The Many Colors of Mark Olson

by Doug MacRostie

This week I'll be talking with Mark Olson about his new solo CD "Many Colored Kite." That name should be familiar, Mark was the founding member and principle singer/songwriter with The Jayhawks. One of the most acclaimed bands to come out of MN, the Jayhawks were on the forefront of the Alt-Country scene during the mid-80's through mid-90's and you can still hear their impact and influence in music today. This is Mark's 2nd solo CD, and it's a bit more upbeat than "Salvation Blues" which came out in 2007. Other than being a world-class singer, songwriter and performer, he's a very good speaker too, and we will talk in-depth about his music - this is going to be a great interview on Centerstage MN this Thursday night at 6.

For example, I asked Mark Olson what inspires him, "The basic struggle as far as family, friends, earning a living, existence, our place in the would - just the basics that I think most people struggle with in their lives, that inspires me to try and express myself about it. Things that are obviously wrong - I don't think that I can change the world or make anything better... if I can express myself in a way that points out something wrong and if there's a solution out there...I don't know. But that inspires me, there is so much wrong in the world right now. If you sing a song you can help someone feel better or even yourself. What also inspires me, this is really true; I like the physical aspect of playing music, I like how it feels to move the arms and sing and get into it - there's just something about that I've always enjoyed." See what I mean?

We'll also hear music from Pat Surface's new CD "Songwriter. " Pat has been making music for over 30 years from Ely. Along with The Boundary Water Boys he's put together a great collection interpreting many well-known songs. Pat only prints his releases 1000 copies at a time, and when I bumped into him in Bemidji last week he told the first pressing of "Songwriting" sold out in less than 5 days. Right on!

Plus we'll hear from Grand Rapid's High Bongo. And next week my guest is The Brothers Burn Mountain and we'll hear from their new CD "Partly in the Blue, the White."

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 and can be heard again Sunday mornings at 6. All interviews are archived at www.KAXE.org. Centerstage MN is also heard on KSRQ in Thief River Falls, and on KMSU in Mankato. Sometimes heard on KFAI in Minneapolis & St. Paul and WTIP in Grand Marais. Often featured on MNartists.org.

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.

Centerstage MN Gets High on Drama

by Doug MacRostie

When I was told, "I'll be bringing a digital piano," to the session for Centerstage MN, I thought it was a fancy way to say "keyboard." Nope. I'll be joined in-studio by High Drama Blues for some live music and conversation this Thursday night at 6 - and it's a REAL digital piano!

From Chisholm, HDB is an original and intricate blues & rock band. In-studio I'll have Gina Nordquist in vocals, Rob Wheeler on guitar and harmonica and Marty Halverson on digital piano and accordion. Their self-titled debut release was recorded at on the Iron Range at Sparta Sound by Rich Mattson - it's a great CD, but there is an energy to them when they play live that you'll want to hear.

Having met at Open Mic nights, HDB started working on original material right away, with Gina writing the lyrics and songs coming from impromptu jam sessions. The music is great and the vocals powerful. They are part of I.R.O.M.A., The Iron Range Original Music Association. Rob Wheeler has been heard on the show before with both The Wheeler Dealers and the Gypsy Prophets. They have a good thing going and it'll be a lot of fun to have them on Centerstage MN.

To set up the High Drama Blues, we'll hear from the new Janiva Magness album, "The Devil is an Angel Too." Janiva is a Blues and R&B singer with a rich and soulful voice that can lead an audience from deep sorrow to overwhelming joy. And we'll hear from some folkers with new music from Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys, the Blue Drifters and Bill Isles.

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.