Put down the washboard and banjo me this. . .

They're pretend sharks and crocodiles for the kiddies this morning.

Brother Dan treated us to breakfast this morning at his Midtown Global Market. A group straight out of "O Brother Where Art Thou" was picking and grinning in the food court for some kind of children's hour, so what could we do, we joined in. We sang along to stuff like "You Are My Sunshine", "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and other very uncool stuff that became really cool and fun in the hands of these stompin Family Singers. Turns out, we had stumbled into some accomplished talent in an unlikely venue.
"The Roe Family Singers are a Good-Time, Old-Time Hillbilly band from the Mississippi-headwaters community of Kirkwood Hollow, Minn. Led by wife and husband duo Kim Roe (Best Female Vocalist, City Pages/Village Voice) and Quillan Roe (Accident Clearinghouse), the band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock and roll urgency and influence."
Yee ha!
Joined by as many as seven musicians, and featuring banjo, autoharp, guitar, and washboard, the band and family of fans have been regularly filling Minneapolis’ 331 Club every Monday night since 2005.

They were named the World's Best at the 30th annual jug band contest, an event we somehow missed, but no matter, we heard 'em today for free over hash browns and toast.
How many verses to "Wabash Cannonball" do you know? We finished our ham and cheese omelets, but it was the thumping and singing that powered us through snowy, snarled Lake Street traffic as we went about our mid-day errands.
Ya HOOO!

Photos from Katie's cellphone.