Scott Blankenbaker, head of the Riverland Community College’s Music Department, recently received a call from Brian Skinner, saying that his nationally-recognized vocal band, The Cat’s Pajamas, would be passing through southern Minnesota and had an open date. Would he be interested in booking them into Donovan Germain’s old stomping ground, the Frank W. Bridges Theatre for one-night only? Blankenbaker said, “Of course!”

Although, the time to promote the appearance was limited, Blankenbaker couldn't pass up on an opportunity to feature one of Riverland’s talented alums. “We are excited to be able to bring The Cat’s Pajamas to Austin. These guys were featured performers on NBC’s The Voice tour this summer and have built a reputation for their high-energy, high-quality performances.

Former Riverland student, Donovan Germain, sings high tenor with the group. While at Riverland, Donovan sang in the Riverland choirs, played in the Instrumental Ensemble and appeared in musical theatre productions.

After Riverland, Germain continued study at U.W.-LaCrosse and Winona State University, Donovan earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and returned to Riverland briefly to study voice and performed in summer alumni shows.

Germain then moved to the Twin Cities and formed his own a'cappella band, Up 'til 2, writing, arranging, and singing for them until he joined The Cat's Pajamas. The Cat's Pajamas are five men who create all the sounds of a band using only their voices. The group was formed in 2005 by Brian Skinner whose passion and drive for performing and music production is the heartbeat of The Cat's Pajamas.

The first time The Cat's Pajamas ever performed together was for the 2005 Oreo Cookie Jingle competition. They then recorded a demo and searched everywhere for gigs until their first big break when they were offered a six-month stint on Celebrity Cruise Lines as the in-house a'cappella group. After their first contract, The Cat's Pajamas moved on to be hired as guest entertainers by Norwegian Cruise Lines. The Cats performed 40 weeks a year on board NCL from 2007-2009, and quickly became their highest rated act. The Cats also found themselves on America's Got Talent and The Next Great American Band. After 3 years of perpetual cruising and touring on land, in the fall of 2009, The Cat's Pajamas decided to move down to Branson, Missouri. Since the move they've been performing over 200 shows a year! In the fall of 2011 The Cat's Pajamas reached millions of new viewers when they performed on NBC's hit show The Sing Off.

The Cat's Pajamas then were hand-picked by the amazing Andy Williams himself to continue his legacy at his Moon River Theatre in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, The Cat's Pajamas appeared five days a week in April, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, and the first week of December at the Music City Centre Theater on Branson’s strip, and will be headlining at Resorts Casino in Atlantic City, NJ in June, July, and August.

The Cat’s Pajamas will appear for one performance only on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on the Austin Campus. To purchase tickets online, www.riverland.edu/tickets. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for students. To learn more about Cat’s Pajamas or hear clip, www.vocalmeow.com.

The Riverland Music Department is an active and vital presence in the college and its communities. The department continues to grow in size and scope, offering a variety of courses, performances opportunities, and concerts. Some students involved in Riverland Music ensembles intend to be music majors, however participation is open to all students. Riverland's ensembles give regular performances throughout the state and region, and have appeared twice in Alice Tulley Hall (Lincoln Center), and twice in Carnegie Hall.