October 2009
Sherwin is enjoying a little time at home this October! This is a welcome change from the heavy
schedule he and “The Cotton Kings” have kept for the past several years! It has been a cold
and rainy month with our first two inch snow fall on October 12th. This is a little early for our
taste! We went out and took some great photos, white snow and green leaves! We have yet to
see the trees changing color and they are not dropping their leaves so they hold much more
snow!
Sherwin ready for sledding!
Is this "Global Warming" or "Climate Change?"
Since its beginning to look a lot like Christmas we are getting in the spirit of the season early! We
have just been informed that Sherwin’s newest Christmas song “Global Warming Christmas” has
been leased to Island View Music and will be included on their newest Christmas compilation CD
“Blue Collar Christmas.” If you have not yet heard the song you can download your own copy from
iTunes or go to the catalog page of this site and order your copy from CDBaby.
Sherwin enjoys seeing other entertainers perform when he has the chance. We enjoyed “Sugar Pie
DeSanto” at the Dakota Jazz Club last week. Sugar Pie is Etta James cousin. She wrote for the
Chess record label and toured with James Brown. What a wonderful show!
Sherwin and Pam with Sugar Pie DeSanto
(Sugar Pie is standing up!)
Sherwin has had a very exciting 2009 and there is so much news to share. We thought you would
enjoy a slide show to catch up on the happenings of the past few months! Sherwin and The Cotton
Kings will be back out on the road very soon. November 11th, Veterans Days will be a very special
evening of patriotic music in Bemidji, MN and the holiday season is just around the corner so check
Sherwin's Christmas Show dates in your area!
Click Here
for the slide show!
August 2009
Oh What a Party
Sherwin did another indomitable 75 minute
performance closing the show with a very
powerful version of the Bob Dylan classic
"Forever Young." The music continued until well
past midnight with Paul Metsa, Molly Maher &
Her Disbelievers and closing the night, the iron
range rebels The White Iron Band. At the end of
the White Iron set, lead singer Matt Pudas invited
Sherwin back to the stage to close the night.
Stepping to the microphone Sherwin performed
"My Rainbow," a song he had written on his 21 st
birthday.
Sherwin's 70th Birthday Bash was great fun!
Jennifer Markey & Her Buckboard Boys took the
stage at 7:30 PM followed by our friends Trailer
Trash. Following Trailer Trash a large group of
Sherwin's Twin Cities musician friends took the
stage and performed for the very first time the
song they had written and recorded "The Ballad
of Sherwin Linton."
There will be more birthday photos posted soon!
We want to remind everyone to visit Sherwin and The Cotton Kings at the Heritage Square Stage at
the Minnesota State Fair August 31 st and September 1st. Show Times are 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and
4:00 PM. September 2nd Sherwin will receive the 2009 Rural Roots Music Commission's Traditional
CD Production of the Year Award. This event will take place during the 2009 National Traditional
Music Festival held on the Plymouth County Fair Grounds, LeMars, IA. Sherwin and The Cotton Kings
will perform at 1:00 PM. Then it's off to the South Dakota State Fair September 3-7 with performances
on the Centennial Stage at 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. We hope you can join us for one of
these events!
July 2009
Sherwin's Turning 70 and Still Rockin!
Let the Celebration Begin
We just celebrated our nation's independence. This is such an important holiday for every American.
It gives us time to reflect on the price that has been paid and is paid every day for our freedom. We
are all richly blessed to live in a country where we can truly celebrate Independence Day. We hope
each and every one of you had a safe and wonderful July 4th. Independence Day also kicks off a
summer of many special events. Sherwin and the Cotton Kings have a schedule full of fair and
festival appearances. We also have some important celebrating of our own to do. Mark your
calendars for two very special events celebrating Sherwin's 70th Birthday!
July 26, 2009 -
Anoka County Fair Celebrates Sherwin Linton's 70th Birthday
Join Sherwin and the Cotton Kings for a music performance and fun on the Free Entertainment Stage
at the Anoka County Fair. Two, one hour music shows beginning at 3:00 PM. This is a family friendly
event so bring the kids and grandkids for a great day at the fair, great music and some fun surprises.
