Major Accomplishments:
2012 - $25k first place winner of ArtistSignal.com's national voting contest for unsigned bands
2013 - Crankhsaft's song "Neighbor Boys" made it into the semi-final round of the International Songwriting Competition
2013 - Crankshaft's newest album "What You Gonna Do?" has been in the AMA top 100 for 7 consecutive weeks. (4/17/13)
2013 - Semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, hosted by the Blues Foundation
2012 - Crankshaft's songs "327" and "Motorcycle Woman" were Featured on NPR's Car Talk
2012 - Winner of The Road To Memphis Challenge hosted by the Minnesota Blues Society
2012 - Winner of Famous Dave's Battle of the Blues Bands
Has Opened for:
Bret Michaels - Lead singer of Poison, and reality television personality (Celebrity Apprentice)
Soul Asylum - Grammy Award nominated, signed to A&M, Columbia, and Twin/Tone
Charlie Musselwhite - Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010. Signed to MCA, Capitol, Alligator, and Virgin
The Trashmen - Recorded "Surfin' Bird" in 1963, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
Alex Ligertwood - Lead singer for Santana '79 - '95
Bob Log III - Has toured internationally since 1993, signed to Fat Possum & Sympathy for the Record Industry
T-Model Ford - The oldest active Delta Blues Player! Signed to Fat Possum & Alive Naturalsound
Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm - Grandson of Delta Blues legend R.L. Burnside
Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen - Lead singer for Toto '84 - '86
Performance Highlights:
2013 - Semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge (TN), hosted by the Blues Foundation
2012 - National events - Juke Joint Festival (MS) & Rumble Festival (WI)
2012 - Toured 3,800 around the east side of the United States, playing 19 shows, in 9 states, in 28 days
2012 - Local events - Bayfront Blues Fest, Minneapolis Messaround, Memory Lanes Block Party, Famous Dave's Blues Fest.
2012 - Opened for Soul Asylum at the First Avenue main room and the 7th St. Entry - Minneapolis, MN.
2011 - Toured 4,600 miles around the east side of the United States, playing 26 shows, in 14 states, in 30 days
2011 - Performed at the Double Door - Chicago, IL
2011 - Local events - Minneapolis Messaround, Memory Lanes Block Party & Bearded Lady Motorcycle Show
2010 - Local events - West Bank Music Festival
2009 - Toured 1,412 miles around the Minnesota state map, playing 13 shows, in 13 days
2009 - Local events - Deep Blues Festival
Quotes:
"One of the best and most interesting roots, rock and blues acts playing around town these days. Whether Alex “Crankshaft” Larson is playing solo, as a duo, or with his full band, he is absolutely worth checking out."
Greg Burke - Cities 97
"Crankshaft writes great songs, and sings them with passion. The energy at his live shows is undeniable, and he won't rest until everyone in the room is rockin' and rollin' with him."
Page Burkum - The Catus Blossums
"Many are called but few are chosen. In the case of Alex "Crankshaft" Larson, not only does he have the determination and drive to get noticed, but he has the goods to back it up. He's a musical craftsman of the tradition of the finest classic rock and blues. Crankshaft's songs are stories set to grooves that connect with the audience."
- Nate Dungan - Talent Buyer, Minnesota State Fair
"Strong and immediate songwriting, his personal experiences become universal on every song. Crankshaft is definitely helping to carry on important musical traditions, but you do not have to know that or care about that to enjoy his latest release "What You Gonna Do?". This is a record that can and will be appreciated by musicians and non-musicians alike."
Joe Holland - Talent Buyer, Lee's Liquor Lounge
"Alex is a hard worker. His diligence and attitude always make for a well-thought out and successful show. From playing on the hood of moving car to playing all the instruments onstage, his passion is clear from the moment he enters a venue."
Gabriel Douglas - Band Leader, The 4onthefloor