The seeds of Prairie Smoke were planted in 1996 by the trio of Erin, Betsy, and Tom when they performed at the Natural Habitat coffeehouse in Winona, MN. Over the next two years, the band name was selected and the group grew from three to five. Images of the band’s history can be viewed via this website’s Songs for You and Musical Memories tabs.
In April of 2003, Prairie Smoke released their first recording, Smoke in Bloom, which features a few original pieces along with traditional Celtic and American folk tunes. Band members on this CD: Mary Ellen Haupert, Erin Hussey, Betsy Knowles, jon Stuttgen, and Tom Walter.
March of 2009 saw the release of a second CD, River of Dreams, with more original songs and traditional favorites we hope you will enjoy for a long time. Band members on this CD: Tom Walter, jon Stuttgen, Rita Koch Thometz, Betsy Knowles, and Erin Hussey.
jon Stuttgen (left) our bass player of 25 years retired in the winter of 2022. We want to thank jon and thought it would be a great opportunity to remember many of the songs he wrote and generously brought to the band. Most of these can be heard, either published on our 2nd CD (River of Dreams), through this website or in the videos on our prairiesmokemusic Facebook page.
River of Dreams - This song spent many months as the featured music for the Explore La Crosse website.
Down the River on the Julia Belle - This video project combined jon's song with historic steamboat images from the Murphy Library collection (used with permission).
The Earth Delights - This tune accompanies images of volunteer workers at the Kane Street Community Garden.
Christmas for Two - To our delight, jon shares this thoughtful Christmas card to the world each year in December.
Prairie Waltz - in a band collaboration, jon wrote the lyrics for a tune that Erin composed. The tune (without lyrics) is on our 2nd CD and the band continues to perform this melody (with lyrics) in concerts and community events.
Hokah Polka - jon responded to a challenge from the pastor of Hokah Methodist Church to write a Polka for Hokah. The original live recording is available on the our website - complete with laughter as the Pastor danced to meet the conditions placed.
Peregrine Fly - jon wrote this song after years of observing peregrines nesting over State Bank in downtown La Crosse. He combined this with images of peregrines in honor of the Raptor Resource Center.
In April of 2003, Prairie Smoke released their first recording, Smoke in Bloom, which features a few original pieces along with traditional Celtic and American folk tunes. Band members on this CD: Mary Ellen Haupert, Erin Hussey, Betsy Knowles, jon Stuttgen, and Tom Walter.
March of 2009 saw the release of a second CD, River of Dreams, with more original songs and traditional favorites we hope you will enjoy for a long time. Band members on this CD: Tom Walter, jon Stuttgen, Rita Koch Thometz, Betsy Knowles, and Erin Hussey.
jon Stuttgen (left) our bass player of 25 years retired in the winter of 2022. We want to thank jon and thought it would be a great opportunity to remember many of the songs he wrote and generously brought to the band. Most of these can be heard, either published on our 2nd CD (River of Dreams), through this website or in the videos on our prairiesmokemusic Facebook page.
River of Dreams - This song spent many months as the featured music for the Explore La Crosse website.
Down the River on the Julia Belle - This video project combined jon's song with historic steamboat images from the Murphy Library collection (used with permission).
The Earth Delights - This tune accompanies images of volunteer workers at the Kane Street Community Garden.
Christmas for Two - To our delight, jon shares this thoughtful Christmas card to the world each year in December.
Prairie Waltz - in a band collaboration, jon wrote the lyrics for a tune that Erin composed. The tune (without lyrics) is on our 2nd CD and the band continues to perform this melody (with lyrics) in concerts and community events.
Hokah Polka - jon responded to a challenge from the pastor of Hokah Methodist Church to write a Polka for Hokah. The original live recording is available on the our website - complete with laughter as the Pastor danced to meet the conditions placed.
Peregrine Fly - jon wrote this song after years of observing peregrines nesting over State Bank in downtown La Crosse. He combined this with images of peregrines in honor of the Raptor Resource Center.