Teddy Bear Band Celebrates 40 Years at Maple Grove Show
A local band beloved by children and their parents marked a huge milestone this week in Maple Grove.
At the Town Green, the Teddy Bear Band celebrated its 40th year of performing.
“We’ve had so many wonderful moments with the kids that you just can’t replace,” said bass player Richard Erickson.
Their shows often highlight the connection between children and their stuff animals.
“Teddy bears are appropriate symbols of early childhood and I had a teddy bear when I was one [year old],” Erickson said, fighting back laughter. “I’ve still got it.”
Their first time bringing smiles to kids faces was back in March of 1985. They’ve played scores of concerts since then.
A local band beloved by children and their parents marked a huge milestone this week in Maple Grove. At the Town Green, the Teddy Bear Band celebrated its 40th year of performing.
“Last year we celebrated our 10,000th show, so we’re moving past that now,” Erickson said. “Well, it’s kind of hard to absorb because you start thinking back all those years and it’s like, wow, there’s a lot that’s gone on, amazing.”
For guitarist Ron Gustafson, every song and dance has a larger purpose.
“I believe what we do with young children — our participation, which is a cornerstone of what we do — is developmentally appropriate to little kids,” he said.
But, as always, the bears stay front and center.
The shows bring “lots of action and fun,” Gustafson said. “And the, on top of that, they bring a teddy bear or a stuffed animal, I mean, how much fun is that?”
And it’s joy that’s kept them on stage all these years.
“My favorite part — and I never get tired of this — is seeing how much fun the kids and parents have. That’s it. It’s the spirit, it’s the spontaneity,” Gustafson added.
