VIDEO: There's Nothing to be Scared Of Montage

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).

During the "There's Nothing to be Scared of" fall fundraiser at KAXE we heard from 364 new/renewing members for $45,120, reaching our goal in the last hour of the pledge drive on Friday night. Going into the last day we had almost $12,000 to go. Northern Community Radio General Manager Maggie Montgomery said, "It was a squeaker for sure. I don't think we've ever had that big of a last day before, ever. People in the community came through again and I hope that means we're doing a good job for them."

Breaking the mold of a typical public radio fundraiser, KAXE uses themes and radio theater to give the pledge drive an edge of entertainment, and this year included DJs getting pulled out of windows by zombies and a horde hidden underneath the studio. As the final pledges came in, all was resolved when the zombies were hauled by truck over to Bemidji for the Lazarus film shoot and KBXE Zombie Crawl. After that the zombie horde was, "not our problem" :)

Listener's once again made our fundraiser successful - and people just like you have been our largest source of funding for almost 35 years of independent community radio in Northern MN. If you missed the pledge drive, you can still show your support by becoming a member now by calling 218-326-1234, 800-662-5799 or pledge online.

More info: http://www.kaxe.org
Headwaters Science Center: http://www.hscbemidji.org/

Goal Reached and Fears Overcome

During the "There's Nothing to be Scared of" fall fundraiser at KAXE we heard from 364 new/renewing members for $45,120, reaching our goal in the last hour of the pledge drive on Friday night. Going into the last day we had almost $12,000 to go. Northern Community Radio General Manager Maggie Montgomery said, "It was a squeaker for sure. I don't think we've ever had that big of a last day before, ever. People in the community came through again and I hope that means we're doing a good job for them."

Breaking the mold of a typical public radio fundraiser, KAXE uses themes and radio theater to give the pledge drive an edge of entertainment, and this year included DJs getting pulled out of windows by zombies and a horde hidden underneath the studio. As the final pledges came in, all was resolved when the zombies were hauled by truck over to Bemidji for the Lazarus film shoot and KBXE Zombie Crawl. After that the zombie horde was, "not our problem" :)

Listener's once again made our fundraiser successful - and people just like you have been our largest source of funding for almost 35 years of independent community radio in Northern MN. If you missed the pledge drive, you can still show your support by becoming a member now by calling 218-326-1234, 800-662-5799 or pledge online.

It's GO TIME!!!

Already today we've heard from Deer River, Tower, Grand Rapids, Breezy Point, Swan River, Meadowlands, Pine River, Bemidji, Chisholm, Morton, Memphis, TN, DeKalb, IL, and many other places all over Minnesota and beyond - and we need to hear from YOU right NOW with your support for independent local radio: 218-326-1234, 800-662-5799, or pledge online.

This is the last day of our fall fundraiser, "There's Nothing to be Scared Of." We are in the final stretch, making the final push, working to make our budget for the next year. Listener support is our single largest source of funding, and no matter draws you to KAXE and has you listening, you need to look at your budget and pledge what you can afford. There is strength in lots of people doing what they can - it's worked for nearly 35 years - be a part of Northern Community Radio today!

Centerstage MN Goes Wild with The Beastman Band

by Doug MacRostie

Everyone once in a while you hear something that truly stands out; it'll get into your head and make your inner-animal instinct cryout with pure emotion.  That happened last week to me with Danny Friedman and the Beastman Band, a 3 piece hybrid of rockabilly, R&B, Country-folk and hard funk out of Duluth MN. They've just put out their self-titled, debut album. I'll be talking with Danny Friedman about the many layers to their music tonight at 6 on Centerstage MN.

Why the Beastman himself supports KAXE, "It's essential. Support of a station like KAXE is essential. It's really what binds us together; and I know I'm starting to sound like Obi Wan Kenobi from Star Wars, but really that's what it's about, right? It's about a group of people believing in a common way of being, and a common environment, and a common culture. And as a resident of Grand Rapids KAXE was huge for me. It was right down the street and I would listen all the time. And what you do is get a different voice in everything that you're hearing. Seems to be that the general voice doesn't want people to get together and doesn't want people to build community. KAXE flies right in the face of that, which is one of the reasons I support it and think it's such a vital part of north country living." ~Danny Friedman and the Beastman Band.

There's nothing to be scared of! Support KAXE! The first 5 pledges during Centerstage MN will get copies of Danny Friedman and the Beastman Band. In the last 3 years Centerstage MN has become a vital part of the MN music scene and you need to support independent local radio while we support independent MN musicians!

Tonight we'll also hear some excellent highlights of recent live performances on Centerstage MN incuding Mayda, Aaron Kaercher, the Urban Hillbilly Quartet and more.

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.

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.

ScArY Headline Highlights

Professor I. D. Bunker and his assistant Petra Fayed present the headlines for our "There's Nothing to be Scared Of" fundraiser with daily updates, highlights and philosophical discussions. Follow along:
ScArY Headline 4
ScArY Headline 3
ScArY Headline 2
ScArY Headline 1

Childhood Fears: There's Nothing to be Scared Of

This is a big, important day for our fall fundraiser, There's Nothing to be Scared Of. We had an excellent opening day/weekend and need to build the momentum up for the last 5 days. Listener support is our single largest source of funding, and it's small contributions from people just like you that make community radio/media possible.

We're talking about childhood fears today, and one of Scott Hall's came true during the Morning Show today.

As a child, Scott worried about hitting his shins. It scared the hell out of him. And twice, TWICE, this morning, he walked into the stage that is still set up from the Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman concert last Friday. Not only is he working hard on local news and announcements, but he's battling himself both physically and emotionally [see photo].

What did you fear as a child? Is it something you overcame, or is it still with you? Do you look back and laugh, or cry? Leave a comment and let us know, or email comments@kaxe.org.

From a true mix of music, chosen by volunteers from all over Northern MN, where you really could hear anything at anytime to the high quality, hyper-local stories and features about the people that make this such a unique and beautiful place to live. Whether you listen for 10 minutes a day or 10 hours a week, you already know the amazing things that KAXE does - and now we need you to overcome your fear and pledge your support. 218-326-1234, 800-662-5799 or pledge online.

There's Nothing to be Scared Of

The first day of our Fall Fundraiser is underway, and there is Nothing to be Scared Of! Just ask Professor I. D. Bunker and his assistant Petra Fayed, they'll be keeping tabs on any strange events or amazing revelations during the membership drive.

Listen to the first episode of ScArY Headlines here.

We are an independent community radio station and our single largest source of funding is listener members - and you haven't pledged yet, so do it now. We have an amazing mix of music programmed by volunteers who come in and put on music they care about. We have programs that showcase Northern MN like the Local Food Scene, Centerstage MN and The Phenology Show.

For the next week you'll have the opportunity to hear a million reasons why to support Northern Community Radio, tune in and enjoy the There's Nothing to be Scared Of fundraiser...you never know what will happen during a KAXE membership drive ;)

KAXE Membership Disclaimer

KAXE MEMBERSHIP DISCLAIMER
WARNING: pledging your support to KAXE may cause the following (click link above to listen). Our "There's Nothing to be Scared Of" fundraiser goes from Friday the 15th - the 22nd. Listener support is our single largest source of funding, and it's vital for us to continue as an independent, local, community radio station. Call with your support, 800-662-5799, or pledge online.