Dakota Bob started out labeled Harmonica Bob, by the friends who ran the Acoustic Cafe in Sumner, WA , Where Bob Mader has resided for the past 15 years. His son, living in L.A. California, found a guy also named Harmonica Bob from Southern Oregon. Upon a quick exchange of msgs., this guy informed the son and Bob that he had a patent on the name, Harmonica Bob, and demanded that it not be shared to anyone else. Mr. Mader after reading the msg, and not being the type of guy to want to start negative things, Emailed the guy back and said, " No Problem, I will switch to---????? Dakota Bob!

With this new name Dakota Bob was soon hooked with some other musicians and then he started learning many old Chicago Blues tunes, and becoming a respected musician with "'The Blues Cronies".

But where did this musical talent come from late in life? Well it turned out Bob Mader was fighting a terminal disease, and the Dr prescribed interferon, which had bad side effects. The most common being flu like symptoms, and insomnia.” As Bob headed for Portland each day, He had to stop and take a nap just 10 minutes from home. Bob wouldn’t get to Portland until after lunch, feeling exhausted and sick. About that time Bob Mader made a practice tape of a Little Walter song.

Then on the next trip to Portland, Bob was a playing the harp as he headed south. Every thing was different, and he was wide awake, and feeling the best that he had felt in months. It was amazing how good he felt, so Bob Mader kept that harp in his mouth hours a day for a couple of years.

Then Bob started Playing at music jams in Seattle, Federal Way, Tacoma and Portland among others.

Then One night Bob accepted a gig at a neighborhood tavern close to his Portland house, The blues Cronies did not want to make the 2.5 hr trip south, so Bob asked these young guys from a Jazz band to back him up, they said sure were all over it replied the bass player. We love that Little Walter stuff you do. 1 demo CD later, and after a dozen gigs, they are all sounding good and having a blast."

Those young guys had a positive attitude and learned fast and were amazing musicians. They had been doing the Jazz band thing as youngsters and performing around the greater Portland area for years in The Seven Year Tango Jazz band.

Meeting some musicians in Sioux Falls was next, and putting together a show of roots blues has been met with much enthusiasm. From now on with the Bi yearly trips back to visit friends and relatives, there's gigs scheduled and fun is being had by all. While being treated for "Hep C" Bob was sick for 10 years.

Bob Mader was cured in 1999 with a new medicine called Riboviron along with the Interferon. In his trials and tribulations, Bob has become very optimistic, having the time of his life, being very close to his family with two Daughters living at his home, Dannielle 13, and Gloria 16.

Dakota Bob Says: When there both past 18,

He is retiring and travelling the world,

playing the blues and jazz and meeting more

wonderful people.