Last Christmas Eve, my family and I found ourselves with canceled plans thanks to COVID. While figuring out what to do next, my mom mentioned she had seen that the McCullough Brothers were performing at the Landing Sports Bar in Two Harbors that evening. A fan of KBJR 6 TODAY, where one half of the duo, Hunter McCullough, serves as meteorologist, she said she would be interested in going. So we piled into Dad’s truck on the snowy evening and headed out.
It was our first time at the Landing, and the party was already hopping. Despite the crowd, we were able to belly up to the bar and get drinks quickly from friendly, courteous bartenders. Once settled in, it was easy to become fascinated by the energy and sheer depth of Hunter and his brother Colton’s repertoire. The McCullough Brothers can really do it all.
Their Facebook page advises, “We take requests. Sure, we butcher a small percent of those requests. But it’s always a good time.”
I didn’t hear any butchering that evening as the band took on Elton John, Billy Joel, Queen, Pearl Jam, and anything else anyone threw at them with ease. It was definitely a good time.
The McCullough Brothers have been playing at the Landing on Christmas Eve since 2015. That same year, the brothers began singing at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Two Harbors, something that has remained part of the tradition.
“Please join us again this year,” the brothers encourage. “Everyone is welcome.”
After church, the McCullough Brothers head to the Landing, where they play for a few hours and cover an impressive variety of music.
“We have heard from some patrons that they are alone at Christmas and that it means a lot to them to spend this time with festive people and hearing some Christmas songs,” the brothers said. “This is what means the most to us! Music is felt deep in the soul. We are thankful to share that with everyone.”
Sharing their music goes far beyond the Landing’s annual Christmas Eve gig, especially here in Two Harbors.
“Two Harbors is one of the places that we call home,” they said. “We were born in Duluth, raised in Brimson, and went to school in Two Harbors.”
They credit the area and the support they’ve received with helping them continue their musical journey.
“The Two Harbors community has been so supportive and has had a huge part of our success. Both as our duet band, The McCullough Brothers, and our full band, The Northwood’s Band,” they said. “Two Harbors has been beside us every step of the way. We are so grateful!”
They also said, “Lovin’ Lake County has been very good to us.” The brothers have headlined the Two Harbors Heritage Street Dance beginning in their high school years and for several years after. They’ve appeared multiple times on KTWH 99.5, played the Winter Frolic Festival, and performed at the Legion during the Moonlight Music Series street dances.
They’ve also played in the private ALS Blizzard Tour event for several years at Black Woods until it moved to Grand Rapids. (They would like you to know that on February 13, “IT’S BACK in TWO HARBORS, BABY!”)
The Northwoods Band has won the Duluth News Tribune’s Best Local Band award every year since the award’s inception in 2018. The brothers also wanted to give “a huge shout-out to Leanne and the staff at The Landing! They work their tails off throughout the year! We can’t wait to see you next week!”
The McCullough Brothers will perform live at The Landing Sports Bar on December 24 from 7–10 p.m. The Landing has posted that they “can’t wait!” and I can personally attest that it’s promised to be a great night of music and fun.
As they close out their Christmas Eve show, the tradition wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Kwik Trip for a late-night Christmas dinner.
“It started as something fun after the gigs because Kwik Trip was the only place open so late,” the brothers explained. “But, after this long, it definitely is a part of our treasured tradition!”
