The Bands
Tent Show Troubadours was formed in 2016 by Bob Hoot (guitar/vocals) and Doug McLeod (bass) as the foundation of the band. The rest of the lineup consists of Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals) who joined in summer 2019, followed by John Hamilton (guitar) in late September of that year. Tom Ellis (drums) joined the band in late summer of 2021. TST is occasionally joined by guest artist Wendy Lynn Markus (violin/vocals).
Tent Show Troubadours plays Alternative Rock and Alternative Country — original songs and some of our favorite covers. Bob Hoot writes songs with smart lyrics in styles infused with Northern Country, Rock-a-billy, New Wave, Roots, and Gypsy Jazz — rockers to ballads. The music is rich in harmonies. TST performs original music from our catalogue of more than 100 songs, and covers from such artists as Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Darius Rucker, Little Feat, The Band, Todd Rundgren, Tom Petty and John Mellencamp.
TST has eight albums and an EP of original songs. Original Music in a Variety of Flavors, Tangled Ways, Revival (EP), Murder of Crows, Autumn's Empire, Alchemy & Chemistry, Lost & Found and after six albums of originals, the overlapping bands of Tent Show Troubadours / HOOT and Hollers recorded 10 cover songs on the aptly named album Cover Letters. In December 2021, TST released six videos and a streaming EP titled Tent Show Troubadours — LIVE at Clutch Studios.
Our latest album of originals is titled Heroes & Horse Thieves. Here is the title cut and more:
TST has recorded and performed with a variety of players including, Ben Lokuta (drums), Tim Walsh (guitar), Harvey Briggs (guitar, vocals), Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), Tom Ellis (drums), Lindsay Everly (keyboard, vocals), Eli Gray (drums), and Chris DiBernardo (drums). Guest artists who have contributed tracks to our albums, include Gabe Burdulis (lead guitar), Shawndell Marks (keyboard), Wendy Lynn Markus (violin/vocals), Chris Wagoner (violin, lap steel, accordion), and Bruce Wasserstrom (lead guitar).
TST has been a finalist in the MAMA Awards every year since 2018. In 2021, TST was the MAMA Award Winner for Alternative Performer of the Year. In 2022, TST was a finalist in eight (8) categories. In 2024, TST had nine (9) nominations in seven (7) categories.
HOOT and Hollers consists of Bob Hoot of Tent Show Troubadours and one ot wo guest players who join in live performance. Those guests may be members or former members of Tent Show Troubadours. The vibe is primarily Rock-a-Billy, Country, Americana and Rock with arrangements in semi-acoustic and electric renditions.
HOOT and Hollers pepper performances in select covers — but always with their own twist. Don't take our word for it, come out to a show. We're pretty sure darn sure you'll be tapping your toes by the end of the night. Here is a list of upcoming gigs for HOOT and Hollers and Tent Show Troubadours.
HOOT and Hollers recording projects are driven by Hoot's songwriting. Session musicians include musicians and vocalists from Tent Show Troubadours, local musicians and transplants now in Nashville and California.
Listen to any or all of the discography of Tent Show Troubadours/HOOT and Hollers, just follow this link.
Recording
100% Smooth & Blended
April 2023 — HOOT and Hollers released 100% Smooth & Blended. The album contains 11 original songs that clearly reflect the album's title and the band's moniker. Call it Country, Blues, Americana, Roots or something else — it is a genuine American form of music. The musicians and vocalists are definitely a smooth blend of talent. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals), John Hamilton (guitar/vocals), and Tom Ellis (drums). Other contributing players included Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), Molly Lins (vocals), Wendy Lynn Markus (violin), Shawndell Marks (keyboards) and Gabe Burdulis (guitar). Mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Heroes & Horse Thieves
September 2022 — Tent Show Troubadours released Heroes & Horse Thieves — a 10-song album of originals by Bob Hoot. The core lineup consisted of Bob Hoot (songwriter/guitar/vocals), Doug McLeod (bass), Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals), John Hamilton (guitar/vocals), and Tom Ellis (drums). Other contributing players included Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), Wendy Lynn Markus (violin/vocals), and Gabe Burdulis (guitar).The album was recorded at Pine Hollow Studios, McLeod 9 Studio, WLS Productions, and vocals at Blast House Studios. Mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Tent Show Troubadours — Live at Clutch Studios
October 2021 — Tent Show Troubadours produced six videos released on YouTube. The audio tracks from Tent Show Troubadors — Live at Clutch Studios were mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios and released on recognized streaming platforms. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/guitar/vocals), Doug McLeod (bass), Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals), John Hamilton (guitar/vocals), and Tom Ellis (drums).
