True North

Gary McKnight and his band, True North, make country feel good
By Crystal K. Wiebe
Published: March 6, 2008

With his messy, graying hair, black-rimmed glasses, sailor's tongue and refusal to dress like a medical professional, it's easy to imagine Gary McKnight as a real-life version of TV doctor Gregory House.

"Probably, some people would prefer I wear a white coat and a three-piece," McKnight says over a Corona at the Sandbar in Lawrence. "Well, go someplace else, asshole."

When he sees patients at Tallgrass Surgical Center in Topeka, McKnight wears pretty much the same thing he sports at his band's shows — jeans and a button-down shirt.

"Years ago, I just decided that I can't bullshit anybody," the leader of country-rock band True North says.

The frankness can be somewhat jarring coming from a guy whose heartfelt songs about romance and raising kids can get almost too gooey. But that's just McKnight — emotionally intense.

I first encountered him and his band in 2005, after they sent a copy of their CD Dashboard Believer to the St. Joseph News-Press for me to review. The slick press kit included a photo of six regular-looking guys staring into the camera. I thought some of them — McKnight included — looked a little old for the aspiring-musician thing.

But compared with the bad local cover bands and the teen punks hounding me for coverage at the time, True North seemed professional and talented.

The recordings on the band's independent release were clean and crisp. And more important, the music hit the mark the band was aiming for.

Dashboard Believer is full of honest, catchy, from-the-heart country songs that unpretentious teenagers and grandmas alike can relate to.

A True North show can quickly turn into a sweaty dance party punctuated by prom-like moments when McKnight delves into his sensitive stuff — love songs he usually dedicates to his wife, Jan.

The extreme sentimentality of songs such as "For a Woman" may be too much for hipster cynics, but I've always believed that True North could be a country-radio cash cow if McKnight would commit to music full time.

That's unlikely to happen, however. Now 48, McKnight has chased that dream before. "All I've seen is, labels screw shit up," he says.

Sixteen years ago, he and his younger brother had a band called the Dialtones. Based in Nashville, they played up to 250 days a year and eventually gained the interest of major labels. "MCA flew all the way to St. Joseph, Missouri, to see me play," McKnight says.

But the industry people didn't know what to do with the Dialtones, who had Marshall stacks and big attitudes. "We were too rock and roll for country," McKnight says.

Eventually, Nashville caught on to the idea that country music could rock a little. But by the time Garth Brooks was breaking guitars, the Dialtones were done.

McKnight took his wife and kids back to Kansas. He started medical school, and his guitar stayed home. "I just decided that I didn't want anything to do with the music business anymore," he says.

But McKnight never gave up the hobby he started at the age of 12 to help him make sense of the world. "I have notebooks full of songs," he says. Then he chuckles and adds, "Of course, how many of 'em don't suck?"

About four years ago, McKnight and his friend Garrett Rake started playing some of his best songs together in a project that would become True North.

The band practices on Wednesday nights at McKnight's house in tiny Valley Falls, Kansas, and plays weekend gigs. A favorite haunt is the Acoustic Café in St. Joseph, where the band's latest release, Live at the Café, was recorded.

I last saw True North sell out the Jazzhaus in Lawrence for that CD's January release party. I still think the band could sell out much bigger venues.

But McKnight says he's having too much fun on his own. "If I live that long — in 20 years, I want to say we had fun and it was good for what it was," he says.

The next few months see True North playing a smattering of county fairs, weekend festivals and one-offs in the kind of towns where it's easy to picture McKnight's nostalgic songs taking place — small towns such as Rock Port, Missouri, and Highland, Kansas.

On April 26, True North returns to the Jazzhaus in Lawrence. You won't need a compass to find it.
- Crystal K. Wiebe, PITCH Weekly

True North - Live At The Cafe
by Alonzo Weston
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

TITLE: Live At the Cafe
ARTIST: True North
STARS: 3 Out Of 5 Stars
SOUNDS LIKE: Seventies style country rock reminiscent of Pure Prairie League and The Amazing Rhythm Aces.