Sherwin wants to remind everyone not to bring a gift. Having you in the audience is the best gift you
can give!
July 28, 2009 - Sherwin's 70thBirthday Bash - The Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN
This is Sherwin's birth date! He'll be celebrating with a whole lot of his musical friends all on stage for a
fun filled evening! Sherwin has a special show planned, but he'll be sharing the stage with some other
great acts too! Guest groups include: Trailer Trash, Jennifer Markey & Her Buckboard Boys, Paul
Metsa, Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers and The White Iron Band. The doors open at 7:00 PM and the
music begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets for the whole evening are just $10.00 and are available first come
first served the evening of the show. The Cabooze is located at 917 Cedar Ave. South, Minneapolis,
MN. Phone the
Cabooze at 612-338-6425 for additional details.
Rural Roots Selects "Town Of Dreams" CD of the Year
Sherwin's 2007 centennial CD "Town Of Dream"s tells the story of the small town of Lake Norden,
South Dakota. This CD is a collection of 20 songs and significant historical dialogue from the local
residents. On September 2 nd during the 2009 National Traditional Music Festival in LeMars, IA
Sherwin will receive the Traditional CD Production of the Year award presented by the Rural Roosts
Music Commission. Sherwin and The Cotton Kings are slated for a 1:00 PM performance on the Main
Festival Stage. They will perform many favorites from this CD including "That Old Gravel Road," "Mom
& Dad," "Thank You For Serving," "Comin' To America," "Ivory Tower," "No Charge,"Allis Chalmers,"
"Life's Railway To Heaven" and others. If you wish to purchase this CD it is available at
The presentation will take place following the performance. For more information on the National
Traditional Music Festival visit their web site at
South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame
Sherwin will be inducted into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame September 13th. The
event will take place at the VFW Club, 3601 South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Show Time 2:00 PM.
Admission is free. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to a local food shelf. Contact
Wini Iverson at 650-310-2441 for additional information. Find the South Dakota Country Music Hall of
Fame on the web at:
I'm Cookin' Arriving Soon!
Five years in the making Pam Linton's new cookbook titled by her niece Lydia,
I'm Cookin'
will be
available in late August. This colorful book includes over 300 recipes Pam has created, cooked and
collected plus stories and childhood photos. We're going to begin celebrating Pam's 30thanniversary
with the Sherwin Linton Show a little early with this very special and personal souvenir item. Books
will be available by mail beginning September 1 st for $15.00 each plus $3.00 shipping.
Send your order to:
Sherwin Linton Entertainment
I'm Cookin'
P.O. Box 48100
Minneapolis, MN 55448
South Dakota Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame
Sherwin formed his first band The Rocketeers and began performing live concerts and on his own live
radio show on station KWAT in 1955 and 1956 in Watertown, South Dakota. On May 24, 2009 Sherwin
walked on stage to a standing ovation of over 1000 people attending the first induction ceremony of the
newly formed South Dakota Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. This event was held at the former Arkota
Ballroom in Sioux Falls, SD. Fellow inductees Bobby Vee, Myron Lee, Gary Mule Deer and other
classic 50's and 60's bands rocked for five hours following the inductions.
Sherwin, Pam & The Cotton Kings with Bobby Vee 2009 South Dakota Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame.
Sherwin & Pam May 24, 2009 South Dakota Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame
Sherwin outside the entrance to what once was The Ditty Bop where Sherwin & The Rocketeers and
other Rock-A-Billy bands performed in Sioux Falls, pioneering the Rock-N-Roll Music genre in South
Dakota in the mid 1950's. Sherwin says, The Ditty Bop was probably similar to the famous Cavern
where the Beatles got their start in the early 1960's in Liverpool, England.
