Comments from Fans:
"The best Minnesota bluegrass band I've ever heard!"
--Mike Compton, multiple Grammy-award winning mandolinist*
"I did the unusual thing (for me) of watching several bands from the stage at the kickoff. To my tastes, you are about the best band MBOTMA [Minnesota Bluegrass & Old Time Music Association] has, with your pass-it-around-variety, appropriate intepretations of a real variety of things You really make "Fenceline" powerful, showmanship, and especially the addition of Catie Jo. What a fiddler, singer (adding a nice top to your harmony) and bundle of energy!!
Great going!!"
--Jerry Barney, one of the founders of MBOTMA
"You were delightful! 'Pigs came up again and again as being a hilight!"
--Shannon Shakotko, Forget (Saskatchewan) Summer Arts Festival
"My sister and I thoroughly enjoyed the concert Sat. night. What a fun, upbeat group of performers you are. I love the "laid back" style you guys have, and of course, the music is terrific. Thanks for a great show."
--B.H.T.
"Fenceline is a warm, inviting and totally enjoyable recording. The Whistlepigs put creative, entertaining and locally-grown lyrics on top of an excellent old/timey and bluegrass foundation for a uniquely traditional sound. Put on this CD and you'd swear they were sittin' in the living room enjoying the music right along with you. From the swingin' groove of the "Hometown Blues" to the quick pickin' gospel of "Get in Line Brother", Fenceline is a great mix of arrangements that will keep you listening to this recording over and over.
"To top it all off, these pigs wear some fine hats!"
--Tim Reese of "Pig's Eye Landing"
"Tasty licks, down-home backporch feeling, an honest mix of old and new"
--Erik Brandt of The Urban Hillbillies
...Lyrics, Music, Harmony...The Pigs have it all!..Off their new CD, the self titled song, "Fenceline", will no doubt be a classic..."Stone Broke" will bring anybody back...and the Lyrics from "You can get there from here" will certainly ring familiar with all Minnesotan's. "That Water" is wonderful, and the Lester Flatt Gospel tune, "Get in Line Brother" finishes off a great CD, and some of the best and original Bluegrass music this area has to offer...See you guys around...
--Bob from Maplewood
Saw the boys last night [January 19 at Dulono's] & they were great, everything from Hank Williams, Old Time', Swing, Bluegrass' - a very tight band with four guys who all sing well. The most enjoyable for me though was Fred playing that Brentrup,he has that Monroe/Compton style down. Go check them out if you get a chance or get a CD & *no* I'm not their agent. :)
Oh my, how could I forget Catie, a young lady (14) who can flat out play that fiddle...yes sir.
--Keith Madison, Mandolin Café
Being from Minnesota, as Fred is, I take great pride in our native boy. I feel the Whistlepigs String Band is one of the best bluegrass bands I have ever heard. Now Fred can't say this about himself (he is modest)...but I can. I'm an old gal and I have heard a lot of music in my life, they are good!
--Buffy, Murphy's Landing
Wonderful show Saturday night. I was imagining you performing on Prairie Home Companion and doing just fine with those good folks. Just two words- Bra and Vo.
--B. Baldwin
Great tunes....great heart and soul from your band. I like the liveliness that came from your first live take process instead of overdubbing. Very sweet and true.
--Diane Rae, Great Falls, MT
I heard your band on MPR's "The Morning Show" a couple of weeks ago and couldn't get your song "That Water" out of my head. It struck a personal note as I know someone with Schizophrenia and what a struggle it can be when not properly treated and also society's fears of it because it is so poorly presented in the media.
--Michelle G
We all had a great time and we are looking forward to the next time we can hear you play! The boys both mentioned this morning how they would love to learn the violin next (of course, they called it the fiddle)! You were all amazing!!
PS. Congratulations also on the CD release--not only is the music first rate, the artwork is some of the best I've ever seen on a CD!
--Mary & Gang