Love Advice with Sling Dave and Mad Mac

"A fundraiser definitely wouldn't be the same without Rev Dave" was recently overheard at one of our staff meetings. And it's true. From the musings of the Sinister Minister to the rants of the Hostile Apostle, Rev Dave brings many moods to the airwaves.

Mad Mac and Sling Dave
with Love advice

Today, for a special Valentine's Day On the River for the We the People fundraiser at KAXE, Sling Dave will join forces with Mad Mac to bring peace, love and understanding to Northern MN by offering love advice on the air from 9a-noon.

Wondering the best way to break up on Valentine's day? Call and ask! Need suggestions for the best "sorry about accidentally killing your pet fish" gift? They'll be giving away their expertise for FREE!!!

Tune in at 91.7 Grand Rapids, 89.9 Brainerd, 105.3 Bemidji, or streaming at http://www.kaxe.org from 9-Noon.

While you enjoy the show, pledge your support for authentic local media: KAXE, Northern Community Radio, 218-326-1234, 800-662-5799. It's quick and easy.

For nearly 35 years we've brought together the stories and voices of Northern MN. Our largest source of funding is listener MEMBERS who pledge what they can afford over the next year. From a 1 time payment of $50, to $10/a month, to $1000, whatever fits your budget, take that next step and keep KAXE going strong. Thanks!

Creepy Crawlies Are Nothing to be Scared Of

Everyone has something that gives them the creepy crawlies; snakes, worms, toads, spiders. While unique to each individual, they have the commonality of extreme discomfort; sweaty palms, shaky knees, dry mouth, flushing. Kitura Main from the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji came to the KAXE Studios to help us face our fears during the There's Nothing to be Scared of fundraiser. She brought along turtles, birds, and lizards, which didn't have quite the impact as the tarantula spider and corn snake (not to mention the boa).

Doug MacRostie, who has a long history of conflict with spiders, was uncomfortable days before the tarantula arrived, and nervous and sweaty just being in the room to take pictures, faced his fears and held the spider. "I thought the tips of her legs would hurt when they touched me...like pierce my skin, or scratch, or maybe just kill me instantly. But really, she was slow and gentle...and ******* scary looking."

Heidi Holtan, who has long had a discomfort with even small snakes, jumped right in and was the first person to hold the corn snake. "I didn't even think about it, I just did it," she said. Co-host John Bauer added, "It's because she's one of the Iron Range Maiden roller girls now, she's fearless, empowered."

KAXE Engineer Dan Houg noted, "We've all overcome something this afternoon, and I think it's because we're doing it together. That's building community at it's core." And that's what we're all about: building community in northern Minnesota.

Think of why you listen to KAXE, (or "Like" us on Facebook or Twitter, or stream us online, or check out our Photo Album). Whatever draws you to KAXE is something special that is made possible by listeners just like you who take the next step and pledge their financial support. Whether it's $5 a month, or $1 a day, every member is vital to our continued success as local, independent media. Pledge online, or call 800-662-5799.

Holy Winds and Fits of Rage on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Pat Surface has been creating music in Northern MN for over 30 years and his new CD with The Boundary Water Boys is called Holy Wind - an album inspired by Pat's deep spiritual beliefs with a mix of original and interpreted material. What got my attention right away about this CD was the integration of Pat's religious beliefs with some classic songs. How do you feel about Bob Marley re-written to sing, "Stir it up...for Jesus, Stir it up..."? I got beaned by that curve ball... But when I told some of my co-workers about the concept of this album and some of the unexpected twists, Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" with the words of "Amazing Grace" got the most riled up response. Mark Tarner said, "what ever happened to 'Thou shalt not bear false witness'?" I'll ask Pat about these "holy-oldies" this week on Centerstage MN, Thursday night at 6. And I'll be talking with John Wozniak of Marcy Playground.

