Mankato's Joe Kopel, now performing out of Minneapolis, MN, will bring his guitar and voice and play a set at the Road Haus on Thursday night starting about 8:30 p.m. Kopel has chiseled himself a footing in the Twin Cities music scene, impressing enough upon folks legends John Koerner and Tony Glover to earn a chance to open for the legendary duo at the 400 Bar, the historic venue where Twin Cities' own Soul Asylum and the Jayhawks cut their teeth. Koerner, Ray and Glover met in Dinkytown, 1960s. Glover is rumored to have written one of the first instructionals on blues harmonica, and Koerner is mentioned in Bob Dylan's book "Chronicals" as one of Dylans influences. They met in Dinkytown and jammed together.

So there are just a couple degrees of separation between yourself and Dylan. Come see Kopel, who opened for Koerner, who jammed with Dylan.

Kopel pens his own tunes and writes well beyond his years.

You are encouraged to swing into the Road Haus to raise a Holiday glass and listen to the young man. You won't be disappointed, and maybe one day you will hear Kopel on some station and say "I saw him at the Road Haus one night."

For real.

Merry Christmas.

Impressive performance last night and hopefully Joe can come back again - maybe over spring break? When he does come back he should bring along some CD's.

His guitar playing was great but lyrically he is through the roof. Although, I was most impressed with the cover of "Get Back". About the only way that would have been better is if Camel's band member would have joined in with her tambourine. Her name escapes me but she can shake it.

'Jo Jo left his home in Tuscon, Arizona...............

Kopel will return this Saturday night, 830ish to play a set at the Roadhaus.

A Jam and Company 7 Production.