EOW Cast

"Purveyors of American Roots Music"

East of Westreville is Americana roots music: bluegrass, blues, folk, and country music--a country blues to bluegrass road trip… with a few stops along the way!

We are pleased East of Westreville was featured in the Winter issue of South Dakota Magazine! Also, click here to read a recent story from the Sioux City Journal. Read the story from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader by clicking here.

Thanks to Steve Hoffman and Rev. Dar Berkenpas for some of the East of Westreville photos seen here!

Kaija Bonde, vocals, has been acting and singing all her life. She currently also stars in the acclaimed touring musical Always… Patsy Cline. Other favorite roles include Eva Peron in Evita, Maria in The Sound of Music, Sr. Robert Anne in Nunsense, Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, and Rhetta Cupp in the long running touring show Pump Boys and Dinettes. Kaija has released three CD’s. She lives with husband Brian, and three children Suzannah, Elijah, and Aaron.

Boyd Bristow, lead guitar and vocals, is a well-known singer and guitarist in the region. He is one of the regular members of the Acoustic Christmas cast and has performed with many bands including Blue Berry Buckle and The Red Willow Band. He is leader of the Entry Band at Asbury United Methodist Church and musical director for Always… Patsy Cline. He is a counselor for Catholic Family Services, runs his own recording studio. He lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Rev. Dar Berkenpas.

Boyd just released his new solo CD, "Cloudless Sky," which was produced by Chris Gage. For more information or to buy Boyd's new CD, click here.

Brian Bonde, rhythm guitar and vocals, has spent the last few years as director and producer of Always… Patsy Cline. Brian and Kaija founded the Comfort Theatre Company in 1997. He was last seen on stage as Johnny in The Cardigans. Other favorite roles include Jim in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Che in Evita, and many others. In real life, he is president of the Children’s Care Foundation and lives in Sioux Falls with Kaija and the kids.

Al Slaathaug, upright-bass, is from Worthing, SD. He is a Fort Pierre native. He began playing bass backing up Terry Ree for post game dances at Riggs High in Pierre. He has played in local bands including, Blue Berry Buckle and The Secret Band and is a regular in the back up band for the Lennox High School chorus. He is a computer programmer and farms in the Lennox area.

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