The Alaska String Band, featuring the Zahasky Family, is back in South Texas for another season of entertaining Winter Texans with their unique Alaskan style music. The family performs with a guitar, twin violin-fiddles, a bass, percussion and vocals.

The family plays a variety of music including bluegrass, old time, gospel, swing, dawg, blues, Celtic, and original music. They often dress in costumes of their native Alaska.

Some of their music originated during the Alaskan Gold Rush. When in Alaska, they provide musical shows laced with stories about Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, and the local style of living, history, mining and native cultures.

Paul and Melissa have been making music in Juneau for 27 years. They began instructing their children at an early age and were delighted to find that the three children, Laura, Quinn and Abigail share their passion for music.

Paul, who is originally from Iowa, left home headed for sun and surf in California, but somehow wound up in Alaska instead where he met and made music with Melissa, who arrived in Alaska from California at age 3. Paul is a guitarist and songwriter, while Melissa was trained in the classical tradition of violin and voice. Her desire was to play flute, but when her brother abandoned a violin, she inherited the instrument. With years of practice and tutoring, she earned a seat in the Alaska Symphony Orchestra, prior to meeting Paul.

Laura went along papoose style while her parents entertained in Russia and Mexico. By age 10, she wanted her own microphone to perform. Told she had to practice her skills, she quickly started learning the ropes to violin/fiddle, guitar and mandolin. She also sings, earning her own microphone on occasion.

At an early age Quinn resisted the call of music, but by age 10 had settled on upright bass. Today, he is a rock-solid bass player.

Sensing she was missing all the fun, Abigail expressed a desire to join the band earlier than her siblings. She plays mandolin and takes the lead in song from time to time. She is also working on the violin-fiddle.

In the Rio Grande Valley, the Alaska String Band can be seen Jan. 27 at Circle T RV in Mission; Jan.  29, Park Place, Harlingen; Feb. 1, Country Palms RV Resort, San Juan; Feb. 2, Tip O’ Texas, Pharr; Feb. 4, Sunshine RV, Harlingen; Feb. 7, Tropical Valley Acres, Mission; Feb. 8, Long Island Village, Port Isabel; Feb 8 & 9, the Chicken House Opry, Mission; Feb. 10, 1015 RV Park, Weslaco (6:30 p.m.); Feb. 12, Alamo Rec-Veh Park; Feb. 14, Leisure World MH Park, Weslaco; Feb. 15, McAllen Mobile Park; Feb. 16, Winter Ranch, Alamo, (6 p.m.); Feb. 18, Restful Valley Ranch, Mission; Feb. 19, Alamo Palms, (6 p.m.).  All shows are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Call 907-321-5471 for more information.