Aaron Brown interviews the creators of the Ely-made cereal sensation “Crapola,” Andrea and Brian Strom (and their daughter Amelia), during the June 14, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show in Ely, Minnesota.
I took my Great Northern Radio Show up to Ely, Minnesota, on June 14 and had a wonderful time telling stories, making music and approximating humor. People seemed to like the show, which aired live on Northern Community Radio, and I’d argue that it was a pretty good calling card for what we do: explore the authentic sense of place you find in the small towns and overlooked corners of Minnesota.
Storyteller Mike Hillman. PHOTO: Steve Waller
I previewed the show a while back, and all I can add is that we had some marvelous moments in the show that exceeded my expectations. In particular, the stories of Mike Hillman were funny, touching and powerful. We had a marvelous cast, top-notch musicians and my monologues seemed to hold water. There was a tender-hearted anniversary story and song by Cory and Doris Kolodji (made all the more special by the fact that we thought they might kill each other in rehearsal). This was the first show where the guests weren’t merely interesting, they stole the show from us regulars on several occasions.
Northern Community Radio is in its summer fundraiser this week. They’re trying something new to introduce listeners to the show. Today, from noon to 2 p.m., the first hour of the Great Northern Radio Show from Ely will be broadcast along with some “DVD extras commentary” by our associate producer Erika Kooda and program manager Heidi Holtan. Tomorrow, during the same time period, I’ll be on with Heidi doing the same thing for the second hour. The full show will be re-broadcast without interruption on Sunday, June 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After the show airs on Sunday, the full podcast will be posted at KAXE.org. You can download the podcast here (right click or command click to download file)
The next show will be Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at the Armory Square in Park Rapids, Minnesota. We’ll be working with WOJB and the Leech Lake Ojibwe community for a winter show, before heading to the TWIN CITIES in March 0f 2015. It will be a big year for the Great Northern. Get on board by becoming a member of Northern Community Radio right now.
Sara Breeze brings high animation to all her roles in the Great Northern Radio Show. PHOTO: Steve Waller
Germaine Gemberling and Rich Mattson perform in the June 14, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show at Vermilion Community College in Ely, Minnesota. PHOTO: Steve Waller
Iron Range rocker Bill Bulinski, once part of the cult band The Electras, rocks the surf guitar in the June 14, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show with the Surf Monkeys.
Whirled Muse, including Joey Kenig, Eli Bissonett and Robin Anders. PHOTO: Steve Waller
Executive producer and host Aaron Brown delivers the pre-show message to the cast of the Great Northern Radio Show on June 14, 2014 in Ely, Minnesota. PHOTO: Shelly Hanson
Jason Scorich, left, and Cory Kolodji perform as talking wolves in the June 14, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show in Ely, Minnesota. PHOTO: Steve Waller
Doris and Cory Kolodji celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on June 14, 2014 during the Great Northern Radio Show. They told how they met in the Boundary Waters and sang the song “I Could Grow Old In Ely” by Feyder and Everhart. PHOTO: Shelly Hanson
Earl Bulinski played bass with the Surf Monkeys during the June 14, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show in Ely. With brother Bill, Earl was part of the Electras during the late 1960s and ’70s. They’ve played with several bands since then, always with Iron Range roots. PHOTO: Steve Waller
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