Winners of the 2008 MBOTMA Race for a Place Band Contest!
"Sawtooth is a powerhouse band now, one of the top acoustic groups in the upper Midwest."
--- Jim Whitney, Twin Cities Acoustic Music Calendar
Defined by the phrase, 'family and friends', the Sawtooth Bluegrass Band is two sets of teenage brothers that have become fast friends during the last three years of working and playing together. Bluegrass music brought the brothers together, and since then, they have become a tight knit group on and off the stage. Between skiing, fishing, playing video games and traveling together, the boys can be found arranging four-part a cappella gospel numbers and writing original songs.
These young men are bringing audiences of all ages to their feet at fairs, festivals, opera houses and charity events across the state and beyond. While older audiences enjoy their classic country and gospel music selections, it’s not to say that the guys aren’t hip; they also enjoy covering the occasional 70’s rock era song and have a number of die hard fans from the younger generation as well.
Tight vocal harmonies and precision picking are getting them recognized. The band has been hired to perform in Branson, MO at Silver Dollar City for the Bluegrass & BBQ Festival two years in a row, they have played on stage with Garrison Keillor and they have also taken 1st place in the 2008 MBOTMA Race for a Place Band Contest. Clint is the 2009 MN State Flatpicking Champion while Jesse and Clint placed 2nd and 3rd in the 2008 and 2009 MN duet championships.
The Sawtooth Bluegrass Band is the Moravec Brothers from Rochester, MN -- Ethan on bass & harmony vocals and Jesse on mandolin & lead vocals, and also the Birtzer brothers from Rosemount, MN -- Clint on guitar & lead vocals, Luke on fiddle & harmony vocals, and finally Shane Birtzer, the band’s emcee, on banjo.