The story of SEMBA is multi-faceted. It grew out of small pockets of bluegrass musicians and supporters and some pioneers. Included in the pioneer category are Bob Loy, who held jams at his music store where he gave lessons and sold instruments and sponsored the first bluegrass festival in 1970s at what is now the Deer Creek Speedway. Ernie Tuff was also a pioneer. He held one-day festivals and concerts in the ‘70s at the Ernie Tuff Museum north of Rushford, off Interstate 90. He had Bill Monroe and the Carter Family, just to name a couple acts. He also utilized regional acts including Don and Myrt Otis, Beaver Creek and Sandy and Charlie Good. In the 80s the Ottman Family started having jams first in a garage, then in a basement, then at the Grand Meadow Legion. It moved to the Spring Valley Legion and then to the Spring Valley Community Center. It ended up at the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.
SEMBA is the currently the sponsor of Friday Night Acoustic Jam at Peace United Church. Also, The Ottman Family for a number of years had bluegrass campouts and jams on their acreage in a remodeled little white barn in Grand Meadow. Many of the Charter SEMBA Members attended these gatherings. Howard and Marge Otis, in 1992, sponsored the first multi-day festival at Money Creek Haven Campground near Houston, Minn. The festivals continued at that location until 1998 when it was moved to Cushon’s Peak Campground and the festival was called Money Creek Junction Bluegrass Festivals and was expanded to include two festivals (one the weekend before Memorial Day and the other the third full weekend in August. In September 1998 a board was formed and approval for non-profit status obtained. Due to confusion between Money Creek Haven and Money Creek Junction, the Board approved a name change to SEMBA (Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association) Bluegrass Festivals. The Board approved an association for SEMBA and the initiation of a monthly newsletter which would have a calendar of events and other pertinent information. A family or individual membership would provide a discount on advance festival tickets. A band membership would have a listing of band and contact information. The dues have remained the same – $20 per year for an individual or family and $25 for a band.
SEMBA, certainly from its inception, had the support of the community and region. Cushon’s Peak Campground has been a dedicated partner in providing services to accommodate our bluegrass supporters. Relay for Life has provided wonderful affordable food for our festivals over the years. Local businesses have faithfully taken ads in our Festival Guide and donated items for our annual fundraising raffles. Loyal SEMBA supporters have generously provided wonderful items for our raffles over the years. SEMBA has since inception held Catfish/Chicken Frys twice a year to help cover expenses. SEMBA is the proud recipient of support through the Southeastern MN Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Programming includes a free educational assembly concerning the art form of bluegrass music at area schools by a bluegrass family band which is supported by an anonymous benefactor. A free one-day workshop concerning bluegrass instruments is held the Wednesday prior to the August Festival. A monetary matching challenge by Ferman and Doris Lanning resulted in the building of the SEMBA Welcome Barn which houses supplies and golf carts. When COVID caused cessation of activities, faithful supporters stepped up with donations to help SEMBA to stay viable. SEMBA is proud of a 30 year history of providing high quality programming. We are also proud of all our SEMBA members, past and present, who have volunteered and supported us for 30 years! SEMBA looks forward to seeing everyone for the upcoming SEMBA Festivals to celebrate this milestone.