May 2009
It is really hard for me to believe it is already May! We have had a very fun filled and busy four months
with a whole lot of new news to report. Our two months in south Texas just flew by and it was great to
have time to visit with many of our mid-west friends. We also hosted many first time visitors to the Rio
Grande Valley. Everyone who makes the trip agrees it is a great break from what has been a very long
Minnesota winter.
2009 FAME Awards
February 25th found us spending the afternoon at the International Convention Center in Pharr,
Texas. Now in its 13th year, FAME (Families Advocating Moral Entertainment) recognized entertainers
in thirty categories at their annual “Awards Show & Ceremony.” Sherwin was greatly honored to be
chosen as the FAME 2009 “Entertainer of the Year.” When accepting his award Sherwin stated,
“There are so many fantastic entertainers who are considered for this award, that it’s very humbling to
be honored two years in a row.”
Sherwin's new press photo
Before we departed Texas we spent an afternoon
taking new promotional photos. The boganvelia were
in full bloom in a deep rich pink and we found several
locations where they mixed with the palms and cactus
to make very bright and interesting backdrops. We
arrived back in Minneapolis in late March in time to
enjoy two snow storms and have our tour schedule
adjusted by the Red River flooding in Fargo, North
Dakota. Our engagement at the IAFE Zone Four
Conference was moved from Grand Forks, North
Dakota to Grand Rapids, Minnesota so convention
goers could avoid passing through Fargo! We kept
telling ourselves winter would be over soon and we
were fortunate, our basement was not full of water!
Sherwin & Pam Linton - March 2009
South Dakota Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction
We are looking forward to Sherwin’s May 24th induction into the “South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame.” Sherwin was honored to be among the first inductees into this prestigious hall. Sherwin is
recognized as “South Dakota’s First Rock & Roller” having started his music career in 1956 with his
touring group “Sherwin Linton & His Rocketteers” and his own live radio show on station KWAT in
Watertown, South Dakota. There is still time to get your tickets for this exciting event. Sherwin has
been invited to do a 30 minute performance and the complete induction show will be filmed for South
Dakota Public Television. I’ve included details of this fun filled day below with a link to the South
Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association web site.
Date: May 24, 2009
Location:
El Riad Shrine Mosque (Formerly the Arkota Ballroom.)
14th and Phillips
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Tickets:
$20.00
Tickets Are Available At: Lewis Drug Southgate – 41st and Minnesota
By Mail: Music Association Induction Ceremony
P.O. Box 91353
Sioux Falls, SD 57109
Schedule Of Events:
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Silent and Live Auction view music Association Display
(Washington Pavilion – 301 S. Main Ave.)
2:00 – 3:30 PM
Autograph Session With Inductees
(Washington Pavilion)
5:00 PM
Doors Open And Music Begins At Shrine Mosque
(Formerly the Arkota Ballroom)
6:00 PM
Induction Ceremony & Show
(All events are just a few blocks apart in walking distance in historic downtown Sioux Falls!)
Hotel Accommodations:
Downtown Holiday Inn (Closest To Event Venue)
$90.00 Nightly
605-339-2000
Country Inn & Suites (Close To Event Venue)
200 E. 8th Street
605-373-0153
Sleep Inn (Russell & Kiwanis)
$67.00 Nightly
605-339-3992
Comfort Inn (41st & I-29 - Near Empire Mall)
$80.00 Nightly
605-361-2822
Microtel Inn (S. Carolyn – Near Empire Mall)
$67.00 Nightly
605-361-7484
Springhill Suites (Near Empire Mall)
$77.00 Nightly
605-444-4200
Sherwin's First Live Performance Photo
2009 Rural Roots Music Commission – Traditional Production CD of the Year
We were very honored to receive notification that Sherwin’s CD “Town of Dreams Centennial” has
been selected the Rural Roots Music Commission’s “2009 Traditional Production CD of the Year.” The
Commission honors and rewards those that continue to create and perform “traditional acoustic rural
music.” Sherwin will receive this award at the annual National Traditional Country Music Festival at the
Plymouth County Fairgrounds in LeMars, Iowa on August. This will be a quick trip to Iowa between our
engagements at the Minnesota State Fair and the South Dakota State Fair.
