Formed in the 90s by Todd Hanson of Rice Lake, Todd “Fritz” Fitzgerald, Bob Cumming, and Les Jones, Reason One spent its first years based out of Baudette, MN, performing in the northern Minnesota/North Dakota region. After various member changes, including obtaining guitarist and songwriter Travis Lynch from Cumberland, WI, and a short hiatus, the group decided to record at Fitzgerald’s studio “Winterland” in the Twin Cities.

They recorded 12 tracks during that session, seven of which appear on the band’s newly released album Little Red. The album was produced by Fitzgerald and put out by Organic Jones Records, their own label. The cover art might look familiar, as it features a bartender from Rice Lake.

The current list of members includes founders Hanson, Fitzgerald (now as the producer), Lynch as an occasional contributor, and new members Howie T. (drums), Logan Tremblay (bass) of Bloomer, and Mike Miller (lead guitar) of Eau Claire.

In addition to the CD, Reason One also shot music videos for the tracks Baby Are You Lonely? and Ghosts, which can be seen on YouTube. The band is currently trying to line up a CD release party in Eau Claire sometime in January, but until then you can catch them at The Underground in Bloomer on New Year’s Eve. As for the five tracks that did not make it onto the album, Hanson hints at the possibility of an EP release sometime in the future.