Staff photo by Fritz Busch Amy and Terry Zinniel of New Ulm stand in front of the stage at the Party by the Pond concert at Zinniel Utility Contracting Saturday.

NEW ULM — Hundreds of people heard a variety of music at the Party on the Pond at Zinniel Utility Contracting in the northwest corner of New Ulm Saturday.

The music was mellow at first with Chris Bertrand doing Arlo Gutherie and The Grateful Dead covers with his accoustic guitar before doing a few of his own folk and blues music.

Mankato-based IV Play followed with a variety of rock music. HickTown Mafia finished with country and rock music.

For several years, Amy and Terry Zinniel of New Ulm said they thought about creating a non-profit organization to benefit needy people.

On Saturday, the first annual Party by the Pond outdoor concert with food, beverages and merchandise was held at Zinniel Utility Contracting, 4 Somsen Street, in the northwest corner of New Ulm.

Terry Zinniel said about 900 people attended the event.

“It was a great time. We plan to hold it again on Aug. 24, 2024.”

“We like music and want to give back to the community we created this. We’re starting a non-profit (organization), Music for a Mission and donate the profits back to non-profit organizations in the community,” Terry Zinniel said.

“We wanted to do something to get everyone involved and give everything back,” said Amy Zinniel.

“The focus is the four pillars of the organization are family, children, private education and community,” she said. “It was purposely done to benefit any need here. We’re excited.”

Formerly a musician with the bands Cold-Blooded Whiskey, Schell’s Angels and Lavender Town, Terry Zinniel said the thought of creating a concert to benefit the needy began several years ago.

Amy and Terry Zinniel’s daughter Kelsie Woitas performs with the band Hicktown Mafia which closed out the concert Saturday night.

“You could think about it forever, but if you don’t try it, how to do you know?,” she added. “The love of music and performing brings people together.”

The Zinniels said they hope their non-profit organization is fully functional within a year.

“We thought our business site was a good place to do it,” Terry Zinniel said.

“We reached out to the City of New Ulm to find out just what we had to do,” Amy Zinniel said. “Everyone has been great. It shows how great the community is. We just want to keep it going. We have a good thing here. We’re really passionate about it. We just want to give back.”

“The New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and City of New Ulm have been really good,” said Terry Zinniel. “We have so many volunteers that stuck so much time into this.”

“We’re really thankful to everyone. They have all worked so hard. We couldn’t do it without them,” added Amy.

Terry Zinniel said he has connections to all the bands including New Ulm native Chris Bertrand and IV Play.

“Chris Bertrand, a New Ulm native, and I played in Schell’s Angels together,” said Terry. “We know Tyler, the owner of IV Play. We’re good friends with all the musicians.”

“We know that everyone likes these bands and their music. We just want to give everyone a good show and a good time,” said Amy Zinniel. “We’re very grateful and thankful for everyone’s help and support.”

“We decided if we’re going to do it, we’re going all out with our effort,” said Terry Zinniel.

A folk and rock music performer at area establishments, Bertrand opened on stage with a number of vintage tunes including the Grateful Dead’s “Truckin’,” Arlo Guthrie’s “Motorcycle Song,” Stump Juice’s “Miss My Moonshine,” plus “Bootlegger Blues” and “Thirsty in the Rain.”

Donner said his band has opened for the Blackhawks and Little Texas bands among others.

Hicktown Mafia lead guitarist Jody Sommervold of Marshall said he liked the concert created to raise money for the needy.

Mankato-based IV Play that includes singer, keyboardist and guitarist Lantz Dale of New Ulm, followed. Dale former performed with Boogie Wonderland, Tim Mahoney, and Big Wup.

Drummer Steve Ridler of Mankato, a social worker during the work week, said he supports raising money particularly for needy children.

Bass player James Radloff of Mankato, a printer by day, said he enjoyed helping raise money for anybody in need.

“I’ve been blessed. I do volunteer work work for the Salvation Army and social services.” said Radloff.