Guitarist, Vocalist, Composer, Guitar Instructor

The Riff Rangers are all about delicious, musical fun.

Comprising some of the most talented and versatile Twin Cities musicians, The Riff Rangers will have patrons of your event or establishment tapping their toes - seated, standing or dancing. 

Their diverse repertoire includes classic Western swing, Chicago blues, Big Band swing and Hot Club jazz, country, and a treasury of vintage rock tunes.  On the acoustic side, they range to Americana, folk, Irish, bluegrass, and instrumentals with elements of different genres.

The Riff Rangers appreciate the music of great authors,  creating arrangements that capture the essence of these masterful composers.  Artists include:

Performing in quintet, sextet and septet formats, all feature rich 3-part vocal harmony - a hallmark of The Riff Rangers.

A smorgasbord of snappy arrangements, original creations, humor‑you‑can‑use, and a little musicology . . .

The personnel:

Dale Dahlquist - Lead & harmony vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin
Kristen Olsen Rodriguez - Lead & harmony vocals, hand percussion

Rhiannon "Rainy" Fiskradatz - Lead & harmony vocals, hand percussion
Dik "His Lowness" Hedlund - Bass
Will Kemperman - Drums and percussion

Patrick Hulme - Drums and percussion

Richard Kriehn - Fiddle, mandolin

Eric Mohring - Fiddle, mandolin

Jim Plattes - Violin, harmonica

REVIEWS

The Riff Rangers is truly a professional group that I can highly recommend for a wedding or any occasion. I have seen them many times and am taken by their rendition of everything they play. The vocals are incredible and the guitar and rhythm section truly a treat for your senses. They have a catalogue of many great tunes and are sure to know any song you want them to perform. Aside from that they are just genuine and kind people!

   - Daniel Wirig   October 2023

The Riff Rangers create a fun ambiance that gets people energized and relaxed -- perfect for a party!

   - Anna A.   August 2023

The Riff Rangers have played the Birchwood, Minnesota, Music in the Park summer concert series three years running. They put on a very entertaining show. Great guitar work, nice harmony, bass and percussion, and a wide repertoire of songs. They leave the audience asking that they return the following year.

   - Alan Mitchell,  Birchwood Summer Concert Series    White Bear Lake MN   July 2023

I had the pleasure of seeing the Riff Rangers perform recently and they are absolutely delightful. They have a widely varied repertoire and handle all the music with expert sensitivity. You can tell they're all having a blast the whole time they're on stage, and the fun is infectious. I can't wait to catch them again soon!

   - Meggie Moench   Richfield, MN   July 2023

I have been a top fan for several years. The Riff Rangers are really talented and really enjoy making music. They are super musicians, super vocalists, and their music is just beautiful!

   - John King   New Brighton, MN   July 2023

This is a great group! They're all very talented and have a wonderfully wide repertoire!

   - EriK A.   July 2023

The Riff Rangers definitely provided a fun night of entertainment! Their catalog has something for everyone, and their positive and uplifting stage presence is well suited for everything from casual social outings, to formal corporate events, to weddings. 5/5, would recommend!

   - Ryan Mundt    Ham Lake, MN  July 2023

These guys are a very talented and fun group. Well worth seeking them out for a listen.

   - Chris Anderson   Eagan, MN   July 2023

The Riff Rangers are an amazing ensemble of musicians, a central trio of fine singers who harmonize wonderfully, with guitar, bass, drums and sometimes other embellishing instruments.  They perform well-crafted versions of over a hundred recognizable songs by great pop, jazz, blues, rock, folk and country writers. Flawless, secure performances, and well-blended professional sound quality, with entertaining stage personalities. Terrific performers doing wonderfully dance-able music. Highly recommended.

   - Warren Park   Minneapolis, MN   July 2023

Dale, I want to say thank you to you and The Riff Rangers for coming to Birchwood last night. You guys gave a very entertaining performance. It was a fun night. Thank you. Several of my neighbors who hadn't heard you before told me that they thoroughly enjoyed your performance.

   - Alan Mitchell,  Birchwood Summer Concert Series    White Bear Lake MN   July 2022

My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed The Riff Rangers show last night at the BLB Theater!  What talent!

   - Daniel Wirig   Plymouth MN   May 2022

We enjoyed The Riff Rangers performance at Birchwood last night.  As usual, the singing is great, as well as the guitars and drums. The blending of your three voices is almost like you are "family".  (Some people say that family members have their own unique harmony.)  We certainly will come see you at Como Park Pavilion in September. Thanks again for sharing your talents.

   - Jean McBride   White Bear Lake, MN    July 2022

With the talented musicians of The Riff Rangers you have fun, high‑quality entertainment that seniors or an audience of all ages will enjoy.

   - Carol Torgerson, Resident Services Director, Rosepointe Senior Living,    Roseville, MN

Thank you. It was a highly entertaining evening. The band sounded very good and you, my friend, are an amazing guitar player.

