Band History

Back in the summer of 1995, a local Elbow Lake, MN musician, Jay Johnson, was starting up a church band for a Vacation Bible School service. He had everyone lined up for the band but a drummer. He asked Tim Melin (just out of 8th grade) to play the drums, which he played in the school band. Jay and Tim talked about how cool it would be to start a real rock 'n' roll band. Jay didn't know of anyone who played the bass guitar or the guitar, so Tim volunteered to play the guitar so he could also sing, and Jay recruited Tyler Jensen to play the bass guitar. They came together with keyboard player Jake Leis and drummer Adam Hanson.

Due to other interests, Jake didn't stay with the group through 1995. With the interest of having a full sound, Adam moved to the lead guitar so he could sing back-up vocals, and also to make way for a stronger drummer. The band then asked Jeremy Johnson to play the drums. Searching for an identity, the band went through many name changes (including Tequila Mockingbird, The Bent Corners, Tastes Like Chicken, and Static). They decided on SkyWalker because they were not used to technology, so when they had real microphones, they each took a turn saying "Luke, I am your father" from Star Wars.

The moment finally came when SkyWalker was to play their first gig. It was at a section speech meet, and it was exciting. Though the crowd wasn't jumping up and down and going crazy like they'd hoped, they were singing along and occasionally dancing. After the show, SkyWalker signed autographs for about ten people. They played their first paying gig that Labor Day at Tipsinah Mounds Campground (by this time, Adam had parted ways with the band), where they were asked back for the following 4th of July.

The years went on and under Jay's teaching, SkyWalker learned some intricate details about booking concerts and developing a stage presence, and eventually began doing the work for themselves. Jay was always there if they needed help, and they weren't afraid to ask for help, but it was time to grow. On the band's second annual July 4th concert, in 1997, they were spotted by WolfTrax Productions manager Alan Young and producer Kimber Young. They talked after the show, but did not follow up on any plans.

The next year, 1998, was important for SkyWalker. On their own, they asked Matt Endreson to play keyboards, but after one show, the plan somewhat fizzled out. Later that year, for a trial show only, SkyWalker experimented. With Adam back on lead guitar, Matt Endreson on trumpet, Bill Myron on trombone, and Chad Olson on saxophone, the new "SkaWalker" was created, playing ska music. It turned out that that was not the kind of music that SkyWalker wanted. However, they noticed a dedicated sax player in Chad Olson and had him practice with them after the show. About one month later, Chad was added to the ranks of SkyWalker.

Things were going well, when WolfTrax called Tim and they decided that a relationship could be made between the band and the company. They worked together at every show and provided much better sound equipment than the band owned.

On a whim, Alan Young asked the band if they wanted to make their first CD. As you know, they said yes, and began working on Sarcasm & Sincerity in June of 1998. After a summer full of touring and promoting the CD, one problem arose. The CD could not be finished until January of 1999.

After the CD was finally released, a few more concerts were played by "WolfTrax Recording Artists, SkyWalker", but tension grew between the band and WolfTrax. That June, the one-year verbal contract was terminated, to the benefit of both parties.

With the help of Ryan Sauer on sound, and Jay doing whatever he could to help, SkyWalker was a fully-functional independent band. Derek Blechinger was added to SkyWalker for a short period of time, on back-up vocals and flute (where appropriate).

The summer of 1999 was another big touring event, with the Summer Sarcastic Tour, but there was a problem. Tyler often had to work or was out of town, therefore missing important practices and a few shows. The rest of the band was improving greatly under a grueling practice schedule, but Tyler just fell behind. From August 6th to September 3rd, 1999, the band had five big concerts: two in Elbow Lake, one in Hoffman, one in Wheaton, and the Minnesota State Fair talent contest. The band was looking and sounding better than ever, and the crowds grew with each show. By the show in Hoffman, fifty people were waiting at the doors before they opened. However, that was Tyler's last full concert with the band, since he had to miss the show in Wheaton.

Currently, SkyWalker is trying to make a name for themselves in the Twin Cities music scene, and the band consists of Tim Melin on vocals and guitar, Jeremy Johnson on drums, Chad Olson on saxophone, and Jesse Batesole, also from West Central Area High School, on bass guitar.

SkyWalker has over thirty songs to choose from for their second CD (three songs are already recorded), In Your Scene, which is in pre-production right now. And SkyWalker guarantees everyone, "This record will make us big." Hopefully, the next update to this page will be about which major label they are choosing to go with.

If you want to get in touch with SkyWalker, or sign up for the mailing list (The Force), go to the contact page.

Go here to learn about the current members of SkyWalker.

You are fan number to see this site!