The wizard behind the curtain of SDPB’s productions of No Cover, No Minimum and SDPB’s local music programs is Kevin Patten. A graduate of Mitchell’s junior and senior high schools, Kevin started his career in Mitchell at KXON-TV (now KDLT) operating the teleprompter and camera for the evening newscasts. Kevin attended Dakota Wesleyan and USD, and came to SDPB in 1988, working from daytime operator to videographer/ editor to television producer. At SDPB, he produces performances for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, SD High School All-State Chorus & Orchestra, All-State Band and All-State Jazz Band, Get the best seat in the house! and SD Elementary Honor Choir, as Be a member of our live audience as SDPB records well as documentaries and Dakota Life No Cover, No Minimum featuring Beard. segments. He also runs audio for most of SDPB’s multi-camera remote productions, Beard is Joseph Raiche on guitar, we play different sets at different including high school sports and Jake Kerby on lead guitar, Amy volumes. It’s definitely some legislature. Askew on bass, and Jeff Wesner on subcategory of rock.” Kevin also drums with local bands, drums. By day, Raiche, Kerby and Amy Askew: “We probably fall bringing a performer’s perspective to Wesner are USD professors. Askew under the ‘indie rock’ category, his SDPB productions. “I’ve been so is Vermillion’s school nurse and the inspired by sort of a 90s alternative lucky to have been afforded so many “only member who doesn’t sport feel. We like to play around with opportunities to meet and work with facial hair.” dynamics and building tensions so many talented people from South within the songs to accentuate the Katy Beem: Describe Beard’s sound. Dakota and from around the world,” melodies.” Jake Kerby: “We were raised in says Kevin. “Working with Delta KB: How does South Dakota inform the 90s listening to alternative music. David Gier and the SDSO is always an your sound or sensibilities, if at all? As this is our creative outlet, we try amazing learning experience. Working JK: “Our songs often reflect the to make every song different to keep with Rob Joyce and the SFJB Society universal theme of bad life choices it interesting. Therefore, we don’t is always rewarding. I’ve worked and struggling relationships. I assume really resemble any one band but use with so many South Dakota music people in South Dakota have these elements from many of that era.” educators who always inspire same experiences.” Joseph Raiche: “The easiest way me. I’m so proud to be an amplifier AA: “I’m the only member of the to answer is to compare us to a group of music and life in South Dakota. band that grew up in South Dakota, or performer that we sound like. The I feel so fortunate to have worked problem is any name on that list is with artists like Jami Lynn, Joe (continued on page 22) more what we hope we sound like. West, Midori Goto, Sheryl Crow, The reality is on different nights, Peter Stroud, Mike Langley, Vince Two Eagles, Doosook Kim, Joe Bonamassa, Elvin Bishop and many others.” “I feel very fortunate to work with so many professional and committed people. I would not be able to do what I do without their help.” 1010
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