   - Tom Anderson    North Branch, MN

BIOS

Dale Dahlquist     

Acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, tenor ukulele, lead & harmony vocals

The Riff Rangers concept began in 2011, when Dale, faculty at West Bank School of Music in Minneapolis, led a student ensemble called "Risk Factor". As the musicianship of these talented students grew beyond amateur status, they began playing their diverse repertoire in public performances at venues in the Twin Cities and out-state Minnesota. The student ensemble dissolved in 2014.

In late 2016 Dale re-launched the band as "The Riff Rangers," a fully professional version of this eclectic band concept, recruiting top-shelf Twin Cities musicians who combine their talents on blues, jazz, western swing, bluegrass, Hot Club, vintage rock & folk, well-loved standards and original gems. Recruiting vocalists Kristen Olsen Rodriguez in 2020 and Rhiannon Fiskradatz in 2021, the band became a vocal powerhouse. The dynamic rhythm section of bassist Dik "His Lowness" Hedlund, and percussionist Will Kemperman completed the package that is now The Riff Rangers. Starting in 2024, The Riff Rangers began adding guest musicians to many concerts, elevating the musical fun to new levels!

Their motto? Expect cool riffs!

Kristen Olsen Rodriguez 

Lead & harmony vocals, hand percussion

Part of both The Riff Rangers and The Argyle Street Trio, Kristen loves including music and singing in her life and the world around her through participation in vocal performances, local theater and community based choirs. A high school English teacher, she enjoys outdoor activities like canoeing in the Boundary Waters and running. Her philosophy: By listening to nature, music and the people around us we can enrich our minds and deepen our consciousness.

Rhiannon "Rainy" Fiskradatz 

Lead & harmony vocals, hand percussion

Rhiannon's lifelong mission is to pursue creativity and imagination in all its forms. Allergic to boredom, she sings, writes songs, teaches, acts, puppeteers, beadweaves, costume designs, manages a VocalEssence youth choir, and works on public art projects. She started turning her poetry into songs when she was a teenager, and has been part of several local bands over the years - most recently the indie folk rock trio Lingua Luna. She loves using her voice to connect with people, and when she's not rocking with The Riff Rangers or The Argyle Street Trio, she performs solo as MaMa Faerie, with a focus on amplifying themes of feminism, nature & social justice. You can also catch Rhiannon in the Songsversation series at the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater (essential multi-media conversations with song and an edge), and annually in Fringe productions.

Will Kemperman  

Drums & percussion

Playing drums and percussion for over 34 years, Will keeps a busy free-lance schedule. In recent years he has performed with the Vocal Essence ensemble, National Lutheran Choir, Rochester (MN) Symphony Orchestra, Jungle Theatre, Minnesota History Theater, Wild Moon Bahktas, and Charanga Tropical. He is the percussionist in the award-winning play "Glensheen" (still-running, highly recommended). He also teaches percussion at the University of St. Thomas, Hamline University, West Bank School of Music, and at his studio in Minneapolis. Will is a foundational addition to The Riff Rangers.

Dik "His Lowness" Hedlund

Bassist

Former member of the Al Jarreau and Bonnie Raitt touring bands, Dik is one of the most requested recording and performing musicians in the area. Previously with the Doug Maynard Band, the Ruperts Orchestra, Synergy and and currently with the Blues Book and the Freier Department, Dik continues to perform with the best, including national tours with A Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor, Bonnie Raitt, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddly, Sam & Dave, Jackie Wilson, The Shirells and Martha & The Vandellas.  Together with his son Jordan, they own and operate LOUD NEIGHBORS SOUND, an audio production company that specializes in music composition, sound design, recording and mixing for radio, television, CD albums and film.  They have created special music for Minnesota Twins Baseball, IDS, Radisson Hotels International, 3M, DuPont, Northwest Airlines, Minnesota History center and The Science Museum of Minnesota. In a word, Riff Ranger Dik Hedlund is amazing . . .

Richard Kriehn

Fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals

Minnesota-based multi-instrumentalist Richard Kriehn played with the "Guys All-Star Shoe Band" and the "House Band" on A Prairie Home Companion from June of 2010 until the host, Garrison Keillor retired in July of 2016. Richard has performed in symphony orchestras, bluegrass bands, baroque ensembles, pit orchestras, cover bands, country bands. Way before Prairie Home, Richard lived in Nashville, where he toured with Travis Tritt, Aaron Tippin and Michael Peterson, all the while, playing in the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and the bluegrass group 1946. He appeared numerous times on the Grand Ole' Opry and made appearances on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, Prime Time Country as well an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger. Before he and his family moved to the Twin Cities, they lived in Eastern Washington where he was a faculty member in the School of Music, Washington State University. Richard will sport his amazing versatility with The Riff Rangers starting in 2025.

