In the time since the launching of the Homegrown Music Festival in 1999, some of the Duluth music scene’s most beloved characters have left us. We cherish their contributions forever.

Chris Marshall aka Lumpy G (b. 1968 / d. 2025)
Performer: Lake Superior Cacophonic Choir, DJ Lumpy G

Ben Larson aka Burly Burlesque (b. 1980 / d. 2024)
Performer: Crew Jones and Southwire

Paul Robinson (b. 1958 / d. 2023)
Performer: Prince Paul and the Conscious Party

Ryan “Chunk” Lund (b. 1983 / d. 2023)
Performer: The Black Labels

Diona Johnson aka AfroGeode (b. 1987 / d. 2023)
Performer: AfroGeode & the Gemstones, Me-n-Her

Joshua Schuchard (b. 1987 / d. 2023)
Performer: Nio

Rob Wagner (b. 1976 / d. 2023)
Performer: Doc Hyde

Mimi Parker (b. 1967 / d. 2022)
Performer: Low

Mark Anderson (b. 1962 / d. 2022)
Performer: Mark Anderson Trio

Ben Craig (b. 1978 / d. 2021)
Performer: Jackie and the Ripoffs

Bev Robinson (b. 1951 / d. 2020)
Venue owner: Bev’s Jook Joint, Fat Daddy’s Live

Scott Nelson (b. 1971 / d. 2020)
Venue owner: Pizza Lucé

Jack Kritzer (b. 1946 / d. 2020)
Performer: solo guitarist

Bradley Bombardier (b. 1960 / d. 2019)
Performer: A Band Called Truman, Big Time Jazz Orchestra, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra

Rick Boo (b. 1958 / d. 2019)
Venue owner: NorShor Theater, Carmody Irish Pub
Had his own damn Homegrown committee

Nikki Hovland Jazdzewski (b. 1977 / d. 2019)
Avid supporter

Larry “Lefty” Sandmann (d. 2017)
Performer: Stel & Lefty, the Hoot Owls

Edgewood Smith (b. 1970 / d. 2015)
Performer: Lake Superior Cacophonic Choir
Photographer: Duluth Photographers Guild

Mike Schultz (b. 1950 / d. 2014)
Avid supporter, Sacred Heart Music Center volunteer

Andrew Maeckelbergh aka DJ Drewcifer (b. 1978 / d. 2014)
Avid supporter

Doug Moen (b. 1947 / d. 2013)
Vintage clothing outfitter to rawk stars and theater groups

Chip Stewart (b. 1948 / d. 2009)
Venue owner: Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe

Doug Hatten aka Rain Clave (b. 1960 / d. 2009)
Performer: Tangier 57

Brad Rozman (b. 1997 / d. 2009)
Performer: High Volt Rustler, Equal Xchange

Nate Forneris aka DJ Baby Judy (b. 1972 / d. 2004)
Performer: Gild, 2 Sleepy People

Merritt Mortensen (d. 2002)
Performer: Despots of Despair, Road Kill Cafe, Les Cherry and the Mexican Prison Boys, Groundskeeper Willie, Ballyhoo, Oscar Goldman Overthrow Initiative

Lew Orsoni (b. 1949 / d. 2001)
Renowned musician who helped build the scene on which Homegrown was built, though he never played the festival