Winners of the 2007 MBOTMA Race for a Place Band Contest!
"The Sawtooth Bluegrass Band brings you 5 teenaged boys that play traditional songs from greats like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs, as well as their own originals. You won’t believe your ears when you hear these two sets of brothers pickin’ and strummin’ with jaw-dropping ease. It is talent that’s far, far beyond their years."
--- Kurt Augustine, St John’s Block Party Coordinator, Rochester, MN
The Sawtooth Bluegrass Band is bringing a new face to the meaning of teenage boys putting together a band. Not vanquished by their parents to the garage or basement, 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.
Bluegrass music brought the two sets of brothers, ages 14 through 17, together over a year ago, and they have become tight knit 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. While older audiences enjoy their music selection, it’s not to say that the guys aren’t hip. They enjoy covering the occasional 70’s rock era song, and yes, there have been a few giggling teenage girls at their shows who have deemed them “smoking hot.”
Tight vocal harmonies and precision picking is getting them recognized beyond Minnesota. This summer, they will be performing in Branson, MO at Silver Dollar City for the Bluegrass & BBQ Festival for three days, and they have been contacted twice to participate in nationally recognized band competitions, one of which will be in Nashville next February.
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.