Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Band Pays Tribute to South Dakota's First Poet Laureate

The Badger Sett Band

Guitarist and singer Pegie Douglas says the poetry of Badger Clark fits naturally to music. She's the leader of the Badger Sett Band which wants to keep the poetry of Clark alive.

Born January 1, 1883 in Albia, Iowa, Badger Clark was brought by his family to the Dakota Territory at the age of just three months. His Methodist Minister father developed a homestead near Plankinton to recover from Civil War injuries. Clark attended Dakota Wesleyan University before his restlessness took him to Cuba and Arizona. After returning to South Dakota, Badger Clark built a cabin in Custer State Park known as the Badger Hole. Clark was named South Dakota's first poet laureate in 1937, and was asked to write poetry on many occasions of state and national events. His poems have become part of the folklore of the West.  

The Badger Sett band has performed around the state over the past several years and plays a summer concert at the Historic Adams House in Deadwood this evening. Pegie Douglas, leader of the Badger Sett Band, joined Dakota Midday to explain Badger Clark’s importance to the band and South Dakota.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.