LaVerne "Lee" Smikrud

About LaVerne "Lee" Smikrud

I was born and raised in Wisconsin. i played music since I was 11 or 12 years old. I started playing polka music on the accordion, then learned guitar. At 15 years old I had a band and performed on a local tv station every Saturday evening for 2 years.
I enlisted in the Navy in 1967 and played music with a number of different bands in various ports of call. I performed in Hawaii, Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan and many of the states east of the Nississippi River in the (expired link).
I got married and moved to Mountain Home, AR. where I worked in a accoustic folk music band with a cousin of mine. As soon as I could I moved to Mountain View, AR, the Folk Music Capitol of the world. There I learned to play Bluegrass music and lots of old fiddle tunes on the mandolin. I also developed my banjo playing ability to where I was a decent banjo player. I worked with the Staff Band at the Ozark Folk Center State Park as well as some of the local musicians. I learned a lot in Arkansas from those musicians who I owe a lot to.
I returned to Wisconsin in 2003 because my wife was dying of cancer. I eventually stopped playing music in public and started recording my songs. This is what I do today because of injuries I received in the military and at home.
my wish is simply to share my music with folks who enjoy it and bring a little happiness into their lives. I thank God for my ability to create my own music and present it to the public via recordings. I intend to do that as long as my health allows me to.