Radio Heartland®Classic Americana: John Anderson Mike Pengra and Luke Taylor • Dec 13, 2024For 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.
Radio Heartland®Classic Americana: Big Mama ThorntonMike Pengra and Luke Taylor • Dec 6, 2024For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we shine the spotlight on Big Mama Thornton, a blues singer who infused every performance with her indomitable spirit.
Radio Heartland®Classic Americana: Gordon LightfootMike Pengra and Luke Taylor • Nov 22, 2024For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we shine the spotlight on Gordon Lightfoot, a singer-songwriter who fellow Canadian Robbie Robertson called “a national treasure.”
News and InterviewsHe's been nominated 32 times for CMA Musician of the Year — but never wonNeda Ulaby • Nov 20, 2024Steel pedal guitarist Paul Franklin set a CMA record as a 32-time nominee for Musician of the Year. Will this year be different?
WatchGillian Welch and David Rawlings play songs from 'Woodland' at The Current for Radio HeartlandMike Pengra • Nov 13, 2024Welch and Rawlings played songs from their Grammy-nominated album.
WatchMaya de Vitry performs songs from the new album, 'The Only Moment,' live in studioMike Pengra • Oct 27, 2024This year’s release marks de Vitry’s fourth release as an artist performing under her own name.
Good NewsGood News: a memory related to Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy"Ayisha Jaffer • Oct 22, 2024On this week’s Good News on The Current, listener Dale shares a story tied to Glen Campbell’s hit, “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
Radio Heartland®Classic Americana: John PrineMike Pengra and Luke Taylor • Oct 18, 2024For this week’s Classic Americana pick, we remember the great John Prine, whose five-decade career as a singer-songwriter gave us a treasure trove of songs to make you laugh, cry, think — or all three.
Radio Heartland®Classic Americana: Olivia Newton-JohnMike Pengra and Luke Taylor • Oct 11, 2024This week’s Classic Americana pick spotlights the early recordings of musician, actor and activist Olivia Newton-John.
News and InterviewsListen to Kris Kristofferson recorded at the MPR booth at the 1991 Minnesota State Fair Luke Taylor • Oct 3, 2024In 1991 — MPR’s first year of live broadcasts from its booth at the Minnesota State Fair — the late Kris Kristofferson was interviewed and performed two songs to promote an upcoming event that brought together Indigenous people, environmentalists and artists.