History:

Friendship Dues was a hippie folk trio from Pipestone, Minnesota. The trio consisted of guitarists Jeff Rohr and Warren Hanson along with Jon Lindekugel on bass. I am not 100% sure if Lindekugel was the third member of the trio or if it was singer Mel Ford.

Lindekugel and Hanson both contributed to recordings by fellow Minnesota group Sonfolk. Sonfolk was a gospel / folk band from the St. Paul area. Lindekugel played guitar on their first album in 1972. Hanson contributed fiddle to their second album in 1973. 

The trio most likely played campgrounds and other small venues. They appeared to be heavily inspired by Crosby, Stills and Nash along with James Taylor and Neil Young. Friendship Dues eventually came up with the idea of releasing a split album. One side would be a live set while the flip would consist of studio recordings. The live set features a more psychedelic folk sound. The flip is more traditional acoustic folk rock. 

The trio became a quintet on the album. Mel Ford sang both harmony and lead vocals on a number of tracks. Jeff Rohr and Warren Hanson both played acoustic guitars and sang lead and backing vocals. Lindekugel played upright bass and was also credited for french horn which is nowhere to be found on the recording. Grant Rohr, Jeff's brother, played piano and organ on several tracks. 

The album, titled "Absolutely Nothing" was released in a very limited quantity on Mark Records. Two original compositions were performed along with covers of CSN, Neil Young and Elton John. It's a very obscure recording as only three known copies are out there. The back cover appears to feature the musicians at a campground or commune. 

Jeff Rohr would eventually become a reverend like his father. I believe Grant Rohr is still a pianist. The band didn't record any follow up.