It’s a hoot listening to True North. Their music is fun, clever and feel good nostalgic in a 1970s sort of way. It’s the kind of stuff you listen to in a 1969 Camaro on a hot summer night cruising the main drag.

“Live at the Cafe” captures one of the group’s live performances at St. Joseph’s famed Acoustic Cafe www.cafe-acoustic.com. It’s a collection of the group’s original tunes complete with stage banter and audience participation. Unlike most live recordings which can often sound too hectic and cluttered, the live quality here adds a certain warm familiarity to the CD.

Anyone who has ever been inside the Acoustic Cafe on open mic night knows that it has this sort of affable ambience. And it shines through on this recording. True North is comprised of five talented musicians: Gary McKnight on vocals and guitars, Garrett Rake on keyboards, vocals accordion and harmonica; Brian Soden on guitar, vocals and mandolin; Rick McKnight on bass; Keith Broxterman on drums and Will Gladhart on fiddle.

And while these cats can jam, it’s the True North lyrics that capture my attention. There the obligatory ballads like the touching “Old Martin and Mandolin” and the somewhat anthemic “Make it Mean Something.”
And they work. But it’s the wry, tongue in cheek stuff like “Dashboard Believer” and “DUI Over You” that make this CD fun. Lyrics like “ I got a D-U-I over Y-O-U, blood shot eyes and mug shot too” and I’m a wanted man but not by you,” will definitely give you a chuckle. I usually review jazz but like all kinds of good music. True North is good, fun music. - Alonzo Weston, St. Joseph, MO News Press

From the farmers and ranchers of Kansas Farm Bureau

Contact: Mike Matson, Director of Communications & Public Relations, 785/587-6000

November 11, 2008
PREVIEW “THE CARE & FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS”

http://www.kfb.org/news/animaldoc.htm

TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY CHALLENGES ANIMAL WELFARE PERCEPTIONS
KANSAS LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS SHARE TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF CARE AND COMPASSION

MANHATTAN – How do you document a perception? On the heels of last week’s Proposition 2 vote in California to end the practice of confining certain animals raised for food comes a Kansas-produced television documentary that showcases the care, empathy and human compassion involved in raising farm animals.

Kansas Farm Bureau’s latest in a series of award-winning television documentaries, “The Care & Feeding of Farm Animals,” features men, women and families of Kansas who raise farm animals for food. The film delves into the heritage of livestock production in Kansas and examines the economic impact associated with a growing negative perception related to the welfare of farm animals.

“As people shift away from the farm, geographically and culturally, there’s a void – and perceptions are filling it,” said Mike Matson, Manhattan, who wrote, produced and directed the documentary. “The ways consumers think about and react to their food and the animals it comes from impact everything associated with it, starting with the farmer who raises the animal.”

“The Care & Feeding of Farm Animals,” illustrates how Kansas livestock producers are pushing back against the perception by getting off the farm and out of their comfort zone to share their passion for raising healthy food animals.
“Consumers want to know more about the people who produce their food,” said Matson. “No one tells this story more effectively than those who live it 24/7.”

The documentary will debut to a statewide television audience on Kansas public TV stations (KPTS, Wichita; KTWU, Topeka and the Smoky Hills public television stations in western Kansas) Monday, Nov. 17 at 9:30 p.m. (CDT). The stations will re-air the documentary a number of times throughout the fall. Check your local listings for encore dates/times.

The documentary film features original music from True North, an alternative country/roots rock band featuring a half-dozen musicians who grew up on Kansas farms, ranches and in rural communities.

It’s the story of a traditional Kansas culture of care and compassion that has not been widely told. Kansas Farm Bureau represents grassroots agriculture. Established in 1919, this non-profit advocacy organization supports farm families who earn their living in a changing industry.

