Mama's Little Hippies: Bio
Mama's Little Hippies
Mama’s Little Hippies
This newly-formed classic rock/variety band is comprised of some of the area’s most established musicians.Fast becoming one of Wisconsin's premier large event acts, Mama's Little Hippies have already shared the stage with such greats as America, Three Dog Night and The Charlie Daniels Band and Rusty Young from Poco. They have been likened to the resurrection of Jefferson Airplane by local promoters and are proving that they may be one of the best bands to come out of Wisconsin's Northwoods in decades.
Bret & Frisk Miller (www.bretandfrisk.com) have combined with Charlie and Denise Sauter, Mark Zanoni, and Peter Stoltman to add a new dimension to the Northwoods music scene. This is good time party music at its finest! The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash,Jefferson Airplane, The Beatles, America, The Grateful Dead, CSN&Y,The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Eagles, and Paul Simon are just a few of the bands that Mama’s Little Hippies will be covering. Come out and enjoy a blast from the past, and don’t forget your headbands and tie-dyes. Don’t worry...be Hippy
Charlie Sauter - Bass, Vocals
Bassist Charlie Sauter began his musical career over 30 years ago, spending 15 years entertaining audiences in Minneapolis with various artists, including Prudence Johnson, Debbie Duncan, Michael Monroe, Alexander O’Neal and Mary Jane Alm. He has appeared on television and radio in the Twin Cities, and has toured with several bands to fun places like London and Hawaii. In 1987 he was named “Twin Cities Electric Jazz Bassist of the Year” at the Twin Cities Jazz Music Awards. When he’s not designing and building homes for Sauter Builders, he can be found playing his bass with Jazzworks and other area bands.
Denise Sauter - Vocals, Keyboards
Denise Sauter has been singing and playing music for virtually all her life. She is classically trained with a degree in music from DePauw University. She spent several years managing a recording studio and working in the commercial music industry in Indianapolis and Minneapolis. Since moving to the northwoods in 1991, her musical life has included directing local choirs, teaching piano lessons, and, of course, singing. Denise became a Hippie in the summer of 2008, and is also the lead vocalist for the northwoods swing band, Jazzworks. She is co-owner of Sauter Builders with her husband (and our bass player), Charlie.
Frisk Miller - Vocals , Keyboards
Frisk has been singing professionally now for nearly 20 years. Along with husband Bret Miller they have been performing steadily throughout the US as a musical team for nearly two decades. Frisk has really enjoyed her time with Mamas Little Hippies as it has opened up new opportunities for her being a part of what she enjoys the most, 3 part harmonies! Frisk has also had the priviledge to perform her infamous rendition of The National Anthem and Patriotic Medley at a number of nationally televised events such as the Iowa/ Minnesota Mens Basketball game. The Wisconsin/ Minnesota Basketball Game and twice at the World Championship Snowmobile Derby. When not singing with the Hippies Frisk continues to perform her acoustic show with Bret and is Mom to two wonderful children.
Bret Miller - Rythym Guitar, Harmonica, Vocals
Bret has been performing professionally for over 25 years. After fronting a number of bands in his college years he launched a successful solo career and the mid 1980s. He performed regularly at ski resorts throughout Colorado and the Midwest as Bret"The Fishin Musician" Miller. In 1992 he met Frisk in Breckenridge, Colorado and they formed their musical duo. The music has not stopped since that magical moment! Bret's role in the Hippies has brought back many memories of the long hair (when he had hair!) rockin days of the 80s. He really enjoys being able to perform the music that inspired him to begin his musicial career. Playing with seasoned professionals brings the experience to a whole new level. When not singing with the Hippies and Frisk, Bret can be found selling real estate in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin and being Dad to 2 wonderful children.
Peter Stoltman - Drums, Percussion
Peter Stoltman recieved a degree in Percussion Performance from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill . With a strong background in jazz music he is no stranger to playing rock, blues, contemporary, and a wide variety of other musical styles. He is currently involved in several music projects in Northern Wisconsin and loves to be a chameleon, adapting to the needs of the music. Peter says," I view my role in a band not only as a timekeeper but also to add color and support efforts of my fellow musicians." In addition to drumming Peter dabbles on guitar, trumpet and piano. He has performed throughout the US with a large number of varied musical acts.
Peter lives in St Germain, Wisconsin with his wife Karen. They have four children and one new little grandson. When he's not behind the drums you'll probably find Peter out on a lake where he pursues a second career as a fishing guide. He is also co host of the popular online radio show"Regular Fishin' for Regular Guys"
As a member of Mama's Little Hippies he strives to capture the authentic flavor of the music of one of the most dynamic times in American musical history. He says,"It's kind of funny, that I played a lot of these songs when they were new. Now I get the opportunity to revisit them like old friends but with greater sense of musical maturity. Playing these classics with such a fine group of talented people is an absolute joy."
Mark Zanoni - Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals, Harmonica
Mark's roots are deep in the blues, having played with guitar and harmonica with blues bands across northcentral Wisonsin for many years with his wife (bass player) Michelle Ploskonka. Red, Hot and Blue, Soul to Soul, MLC Blues Band and Big Road are just a few of the projects he has been involved with. He has also appeared on cds by Christian musician Bryan Serchio and the original rock band The Vibe, plus his fiddle and mandolin skills have been heard for years as a part of the old time dance band Roll Up the Rug.