Minnesota Music Notes

Series produced by Ampers

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Moments in the musical history of Minnesota

Moments in the musical history of Minnesota


82 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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The concert band is a staple in the tradition of American music. Though, as producer Daniel Zamzow learned, Minnesota is the only state in the nati...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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Like most performing musicians, Peter and Paul Wendinger had their humble beginnings. Producer Daniel Zamzow describes how these polka-loving broth...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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As producer Daniel Zamzow learned of Minnesota’s Iron Range, its industrial development in the early 1900s attracted workers from over 20 nations. ...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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“Spider” John Koerner and Willie Murphy of Minneapolis were touring in support of their collaboration album when, as producer Daniel Zamzow learned...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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It was a turning point in Bob Dylan’s career as he chose to record half of his album “Blood on the Tracks” in Minneapolis recording studio Sound 80...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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Minnesota has a rich history of immigrant contributions to modern culture. As producer Daniel Zamzow learned, folks specifically from the Scottish ...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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The Replacements made a name for themselves in the national music scene of the 1980s. As producer Daniel Zamzow describes, many ‘Mats tunes evoke t...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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There were many pieces to play, and even more pieces to move in order to organize a full-time orchestra in early 1900s Minnesota. As producer Danie...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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The Minnesota Orchestra has worked to expand its audience since it was founded over a century ago. Producer Daniel Zamzow discovers that one of the...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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There’s one group in Minnesota that employs stylings of as many African-American genres as possible. As Daniel Zamzow found out, this group began a...

Bought by KBEM, WJAB, WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 5
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Minnesota rocker Mark Mallman made history in 2010 when he played a very, very long show at St. Paul’s Turf Club. Producer Daniel Zamzow tells us w...

Bought by WTIP, Radio K, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 4
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As producer Daniel Zamzow learned, “The Day the Music Died” was the tragic event that led Moorhead native Bobby Vee to the first step in his Rock-n...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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The virtuoso accordionist and bandleader of the 1920’s and ‘30s, Thorstein Skarning would play anywhere there was a chance to blend Norwegian tradi...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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Tetes Noires were known for their eclectic sound, funky fashion, and badass attitude in the 1980s. But as producer Daniel Zamzow learned of Twin Ci...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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In 1903, Norwegian descendant F. Melius Christiansen was hired to teach music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. As producer Daniel Zamz...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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The multi-talented Ardis Wells together with her Rhythm Ranch Gals are considered the earliest all-female country band in the United States. Though...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, KFAI Minneapolis, and Northern Community Radio - KAXE & KBXE, Minnesota


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 4
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Folk music in Minnesota is as rich as the waters that led explorers through the state in the first place. Producer Daniel Zamzow explains how Frenc...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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What is known as the Asian Holocaust of World War II, is a far-reaching tale of tragedy that affected Asian cultures all around the world. Producer...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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The Godfather of Minnesota Rock n’ Roll, Augie Garcia, was hired to open for Elvis Presley when he played The St. Paul Auditorium in 1956. Producer...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3
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Prince Rogers Nelson had played in a few bands while growing up in North Minneapolis. According to producer Daniel Zamzow, the first full-band show...

Bought by WTIP, KQAL, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 15, 2017
  • Length: 01:30
  • Purchases: 3