The Radio Stars

Combine a whole lot of energy with a distinctive take on modern and traditional Western-style tunes, and you’ve got The Radio Stars! The band consists of: “Magic” Merrill Piepkorn (harmonica and guitars), Gregg “Smokey” Temple (electric, acoustic, and pedal steel guitars), Loy Larson (champion fiddler and mandolin), and Jim Allen (bass guitar). And all of the band members sing! In addition to performing “sit-down” concerts, The Radio Stars can keep a dance floor packed with a variety of two-steps, waltzes, a polka or two, along with an occasional truck drivin’ song.

The band’s roots reach back to 1972, when Gregg and Merrill began playing coffee houses and local bars while attending Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Following graduation they formed the regionally popular band, Skunk Hollow. When Merrill quit the band and moved back to Fargo, ND, he began playing with Loy. In the meantime, Gregg got together with Jim. The fellas reunited in 2005, performing western, folk, popular, and gospel music.

Recent performances include appearances on: A Prairie Home Companion national radio show, the mainstage at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, several county fairs, steam thresher reunions, and a series of barn dances across the state. One music reviewer cleverly described The Radio Stars music as “Country Music With a Twist.”