The original Prairiegrass band formed several years ago in Northwestern Minnesota.   Bonnie Hallett, of Thief River Falls, MN was the fiddle player in the band.
When Bonnie moved to Winsted MN after retiring from teaching to live closer to her family, Prairiegrass broke up and stopped playing under that name.

Soon after moving to Winsted, Bonnie began playing at jam sessions at The Three Crows Coffeehouse in Delano, MN.

It was there she met musicians, Greg Landkamer and Gary Cobus.  Greg plays guitar and Gary plays banjo.

Greg and Bonnie decided to play music together and asked Gary to join them and start a band.
Greg asked his friend, Sonja to play bass for the group and the newly formed band became a four piece band.
The name "Prairiegrass" was decided upon after much thought by the band members. After checking with the guys in the original Prairiegrass band
and getting their OK, the name was officially resurrected.

Prairiegrass members now include Bonnie Hallett, Greg Landkamer, Gary Cobus, and Sonja Johnson.
The band meets weekly at Bonnie's house in Winsted to rehearse and refine tried and true Bluegrass tunes, but also some folk and some rock tunes and
and a handful of original tunes composed by band members.

When the musicians of the Prairiegrass Band pool their various backgrounds, it is a blend of gospel, rock, blues, folk, country, and classical music.
“Each of us brings our favorite music to the group,” says Bonnie. “It doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to perform it,
but we give everybody a chance. Not one person is the main performer. We want the band to be democratic.”

Future plans for the group include composing and promoting some of their own songs.
“That is the signature of a good band,” Bonnie said. “We are working on a couple of tunes that Greg and Gary have composed, and I have a couple of waltzes that
I have composed for special occasions.”

The original band was formed by Darren Schmidt (banjo) and Ed Olson (clawhammer banjo). Both Darren and Ed were from Grand Forks, ND.  They joined up with Paul Tanberg and Bruce Elseth from Newfolden. Both Ed and Bruce played guitar and sang.  They wanted to play Bluegrass music, which is a rarity in Northern Minnesota.  Bonnie Hallett of Thief River Falls was asked to play fiddle for the band.  For 3 years the band played gigs around the area including art festivals, fairs, and church gatherings.  The band also hosted a Bluegrass Festival in Grand Forks, ND for three years.