Polkabilly - Leary, James (Professor of Scandinavian Studies, Professor of Scandinavian Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

While the Goose Island Ramblers are a remarkable group, they are entirely representative of the many bands who, from the 1920s through the 90s have synthesised an array of 'foreign', 'American' folk, popular, and hillbilly musical strains to entertain rural, small town, working class audiences throughout the midwest.