Eric Mohring

Violin / fiddle, mandolin

Eric Mohring, a versatile mandolin and fiddle player from Minneapolis, Minnesota, started playing bluegrass and old-time music in the mid-1970s. After stints with local bluegrass combos, and a Chicago-based jug band, the Laketown Buskers, he returned to Minnesota, and became smitten with Cajun music. By the late 1980s and 1990s, he and some other local yokels founded Minnesota’s Cajun bands, the Bone Tones and the New Riverside Ramblers. Their recordings can be heard on Cajun radio stations in Louisiana, as well as in Minnesota. Eric has kept busy for 30 years playing all manner of music from everywhere with Dan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra and Cajun fiddle with the New Riverside Ramblers. We are happy that Eric will join The Riff Rangers for some concerts beginning July 2024. 

Jim Plattes

Violin / fiddle, harmonica

Jim Plattes is a top-shelf violinist / fiddler in our region. He toured with Olivia Newton-John, and recorded with Prince at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, MN. Jim performs the music of Django Reinhardt and other hot club jazz with the Twin City Hot Club and Parisota Hot Club. He also is a member of the classical string quartet, “Quartet Etage”. But it doesn’t end there. Jim is an excellent blues, bluegrass, rock, folk, and jazz violinist with enviable improv skills. To top it off, he has become a premiere harmonica player in the Twin Cities music scene. No wonder he is in high demand. Fortunately, he thinks The Riff Rangers are a very good band.

Patrick Hulme

Drums and percussion

Patrick Hulme, growing up in a musical family, has played drums and sang since the age of seven. After studying music at the University of Minnesota, he has been a fixture on the Twin Cities music scene, performing in a wide variety of styles including Blues, R&B, Jazz, Rock & Roll and Country. He has played throughout the mid-west with many outstanding local and national musicians. He’s shared the stage with John Beach, Big John Dickerson, The Fabulous Barking Ducks, Cornbread Harris, Jordu, Mick McCormick & Scooter Trash, Jim Ouska, Ross William Perry, The Slim Hippos, The Everett Smithson Band, and Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants. He’s also played with guitar greats Richard Lloyd and Jimmy Thackery. Patrick specializes in Blues, R&B and Jazz, and his passion for these styles has been the driving force in his career. His influences include Albert Collins, Miles Davis, Al Foster, Dr. John, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, BB King, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Pat will share drum duties as part of The Riff Rangers beginning July 2023. An outstanding blues, funk and rock singer, he will add even more vocal clout to the band!

The Alumni:

James Allen - Acoustic & electric guitars

Priscilla Thomas  - Bass, vocals
Lori "Wonder Woman" Reese  - Drums

Greg Pusch  - Guitar
Wailin' Willie Smith  - Harmonica
Steve Watne  - Harmonica

James Allen      

Electric & acoustic guitars

James performs regularly throughout the Twin Cities area as a soloist and with his duo or trio playing jazz, latin jazz, Sephardic and South American music. He also works as a freelance guitarist and plays with The Classic Big Band. He has recorded with Vicky Mountain, Gypsy Mania, Global Jazz, the Nova Jazz Band, Jon Du Vaal trio and Bob Frey. James is currently on the faculty at MacPhail Center for Music and Perpich Center for Arts Education. In 2011 he received an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to study Brazilian music in California and Brazil. James adds both virtuosity and versatility to The Riff Rangers.

Priscilla Thomas  

Electric bass, vocals

Priscilla has sung and played bass in various folk, rock and jazz groups since the 1980's.  In addition to The Riff Rangers, she contributes vocals, electric bass and solid guitar as part of the folk trio Sweet Rhubarb, and acoustic band Barrel Flash, both of which frequent regional pubs and festivals. Priscilla is a gifted songwriter, arranger and improvisor, and has a considerable interest and experience in live sound reinforcement & studio recording.

Lori “Wonder Woman” Reese
Drums & percussion

In her younger days, Lori studied trumpet and French horn. Later, while taking her son to drum lessons, she decided to take lessons too. She performed in a hand percussion group as an adult, learning drums and percussion under the tutelage of Michael Stix Kiley. In 2011, wanting to join a band, she found the West Bank School of Music Ensemble Program and faculty leader, Dale Dahlquist. That experience led her to advance into the professional arena. Lori fits music around her full time career running her own construction business, Wonder Woman Construction.

Bill "Wailin' Willie" Smith       

Harmonica

Bill loved playing jazz standards and swing while hanging with Tom Lieberman (Rio Nido). He figured there were enough blues harp players, but he sure can belt out the blues when called upon. Joining the Radio Rangers, Bill learned Western swing. In the mid 90’s, Bill moved to the Mankato area, starting Prairie Wind, a vocal-based group that play originals and folk music. 1991 brought about the birth of the Bothy Folk Club, a group of musicians that produced concerts in the Mankato area for 21 years. Bill currently plays with Big Trees, Papa John Kolstad, The Blind Moose, Dale Dahlquist’s Riff Rangers and Eli Hahn’s Captain Gravitone. It’s all fun!