Johnny Cash Tribute Show to Air on Metro Cable Network Channel 6
Sherwin & Tommy Cash, Anoka, MN, April 4, 2009
www.TheJohnnyCashStory.com
With the very much appreciated help of our web master Mark Wearsch we are proud to say our new
web site The Johnny Cash Story is taking shape. Last June Mark began re-working parts of the
Sherwin Linton web site to bring things more up to date. He has been an invaluable aid and advisor.
In January Mark began developing
. This site highlights Sherwin's
association with Johnny Cash and also Sherwin's highly recognized Tribute to the Man In Black.
When you visit the site you'll see lots of live performance photos as well as a gallery of photos of
Sherwin with John and members of his family through the years. There is a nine minute video clip of
Sherwin's Cash Only performance in 2008. We will be adding more video, song files, and photos in
the near future. Keep watching and a "Big Thank You" to Mark Wearsch at Wearsch Web Design!
Long Live American Music!
January 2009
During our November visit to Menominee Nation Casino in Keshena, WI, artist Anthony Gauthier sent
his business card to the stage with this line drawing of Sherwin on the back.
I wonder if anyone remembers the year 1938. I don't, I was not born
until July 28, 1939. That means that on that date in 2009 I will turn
70. When I was 10, 20 seemed to be adult maturity, 30 was adult
well settled and 40 was nearly my parents age and anything beyond
that was as incomprehensible as the distance to the stars. I think
most people my age agree that time really passes faster each year.
We had a very exciting and truly fantastic 2008. We enjoyed our
engagements in Texas which included an appearance at the Texas
FAME Awards Show where I was honored by being voted 2008
Texas FAME Entertainer of the Year. We returned home to
Minneapolis in mid March to face about two more months of chilly,
inclement Minnesota weather before spring came sometime in late
May. Well, that's Minnesota and though we look forward to our time
in Texas each year we always look forward to returning home!
After performing a heavy schedule of dates in April, May and early June, Pam and I managed to find a
few days to take a trip that we had talked about for many years. You see, in 1948 when I was just nine
years old my Mom & Dad took my older brother Gene and I on a trip to Glacier National Park in
northwestern Montana. At that time we lived in the little town of Hazel, SD, southwest of Watertown. We
took a puddle jumping train called the "Galloping Goose" to Willmar, MN, then boarded a bigger train to
Minneapolis. In Minneapolis we boarded the famous streamlined Great Northern Empire Builder riding
all the way to Seattle, up to Vancouver, BC and then back across Canada on the Canadian Pacific to
Winnipeg and back Minneapolis and then to Willmar. Once in Willmar we again boarded the Galloping
Goose for our return to Hazel, SD. This was about a two week trip that I remember so well. One of the
highlights was Glacier National Park and the huge lodge at East Glacier. I have longed to take this trip
again and share it with Pam. We had a five day window of time open on our calendar between
performance dates in late June. Our reservations were made a couple of months ahead giving us some
time to look forward to our little vacation get away. After doing a show in Turtle Lake, WI on June 22 nd,
we returned to Minneapolis, got in our car and drove to St. Cloud, MN where we boarded the Amtrak
Empire Builder at 1:00 AM on June 23 rd . Our sleeping berth was ready for us and after settling in we
woke at about 9:00 AM in Minot, ND. The food and service on the train was excellent and we enjoyed
scenery and small towns in North Dakota and Montana arriving in East Glacier at about 7:00 PM that
evening. What a special and spectacular sight it was for me to step off that train and see the huge log
lodge off in the distance just like I had remembered from 60 years ago in 1948. It was a very spiritual
experience for me remembering this trip and so many good times with my parents when I was growing
up. Pam and I checked into our hotel and made plans to enjoy three days of sights and some relaxing
time in this beautiful National Park. We enjoyed a boat tour on St. Mary Lake in the heart of the
mountains, a trip on the 75 year old restored Red Buses and also driving up to Waterton, Alberta on the
Canadian side of the park. We enjoyed some super dining at the historic Glacier Park Lodge (where
nine presidents have stayed) and our time went very fast! We returned home June 28thin time for our
show at Blaine's Blazin' 4thCelebration on June 29th. We are booked for this event for the third year
running on June 28, 2009.