Cover Letters
Apri 2021 — Tent Show Troubadours / HOOT and Hollers — Cover Letters. The overlapping bands of Tent Show Troubadours / HOOT and Hollers recorded ten (10) of our favorite covers which are incorporated into our live performances. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/guitar/vocals), Doug McLeod (bass), Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals), John Hamilton (guitar/vocals), and Ben Lokuta (drums). Joining TST is former TST bandmate Jenniper Hylbert (vocals). Mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Lost & Found
January 2021 — Tent Show Troubadours released a 13-song album titled Lost & Found. This album was recorded at various lockdown locations due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. This developed into a new way for the band to record in various home studios thus allowing more experimentation. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Geri Hamilton (violin/vocals), John Hamilton (guitar/vocals), and Ben Lokuta (drums). Other contributing players included Wendy Lynn Markus (violin/vocals), Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), Molly Lins (vocals), Chance Stein (clarinet), and Gabe Burdulis (guitar). Mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Matters of the Heart and Other Trouble
March 2020 — HOOT and Hollers debut album Matters of the Heart and Other Trouble was officially released on Friday, March 20, 2020 with ten songs from the archives of The New Baldones and Tent Show Troubadours were remixed including new tracks with a distinctively Country Rock/Americana vibe. There are 15 players spread across the ten tracks. All songs written by Bob Hoot. Geri Hamilton lent her superb violin to seven of the songs and her vocal work to nearly as many. Acoustic and slide guitars contributed to creating the signature sound of the HOOT and Hollers. Mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Alchemy & Chemistry
June 2019 — Tent Show Troubadours released Alchemy & Chemistry, a 12-song album. The album was named one of the Top 10 Local Albums of 2019 by 105.5 Triple M's Kitty Dunn. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Tim Walsh (guitar/vocals/songwriter on Sweet Little Judy), Ben Lokuta (drums). Other contributing players included Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), Molly Lins (vocals), Shawndell Marks (keyboards), Chris Wagner (violin/mandolin), and Gabe Burdulis (guitar). Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Autumn’s Empire
June 2018 — Tent Show Troubadours released a 12-song album of original songs titled Auumn's Empire. This album demonstrated a new level of production for the group. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Tim Ellis (drums), Jenniper Hylbert (vocals), and Molly Lins (vocals). Other contributing players included Chris Wagner (violin/mandolin), and Gabe Burdulis (guitar). Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Murder of Crows
July 2017 — Murder of Crows is a 12-song original songs which marked the first time Tent Show Troubadours brought in outside instrumentalists for recording. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Tim Ellis (drums), and Jenniper Hylbert (vocals). Other contributing players included Lindsay Everly (keyboards/vocals), and Bruce Wasserstrom (guitar).
Revival
October 2016 — Tent Show Troubadours released Revival as a five-song digital offering on all major streaming channels. These Bob Hoot originals were selected from the three albums of The New Baldones. Songs were remixed with the addition of Jenniper Hylbert's vocals and some additional guitar tracks. Additional tracks recorded, mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Tangled Ways
May 2016 — Tent Show Troubadours released their debut album Tangled Ways made up of 12 new original songs. Credits: Bob Hoot (songwriter/vocalist/guitar), Doug McLeod (bass), Chris Di Bernardo (drums), and Jenniper Hylbert (vocals). Recorded, mixed and mastered at Blast House Studios.
Original Music in a Variety of Flavors
January 2016 (reissued December 2017) — With new players Bob Hoot and Doug McLeod formed Tent Show Troubadours, and released a 14-song album entitled Tent Show Troubadours — Original Music in a Variety of Flavors. The album remixed and remastered songs from the three albums recorded when they were The New Baldones... and a new chapter began.
The Legacy of The New Baldones
The New Baldones — Founded in October 2007
Bob Hoot and Doug McLeod met on the sidelines of their sons' youth football team. They started talking about music and figured out that they had each played in bands in high school and college days.
After several informal jam sessions, Bob contacted a friend and former co-worker, Dave McGuire, who played drums. And thus the core of the Baldones was formed. Upon a search of bands and names ... they became The New Baldones.
The New Baldones was formed with the core of Bob Hoot (guitar/vocals), Doug McLeod (bass/vocals) and Dave McGuire (drums). They were joined by guest guartists and a horn player. The New Baldones were accompanied by guest vocalist Pam Stampen and guitarist Dave Boyd on their first album release entitled Lives Collide. In the summer of 2012, these veteran musicians recorded 11 songs written by Hoot at Blast House Studios in Madison, Wis.
June 2013 — The New Baldones welcomed Harvey Briggs to its ranks. No determination has been made about the status of his follicles, but his musical contribution was undeniable. Harvey has been playing guitar and singing ever since he noticed girls at age 13. He has played in various clubs from Detroit to Nashville, Madison and Baudette, Minnesota. In addition to rock and blues covers, Harvey has written songs about the human condition, lost love and deceased celebrities.
October 2013 — The New Baldones returned to Blast House Studios and recorded a 12-song album entitled Ornate Fiction. The lineup included veteran Baldones Bob Hoot, Doug McLeod and Dave McGuire with the welcome addition of Harvey Briggs.
August 2014 — Veteran drummer Dave McGuire left The New Baldones to concentrate on his primary band (The Roadhouse Drifters). His steady and imaginative contribution was missed.
Spring 2015 — The New Baldones returned to the studio in March and April 2015 and recorded 12 new songs. The album entitled The Last Bookstore features The New Baldones with drummer, Matt Barnidge (drums) and a guest appearances by Jimmie Nahas (drums), Isabel Bernauer (backup vocals), Bruce Geiger (backup vocals) and Mike Massey (keyboards).
The New Baldones lamented the departure of Harvey Briggs from the band, but the demands of work and family always come first.
