Peter Ostroushko was a celebrated American fiddler, mandolinist and a Minnesota music legend.
Born August 12, 1953, Ostroushko grew up in the Ukrainian community in northeast Minneapolis and was a lifelong musician. He grew up a student of the well-known Minneapolis folk and blues scene including Dave “Snaker” Ray, “Spider”John Koerner and Tony “Little Sun” Glover.
Ostroushko’s career and range was widespread and eclectic. His first recording session was an uncredited mandolin player on Bob Dylan's “Blood on the Tracks.” He was a regular on MPR’s A Prairie Home Companion radio show for 40 years (and served as its music director at one time); performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; toured with Robin and Linda Williams, Norman Blake and Chet Atkins; and won a Regional Emmy award for 2005 PBS series “Minnesota: A History of the Land.”
Ostroushko passed away on February 24, 2021
January 31, 1987 - MPR’s Mark Heistad presents a profile of Minneapolis record label Red House Records. Heistad interviews label founder Bob Feldman, and folk musician Peter Ostroushko. Segment includes music clips from Red House Records studio.
June 2, 1995 - MPR’s Euan Kerr talks with master mandolin player Peter Ostroushko.
March 17, 1997 - MPR’s John Rabe talks with Minnesota musician Peter Ostroushko about his CD release “Pilgrims on the Heart Road."
January 24, 1998 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews Minnesota musician Peter Ostroushko about his new album “Pilgrims on the Heart Road."
May 23, 2001 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesota musicians John Koerner and Peter Ostroushko about tribute CD for Bob Dylan and their personal memories of the famed musician.
July 28, 2006 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews renowned Minnesota mandolin player Peter Ostroushko about his new album “Postcards.”