- Kansas Farm Bureau

Thursday, May 21, 2009

True North, regional country band, will be releasing their fourth CD, “Dimestore Hemingway” Saturday, May 30th at the Jazzhaus in Lawrence, KS. The band performs throughout the Midwest and will be beginning a busy summer and fall schedule at various music festivals and venues across a five state area.
The new CD was recorded at Creative Caffeine Studio in Nashville, TN, during the winter of 2008. Noted Nashville music executive, Jeff Brock, produced “Dimestore Hemingway,” a collection of ten original compositions.

In 2008, True North was nominated one of the “best bands” by the Kansas City Pitch magazine and named “Best Country Band” in a reader’s poll by the St. Joseph, MO, News Press. True North also composed and performed the soundtrack for a PBS special which focused on rural life in Kansas.

True North’s new CD “Dimestore Hemingway” will be available at various local music retailers, Border’s Bookstores and online at CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com) and for download at DigStation (www.digstation.com/TrueNorth) and Apple’s iTunes.

True North would like to invite everyone to the Jazzhaus, 926 ½ Mass Street, Lawrence, KS, Saturday, May 30, 9 PM for a CD release party to kick off the summer series of shows, festivals and CD release events. This will be a great event in a well known, smoke-free music venue featuring tunes from the new CD.

For more information about True North, samples of True North’s original country music and previews of the new CD cover-art and songs, visit the band websites at www.true-northmusic.com, www.myspace.com/truenorthmusic or www.sonicbids.com/truenorthmusic. Other CD release events scheduled for St. Joseph, MO, and Kansas City are listed on the websites also.

To request an interview about the new CD project or book the band for an event, contact William Gladhart, True North Marketing at will.gladhart@gmail.com or cell phone at 562-881-4484.
- True North Marketing

Have I mentioned my true love for True North? As usual, the crowd gathered for True North on Saturday night nearly packed Cafe Acoustic. The turnout varied from tattooed rock dudes, to middle-aged country fans to a pocket of visiting Shaft regulars. This is why I put True North on the otherwise rock-centric Rock Off! bill. If the threat of rain hadn't scared us inside Aug. 26, TN would have been the group that got moms and dads stomping with their kids in the drive-in grass.
TN elicits a response from even non-country fans through the solid musicianship country players are known for. Lyrically, frontman Gary McKnight gets a bit soft on the slower songs. But when the band lets loose, you can't help but bob your head, tap your toe, sing along. If the band wasn't in it for the glory, I'd recommend they peddle their genius to Nashville. The radio country club would be crazy not to snap up the nostalgia of "Deep Roots" or the burning "South of Memphis."
While I was there, a few people did head to the stage to dance. I briefly considered trying out the two-step skills I learned at the Gunhands show way back in the spring but wisely remained on my bench at the back of the room with the rest of the emo punks.
If you were there, you'll recognize that as a nod to Gary's recollections of Rock Off! As always, he found me in the audience and made me blush for being the biggest TN fan at the News-Press. Then, the fortysomething father explained that emo punk was a term he learned at Rock Off! It's a punk with emotion, he said. Like Sid Vicious feeling sorry for stabbing Nancy. - St. Joseph, MO News Press Off Hours

For More Information Contact:

William Gladhart
True North Marketing
PO Box 5
Highland, KS 66035
cell: 562-881-4484
will.gladhart@gmail.com
www.true-northmusic.com

TRUE NORTH LAUNCHES NEW CD OF ORIGINAL, LIVE MUSIC AT JAZZHAUS

Lawrence, KS—True North will release the new Live at the Café CD with a memorable celebration at the Jazzhaus, Lawrence, KS, Saturday, January 26, 2008, 9:00 PM.
True North Live at the Café is a dynamic, high-energy recording featuring powerful lyrics and harmonies, impressive instrumentals, dialogue about the music and professional supporting musicianship.

