The 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival

by Doug MacRostie

OMG, this is going to be awesome! The 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival is THIS Sat. starting at Noon and the forecast as of Tuesday: partly cloudy/partly sunny with temps in the low 80s and only a 20% chance of rain. Be prepared - maybe have a raincoat or tarp just-in-case, feel free to bring your own chairs & coolers, there will be food & soda/ice coffee/root beer floats by the Grand Rapids Kiwanis Club. And there will be a table of handmade goods by KAXE members including wild rice, clothing, jewelry, honey, soap, wood-turned bowls and more.

And we haven't even talk about the music yet! I'm torn on who I'm most excited to see, but Scott Hall said on the Morning Show that, "Doug thinks Eilen Jewell will be the big surprise," so I'll go with that :p And yeah, I've wanted to see her perform since the first time I heard her new-style of roots music on KAXE. I'm also really pumped to see Willie Murphy, partly because who he is and what he represents (having helped define the sound of R&B and Soul music and a prolific Blues career) and also because I know he's going to make everyone dance. When I interviewed him on Centerstage MN last year that was one thing that he made perfectly clear, "I like longer songs because they're better for dancing, and my music is all about dancing." Hell yeah.

But wait, there's more. The day will kick off with Pelican Railroad from Bemidji, a rockin' blues band (or was it a bluesy rock band, lol) - they play regularly in the Bemidji area, and we are really excited to bring their good-time to Grand Rapids. And, another son-of-Bemidji will be performing: Steve Kaul and The Brass Kings. To quote myself, "Steve Kaul is the caliber of guitarist you compare with the likes of Doc Watson, Leo Kottke and Bruce Cockburn." Check out the video of Steve playing at our studios below :) The Brass Kings are a world-class roots/blues trio.

And we've also got Keri Noble, a soul-pop artist from Minneapolis - in her late teens she was inspired by Joni Mitchell's "Blue" to start writing her own music. Her music is about relationships (not just the romantic kind), "as a kind of closure...you have to feel music." She will be my guest this week on Centerstage MN - so tune in for that preview.

That's the 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival this Sat., July 17th from Noon-8:30pm. Tickets for this full day of excellent music are just $40 and KAXE members get a $10 discount. 13-18 year olds are $10 and kids 12 and under are free. Call 218-326-1234 to get your tickets and more info, or go to KAXE.org. See you Saturday!

Here's Steve Kaul of The Brass Kings performing in our conference room (the studio was being "upgraded" at the time, hehehe):

sneak peek at the performers of 6th annual KAXE Mississippi River Festival

Get your tickets HERE to the 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival!!!!

Mississippi River Festival Announced!

Mark your calendars for Saturday July 17th for the 6th annual festival on the banks of the Mississippi River at KAXE. The concert starts at noon with Bemidji's own Pelican Railroad followed by The Brass Kings, Keri Noble, Eilen Jewell and Willie Murphy. Advanced tickets are on-sale now and available until Friday July 9th. $30 for a day of entertainment - KAXE members tickets are $20. Youth ages 13-20 are $10 and children get in free. Thanks to our sponsors Hawkinson Redi Mix, UCare, Grand Rapids State Bank and Abstract Service Company. Call 218-326-1234 to reserve your tickets!!! Or you can Order Online and get more info here.

Preview of a Legend on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Tonight at 6 on Centerstage MN I'll be talking with MN Legend Willie Murphy about his new CD "A Shot of Love in a Time of Need." Consider this a preview for the 6th Annual 91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Festival and mark your calendars for July 17th!!!! More details to-be-announced. I'll also be featuring The Tisdales' "Out With the New," just released this week. Plus some Replacements and Courtney Yasmineh.

Willie Murphy is one of the most influential musicians ever from Minnesota; he was one of the original three Charter Members of MN Music Hall of Fame (along with the likes of Bob Dylan and Prince) and he helped define the sound of R&B and Blues since the 70's through today, including his work with The Angel Headed Hipsters and Willie and the Bees, not to mention his other solo projects and releases. His new double CD is called "A Shot of Live in a Time of Need / Autobiographical Notes" and Willie will talk with me about it this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN.

Willie Murphy creates thought-provoking, fun music and"A Shot of Love in a Time of Need" (his first release with Redhouse Records) is a sizzling soul, funk and R&B album complete with horns, funky rhythms and grooves beyond all boundaries. While this album doesn't have as much political content as some of his other work, the theme of caring for each other and helping each other is strong. "Autobiographical Notes" is a collection of mostly folky miscellaneous tunes he's collected over the years that never seemed to quite fit the project he was working on at the time, and it definitely shows another, and perhaps more personal, side of Willie. With this double CD featuring soul, jazz, funk, rock and folk, this wildly eccentric album embodies the best of Willie Murphy and is sure to be an instant classic.

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.

