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Co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan delight in tiny toads, listen to catbirds, and wonder at crab spiders.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
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Grand Rapids Players
Melissa Carper is omnipresent in today’s old-school country scene, where jazz and blues music has as much influence as fishin’ and drinkin’.
With Sad Daddy, she rolls out with a crew of Arkansas-based musicians: Brian Martin on guitar, Joe Sundell playing banjo and Rebecca Patek on fiddle. Together, they recorded a timeless amalgamation of ballads (“Let's Go Fishin’ ”), jug band songs (“Did We Turn Off the Stove?”) and up-tempo swingers (“Don't You Take My Dollar Bill”).
Recorded at the all-analog Nashville studio The Bomb Shelter (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff), Ozark Shine sounds like a back porch hootenanny with some of your coolest musician friends. The musicianship and vocal harmonies are top-notch, but Sad Daddy also uses humor, whimsy and kazoos to great effect. "Did We Turn Off the Stove?" is a prime example of the sly cleverness Sad Daddy brings to their music while also being completely relatable. Who hasn't left the house wondering if all the necessary things were turned off, locked up, fed, put away, etc.? -DG
With Sad Daddy, she rolls out with a crew of Arkansas-based musicians: Brian Martin on guitar, Joe Sundell playing banjo and Rebecca Patek on fiddle. Together, they recorded a timeless amalgamation of ballads (“Let's Go Fishin’ ”), jug band songs (“Did We Turn Off the Stove?”) and up-tempo swingers (“Don't You Take My Dollar Bill”).
Recorded at the all-analog Nashville studio The Bomb Shelter (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff), Ozark Shine sounds like a back porch hootenanny with some of your coolest musician friends. The musicianship and vocal harmonies are top-notch, but Sad Daddy also uses humor, whimsy and kazoos to great effect. "Did We Turn Off the Stove?" is a prime example of the sly cleverness Sad Daddy brings to their music while also being completely relatable. Who hasn't left the house wondering if all the necessary things were turned off, locked up, fed, put away, etc.? -DG
Latest Stories
New book celebrates canoe exploration and famed paddler Bob O'Hara
Minnesota journalist Ryan Rodgers' new book "Where the Green Light Shines" glimpses into the world of arctic canoeing told through the journeys of a true master of the craft, Bob O’Hara.
Drought plagues northern MN despite storms
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Beltrami sheriff shares water safety tips; Cleanup continues after DL-area tornado
And: Four Northland organizations recieve child care grants; men encouraged to wear sunscreen and get skin checks; and Eveleth plans to replace the "Big Stick."
Large portion of BWCA north of Ely closes due to wildfires
The U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026.
Hall of fame fishing guide Neustrom dies; Pequot Lakes passes data center moratorium
And: Minnesota partners hope opioid prevention success spreads to youth; and a community storytelling initiative aims to capture recovery stories in St. Louis County.
Comment open on draft Little Fork River Watershed Management Plan
The plan will guide the implementation of voluntary conservation projects and programs in the northeastern Minnesota watershed over the next decade.
Opioid crisis: MN partners hope prevention success spreads to youth
A foundation coordinating with local partners says the opioid crisis isn't over, and a new Minnesota grant is an example of the urgency felt in preventing youth tragedies.
Hall of fame fishing guide Tom Neustrom dies at 77
The Grand Rapids area fishing guide and former Itasca County deputy died in his home on July 5, 2026. He contributed to the Minnesota fishing community in numerous ways.
Area Voices: Artist Rosemary Holliday Hall finds inspiration by paying attention
California artist Rosemary Holliday Hall’s work is on display at the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids through July 18, 2026.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music July 9-11, 2026
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Mighty Trains Band, Christopher David Hanson, j. bell & the Lazy Susan Band and Sonny Johnson.
Missing 80-year-old Itasca County man found safe shortly after search starts
Bruce Larson was reported missing July 9, 2026, in the Wabana area, north of Grand Rapids. He was found safe later that morning.
Plantings under keystone trees give native pollinators a 'soft landing'
Heather Holm, pollinator conservationist and award-winning author, discusses how you can protect pollinators while also cutting down on your yardwork.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
During the Phenology Report for the week of June 30, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on ripening fruits, blooming flowers, and chipmunks calling.
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KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
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