Great Northern Radio Show: Adding value to Northern MN

Like many local mines, Iron Range-based MinnesotaBrown.com will be entering a partial slowdown, or “hot idle” while we work out a little problem with the media commodities market. See, the price of a MinnesotaBrown blog post is down to a historically low $1.45 per long ton, due in part to limited demand and illegal imports from companies like “SEX DRUGS NOW43” and “YOU DESERVE LONG LUSCIOUS HAIR57.” As a result, for the next 1-2 weeks we turn our efforts to more pressing concerns like developing our new value-added Great Northern Radio Show.

The Great Northern Radio Show will air Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Bangsberg Theater on the campus of Bemidji State University. It combines everything you like about MinnesotaBrown — including sardonic optimism and the distinct cultural flavor of Northern Minnesota — with innovative new technology like “sound,” “music,” “comedy” and “fun.”

In the run-up to the show, we’ll also be unveiling the new Great Northern Radio Show website, featuring audio archives and better ways to listen to our podcast.

CALL NOW to reserve tickets at 800-662-5799 or visit Northern Community Radio. We’re charging $10 for adults, free for kids and college students with IDs. We think this will sell out:

What follows is the press release for the Sept. 19 show featuring American Scarecrows, Corey Medina, Thomas X, Berit Dybing, and Rez Comedy Tour comedians Rob Fairbanks and Jon Roberts:

The American Scarecrows (PHOTO: Steven Cohen)

Great Northern Radio Show going ‘back to school’

Variety program to broadcast live from Bemidji State University Sept.19

Producer and host Aaron Brown

BEMIDJI, Minnesota (Sept. 1, 2015) — The next Great Northern Radio Show will broadcast live from the Bangsberg Theater at Bemidji State University on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. This traveling variety program produced by Northern Community Radio of Grand Rapids and Bemidji explores life in small towns and unsung places through comedy, stories and music.

Producer and host Aaron Brown leads a regular cast along with guest performers, musicians, and storytellers in a two hour romp through local legend and real life, celebrating the talent and culture of northern Minnesota. Each show seeks to celebrate its unique location and the people who make it special for a much wider audience.

“This is a homecoming show for us,” said Brown, an author and blogger from the Iron Range. “We are kicking off our fifth season in the home of 90.5 KBXE, one of the studio and transmitter locations of Northern Community Radio. It’s our first show at Bemidji State, but we are excited to be visiting old friends and neighbors in Beltrami County.

“This is one of the best lineups we’ve put together. It really has something for everyone, and will be a good reminder of what’s great about living in Northern Minnesota.

Corey Medina

Berit Dybing

Featured performers include country rockers the American Scarecrows, Bemidj-based bluesman Corey Medina and his band, Red Lake hip hop act Thomas X, local folk musician Berit Dybing and other surprises.

The Great Northern Radio Players, including Bemidji’s own Sara Breeze, C.J. Anderson and Lauren Nickisch of Pequot Lakes and local guest performers Rachel Brandt, Mark Christensen, Diamond Knispel and Robert Saxton will join guests Bemdiji Mayor Rita Albrecht and BSU professor Tim Goodwin. Comedians Rob Fairbanks of the “Rez Report” and Jon Roberts will also be featured in the show.

Rob Fairbanks and Jon Roberts

The program airs live on KAXE/KBXE at 5 p.m. Saturday, September 19. Tickets cost $10 for adults, but are free for children and college students with IDs. Audience must be in their seats by 4:30. Seating is limited. Call to order tickets in advance at 800-662-5799 or see www.kaxe.org.

The Sept. 19 program will air live on 90.5 KBXE Bagley and Bemidji, 91.7 FM KAXE in Grand Rapids, Aitkin and the Iron Range, 89.9 FM Brainerd and 103.9 FM in Ely. The show is also rebroadcast on independent public radio stations throughout Minnesota and distributed as a live stream and podcast at www.kaxe.org.

The Great Northern Radio Show is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with support from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Culture and Tourism grant program and the Blandin Foundation.