Dell Rapids musician inducted into South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Guest column by Craig Kumerfield

Jeff Schwebach (left) and Mark Nelson, who formed the Cartwright Brothers band in 1989, were recently inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. (Photo credit: Craig Kumerfield)

Dell Rapids financial adviser and musician Jeff Schwebach was inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Association Hall of Fame in a recent event held at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls.

Jeff makes up half of the enormously popular Cartwright Brothers. The other half is fellow inductee and close friend, Mark Nelson. The two have been delighting enthusiastic audiences for the past 30 years.

Formed in 1989 as a two-piece acoustic act, the Cartwright Brothers soon began writing parody music that was incorporated into their show.

They were chosen to perform and host the 1992 National Association for Campus Activities Showcase, and in 1993 they were hired as the house entertainment at the Bavarian Gardens at Lake Okoboji. They played there to a packed house for over 10 years. According to a writer for the Iowa State newspaper,  “The Cartwright Brothers are to Lake Okoboji as Jimmy Buffet is to Cancun!” Ironically, the Cartwrights became the first band other than Jimmy Buffet to play in his Margaritaville Nightclub in Cancun.

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Over the years, the Cartwrights have added more members, which they call the “Split Pea Band.” Together they have recorded three successful CDs of original music.

The Cartwrights have shared the stage with many famous bands over the years, including Pat Benatar, Kansas, Head East, Lonestar and Confederate Railroad. Their versatility as comedians has allowed them to perform with Bobcat Goldthwait, Dave Chappelle and Kevin Nealon, to name a few.

The band’s first quarter century culminated in 2014 with a 25th anniversary show at the Orpheum Theater, playing to a nearly packed house.

Biographical details about the Cartwright Brothers are from Craig Kumerfield’s book, “Dell Rapids, A Walk through History.”