& Entertainment ARTS GROUP TALENTED TWO HARBORS QUARTET NAMED ‘BEST LOCAL BAND’ NORTHWOOD’S BAND

from Best of the Best 2019

Best of the Best WHAT A SUCCESS!

By Andrea Busche

Anyone who says millennials lack ambition definitely needs to check out The Northwood’s Band, based in Two Harbors. This youthful foursome has been named “Best Local Band” in the Duluth News Tribune’s Best of the Best awards for the second consecutive year. And the group has racked up plenty of other accolades over the last few years, too.

For instance, The Northwood’s Band was one of three winners at the PBS Celebration of Music’s talent search in Bloomington last May. They eagerly anticipate traveling to California in 2020 to perform on national TV for the PBS Celebration of Music.

The group

The Northwood’s Band consists of Hunter McCullough on lead vocals, keyboard, drums and harmonica; Colton McCullough on guitar, bass, tenor and alto sax, drums and vocals; Ricky Sundstrom on guitar, bass, tenor and alto sax, drums and vocals; and Dalton Hanson on bass, guitar and trombone. Shelby Holbeck is the band’s sound technician.

These multi-talented fellas like to have fun and mix it up on stage.

“We switch instruments on stage all the time,” Colton McCullough said. “It keeps things interesting."

The group is managed by Deanne McCullough, who the band affectionately refers to as their “momager,” since she is Hunter and Colton’s mother.

“It's been such an amazing ride,” she said of the band’s success. “I manage the band by default because five years ago they were all too young to be booking gigs in bars, and they were busy with school and school sports/ activities. So, I started doing the bookings, and now their talent speaks for itself. I rarely have to seek a gig because venues reach out to me. I'm so proud of this band!”

The music

When it comes to their style, The Northwood’s Band can do it all.

“We play classic rock, country, ’50s, blues, metal, grunge – there is something for everyone,” Hunter McCullough said. “We change our set list during each show, once we get a feel for what the crowd wants to hear.”

Although the band has written some of their own original songs, they are primarily a cover band.

Local venues

The Northwood’s Band has played numerous premiere local gigs, including:

• Grill Wars 2018 & 2019

• ZooLaPalooza - Lake Superior Zoo

• KTWH Cabin Fever Reliever

• Two Harbors Heritage Days

• Two Harbors Winter Frolic

• 23rd Veteran Ruck March events

• ALS Blizzard Tour party

• NorthShore Inline Skate Marathon

• WCCO - The John Williams Show

• KQDS Train Wreck

They have also played at many local bars and pubs, at Mystic Lake Casino, and on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. They have played gigs in Cook, McGregor, Rochester, Coon Rapids, Tower, Ely, and even Canada.

Best local band

For the category of “Best Local Band,” 102 bands were nominated. There were over 3,000 votes cast for the top 20 nominees. And The Northwood’s Band came out on top. The group is very grateful for their loyal fans.

“It's a very humbling experience to say the least,” said Hunter McCullough. “We are in such amazing company with the other nominees. We are thankful that people support what we love doing.”

To follow the Northwood’s Band, please check them out on Facebook.