This third CD is a True North original, recorded live at the Café Acoustic, St. Joseph, MO, April 2007, mixed and produced by the “do it yourself” True North band. Listeners will appreciate song selections from the Dashboard Believer CD (2006) such as “Ancient History” and “Dashboard Believer” as well as experience new tunes on the Live CD such as “Old Martin” and “For a Woman.” The Live at the Café compilation is a musical treat, setting high expectations for the next True North studio album slated for Spring 2009.

Don’t be fooled by this acoustic band’s innocent country image as True North serves listeners a range of roots rock, alternative country and bluegrass with a little funk thrown in as well. The music is an eclectic selection of ballads, dance tunes and original compositions to which everyone can relate; including several humorous lyrical stories.

True North is a Midwestern country, roots rock band whose catchy blend of rock, Americana and country music appeals to wide audiences; from college students to 40-somethings seeking original music they can latch on to and call their own. Influencers vary from Lyle Lovett, Ryan Adams, Wilco, and a multitude of modern, classic rock and country performers. The True North band members all have professional careers, yet are passionate as musicians about composing, writing and creating new original music. Strong vocals and harmonies are supported by professional musicianship on guitars, bass, piano, organ, mandolin, lap steel, accordion, fiddle, drums and percussion. The music of True North is both danceable and meaningful.

Don’t miss out on this special event in Lawrence, KS, the Jazzhaus; come early for a great seat! The Jazzhaus is located at 926 ½ Massachusetts Street. Show will begin at 9:00 PM, Saturday, January 26 with the Vegetables, a local Lawrence group opening for True North.
For more information about the event contact Will Gladhart at 562-881-4484 or will.gladhart@gmail.com. The next CD release events are at Border’s Bookstore in St. Joseph, MO, Feb 03, 1-3 PM and at Border’s, Kansas City, MO, Zona Rosa, Sunday, Feb 10, 1-3 PM.
Visit the True North website for further event details and directions. www.true-northmusic.com
- True North Marketing

Run Jan 14, 2008

Hiawatha World
JOEY MAY, joeymay@npgco.com

True North will release the new “Live at the Café” CD with a celebration at Café Acoustic in St. Joseph, Mo. at 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19.
True North is a local band that features the talents of Hiawatha native Brian Soden, Horton native Garrett Rake, Highland native Will Gladhart, Keith Broxterman of Topeka, Gary McKnight of Valley Falls and his brother Rick McKnight of Savannah, Mo.
True North Live at the Café is a dynamic, high-energy recording featuring powerful lyrics and harmonies, impressive instrumentals, dialogue about the music and professional supporting musicianship.
In a phone interview Monday afternoon, Gladhart, fiddle player and band spokesman said the Cafe Acoustic is a small sound and acoustic room “that is great for live music” and is where they recorded this last album.
Gladhart said the band composes and writes all original music and performs a type of country-roots-rock-bluegrass with some songs that are a takeoff of “John Cougar Mellancamp or the Beatles.” He said they perform a catchy blend of rock, Americana and country music that would appeal to wide audiences.
Gladhart said in addition to the Cafe Acoustic performance the band will be at the Jazzhaus in Lawrence at 9 p.m., Jan. 26 and has two performances scheduled for bookstores.
“This will be a good time for families, people with kids to listen to some music for the afternoon and have some fun,” Gladhart said. “We’ll have a blend from slower to faster songs.”
The bookstore performances are Sunday, Feb. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m., at Borders Bookstores in St. Joseph, Mo., and Sunday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Borders’ in Kansas City, Mo.
This third CD is a True North original, recorded live at the Café Acoustic, April 2007, mixed and produced by the “do it yourself” True North band.
Song selections include from the Dashboard Believer CD (2006) “Ancient History” and “Dashboard Believer” as well as experience new tunes on the Live CD such as “Old Martin” and “For a Woman.” The Live at the Café compilation sets high expectations for the next True North studio album slated for Spring 2009.
Gladhart said the band is influenced from a variety of artists including Lyle Lovett, Ryan Adams, Wilco, and a multitude of modern, classic rock and country performers.
According to a press release, True North band members all have professional careers, yet are passionate as musicians about composing, writing and creating new original music. Strong vocals and harmonies are supported by professional musicianship on guitars, bass, piano, organ, mandolin, lap steel, accordion, fiddle, drums and percussion.
For more information about the event contact Will Gladhart at 562-881-4484 or will.gladhart@gmail.com. Visit the True North website for further event details and directions. www.true-northmusic.com.
- Hiawatha Daily World

Live at the Cafe
True North holding two CD release parties in St. Joseph

by Sylvia Anderson
Friday, January 18, 2008

When True North first performed at Cafe Acoustic three years ago, they were an immediate success, recalls the cafe’s co-owner Lisa Hancock. “Cafe Acoustic absolutely loves True North,” she says. “It’s been overwhelming since day one. They already had a quite a following, but it just blossomed from there with people in this area getting to know them.”

The good feelings escalated last April when True North picked Cafe Acoustic as the place to record its third CD and first live project, “Live at the Cafe.” “The cafe, though be it small, is a fantastic acoustic music room,” says Will Gladhart, a True North band member. “We’ve played at a variety of venues in multiple states, and the sound quality you get in that room is unparalleled. It is a jewel.”

So this Saturday, Jan. 19, should be quite a celebration when True North returns to Cafe Acoustic for a “Live at the Cafe” CD release party starting at 9 p.m. The band will debut five new songs since its last performance at the cafe, along with favorites from the “Dashboard Believer” CD such as “Ancient History” and “Dashboard Believer.”
“It’s a real eclectic mix of ballads and dance tunes,” Gladhart says.

For those new to the True North sound, the Midwestern country, roots rock band performs original music appealing to fans of roots rock, alternative country and bluegrass “with a little funk thrown in.” You’ll hear a wide range of instruments, including guitar, piano, organ, mandolin, lap steel, accordion, fiddle, drums and percussion. And you can expect a great show.

“For many reasons,” Hancock says. “They have extraordinary talent, great stage presence, humor, original music and the fact they are just darn fine musicians.” And if you can’t make it Saturday or the bar scene isn’t for you, True North also will be at Border’s Bookstore from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3. The “Live at the Cafe” CD will be available at both locations for $15.

What: True North CD release party of “Live at the Cafe”
Where: Cafe Acoustic, 2605 Frederick
When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19
Cost: no cover
Also: 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 3, at Borders in St. Joseph
- St. Joseph News Press Off Hours

MANHATTAN — For Gary Mc-Knight, a Valley Falls audiologist whose practice is in Topeka, writing songs, playing guitar and singing in a country band is just what the doctor ordered.

McKnight's day job is at the Tallgrass Balance & Hearing Center, where he is known as "the Dizzy Doctor" because he specializes in treating dizziness and balance disorders. Several evenings a year, however, he fronts the country-rock band True North....(full page write up at online link). - Topeka Capital Journal, by Bill Blankenship

Dimestore Hemingway-True North
Good natured Midwestern country rock with clever lyrics
by Alonzo Weston
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
TITLE: Dimestore Hemingway

ARTIST: True North

STARS: 4 out of 5 Stars

SOUNDS LIKE: Good natured Midwestern country rock with clever lyrics

Listening to True North is a little like listening to a good storytelling uncle. The group’s lyrics are witty and cleverly satirical in a front porch story telling sort of way. A workingman’s look at everyday life and relationships.

That’s not to say this northeastern Kansas group can’t jam. They can flat out get down when needed.

But their music most often helps to illustrate their tales of lost love, searching for life’s truths from a dashboard radio or a Johnny Cash album and just having good old reckless fun.

It’s the lyrics that pull you in.

That’s why when I saw the title of True North’s new CD “Dimestore Hemingway,” I couldn’t wait to hear what adventures these guys were into now. So I pulled up a porch chair and listened.

I wasn’t disappointed. These guys just keep getting better. Their music is tighter than ever even though it sometimes has a bar band feel to it. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It suits their blue collar lyrics perfectly.

“Dimestore Hemingway” starts out with “Youth Gets Wasted on the Young” a foot tapping tune about “paving the road with guilt” and burning “bridges” on the way to growing up.

“Near Mrs.” is a sweetly clever ballad with lead singer Gary McKnight strumming a tale about leaving love standing at the altar.

“What Would Johnny Cash Do?” is a fun sideways tribute to the great singer.

If any of the 11 songs here show how these guys jam its “Three Chords and the Truth.” The song starts out like it’s going to be a mild little shuffle but quickly morphs in a boot scooting jam fest with McKnight’s hot guitar picking and Will Gladhart’s possessed fiddle playing. The only regret here is that the song ends too soon.

I say buy the “Dimestore Hemingway” CD but see these guys live while you still can. They’re only going up.
- St. Joseph, News Press

True North drops Dimestore Hemingway at the Jazzhaus this Saturday (+MP3)
By Crystal K. Wiebe in Upcoming ConcertsFriday, May. 29 2009 @ 9:29AM

Dimestore Hemingway is the awesome name of the new album from twangy Kansas roots rockers True North. The clever name nails the intelligent, everyman spirit of this band.

TN sent me an advance copy of the album last week. The songs -- many of which I've been enjoying at live shows for a long time -- are full of frontman Gary McKnight's playful songwriting. The mournful "Near Mrs" is a personal favorite. "Three Chords and the Truth" is a fun little country rocker. And "Sideways" is one of TN's classic odes to hard-drinking.

Elsewhere on the album, the band pays references Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, both lyrically and musically.

Grab a free MP3 from Dimestore Hemingway after the jump.


TN recorded Dimestore Hemingway in Nashville, with producer Jeff Brock. I don't know anything about Brock, but it seems that he helped the album sound sharp and professional. I've always thought that TN was a Nashville-quality country band. And the songs are even better in person.

True North will play a CD-release party this Saturday night at the Jazzhaus in Lawrence. The band really likes that venue -- it gets name-checked in the liner notes. "It's a loooong way down those Jazzhaus steps, one shot at a time," reads a little note next to the lyrics for "Sideways." Grab a free track with the band's blessing, below.
- Pitch Weekly, Crystal Wiebe

True North & Dr. McKnight broadcast on WIBW, Channel 13 News Monday, July 05, 4PM, 2010. Live taped acoustic versions of Promised Land and Almost Tried performed in studio by True North. - WIBW Chanel 13 News, Ralph Hipp

The Country Stampede Music Festival is held annually in Tuttle Creek Lake State Park, just north of Manhattan, KS. This year's bill includes country heavy-hitters Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Hootie Darius Rucker. And depending on how things go this Saturday, June 12, at the Golden Eagle Casino, in Horton, KS, local country/roots act True North may be joining them. - David Hundall, Pitch Weekly

Local roots combo True North recently began an interesting undertaking. Ariel Hyatt (of Ariel Publicity) released a book entitled Music Success in Nine Weeks. After meeting with Hyatt at the Taxi Music Conference in November, the group was impressed enough to take on her book, and see if following the book would, in fact, grant them musical success. - David Hundall, Pitch Weekly

Most of the thousands of people in attendance of Country Stampede see the four-day music festival as a chance to camp, party and listen to some of their favorite country music stars at Manhattan's Tuttle Creek Reservoir. But for a band like True North, the event is a chance at their big break.
The band, made up of men mostly from northeastern Kansas, opened the festival with a performance Thursday afternoon. True North got the chance by winning a contest conducted by an area casino. - Manhattan Mercury, Brad Dornes

True North interviews LIVE with WIBW Channel 13 Anchor Melissa Brunner, post performance at Country Stampede, Thursday, 06.24. Live 5 PM Broadcast from the Country Stampede grounds. - WIBW Channel 13 News, Melissa Brunner

The Country Stampede Music Festival is held annually in Tuttle Creek Lake State Park, just north of Manhattan, KS. This year's bill includes country heavy-hitters Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, and Hootie Darius Rucker. And depending on how things go this Saturday, June 12, at the Golden Eagle Casino, in Horton, KS, local country/roots act True North may be joining them. - David Hundall, Pitch Weekly

Not just a "Dimestore Hemingway."
This band of musical gypsies will steal your heart, your mind and emotions and take you on a personal ride of your life with lyrics that resonate with years of experience. They play like a fine tuned race car disguised as a ’68 Ford lulling you into the familiar feel of cruisin’ around in the family car, then plunge you into a musical rollercoaster of memories and experiences which are torn from the pages of your life. Whether it’s giving sage advice or human commentary, you will find yourself nodding your head, not just to the beat of the music, but to the Kodachrome relevance of the songs’ lyrics! So go ahead, buy it, play it and kick back for the musical ride of your life without ever leaving home…Priceless! - Ozartink, iTunes Music Review 2009 of Dimestore Hemingway

From the first few notes…True North pulls you in, sets your toes to tappin’ and has you hummin’ along like you had been listening to these guys all your life. Like a bunch of guys that you hung out with in high school with, these musical gypsies take your heart and your emotions for the ride of your life to the “Promised Land” or “South of Memphis”…this music will give you “Faith in a Song and “Make it Mean Something” whether it is “Something Wicked” or just “Hopelessly Romantic,” you will rediscover your Deep Roots” and become a “Dashboard Believer!” Remember riding around in your family’s car, listening to the radio? You never changed the station because they played it all! These guys do it all…they are the REAL DEAL. Don’t bother taking this music out of your playlist...time and time again. So buy this Dashboard Believer CD…for a friend, a member of your family or just for yourself! Head out in the right direction…True North! - Ozartink, iTunes Music Review 2009, Dashboard Believer

The compass is true for this Kansas City-area band's third album, with its melding of roots rock, Americana and country. It's all tied together with unapologetic lyrics by Gary McKnight. Right out of the chute, "Youth Gets Wasted on the Young" has arena-country appeal. This band could hold its own with any act coming to the Sprint Center nowadays. - Pitch Weekly, Robert Folsom

Two former residents of Horton and Highland and their True North musical group, won the "Battle of the Bands" contest last Saturday night on the entertainment stage at the Golden Eagle Casino in Horton. One is Garrett Rake, formerly of Horton and now of Holton. The other is Will Gladhart, formerly of Highland and now of Kansas City, Missouri.

By winning the "Battle," True North, with four other members, was awarded a spot on the main stage during the upcoming Country Stampede. It will be held the weekend of June 24-27 at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan, Gladhart told The Kansas Chief.

True North will perform at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. They will perform on the same stage that day as national artists Billy Currington and Montgomery Gentry. Miranda Lambert will perform on Thursday, June 24. Keith Urban will headline the Friday, June 25, show.

The road to the free casino concert, Gladhart said, started with a contest sponsored by Topeka radio station 94.5, and included Internet on-line voting. The contest went from 16 competing bands, to 8, then four, and then was reduced to True North and T-Marv & Hammer Down.

Gladhart plays the fiddle. Rake is versatile, playing the keyboards, accordion, and harmonica, while also singing vocals. Other members of the group are: Keith Boxterman, Gary McKnight, Rick McKnight, and Brian Soden. Boxterman from Topeka, plays drums. Gary McKnight, of Valley Falls, plays guitar and sings vocals. Rick McKnight, of St. Joseph, Mo., plays bass and is married to former Wathena resident Theresa Greub. Soden, of Lawrence, plays guitar and mandolin, and sings vocals. Kenny Tomes of St. Joseph has served as the sound and light technician for the group. True North has been led by Gary McKnight. Gladhart said the group gets together to "practice" on Wednesday nights at McKnight’s Valley Falls residence.

A Gladhart "press release" states, "True North plays original modern country roots rock, with lyrics that look at life with a backward glance and a forward prayer. The band incorporates a traditional rock ‘n roll rhythm section atop a fiddle, a mandolin, an accordion, a lap steel, and a harmonica, to forge it’s own unique sound.

"The band has released four CDs, the last being "Dimestore Hemingway" in May of 2009. They also wrote, arranged, and recorded the soundtrack for a PBS-TV Special focusing on life in the Midwest." - Kansas Chief, Paul Stewart, June 19, 2010

Not just a "Dimestore Hemingway."
This band of musical gypsies will steal your heart, your mind and emotions and take you on a personal ride of your life with lyrics that resonate with years of experience. They play like a fine tuned race car disguised as a ’68 Ford lulling you into the familiar feel of cruisin’ around in the family car, then plunge you into a musical rollercoaster of memories and experiences which are torn from the pages of your life. Whether it’s giving sage advice or human commentary, you will find yourself nodding your head, not just to the beat of the music, but to the Kodachrome relevance of the songs’ lyrics! So go ahead, buy it, play it and kick back for the musical ride of your life without ever leaving home…Priceless! - Ozartink, iTunes Music Review 2009 of Dimestore Hemingway

The local band True North will perform on the main stage at the Country Stampede after winning a battle of the bands concert Saturday at the Golden Eagle Casino. True North spokesman Will Gladhart said he wanted to thank the fans for their amazing support the last several weeks during the online battle of the bands in the 94.5 Country “Road to Country Stampede” contest.

The finals was an actual contest where True North played off with T-Marv and Hammer Down for the official title. Voting continued through Sunday night and the winner was announced Monday morning. In total, there were 3,689 votes cast and the scores were close. True North scored 3.30 and T Marv and Hammer Down 3.16.
“There were many votes from far corners of the country and several from addresses around the world,” said Keith Montgomery, program director and afternoon drive personality with Country 94.5. “The contest was done just exactly as we hoped it would, opened new marketing possibilities and furthered the brands of all the bands involved, Golden Eagle and of course the radio station itself.”

True North, an original modern country-roots rock band made up of six Northeast Kansas musicians, will play before a crowd of about 75,000 in the 1 p.m. slot on Saturday, June 26 at the four-day music festival in Manhattan. True North band members include Gladhart, a native of Highland; Brian Soden, a native of Hiawatha; Garrett Rake, a native of Horton; Gary McKnight of Valley Falls, Rick McKnight of St. Joseph, Mo. and Keith Broxterman of Topeka. - Hiawatha Daily World, Joey May, June 22, 2010

The local band True North will perform on the main stage at the Country Stampede after winning a battle of the bands concert Saturday at the Golden Eagle Casino. True North spokesman Will Gladhart said he wanted to thank the fans for their amazing support the last several weeks during the online battle of the bands in the 94.5 Country “Road to Country Stampede” contest.

The finals was an actual contest where True North played off with T-Marv and Hammer Down for the official title. Voting continued through Sunday night and the winner was announced Monday morning. In total, there were 3,689 votes cast and the scores were close. True North scored 3.30 and T Marv and Hammer Down 3.16.
“There were many votes from far corners of the country and several from addresses around the world,” said Keith Montgomery, program director and afternoon drive personality with Country 94.5. “The contest was done just exactly as we hoped it would, opened new marketing possibilities and furthered the brands of all the bands involved, Golden Eagle and of course the radio station itself.”

True North, an original modern country-roots rock band made up of six Northeast Kansas musicians, will play before a crowd of about 75,000 in the 1 p.m. slot on Saturday, June 26 at the four-day music festival in Manhattan. True North band members include Gladhart, a native of Highland; Brian Soden, a native of Hiawatha; Garrett Rake, a native of Horton; Gary McKnight of Valley Falls, Rick McKnight of St. Joseph, Mo. and Keith Broxterman of Topeka. - Hiawatha Daily World, Joey May, June 22, 2010