For The Cortez Journal

Musician and vocalist Marilyn Kroeker will serve as Mesa Verde National Park’s Artist in Residence from Sept. 28 through Oct. 11. Marilyn and her band, Sweetwater Station, will give a free public performance on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Far View Lodge Lounge, upstairs from the park’s Metate Room.

Kroeker will spend her residency exploring the park and composing music with her bandmates – Chris Rasmussen, Raymond Rose, and Paul Berkowitz. All members are involved in composing for the band, and Kroeker has recorded four CDs to date.

We certainly hope our local fans will visit us in this setting. We expect to have some new material from the residency ready. Just knowing we are going is an inspiration,” said Marilyn. “We look forward to reflecting our experience musically.”

Sweetwater Station has been together for two years. They are distinctive primarily for their female vocal duo. The vocalists are accompanied by solid bass and lead mandolin. They play regularly throughout the region, and have performed on the main stage at Mancos, Dolores, and Cortez festivals this year, as well as The Tavern on Elm Street and the Sunflower Theatre. Their upcoming appearances include the Mancos Balloon Festival on Sept. 26 and 27.

In October 2009 she was awarded a residency for her watercolor work. In addition to her musical pursuits, Marilyn is a potter and the proprietor of Raven House Gallery in Mancos.