Have a Shot of Love with Willie Murphy

by Doug MacRostie

Willie Murphy is one of the most influential musicians ever from Minnesota; he was one of the original three Charter Members of MN Music Hall of Fame (along with the likes of Bob Dylan and Prince) and he helped define the sound of R&B and Blues since the 70's through today, including his work with The Angel Headed Hipsters and Willie and the Bees, not to mention his other solo projects and releases. His new double CD is called "A Shot of Live in a Time of Need / Autobiographical Notes" and Willie will talk with me about it this Thursday night at 6 on Centerstage MN.

Willie Murphy creates thought-provoking, fun music and"A Shot of Love in a Time of Need" (his first release with Redhouse Records) is a sizzling soul, funk and R&B album complete with horns, funky rhythms and grooves beyond all boundaries. While this album doesn't have as much political content as some of his other work, the theme of caring for each other and helping each other is strong. "Autobiographical Notes" is a collection of mostly folky miscellaneous tunes he's collected over the years that never seemed to quite fit the project he was working on at the time, and it definitely shows another, and perhaps more personal, side of Willie. With this double CD featuring soul, jazz, funk, rock and folk, this wildly eccentric album embodies the best of Willie Murphy and is sure to be an instant classic.

We'll also hear new music from another outstanding Redhouse Records' artist, The Pines. From Iowa and operating out of MN, The Pines new album "Tremolo" is definitely going to be in my Macedelic Music Awards Top 10 of the Year (that's right, the REAL MMA's will be back agian this year :D).

And we'll hear a song from The Brother Burn Mountain's debut release from a few years back called "The Blood of a Thousand Clouds." BBM is one of the most exciting bands I've discoverd since hosting Centerstage MN (they've been on 3 times) and they've got some gigs coming up this weekend in the area: Thursday the 19th at The Iron Horse in Nevis starting at 7. Friday, the 20th at Bensons in Walker at 7 and on Saturday the 21st they’ll be at Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub in Bemidji starting at 8.

And the show will end with a live/acoustic recording of Take Cover performing on Centerstage MN to help us get ready for our Thanksgiving Special next week: Turkeys will rain from the sky and the Cranberries will flow like blood as we give thanks to MN Metal :D

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.

A Canoe Grass Revival on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Tall people can make good music too, and it's wrong of you to think otherwise!!! Case and point is Pat Surface - as you can see in this picture, even on my tip-toes with my neck stretched out I barely reach his shoulders, hehehe. He has been making music for over 30 years, developing his own blend of acoustic styles. I have met Pat many times (there's something to be said for an established musician who still stops in to give the station his new CD by hand :D) and I might go so far as to say he is THE friendly giant - with an obvious passion for music, love and life. I'll be talking with him tonight on Centerstage MN.

Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys' 6th CD is called Canoe Grass Revival, a mix of original and interpreted tunes presented in a 100% recycled package. Hailing from the Ely area of the Great Northwoods, Pat and the Boys' signature sound of "Canoe-Grass" is a mix of folk, blugrass, swing, celtic and more. The music is very true and authentic, heart-felt and positive.

I've also got new music from The Marc Gartband tonight, the uber-new release is called "I Am a Fool For You." Marc Gartman is the singer/songwriter and one of the banjo players with Duluth's Two Many Banjos. But, when he plays guitar instead of banjo it becomes The Marc Gartband. Marc is one of my favorite MN songwriters and we'll also hear from another new project he's doing called Little Grey House - that new CD is called "Howlin' Moon" and we'll hear from both those releases to start the show.

I've also got new music blues and R&B legend Willie Murphy and we'll hear from the debut self-titled release from Marvelle. And we'll hear a new voice to MN's jazz scene: Nancy Harms debuting tonight on Centerstage MN.

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 Urban Hillbilly Himself on Centerstage MN

by Doug MacRostie

Did you know that there is a strong following of Americana and traditional bluegrass/folk music in Budapest, Hungary? Neither did I until I started prepping for an interview for Centerstage MN. I'll be talking with Erik Brandt of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet about his new solo CD "Sometimes," recorded during his year spent in Budapest. He performs primarily original music described as "Jayhawks-evolving country-folk" and performs both around MN and nationally/internationally. His new CD includes some of the top acoustic musicians in Hungary, and the time Erik spent there spurred a flow of new music and inspired him to finish some previous songs that he "couldn't finish in the U.S." Eric has been playing with the UHQ since forming 1995 & they've put out 8 records. With this being his 2nd solo album, it's his 10th full length record to date and I'm looking forward to talking to him about it.

Plus I've got new music from Willie Murphy's "A Shot of Love in a Time of Need" and Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys' "Canoe Grass Revival."

With over 30 years of writing, performing, recording and producing, Willie Murphy is one of the most solid pillars in MN music. Throughout the 70's and 80's Willie and the Bee's defined live R&B/soul music. His new CD is a double disc - the first being a collection of flying R&B tunes, the 2nd with more of a folk-flare.

Hailing from the North Woods of MN, Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys have been blending folk, bluegrass, swing, celtic and more for 6 albums now, and Pat will be my guest next week on Centerstage MN.

I'll also mix in Iron Range rockers The Tisdales and Aaron Kaercher from Ely.

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.