The first time I picked up an electric guitar I was 12 years old (I think)...it was my Uncles "Terminator" (that's all I remember of the name, my cousin might remember the brand...it had a built in speaker that got nice and distorted if you turned it up loud enough :D). Back in high school, one of the albums I sat in my room and learned all the songs on was the self-titled Marcy Playground. Not just "Sex and Candy", but amazing tunes like 'A Cloak of Elven Kind" and "Opium" (one of the best songs EVER). The unique sound and style continued to evolve on Shapeshifter (1999) and MP3 (2004). But I think my favorite album from Marcy Playground is the new release Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage, and I am SO excited to have John Wozniak on Centerstage MN to talk about it.

Guitarist and singer with Marcy Playground, John Wozniak's songwriting for the Leaving Wonderland...In a Fit of Rage is his most personal to date. Seriously, I want to ask him why he didn't put himself naked on the cover! There is lost love, found love, self-reflection and pure emotion presented with John's trademark soft-yet-intense vocals & melodic music which twists and jumps through life's experiences through the eyes of John. Marcy Playground songs often sound sad, but hopeful; and I'll ask John about his inspiration for songwriting, where the music comes from and what it's like opening yourself up and sharing in such a personal way.

Here's a video of Gina Nordquist, Rob Wheeler and Marty Halverson of Chisholm's High Drama Blues live on Centerstage MN last week:


Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings 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.

From Peace Lovin' Hippies to Tattoo'd Freaks...

by Doug MacRostie

Variety is the spice of life, so let's heat things up shall we? How about going from early 70's folk rock to modern metal? You might think it can't be done, but on Centerstage MN Thursday nights at 6 on KAXE everything is possible :D

To start, I'll be talking with Steve Downing from Grand Rapids. He is one of the original members of Jericho Harp, a late 60's and 70's folk-rock band out of the St. Cloud area. From the humble beginnings of a couple guys playing their favorite tunes around the college circuit, to being produced by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and then the strangest twist-of-an-ending you can imagine for a 70's rock musician...

Then I will be talking with JJ Snell, a local musician and promoter from Marcell, now in Grand Rapids. JJ will bring in a snapshot of the current MN metal scene, and it's guaranteed to get loud. JJ has played in various bands across northern MN and brings local and national artist to the Ground Floor and other area venues and I can't wait to hear his perspective on the MN metal scene.

To fill in around these conversations I'll play a couple of my fav performers from last weekends 10,000 Lakes Festival in Detroit Lakes. There were many excellent MN bands in the line-up; hmmm...which will I play...

Centerstage MN is Thursday evenings 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.

The MN Music Rolls On

by Doug MacRostie

Featured tonight at 6 on Centerstage Minnesota (on 91.7 KAXE, streaming online at www.kaxe.org) I'll be featuring Jake Dilley and the Color Pharmacy and Preemptive Strike.

Jake Dilley's CD is called "Le Ballon Rouge" (the Red Balloon) and its a well crafted audio journey somewhere - I'm not sure WHERE yet, but I really enjoy it! I'll start off the show tonight with a set of music from it, and I'm thinking about having Jake on for an On Air Album Listening Session - more details on that in the near future.

Preemptive Strike are a hard rock band out of Floodwood. I'll talk with them about how the band started, why they went from covers to originals and how it feels to finally finish their debut CD "1st Shot."

I'll also be adding a new feature tonight - MN Music News; I've got announcements about both Trampled by Turtles and Charlie Parr (important stuff...you better tune in to find out!).

Other featured songs will be:
Uncle Shurley - an experimental rock group out of Bemidji
Swing Dogs - an american rock group out of Virginia, recorded at Sparta Sound
Wookiefoot - You've got to be the change you want to see in the world...
Kritical Kontact - 3 MCs and a DJ out of Duluth
The Gyspy Prophets - Form the Iron Range, also recorded at Sparta Sound
John Wilber & Timmy Haus - acoustic roots from McGregor, now out of St. Cloud

Next week my guests will be Lisa Kane and Thea Ennen - both well respected MN musicians (remember Thea and the Algorhythms?) . I am looking forward to talking with them (will definitely be a different perspective than the interview happening tonight, hehehe).

Tune in an enjoy on 91.7fm in Grand Rapids, 89.9 in Brainerd and 105.3 in Bemidji, or streaming live online at www.kaxe.org.

Thanks for reading along, and as always ROCK ON!
Doug

Read more of Doug's blogs at www.myspace.com/macedelic