“Write On” with William Kent KruegerOn this edition of “Write On,” a conversation with St. Paul author William Kent Krueger, recorded at the Thief River Falls Public Library.

Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota.  His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed Irish and Ojibwe heritage.  Krueger’s latest book, Northwest Angle, was a 2012 Minnesota Book Award finalist. The twelfth book in his series, Trickster’s Point, will be released this coming August.

Write On is a series of conversations with Minnesota authors, historians, poets, and filmmakers, supported by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Martha Reeves June 11, 2012Our guest today scored over a dozen hit singles, including “Jimmy Mack”, “Dancing in the Street” and “Nowhere to Run” in the Motown group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. She’s been busy lately, on-stage and off, appearing on VH-1’s “Divas Celebrate Soul” with Kelly Clarkson last winter, and Dancing with the Stars last spring. She’s also active in politics – serving as an elected councilwoman for the city of Detroit from 2005-2009, and is a board member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Detroit chapter, where she works for better wages and royalties for performers.

Tommy James on Pioneer 90.1Our guest this morning had 12 top 40 hits, including the number ones “Hanky Panky” in 1966 and “Crimson and Clover” in 1969. Tommy James joined Mark Johnson and Carl Unbehaun on “Northland Morning.” Tommy brings his band The Shondells to Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen on Friday night (6/8).

Mucky Peat and the MacrophytesCrookston band Mucky Peat and the Macrophytes, winners of the first Pioneer 90.1 Battle of the Bands, are featured in this edition of Minnesota Arts on the Road. The show was produced by Northland New Media student Jacob Anderson.

Bluegrass Pals AudioOn a hot night in June, with storm clouds rumbling ominously in the distance, Pioneer 90.1 set up its microphones in the Gazebo at Floyd B. Olson Park in Thief River Falls to record a live set with Phil Nusbaum and The Bluegrass Pals.

The weather held, and the crowd gathered to enjoy live music and an ice cream social to benefit the Pennington County Humane Society. This hour, we’ll meet the band and hear their brand of old time country and bluegrass. Minnesota Arts on the Road is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.