Members of the Northbird Singers, a group of singers, drummers and dancers from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, perform a traditional dance during the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
On Dec. 6, 2014, I hosted the winter edition of my Great Northern Radio Show in a live broadcast from the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota, as guest of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa.
That show will re-air Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve — from 7-9 p.m. on Northern Community Radio, 91.7 KAXE (Grand Rapids and the Iron Range), 90.5 KBXE (Bemidji), 89.9 FM (Brainerd), 103.9 (Ely) and streaming online. After that, the program will be available as a downloadable MP3 podcast at KAXE.org.
We had a goal in this show, to explore the Ojibwa tradition of winter storytelling — the tales of Nanabozho — a special practice that can only be done in Anishinaabe culture when snow is on the ground. Leech Lake spiritual elder Larry Aitken was a part of our broadcast, telling stories passed down through generations of oral history and explaining their place in our modern world.
Steve Kaul and the Brass Kings perform on the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show, broadcast live from the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
We also told the story of the old logging-turned-tourist town Walker, stories of snow storms and the story of a family holding their annual Christmas party in the same ballroom where we did our show that weekend (They were kind enough to let us use the other half).
Leading our musical lineup was Steve Kaul and the Brass Kings, a dynamic four-piece “mega jug band” from Minneapolis. I say “mega,” because they add traditional instruments to the homemade ones to create a fuller, rocking sound. Steve is from just up the road in Bemidji and brought his well-traveled band home for our show.
Singer/songwriter Shannon Murray performs during the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
We also featured Bemidji singer/songwriter Shannon Murray, whose passionate lyrics and driving music added a lot of zest to this show. She played some old labor anthems that would bring a tear to the fist of any old Wobbly, and some touching personal songs. During one of the labor songs she busted a guitar string and handled it like a boss. Wish you could see it on the radio.
As usual, I attempt humor and my Great Northern Radio Players — this time Britt Aamodt, C.J. Anderson, Sara Breeze, and Jason and Louisa Scorch — brought to life my usual concoction of silly northern Minnesota-themed sketches.
The show featured traditional singing, drumming and dancing by the Northbird Singers, a collection of performers from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa who do pow-wows and other ceremonial events around the state. They prepared a special performance for us, and it was by far the most energetic element we’ve put on our airwaves, made even more amazing for those who could see the colors and movements at the event.
This show was marked by the fact that our previous lead attraction — Ojibwa and Northern Minnesota author Jim Northrup — could not participate due to complications from a recent heart surgery. Many elements were still being developed right up through our final rehearsal on the day of the show. Despite all the question marks, one of our better shows emerged from the ashes.
As I mentioned, this program is themed around “winter” with only a few references to Christmas. Our show last year in Fosston was our attempt to create a “Christmas Special” in the classic form. Our Fosston Christmas show will be rebroadcast on Christmas Day from 2-4 p.m. I really enjoyed that one, too, so by all means keep your dials on Northern Community Radio for the rest of the week.
Host Aaron Brown delivers a monologue as keyboardist Nickolai Koivunen looks on during the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota. The program explores stories, music and humor of “modern life off the beaten path,” highlighting small towns and overlooked places around the state. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
Members of the Great Northern Radio Players, (l to r) Sara Breeze, Louisa Scorich and Jason Scorich, perform one of three “Scenes from a Snowstorm” during the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
Members of the Northbird Singers, a group of singers, drummers and dancers from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, perform a traditional dance during the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
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