Sherwin with the “Great Northern
Empire Builder” 1948.
Sherwin with the Amtrak
Empire Builder 2008.
Sherwin & Pam, St. Mary Lake, Glacier National Park, June 2008
Somehow in June we also managed to arrange music and produce a new CD for a very talented
young lady, Kristi Goldade from Wishek, ND. Kristi has appeared with our show many times and her
new CD "Dakota Prairie Yodelin'" features several yodeling songs as well as Classic Folk, Country
and Patriotic selections.
Our summer schedule was very full with little time at home between dates. Most of our fair dates went
well. We did fight the weather a couple of times like at the Chippewa County Fair in Montevideo, MN
where it rained more than two inches with hail in three hours. We finally were able to do an acoustic
show under the grandstand. To describe our whole experience that day would take several pages!
The next day, in Aberdeen, SD, at the Brown County Fair things went much better until a tornado
funnel dropped down just above the tent we were performing in. It was a bit scary, but after minimal
damage to garbage cans and RV awnings the funnel lifted and our biggest problem became getting
our vehicle towed out of the wet fairgrounds following about two inches of rain. The same towing
company had towed my bus after a breakdown back in 1975. I think there may be a picture of that
1975 event on our web site.
In late August we played the Central States Fair in Rapid City, SD. We had the opportunity to visit
Mount Rushmore again and spend some time in the southern Black Hills. A friend of mine Johnny
Butten from England accompanied us on this tour. Johnny is listed in the Guinness Book of World
Records as the World's Fastest Banjo Player and he definitely is! Johnny was very impressed with the
vast wide open spaces of South Dakota's endless western prairies and landscapes, the Badlands, the
Black Hills, and the cowboy lifestyle. We also took time to visit the South Dakota Citizens Hall of Fame
in Chamberlain where they had a large memorabilia display of many of my career items. I was
inducted into this hall in September of 2007. This display has now been moved to the Minnesota
Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm, MN. They will be having a special Sherwin Linton Day which will kick
off the opening of this display later this year. We'll keep you posted with details and event information.
The South Dakota State Fair has been a highlight and homecoming engagement for me since 1973.
Doing three shows a day under the massive tent at the Centennial Stage is always a great reunion of
long time friends and fans and we once again had many guest performers on each of our shows. This
year we were invited to open the George Jones Show in the Grandstand. Much to the audiences
surprise we also closed the show with George, Brittany and The Jones Boys with the song "Rockin
Chair." We will be back at the South Dakota State Fair September 3-7, 2009.
Sherwin & George Jones - South Dakota State Fair - August 29, 2008
Pam and her sister Brittany Allyn on the George Jones Show -
South Dakota State Fair - August 29, 2008
.
Brittany has been George's featured vocalist for the past three years.
After playing several more fairs and special events in September and October including Norsk Hostfest
in Minot, ND we journeyed to Nashville for a recording session. A friend of mine Glenn Dykstra from
Missouri had submitted to me a song he had written, "There Is No Snow in Kalamazoo." I liked the
song's idea and sent it to Pam's sister Brittany Allyn in Nashville for her opinion. After some discussion
between Glenn, Brittany and myself, Brittany re-wrote the verses to the song keeping Glenn's original
chorus. I then made a few lyric modifications and we came up with a clever topical Christmas song
"Global Warming Christmas." We recorded the song October 25that Hilltop Studios in Nashville. The
song is arranged in a Caribbean/Reggae rhythm style combining steel drums and Hawaiian guitar. The
song was released by CDX Records in Nashville to 2300 radio stations, and Poetman Acoustic
Rainbow Records in Lexington, KY to 1400 stations internationally and also on our own Black Gold
label as a special issue CD single to an additional 650 stations. The special artwork prepared by
illustrator Bill Hauser from St. Paul depicts Santa at the North Pole lounging and shaving his beard
surrounded by partying reindeer and confused penguins co-mingling with flamingos as the ice melts.
