Chuck Thiel has been on the Midwest Polka and Old-Time Music radar for well over fifty years with his band the Jolly Ramblers. The band has been a family family affair of sorts throughout its existence. Early on, Chuck learned under the watchful eye of his father Albert and later Chuck passed his musical education onto his son Jason. Find out more about this very talented man and his commitment to keeping this music alive.

Glen Braget catches up with one the busiest acts on the Midwest Polka scene, Becky Livermore aka Barefoot Becky of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. For nearly 30 years, Becky and her band, the Ivanhoe Dutchmen, have been performing all over the United States in a wide range of venues and events. Find out how a young girl from Iowa got involved in the world of Polka and Old-Time music.

December
• 9 A “Sing along Messiah” will be performs ta St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Everyone is welcome to the free event.

• 11 The Greater Grand Forks Symphony presents “A Down Home Christmas” at 2:30 pm at the Empire Arts Center of downtown Grand Forks.

• 14 Badger, MN Elementary Winter Program 2:00pm. @Badger School Gym

• 15 Greenbush Friends of the Library Annual Holiday Open House. 1pm – 5pm. @Public Library

• 15 through the 18 The Greater Grand Forks Community Theater presents “Miracle on 34th Street: The Radio Version at the Fire Hall Theater in downtown Grand Forks. Curtain time is 7:30 pm with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm.

• 16 The Heritage Christian School of Karlstad, MN will present their Christmas Program. 7pm. Music and Play. Refreshments to follow.

Carl Unbehaun presents a cavalcade of songs by Minnesota songwriters along with his musical musings! TWIN SPINS on this show, from Fred Keller to Sonny Johnson to The Wrong Omar. And we share news of a new boutique brewery in Duluth. Oo la la!

MHB 12/15/2016

1. Six Beers to Fall in Love – Steve & Kim Wolff
2. Do Me Justice – Eddie Kidd
3. Going to Jail – Gackle Trucker Band
4. Wide Open Spaces – Dave Cofell
5. Let’s Go – Larry Suess
6. Uniontown – David Hanners
7. For Somebody – Amy & Adams
8. Ballad to My Other Self – Courtney Yasmineh
9. Down at the Viking – Jim Ruiz Four
10. Thrive – Idlewheel
11. Wheels Ever Rolling – The Tarveys
12. Far From Me – Grayshot (NEW)
13. Train of Thought – Captain Mike & the Totems

Host Carl Unbehaun presents a cavalcade of songs by Minnesota songwriters along with his musical musings! It’s another tribute to artists from the Minnesota Association of Songwriters, from Steve & Kim Wolff to Debra Hadraba. And we spring the news about Barnes & Noble serving craft beer at one of their Twin City locations. Beer & books–what more can you ask for?

MHB 12/01/2016

1. Good – Charlie Roth
2. Some Kinda Magic – Larry Suess
3. Taking Back What’s Mine – Colleen Dillon
4. Right – Pushing Chain
5. How Your Heart Works – Jeff Goodson
6. All Because of You – Bob Muscovitz
7. 9 Foot Norwegian – Greg Connor
8. Rocket – Doug Millaway
9. End of the Earth – Emily Whitcomb
10. The Only One – Ruby Nordby
11. Between 9 & 1 – Andrew Spreck
12. What Can I Do – Deb Hadraba