Minnesota has claim to a wealth of creativity; music is no exception. Almost every genre can be heard within our state’s borders. The results range from a simple act of joy, to an influence that reverberates far beyond (the “Minneapolis Sound” is a prime example). The collection below is an introduction to the diverse and talented artists who have called Minnesota home, and the art they share with all of us.
June 15, 1998 - On this Midday program: MPR's "Voices of Minnesota" series continues, featuring in-depth interviews with musicians Romuald Tecco, longtime concertmaster of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Dominick Argento, the internationally known Minnesota composer.
June 30, 1998 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews Marvin Rainwater, an American country/rockabilly singer and songwriter from the 1950’s, who’s been living the quiet life in Aitkin County, playing guitar and tending his dahlias.
August 20, 1998 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on Studio 4, a charter school in St. Paul that offers use of studio time as an incentive for students to continue with school.
October 1, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on an accordian “jam session” in front of Mahler Music Center on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul.
October 12, 1998 - Back in the mid-sixties, garage rock bands such as the Trashmen, the Castaways, the Del Counts, and the Gestures were churning out one hit after another. That era has been captured on a 2 CD set called "The Big Hits of Mid-America... The Soma Records Story," produced by Steve Wilson, local pop historian. MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Wilson, as well as Trashmen guitarist Tony Andreason, to help us re-live the memories.
October 22, 1998 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on reaction in Hibbing towards hometown native Bob Dylan, and his October 22nd concert in Duluth. Segment includes commentary from local residents and visiting fans.
October 29, 1998 - MPR’s Chris Roberts talks with Neal Hagberg and Leandra Peak, of the folk duo Neal & Leandra. The two share their thoughts about CD “Stranger to My Kin,” which takes a strikingly darker lyrical turn from duo’s previous sound.
February 5, 1999 - MPR’s Leif Enger interviews American singer, songwriter, and musician Bobby Vee, who shares memories of his 40-year music career…and that of a music tragedy tied to his own history.
March 17, 1999 - A profile of St. Paul composer Eric Stokes, who died in a car accident at the age of 68. Includes a portion of Composer’s Voice interview with Stokes. In a career spanning decades, Stokes wrote music built on classic American melodies which was performed by orchestras around the country. He began teaching at the University of Minnesota in 1961 where he founded the University's electronic music laboratory, and the contemporary ensemble First Minnesota Moving and Storage Warehouse Band. Stokes believed in an American rather than a European esthetic of music. Late in his career he experimented with found sounds including moving ice, seed pods, scissors and glass.
May 4, 1999 - MPR’s Jim Bickal talks with musician and anthropologist Maya Lopez-Santamaria about “Musica de la Raza: Mexican and Chicano Music in Minnesota” CD. Lopez-Santamaria collected the music and wrote the book which accompanies it.