The Goose Island Ramblers
were a beloved trio of musicians
from southern Wisconsin:
George Gilbertson,
Bruce Bollerud,
and "Windy" Whitford.
They performed a style of music
that the folklorist Jim Leary
has described as "polkabilly."
That is, they perform German-Polish dance music,
along with southern hillbilly music.
["There's No Norwegians in Dickeyville"] * There never was and there never will *
* Be no Norwegians in Dickeyville *
When they went on stage,
they gave a complete show.
They reminded listeners that country music was once
more than just a singer
going before a microphone,
doing a song,
and then leaving the stage.
They recall the days when country music
was a complete stage show,
full of humor, dance, songs,
and all kinds of entertainment.
[polkabilly music]