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Singer/songwriter Pat Surface is an intergenerational musician, songwriter, singer
and story teller. The lakes and forests of Minnesota are where he grew up, the
road is where he calls home, and the strangers that he meets on his journey
are his family. Pat Surface was an all-star basketball player and a living history
teacher, but his passion for this planet and its inhabitants drew him to the
performing arts 20 years ago, and it is here that he has worked to make a difference
as a musician, song-writer, singer and storyteller.
Pat Surface was born and adopted in Minnesota. He has two siblings, also adopted; one Hispanic and one Native American. His family is his inspiration for much of his music, for family has taught him devotion and cohesiveness and how we are all the same.
His gift is to weave his music through stories and humor with an easy quality that is disarming. Pat's voice and guitar blend in a beautiful sound that is in harmony with any event or venue that he plays at. Pat has spent his career endeavoring to break down the barriers that inhibit communication – not only through interactive family performances, but through interpretive sign language dramatically brought to life by his wife, Donna. Sign language is the third largest language used in the United States, and Donna’s "Performance Art for the Hearing Impaired" is part sign, part dance, part mime, and is riveting. It not only allows hearing-challenged people to experience Pat’s music, but amplifies it for the hearing world as well.
Pat has said "My music is hard to classify, but if I had to try it would be a blending of God, nature and love. All of life stems from these three things and that is what I love to write and sing about."
Pat is also the leader of the Spiritwood Music Northwoods Ensemble.
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Holy Wind Pat Surface - along with his award-winning band, the Boundary Water Boys - offer their signature blend of Pat's original Christian songs, traditional Gospel, and 'Holy Oldies.' With: vocals - violin - dobro - bass - guitar - mandolin - hand-drum. Comes in a beautiful, 100% recycled and recylable package. |
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Woods Water & Wonder Originally shot in high-definition, this stunning DVD features eight separate music videos of The Boundary Waters, underscored by the mellow music of Spiritwood Music artists. Each refreshing feature elevates the Northwoods experience, and reminds us why we need wilderness. A companion to the Telly Award-winning Spiritwood Music DVD, Spirit Of The Wilderness, W W & W was again gloriously filmed by award–winning director/filmmaker Curtis Laine using a specially equipped seaplane and watercraft. Breathtaking. |
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Canoe Grass Revival From the land of sky blue water...in the Great Northwoods...at the End Of The Road...it's Canoe Grass...blending Folk, Bluegrass, Swing, Celtic and more...the signature, unique sound of Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys. Their 6th release, this exciting CD is like a canoe trip down the river, revealing something new, yet familiar, around every bend. Comes in a beautiful, 100% recycled and recylable package. |
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Northern Exposures From The End Of The Road With breathtaking images set to peaceful instrumental music, this unique, long-playing DVD features award-winning photos by Dr. Lynn and Donna Rogers, compiled from decades of research and thousands of hours in the wilderness, observing the wild creatures of The Boundary Waters and their magnificent natural world. Bonus Features include tributes to The End Of The Road and some of the border country's most impacting characters. Double Bonus - five Performance Signing music videos originally shot in high-definition. |
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Road Scholar Pat Surface and his award-winning band, the Boundary Water Boys, sing and play some old and new favorites from Pat's first million miles on the road. With violin, dobro, bass, guitar, acoustic hand drums and harmonies augmenting Pat's signature vocals, this long playing CD (20 tracks) will take you on a great musical journey. Uniquely packaged like a mini LP with 100% recycled and recyclable paper. |
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May The Forest Be With You This long-playing CD reunites award-winning singer/songwriter, Pat Surface with The Boundary Water Boys and Fiddle Champion, Mary LaPlant. If you pine for the forest here are some poignant tunes to ponder...fresh recordings of favorites and 8 new songs about the environment and the gift of being 'rooted' - including the hit single "How Hot Does It Have To Get." Packaged in 100% recycled materials. |
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Spirit In The Sky Traditional Gospel meets Contemporary Christian music in this lively, diverse, and uplifting CD. Old favorites done in surprising new ways by Pat Surface, with Doc Rob Mattson and the Boundary Water Boys. |
