Trampled by Turtles "Concert for Conservation"

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's
“Concert for Conservation”
Featuring Trampled by Turtles

Thursday, February 29 | 7:30 p.m.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, in partnership with Pepper Entertainment, are proud to announce the first-ever Concert for Conservation, featuring Trampled by Turtles w/Chester Floyd & Carl Hansen LIVE at Washington Pavilion on Thursday, February 29, in Sioux Falls. Kicking off weekend festivities ahead of National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, all concert proceeds will benefit Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s upland conservation mission.

Sponsored by:

Trampled by Turtles is a Minnesota-based American bluegrass-influenced folk band. Dave Simonett, the band’s lead vocalist and guitar player, has become an avid bird hunter, bird dog owner, conservation advocate, as well as a member of both Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever over the last few years. In fact, the band has participated in multiple “Trampled by Pheasants” and “Trampled by Quail” membership campaigns resulting in more than a thousand new PF & QF members.

Chester Floyd works in production for MeatEater, passionately contributing to conservation efforts in every way possible. For him, conservation means preserving what he holds dearest: family, the great outdoors and the soulful tunes of good music. Chester will be sharing the stage with Carl Hansen, a multifaceted musician from Montana. Both are thrilled and deeply honored to open for Trampled by Turtles, recognizing that this isn't just an ordinary performance; it's an opportunity to support wildlife and raise funds for the conservation of the invaluable treasures they hold close to their hearts.

Simonett offered his thoughts about the concert collaboration, “I love being able to bring together two of my favorite parts of life: music and the outdoors. The Concert for Conservation happening right alongside National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic does just that. We can’t wait to play a show that points people towards Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s undying mission of habitat creation and conservation.”

Simonett initially formed the group as a side project in 2003 after losing most of his music gear, thanks to a group of enterprising car thieves who'd ransacked his vehicle while playing a show with his previous band. Left with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, he began piecing together a new band, this time taking inspiration from bluegrass, folk and other genres that didn't rely on amplification. He filled his lineup with other newcomers to the genre, including fiddler Ryan Young, bassist Tim Saxhaug, mandolinist Erik Berry and banjo player Dave Carroll. The group has carved out a fast, frenetic sound that is owed as much to rock & roll as bluegrass.