MorningBird is singer-songwriter Rob Wheeler and violinist Jill Burkes, both from the Hibbing area. Burkes started off playing Finnish folk music on the violin when she was a child, and then moved into more classically trained music. Wheeler has played guitar since he was a teenager, beginning with heavy metal riffs, but he expanded into old country music and eventually all genres. The two harmonize together on classic folk covers and originals. Last year they recorded the EP Cosmic Escape at Birch Bay Studios with Christopher David Hanson. This summer they are embarking on a new project with St. Cloud musician Charlie Roth in which they will be his backup band, the Range Wheelers.