Concert Event of the Summer is THIS Saturday!!!

by Doug MacRostie

From inventive roots music to straight-up rock, the Mississippi River Festival is going to ROCK this year!!! For our 5th Annual MRF comin' up THIS Saturday we're featuring MN musicians under the Rotary Tent at KAXE's amphitheater on the North bank of the Mississippi River in downtown Grand Rapids, and seriously - I can't decide which band I am most excited to see. Plus, the forecast for Saturday is Mostly Sunny and 75 (has held steady since last weekend, w000t :D).

As part of our preperation for Saturday, this week on Centerstage MN I'll be featuring highlights of music and conversation with each of the bands; Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Clawthroat and Sick of Sarah.

I'll start off with some bits and pieces of my conversation w Joseph Downing of Clawthroat, talking about the new EP "Know Yr Roots," AND, Joseph brought along his guitar and debuted a BRAND NEW SONG which we'll also hear.

While I haven't had the opportunity to get Hans Blix and Weapons Inspectors on for an interview, I do have a secret demo recording from a few years back to play. This 6 piece traditional acoustic string band has been hanging out in Brainerd waiting for the next call from the United Nations.... :D

Then we'll hear highlights from my conversation w Ian and Teague Alexy of the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. I talked with them about their latest experimental EP 'One for the Time Capsule," and they each announce their top Dylan album.

And we'll hear Abisha Uhl and Jamie Holm talking about the self-titled debut CD "Sick of Sarah." Abisha grew up in Japan (east of China) and is lead-singer and guitarist, Jamie Holm grew up in Clearbrook (west of Bemidji) and plays bass and sings backup vocals.

Again, the MRF this Saturday is going to be a great time! Tix are $25, 19 and under is just $15, and KAXE members get a $10 discount, 12 and under are free, and bring your own chairs and coolers. You can order tickets online HERE, or call KAXE at 218-326-1234. Oh, and did you see the cover story from Scenes and Screens in the Grand Rapids Herald?

Centerstage MN is Thursday evening's at 6, streaming live online at www.KAXE.org; or 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd and 105.3 Bemidji. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org and the show is rebroadcast Sunday mornings at 6.