Q: How did you choose the name Greenwood Tree?

A: Naming bands (and CDs) is never an easy task. After debating and deliberating for many weeks, we finally came up with the name Greenwood Tree. It's an English waltz that we recorded on our Windy and Warm CD. As a historical note, we made the decision while eating a chicken pizza - before such things were trendy.

Q: What brought Stu and Bill together to form Greenwood Tree?

A: Bill and Stu first got together in mid-1985 at the Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis. Tapestry would occasionally sponsor "Contra Corners," where less-established musicians and callers could try their hands at playing and calling. Greenwood Tree was born September 29 of the same year when Stu had the opportunity to play at the now-defunct Lorelei restaurant in the Riverplace shopping center. A relative beginner at the time, he didn't want to go it alone, and invited Bill to join him. That led to wedding jobs, coffeehouses, cafes, folk festivals, recordings and who knows what else.

Q: What are some of your more unusual venues?

A: The most unusual has to be the wedding we played in a cave in Spring Valley, Wisconsin. The whole thing was supposed to be in the dark, with guests holding candles. However, they consented to a little backlighting so Stu could see his dulcimer. The reception was held in Elmwood, Wisconsin, which claims to be the UFO capital of the world. There are two parking spaces outside the town hall that are reserved for UFOs.

Q: Are you full-time musicians?

A: Bill is a full-time musician. In addition to his work with Greenwood Tree, he is a well-established solo performer with the theme, "Music of all ages, for all ages." He entertains for seniors, families, and kids at a wide variety of venues, including historic sites, senior centers, coffeeshops, and schools. Bill also teaches guitar at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor.

Stu has a full-time job at 3M as an industrial statistician. His other musical activities include performing with Freshwater Pearls Puppetry and teaching at the Homestead Pickin' Parlor.