All of this brought enough attention to draw strong response to the record in its first year as a new
Christmas entry. We were invited to perform the song live on the Minnesota Public TV show "Almanac"
hosted by Eric Eskola, Kathy Wurzer, and Mary Lehammer. Thank you to all of you who have
requested this song on your local radio stations during the holiday season.
On the same recording session we also recorded three duets which will be on a new project that we
hope to complete this year. Our friends David Frizzell and Tommy Cash each came to the studio and
recorded with me. Pam and I recorded a favorite love song "As Long As I Live" and several other
friends and artists have agreed to duet appearances. When we get this project completed it should be
very exciting!
On December 1 st Pam and I were at the KATO Ballroom in Mankato, MN for the taping of several
episodes of the TV show "Bandwagon" which aired during the month of December on network
affiliates in the Mankato area of southern Minnesota. We were the guests of the Wendinger Brothers
Band and the Bruce Bradley Orchestra. What a fun evening!
In early December I received a call from Don Fritz in Sioux Falls, SD informing me that on May 24,
2009 I am to be among the first inductees into the newly formed South Dakota Rock-N-Roll Hall of
Fame. This event will be held at the old Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. We'll keep you posted with
event information.
Pam and I and The Cotton Kings again put together a tour doing our annual Christmas Shows in mid
December. It was sure an adventure unloading and loading in New Ulm, MN in 35-45 degree below
zero wind chills and blizzard conditions, but those hardy Minnesotan's in New Ulm still turned out for
our show. We also had great crowds for five shows at Royal River Casino in Flandreau, SD. We
then returned home to Minneapolis for a sold out performance at the American Legion in Coon
Rapids on December 19th. We want to extend special thanks to our friend Dean Cowan for all his
work in helping to promote and make that night a success.
Pam and I took some time during our holidays to be bell ringers for the Salvation Army at the corner
of 7thStreet and Nicolet Mall in front of Macy's in downtown Minneapolis on December 22 nd .
Wearing our Victorian style attire we enjoy doing this, however on a day when it is 6 degrees below
zero it is a bit chilly!
We rang in the New Year 2009 at Black Bear Casino in Cloquet, MN. January 16 & 17 we will be the
closing act each evening at the 9thAnnual Cash Only Show at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. This show
celebrates the vast music catalog of Johnny Cash. If you wish to be in our audience for this high
energy rockin' event in a Minneapolis bar packed with 1500 loudly cheering people we would love to
have you. For a peak at last year's show visit
www.MySpace.com/SherwinLinton
and scroll to the
video clip on the left side of the screen. Our departure for the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is just a few
busy weeks away. Maybe you would like to join us for a little warm weather get away. Our Texas
home away from home is LaCopa Hotel in McAllen, Texas. Visit our web site for a link to reservation
information on the lower left of the screen. We are scheduled for a few performance dates in the
lounge on this property.
We need to say a big "Thank You" to Joe, Kathy and Jeff Jensen at Mid-West Country Theatre in
Sandstone, MN for airing our performances on their Mid-West Country Show on the RFD-TV Network
Saturday's at 8:00 PM. Finally we need to thank you our friends and fans for your support and
friendship over these many years. We wish you God's Blessings for a very Happy and Prosperous
2009.
© 2016 Sherwin Linton Entertainment Enterprises
Updated 2019
Welcome to the Sherwin Linton 2009 News Archives...
Insert - Sherwin’s 70th Birthday Party Pictures
Sherwin Linton
The 2009 Anoka, Minnesota Lions Club fundraising music show featured Sherwin Linton and Tommy
Cash and a “Tribute to Johnny Cash.” The two sell out performances brought over 2000 people into
the auditorium at Anoka High School. Metro Cable Channel Six filmed the two hour show and is
presently airing it. Twin Cities residents can phone Metro Cable Network
– 612-339-
3221 for scheduled air times.