A Fitting Tribute:
Songa Releases Music Video Honoring Vietnam War Veterans
A local folk outfit is extending an olive branch to military veterans who were never given their just due.
Dedicated to the memory of Jim “JR” Brown, Tom Shaw and all those who served in Vietnam.
Local Collaboration:
Songa collaborates on newly released Rock River Song
Songa Duo Acoustic
From duo to trio to string band
Read a full review of Songa on Dave's Basement Tracks blog.
Read Review
2025 Schedule
Shows for Songa Duo Acoustic, Songa String Band and Sherry Lynn
- November 14
Mario & Sherry with Sue @ The Lakely 7-10 - November 21
Sherry Lynn @ Infinity Beverages 6:30 - December 6
Sherry Lynn @ River Bend Winery 2-5 - December 12
Sherry Lynn @ The Lakely 7-10 - February 14
Sherry Lynn @ River Bend Winery 2-5 - February 17
Flambeau Jambo String Band @ Heyde Center for the Arts
"Under the Venus Moon"
Chippewa Falls man among top candidates for Best Jazz Album Grammy nomination.
Newly released in August of 2021 by Stellar Sound, this is a collection of Mario Friedel’s songs arranged for big band jazz by Tom Washatka, featuring the legendary Wisconsin vocalist Janet Planet and a superb collaboration of musicians.
Midnight Getaways
Mario Friedel original performed by Songa String Band 2024. When the timing isn’t right for a relationship, you turn to midnight getaways to cope with the loneliness, and hope for better days.
John Hiatt
“On the bus after the Eau Claire show Thursday night. A visit from my friend Mario Friedel and his wife, Sherry. Mario and I were band mates in the group, White Duck back in ‘71! Great to see you, brother. You haven’t changed a bit in 48 years!”
Jh
Meet Songa String Band
Songa is a roots folk/country band led by Mario and Sherry Friedel based in the Chippewa Valley, an acoustic duo weaving a rich sonic tapestry rooted in the heart of Nashville’s songwriting tradition. Catya, Jamie and Katherine join the duo, bringing road-tested musicality and spontaneous fusion to the stage. Their live performances showcase a soulful blend of folk, newgrass, blues, country, and jazz, delivered with raw authenticity. They specialize in re-arranging popular songs to a bluegrass sound and feel. Think Prince, U2 and Tom Petty, among others, with a full bluegrass/Alison Krauss type sound. Multi-instrumentalists, together they play guitars, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, melodica and string bass with 3 part harmony blended in. Entertainment at its finest and something for everyone in their set list.
Mario, originally from Fond du Lac, was produced and published by Buzz Cason, Creative Workshop Studio, Nashville, TN and signed to Universal Records in 1971 as a member of White Duck, Jimmy Buffet’s first Coral Reefer Band, alongside legendary Americana artist John Hiatt.
Sherry is a lifelong music educator, performer and church music director. Her vocal stylings have been highly influenced by Alison Krauss, Bonnie Raitt, and Emmylou Harris. “Sherry Lynn” also performs a solo act with folk, pop and country covers of artists that have inspired her over a lifetime.