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Due North Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys pay tribute to The Great Northwoods, and some of its most impacting and colorful characters. |
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Lullabies & Love Songs Singer/songwriter Pat Surface returns to his signature troubadour/ballad style with this long-awaited Americana album. It blends Pat's celebrated voice ("if chocolate had a voice it would sound like Pat Surface...") with acoustic and classical guitar, violin, dobro, and beautiful vocal harmonies. The selections are calming and lyrical, yet interesting and inspiring. They include refreshing original tunes, traditional favorites, and finally... 'The Best Song Ever!'' This CD is dedicated to the protection of children, and supports the efforts of Childhelp in its mission to prevent child abuse and neglect. |
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Spirit of the Wilderness This DVD features breathtaking film of The Boundary Waters Wilderness area of northern Minnesota and Canada, underscored by the peaceful, beautiful music of Pat Surface with Eli Bissonett and Minnesota State Fiddle Champ Mary LaPlant. Magnificently filmed by award-winning director/filmmaker Curtis Laine using a specially-equipped seaplane and watercraft, this dynamic and compelling footage of The Boundary Waters combines with relaxing music to create the serene feeling of the wilderness. Includes music videos, an interview with Polar-explorer Will Steger and footage of his Polar expeditions, and interview with acclaimed instrument-builder Lloyd LaPlant, and an improptu LaPlant family jam session. |
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House of Amazing Grace Pat's second gospel album featuring both tradiional gospel tunes ("How Great Thou Art", "I'll Fly Away") and originals by Pat ("House of Amazing Grace", "Winston City Revival"). Features Paul Imholte (who co-produced the album with Pat), Eli Bissonett, and Robin Adnan Anders. |
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The Long Goodbye Dedicated to Pat's father-in-law, Rocco Michael Passaretti, a victim of Alzheimer's disease, this poignant and compelling CD is a unique blend of Celtic and Eastern European sounds and rythms, combining traditional and original compositions in fresh presentations. This project intoduces the distinctively beautiful violin artistry of Eli Bissonett on violin, and also features internationally known percussionist Robin Adnan Anders. |
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The Wilderness Within This contemporary Christian folk album combines American Roots Music and Celtic melodies with Christian lyrics and inspiring melodies. Reuniting Pat with Mary LaPlant (violin and viola), Bill LaPlant (mandolin) and Frank Carmelitano (classical guitar), The Wilderness Within is a compilation of Pat's original Christian compositions wth new pieces that include the title cut "The Wilderness Within" and "He Is The Vine.". |
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Our Singing Wilderness Pat Surface's first completely instrumental album (dedicated to Sigurd Olson and his efforts to preserve the wilderness) represents hundreds of hours of field recording, capturing the subtle and soothing sounds of The Boundary Waters Wilderness Area of Minnesota and Canada. From loons to wolves, ravens to waterfalls, this project combines nature sounds with mellow, reflective music. Nearly an hour in length, Our Singing Wilderness is relaxing from start to finish. There are seven themes supported by ten different songs, including original compositions by Pat and award-winning recording artist Michael Monroe. Also woven into this tapestry is the classical favorite, "Pachelbel Cannon in D Major", and the traditional favorite, "The Water Is Wide". The haunting nature sounds were mixed with this beautiful music in Michael Monroe's solar-powered studio on Lake Superior's North Shore, making this amazing album truly about honoring, protecting and uniting with our environment. |
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Home For The Holiday A unique and beautiful Christmas album, Home For The Holidays is a collaboration between singer/songwriter Pat Surface and classical guitarist Frank Carmelitano. With 7 instrumentals and 5 lightly seasoned vocals by Pat, this 45 minute CD will underscore your holidays with the warmth of hearth and home. Featuring fresh arrangements of traditional favorites such as: "Silent Night", "What Child Is This", and Frank's stirring classical guitar rendition of "Pachelbel Canon in D Major." This CD also brings you original songs by Pat, including "Wish.". |
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Homeland This Folk album presents Pat's original compositions along with fresh arrangements of some Folk favorites A beautiful blend of vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin and flute, and combines folk, blue grass, and Celtic styles. Homeland is dedicated to family, "no matter where I go my family is with me". |