The Okee Dokee Brothers

The Okee Dokee Brothers are an independent American bluegrass and American roots children's music duo from Minneapolis.
The bandmates grew up in Denver, Colorado and toured the midwest with their bluegrass band before settling in Minneapolis to start their “kindie” band, The Okee Dokee Brothers. In June 2011, they journeyed for a month down the Mississippi River on canoe, writing songs for their 2012 CD-DVD release Can You Canoe?
In 2010, they gained prominence by involving Adam Levy as a guest artist and Tor Hyams (a Grammy nominee and founder of Kidzapalooza and Austin Kiddie Limits) as producer of Take It Outside, a CD which won a Parents' Choice Award. The National Parenting Publications of America (NAPPA), which said of the album, "Seamlessly threading bluegrass and rock, this sassy musical hybrid album reminds us that fantasy and fun are right in our own backyard." ref>"NAPPA Winners". parenthood.com. http://nappaawards.parenthood.com/directory/shoppers-showcase/take-it-outside.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
The national Fids and Kamily poll of children’s music critics included Kids with Beards in its Best Kids and Family Music of 2008, and Take It Outside made the poll's 2010 selections. A School Library Journal reviewer said, “Hopefully they will continue to craft their musical magic and spread their message.
Since 2010, the duo has toured nationally, performing at such venues as Symphony Space in New York, the Kansas City Jiggle Jam, World Cafe Live in Philadelphia and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. They also perform more than 50 concerts a year at public libraries around Minnesota.
On June 1st, 2011, Joe and Justin began a canoe trip in Minneapolis and continued down the river for the next 30 days until they arrived at the St. Louis Gateway Arch. During their month long journey on the Mississippi, they camped, canoed, filmed and composed the songs that make up their new album for kids and families, Can You Canoe? This CD-DVD is the first release in a planned “Adventure Album Series.” Produced by Dean Jones in his Rosendale, NY, straw-bale studio, the record highlights guest appearances from Garth Hudson of The Band, Elizabeth Mitchell (musician) of You Are My Flower as well as Morgan Taylor and Rachel Loshak of Gustafer Yellowgold. The journey was the subject of interviews with the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio.
Band membersJustin Lansing - banjo and lead vocals
Joe Mailander - acoustic guitar and lead vocals