Peter Ostroushko

Our guest on Points North is composer, mandolin master and multi-instrumentalist Peter Ostroushko who is the walking, working definition of a multi-tasking, creative artist.

Working and residing in the Minneapolis area, Ostroushko was born 60 years ago. After immersing himself in traditional Ukrainian music, as well as the folk and pop music of the day, Ostroushko was living the life of a performing artist by the time he was twenty. 

By the mid-eighties his resume included tours and recording dates with the likes of Norman Blake and Chet Atkins, and to this day he remains uncredited on record and CD releases for his mandolin playing on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks album.  He has also worked with Robin and Linda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Johnny Gimble, Greg Brown, John Hartford, and The Radiators.

Solo albums of his original compositions, which draw on a vast number of influences, have been released regularly by Red House Records, which is conveniently based in his hometown. As an avid listener to the work of Peter Ostroushko, I can say Blue Mesa, Sacred Heart and Postcards are just three of many Ostroushko releases that I highly recommend.

Ostroushko’s work can also be heard as part of soundtracks to Mark Twain and the Ken Burns films Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery.

This remarkable musician has also been a major contributor to the Garrison Keillor-hosted Prairie Home Companion on NPR radio for years.

A couple of months ago Red House released Ostroushko’s three-disc set The Mando Chronicles, a deep well of music compartmentalized into Americana, Old World and a combined disc of Classical and South Americana performances.
Don’t miss our conversation with Peter Ostroushko:
Part One - Sunday May 19 at 3pm, rebroadcast Tuesday May 21 at 6pm
Part Two - Sunday May 26 at 3pm, rebroadcast Tuesday May 28 at 6pm

Peter North
Host/Producer, Points North