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Minnesota Music Notes | Minnesota Music Notes: Seasons 1 & 2

Minnesota Music Notes: Stories from First Avenue | celebrating noteworthy artists, people and moments that shaped the history of Minnesota’s Mainroom First Avenue

Minnesota Music Notes: Seasons 1 & 2 | celebrating noteworthy songs, artists, and musical performances from Minnesota

Tall Paul Offers Prayers in a Song

Enrolled in the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Tall Paul grew in Minneapolis, listening to hip-hop and catching episodes of 106 & Park on BET. He started rapping as a teen but his music suddenly went viral when he incorporated the Ojibwe language into the lyrics of “Prayers in a Song.” Here’s Britt Aamodt with the story.

Thorstein Skarning

The virtuoso accordionist and bandleader of the 1920’s and ‘30s, Thorstein Skarning would play anywhere there was a chance to blend Norwegian traditions with Country & Western. Producer Daniel Zamzow found out to what extent this Minnesotan went.


Tetes Noires

Tetes Noires were known for their eclectic sound, funky fashion, and badass attitude in the 1980s. But as producer Daniel Zamzow learned of Twin Cities’ first all-female rock band, their earliest show at Pride Festival left them wondering if they were too outlandish.


Christiansen’s Choir Train

In 1903, Norwegian descendant F. Melius Christiansen was hired to teach music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. As producer Daniel Zamzow found out, he developed a style of leading and directing choirs that has impacted the choral music community around the world.


Ardis Wells and her Rhythm Ranch Gals

The multi-talented Ardis Wells together with her Rhythm Ranch Gals are considered the earliest all-female country band in the United States. Though Ms. Wells life is full of great stories, producer Daniel Zamzow tells us about one infamous time she combined her acrobatic skills with her musical act in a small bar in Minneapolis.


Rowing With French Folk

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 French traders and fur trappers valued their skilled musicians as much as anyone else in their crew.


Bridge Of Souls

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 Daniel Zamzow tells us about a musical expression of this era called Hun Qiao, or Bridge of Souls, which was presented at St. Paul’s Ordway Theater in 2001.


Augie Garcia, The Colonel, and The King

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 Daniel Zamzow tells us how The King’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was not amused by the fire of the Augie Garcia Quintet.


The First Show Of Prince

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 of the young artist Prince was in 1979 at the Capri Theater.


The Andrews Sisters

For young Patty, Maxene, and LaVerne Andrews, a Minneapolis talent show was how their star began to rise. Daniel Zamzow describes how Minnesota’s most famous sisters were first noticed.

Minnesota’s State Song

“Hail Minnesota” is Minnesota’s official State Song, but has a history tied to the University of Minnesota. Producer Daniel Zamzow describes how Truman Rickard’s alma mater tune became the state’s anthem after it used to be played in celebration of Gopher touchdowns.

Supported by...

McKnight FoundationMN Legacy