SimpleGifts – Looking Ahead to 2021

The Young and the Rest…

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming shows!

2021 Parkway Series

Click link to watch:
Feb 14th with Michael Monroe
Feb 21st with Jennifer and Joe
Feb 28th with Kathleen Johnson
March 7th with Nicholas David
March 14th with Laura MacKenzie
March 21st with Jeff Arundel
March 28th with Chris Koza
April 4th with Willie Wisely
April 11th with SOFIA
April 18th with Turn Turn Turn
April 25th with Annie Mack
May 2nd with Peter Mayer

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Donations to support SimpleGifts during this challenging time are greatly appreciated.

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin
Experience “The Young & The Rest…”!

Meet the Band
SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin presents: The Young & The Rest...

Watch Video
Enjoy the Experience
Exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system.

Watch Videos

1 2 3

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin
Experience “The Young & The Rest…”!
The Young & The Rest...
Enjoy the Experience
Exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system.

1 2 3

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound.

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound.

2021 “The Young & The Rest…” Schedule!

“The Young and the Rest…” is all about women bringing new life to music made famous by men. Clearly a tribute, this show is better described as a girl-powered reboot of acoustic hits and deep tracks by Neil Young, CSN, America, The Eagles and more by the siren-voices of SimpleGifts (Heather Moen/Karen Paurus/Amy Courts) with a Celtic twist provided by Laura MacKenzie (whistles/flutes/bagpipe). Acoustic guitar by Billy McLaughlin with top-shelf bass and drums. Not to be missed among your tribute show choices! (See video below)

2021 Shows to be announced

About SimpleGifts

As long-time fans will tell you, SimpleGifts makes musical magic by bringing a modern flair to traditional Christmas carols and hymns. Staying close to the heart of Christmas by avoiding commercial and pop holiday repertoire has become the trademark of this award winning six-piece ensemble.

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound. There is nothing ordinary about the arrangements this team delivers both in the studio and in concert. Seen by over 20,000 live audience members last season, this group continues to grow in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest and has successfully transitioned from their early days in coffeehouses and small listening rooms to prestigious performing art centers and larger churches.

In 2018 the group started to expand their shows to year-round with a new project entitled The Young & The Rest… An acoustic tribute to Neil Young and the rest of your favorite artists who defined an era and whose popularity endures – Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, America and more.

With little media attention, SimpleGifts is arguably the most successful MN holiday-themed project celebrating exclusively traditional hymns and carols interpreted in modern arrangements. Fueled by grassroots fans since 2001, the 18th Annual SimpleGifts 2019 Holiday “Christmastide” Tour includes close to 20 concerts between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve in the Twin Cities metro or close proximity. Music from the group’s most recent CD “This Christmastide” and previous five critically acclaimed releases will be featured. The ensemble’s previous CD, Wintergrace, is characterized by local music critic, Jim Walsh:

“…one of the most elegant and listenable Christmas collections of this or any year — “WinterGrace” from the Billy McLaughlin-led local collective SimpleGifts” – MinnPost

With exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system, SimpleGifts puts community celebration ahead of commercialization – pulling the audience into the sublime side of traditional repertoire in a truly meaningful Christmas event. Expect modern arrangements with an “Old-world” feel highlighting Billy’s signature acoustic-guitar, angelic three-part harmony vocals, bagpipes, Celtic flutes, violin, piano and tasty atmospheric percussion.

Click here to read Musician Profiles

With All Our Deepest Love and Gratitude!

Heather Moen Garborg Portrait 2019 - St Paul Photo Co

Heather Garborg Moen has displayed her heart with abundant love in SimpleGifts for over a decade. She now is displaying that same love to focus on her family — husband Lee, daughters Adeline and Esther. Heather is stepping away from the spotlight that she commanded with talent and charisma after contributing greatly to the evolution of SimpleGifts. I can’t be happier for her and equally sad for this chapter in all our lives to end!

Let’s all send love and cheers to Heather — the voice, the violinist, the pianist and Norwegian advocate; my long-time “co-pilot” and dear creative friend; nothing is meant to stay the same forever — but we sure DID make magic with you — and that magic lives on!

God Bless you Heather!
– Billy

Upcoming Shows

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What people are saying:

My first and definitely not my last visit to the Marine on St Croix Town Hall to spend time with SimpleGifts... what a fantastic night of wonderful music, angelic voices, extraordinary talent and humor... and the ambiance of that old 1875 hall....what an experience... thank you!

K. Zaspel

As 'newbies' we thoroughly enjoyed your performance last night in Zumbrota. We are looking to make this an annual tradition!

B. Meinhardt

Thank you for making the pilgrimage to perform in Albert Lea this morning! As always, a most enjoyable set... again, Thank You!

G. Robinson

This was one of the BEST concerts I've seen. Great Christmas music. I highly recommend it for all.

H. Stone

I have seen simple gifts perform nearly every Christmas for several years now and they never cease to amaze with their amazing talent and sheer musical inspiration.

J. Beckman

Just listening to the new CD. It is beautiful! Wonderful job to all of you. Looking forward to seeing the show at St. Stephen!!

Jennifer V.

Thank you for a great show last night in Omaha! This MN-girl transplant is thankful for a taste of home down here in NE.

Janna A.

Your CDs make heavy rotations every Christmas season..in fact we're already playing your music! Have a blessed Christmas to all of you.

Chad and Tabitha A.

"Great show this afternoon! My girls and I are such big fans! Thanks for starting out our holiday season perfectly!

Mary A.

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SimpleGifts – Looking Ahead to 2021

The Young and the Rest…

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming shows!

2021 Parkway Series

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin presents: The Young & The Rest...

Enjoy the Experience

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin

The Young & The Rest...

Enjoy the Experience

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

2021 “The Young & The Rest…” Schedule!

About SimpleGifts

Click here to read Musician Profiles

With All Our Deepest Love and Gratitude!

Upcoming Shows

SimpleGifts News

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