to hold a great dance ask yourself: 'How would the Ducks do it?' then do it that way. These guys rock."

Terry Simeone

Director of Harvest Moon Dance Weekend

 

 

"Over the years I've attended performances of Duck for the Oyster at the West Denmark Parish Hall, Wisconsin State Capital, Kinship annual meetings and the Polk County Fair. [Their] performances and Cds are superb. They are excellent musicians individually and as [a band]. [They] were chosen to play for the final event of Polk County's 150th birthday party and led the crowd through the old reels and square dances... lead[ing] the way in preserving and teaching our traditional songs and dances."

Harvey Stower

Former Wisconsin State Assemblyman

PraPraise for Duck for the Oyster's new recording: "May We Have This Dance?"

"This is really fabulous! The band is great, the calls are in there just the right amount... fabulous musicianship and the booklet is excellent!"

Paul Rosenberg, Founder and Organizor of The Dance Flurry Festival

"Congratulations on your fantastic, user friendly, great collection of dances and tunes! I do a lot of community dances and I always need new material; this is a goldmine!"

Peter Amidon, Founder of New England Dancing Masters