Radio Heartland

12/25/2024

Seasons greetings from Radio Heartland! Keep listening all day on December 25 for a hearty helping of holiday tunes curated by producer and host Mike Pengra (pictured below singing "Blue Christmas" at karaoke ... OK, not really! 😃).

Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

Photo by Steven Cohen Photography.

12/24/2024

This week on United States of Americana, join Bill DeVille for a bunch of Americana holiday tunes, including seasonal takes from Sierra Ferrell, William Prince, The Milk Carton Kids, Dawes and Madi Diaz.

Listen to United States of Americana, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/23/2024

"A Complete Unknown," the Bob Dylan biopic, opens in Minnesota on December 24 and everywhere on December 25. This fantastic film will give people lots to talk about this holiday season.

Check out The Current's review:

Whereas many consider Bob Dylan a folk hero — that is, a hero of folk music — A Complete Unknown director James Mangold presents Dylan as a folk hero in the archetypal sense.

12/22/2024

This week on Folk Alley, join Elena See to celebrate the December holiday season with music to welcome in the official start of winter (on Dec. 21). Enjoy festive music from Josh Ritter, Bill Staines, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, David Grisman, and David Francey. Plus, holiday favorites for Christmastime and Hanukkah from JD McPherson, Sierra Ferrell, Joni Mitchell, David Myles, Kacey Musgraves with Willie Nelson, Leon Redbone, Indigo Girls, Béla Fleck, The Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Band, Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks, Joy Clark, The Sweetback Sisters (pictured), Woody Phillips, Los Lobos, Dolly Parton, and much more!

Listen to Folk Alley Radio Show on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/22/2024

This week's Mountain Stage is an encore broadcast that brings us back to the first live show Mountain Stage recorded this year!

Recorded at the WVU Canady Creative Arts Center with guest host David Mayfield, you'll hear sets of music by The Steel Wheels, Leslie Mendelson, Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle , Upstate, and Peter One .

Listen to Mountain Stage on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Central on Radio Heartland. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/21/2024

On American Routes, it’s the season of cold weather, darkness, solstice, and… holidays. Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Years ahead. A time of celebration and contemplation, family and friends but also some broken hearts and Christmas blues. From cold weather and cold-hearted blues of Snooky Pryor, Big Maceo and Aretha Franklin to the warm side of the season with Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald, Wille Nelson and Elvis. And Hanukkah sounds from Bela Fleck and Andy Statman. Plus, we explore Santa’s exploits, fallibility, and possibility with songs from Baltimore’s Fat Daddy, Tampa Red and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Listen to American Routes, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/20/2024

For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we shine the spotlight on Charlie Rich, a singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned the genres of rock, country, gospel, blues, R&B and jazz.

Listen to Radio Heartland on Friday at 11 a.m. Central, and find more at the link below.

For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we shine the spotlight on Charlie Rich, a singer-songwriter and musician whose career spanned the genres of rock, country, gospel, blues, R&B and jazz.

12/18/2024

Located in Richfield, Minnesota, the Homestead Pickin' Parlor has been a staple in the Twin Cities folk and bluegrass community for 45 years and counting.

Visit the link below to hear from the proprietor and from local musicians Mother Banjo and Anthony Ihrig who found an artistic footing and a community at Homestead.

Located in Richfield, Minnesota, Homestead Pickin’ Parlor has long been a destination for players and fans of folk, bluegrass, old-time, Celtic and acoustic music.

12/18/2024

Pay it Forward this season with MPR and Second Harvest Heartland!

Support your trusted news source and favorite music stations while giving back to your community! For every gift made to MPR before the year ends, MPR will provide 15 meals to neighbors in need through our partnership with Second Harvest Heartland - no matter the amount or type (one-time or sustaining). Don’t miss this chance to make a difference!

Donate now to support MPR News, The Current and YourClassical MPR:
💻 https://on.mpr.org/mprCYE24fb
📞1-800-227-2811

12/18/2024

Visit the link below to watch and listen to Waxahatchee's Tiny Desk concert recorded live at NPR Music:

The Grammy-nominated artist returns to the Tiny Desk with a five-piece band and a built-out, Americana sound.

12/18/2024

This week on United States of Americana, Bill DeVille plays some songs by Wilco in honor of their recent three nights of concerts in St. Paul. Also, A Complete Unknown, the new Bob Dylan film, opens December 24 in Minnesota (everywhere else Dec. 25); we'll feature a few tunes from Dylan's early days in the the Big Apple after he left Minnesota! Plus, we are inching closer to Christmas, so we'll get a few holiday tunes on the airwaves, and there's some brand-new songs to play from Drew and Ellie Holcomb, and Dwight Yoakam as well!

Join Bill for United States of Americana, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/17/2024

Tuesday evening, Mike Pengra shares new music from the string band Twisted Pine from their new record, "Love Your Mind." We also have a new recording from Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham; they’ve reimagined the music of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks from their 1973 debut album, "Buckingham Nicks," with their own take on the same tunes in an album they call "Cunningham Bird."

Join Mike Pengra on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/16/2024

Chicago six-piece Wilco played a total of 95 songs from their vast catalog over a three-night stand at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Dec. 13 to 15. True to the shows’ billing, each night featured no repeats, as well as no opening acts. Singer and guitarist Jeff Tweedy led his talented group through detailed and passionate versions of songs spanning all the way from their 1994 debut A.M. up through this year’s Hot Sun Cool Shroud EP.

Visit the link below to read more about the concerts and to see lots of great photos from Friday night:

The Chicago six-piece played 96 songs from their vast catalog over a three-night stand at Palace Theatre in St. Paul on Dec. 13 to 15.

12/16/2024

Watch and listen to Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah performing a solo acoustic set of songs from her latest album, "Still + Bright," out now on Rounder Records.

Visit the link below to watch the session recorded in The Current studio, along with an interview with host Zach McCormick.

The Tennessee-based singer-songwriter played a solo acoustic set, then sat down for a conversation with host Zach McCormick.

12/15/2024

This week on Folk Alley, join Elena See for new seasonal tunes from Sierra Hull, The Lonesome Ace Stringband, and Tim O'Brien & Ben Winship. Get a sneak peek at exciting 2025 releases from Kris Delmhorst, Nefesh Mountain, Jordan Tice, The Devil Makes Three, and Cristina Vane. Plus, we’ve got big news from Alison Krauss & Union Station and Solas to share!

Listen Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Central on Radio Heartland. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/14/2024

This week's Mountain Stage is a brand-new episode, and it features a set of music by Minnesota's own Humbird! You'll also hear a live set by a Philadelphia band who are Minnesota fan favorites, Low Cut Connie; plus the great music of Blitzen Trapper and Town Mountain. What a show!

Catch Mountain Stage on Radio Heartland, Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Central. http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/14/2024

This week on American Routes, we'll hear New Orleans tunes and talk with Wendell Brunious, comedy and critique from Susan Werner, plus words and music from Big Mama Thornton, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash and the Five Satins.

Listen to American Routes on Radio Heartland, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central. Tune in on 91.1 FM HD2 in the Twin Cities, and from anywhere, listen using The Current's free smartphone app, tell your smart speaker to play Radio Heartland, or stream here: http://bit.ly/RdioHrtlnd

12/13/2024

This week's Classic Americana feature celebrates Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame musician John Anderson.

Listen to Radio Heartland on Friday at 11 a.m. Central, and find more at the link below.

For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we shine the spotlight John Anderson, a singer, songwriter and performer who’s part of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.