Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with the Sioux Falls' own Cartwright Brothers about their induction into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.

from the SDRRMA website: https://www.southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com/about

The Cartwright Brothers are Mark Nelson and Jeff Schwebach.  They are a rare and versatile act from Sioux Falls, who combine their musical talents with comedy.  Their career spans well over 30 years, averaging between 100 and 150 shows a year for the majority of those years.  It would not be out of the ordinary for you to find The Cartwright Brothers headlining a comedy club as a duo on a Friday night, then engaging in a sweat-filled rock and roll show on Saturday night with The Split Pea band, which boasted as many as six members.

For over ten years they were the main summer musical attraction of the Iowa Great Lakes, playing the Bavarian Gardens in Arnold’s Park every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day. VH-1’s Corey Moss once wrote, “The Cartwright Brothers are to Lake Okoboji as Jimmy Buffet is to Key West.”  

In addition to hundreds of shows at the legendary Pomp Room, they have performed at the Sioux Falls Arena, the Great Hall of the Washington Pavilion, the main stage of a major Las Vegas casino, and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in Cancun, Mexico.  To add to their busy performing schedule, they also found time to host a morning show on Q95.7 radio in Sioux Falls for over seven years.

 In 1992, they were a N.A.C.A. Showcase winner, and over the years they have shared the stage with many rock and roll legends, like Bad Company, Kansas, and Pat Benatar, as well as performing comedy shows with the likes of Dave Chappelle and Bobcat Goldthwaite.  They have released three CDs, including  “Serious,” “ Peaking at Life,” and “Halfway to Nowhere.” Along with the Cartwright Brothers, the Split Pea Band has featured the talents of Don Cooper on drums, Jerry Turner, Monte Beringer and Brian Detmers on electric guitar,  bass players George Puder (Pronounced Pyoo-der), Dave Van Roekel, Derrick Zeeck and Robin Snow, and Barb Weidenaar on keyboards.

The mission of the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association (SDRRMA) is to CELEBRATE South Dakota Rock Legends, PRESERVE Rock and Roll History, and NURTURE future Rock & Rollers. Thanks to many different individuals and their input, the organization has been officially honoring those who have made a musical impact in the state of South Dakota since 2008 .

CELEBRATESouth Dakota Rock & Rollers Hall of Fame
Bands, musicians, venues and individuals who made an impact on the history of Rock & Roll in South Dakota are recognized at the annual sold-out Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls. Featuring a lineup of popular Rock & Roller inductees, crowds of all ages are drawn from across the country to relive music that helped shape Rock & Roll in South Dakota. Details

PRESERVESouth Dakota Rock & Rollers Museum
Washington Pavilion // Sioux Falls // Free Admission
Located in a premier location on the second floor of the Sioux Falls Washington Pavilion, the South Dakota Rock & Rollers Hall of Fame Museum preserves stories that span generations of Rock & Roll. Reaching over 100,000 visitors annually, the display features vintage instruments and memorabilia. Details
NEW: An update is currently underway to modernize the exhibit. We invite you to join us as a sponsor! 

NURTURESouth Dakota School Music Grants
To ensure Rock & Roll lives on in South Dakota, the SDRRMA School Music Grant Program has contributed over $45,000 to schools across the State with a goal to nurture, encourage and inspire a new generation of musicians. Your donation ensures schools will continue to receive this needed funding to help purchase instruments and curriculum materials. DetailsYouth Battle of the Bands
As part of the annual Hall of Fame induction event, young musicians are invited to participate in the new “Battle of the Bands” competition to celebrate, support and showcase new rock music in South Dakota. With your support, “youth” rock bands will compete for a chance to perform at the Hall of Fame induction and win first, second and third place prizes. Details

If you have memorabilia that you would like to donate,  would like to make a financial donation, or would like more information about our Music Association, contact us or become a sponsor today: