Worker’s Playtime: Jeff Ray, Mikkel, and Mike Munson at 331 Club

A weekly happy hour hosted by washboardist Mikkel, featuring a different artist every time.

Musicians from the Midwest have a knack for reinventing tradition and Jeff Ray & The Stakes are no exception. Go to any of their performances and you’ll hear fans say the same thing, “his music sounds old and new at the same time.” Their first gig was on MPR’s Radio Heartland and the band has been turning heads and opening ears ever since.

Having established himself as an adept slide guitar player, Mike Munson is steeped in the country blues tradition. His original works weave together dark lyrics, impossibly fast-paced finger-picking and grinding rhythms. His sound marks the similarities and highlights the distance between Fred McDowell, Leo Kottke and Chuck Berry.