Big Hits Of Mid-America

08/01/2023

Huzzah and Hurrah! Big Hits of Mid-America returned to the airwaves and intertubes today on 89.1 in the Valley and at KNNZ-FM on Radio Garden. Music from the Upper-Midewest (Dakotas, Minnesota, and Manitoba). When not posted here, it airs live Saturdays 5-7 p.m. Central. Here is the most recent show https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/big-hits-10/ and what was played:

Straight Line Arrival-Back To Myself

BED: Gregory Dee and the Avanties- The Grind

Terry Lee and the Poorboys-My Litle Sue

Jennifer Lyn and the Groove Revival-Nothing Holding Me Down

Underbeats-Foot Stompin

Bobby Vee and the Shadows-Suzie Baby

We All Have Hooks For Hands-Brother Mosquito

Accents-Searchin

BED: Ronnie Ray and the Playboys-The Vulture

Stovepipes-You Got It Bad

Bill Velline and the Shadows-Leave Me Alone

Knotties-Smalltown Girl

Davey Bee and the Sonics-University Girl

Joey Molland-Be True To Yourself

Treasures and Aaron Brothers-Lean Jean

Cloud Cult-One Way Out Of A Hole

BED: Rockin' Teen Beats-Basic

Joey Molland and Bad Finger-Without You

Unbelievable Uglies-Keep Her Satisfied

Richard Torrance-Return To Rio

Bobby Vee-Keep On Trying

Brenda Weiler-Dancer

Trade Winds 5-It Must Be Love

Mike and the Monsters-Gotta Be You

BED: Treasures-Minor Chaos

Big Bang-Garden Of Love

Cornerstones-You Rule Me

Newz-Can You Hear Me?

Mods-Should I

Phones-Crawl Walk Run

Pawnbrokers-Someday

Johnny Holm-Lightning Bar Blues

Dynamic Dischords-Passageway To Your Hear

Chalis-Hard To Believe

BED: Poorboys- Driftin

Ovlerland Stage-I'm Beginning To Feel It

Old and New Music From Minnesota and the Dakotas

17/10/2022

Were up to the 20th Century and buzzy, bright pop was the stock in trade of many in that time, including Minneapolis's Farewell Continental:

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesDepend on Me · Farewell ContinentalFarewell Continental℗ 2008 Paper + PlastickReleased on: 2018-04-13Auto-gener...

17/10/2022

A little late on the posting for the Big Broadcast of the Big Hits of Mid-America on Ken's FM, 89.1 in the valley and on Radio Garden at KNNZ_FM, every Saturday from 5-7 p.m. Central: https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/big-hits-seven/

It was almost all, All-Singing, All-Dancing, All-Fargo as I featured music from the soundtrack to the documentary, Fargo Rocks. We kicked the show off with current band, The Knotties and went from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WWzGEPZYn8

Knotties-Small Town Girl

BED: Ronnie Ray and the Playboys-The Vulture

Anything Goes-19th Nervous Breakdown

Richard Torrence-Rio De Janiero Blue

Venus In Furs-Radio

Terry Lee and the Poorbpys-Mt Liitle Sue

Hard To Believe-Chalis

Anomic-Moth Dust

BED: Rockin Teenbeats Band-Basic

Johnny Holm-Ligtning bar Blues

Suzie Baby-Bobby Vee and the Shadows

Walking=Blues Sky Betty's Got Wings

Phones-Modern Man

Bill Velline and the Shadows-Leave ME Alone

Daleks-Equinox

BED: Treasures-Minor Chaos

Decompseurs-Weep

Newz-Piece Of Me

Davey Bee and the Sonics-Linda Lee

Fighting At A College Level-God With A Late Field Goal

Mike and the Monsters-Gotta Be You

Aaron Brothers-Lean Jean

BED: Steve Rowe and the Furys-Malaguena

Big bang-Garden Of Love

York and Lancaster-Under The Eight Of An Apple Tree

Unbelievable Uglies-Keep Ger Satisfied

Brenda Weiler-Dancer

Round About Her Throne-Scared

Bobby Vee-Keep On Trying

Almost Something-Darkness

Tradewinds Five-It Must Be Love

BED: Poorboys-Driftin

Hobo Blood-Ghost Of Tom Waits

The Knotties 2017https://theknotties.bandcamp.com/releasesThe Knotties: Lead Guitar & Vocals- Channing Minnema Rhythm Guitar & Vocals- Pop Wilcox Bass Guita...

05/10/2022

Check out the latest and greatest concerning new and old music from the Dakotas and Minnesota! https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085353290153

A page dedicated to music from the Dakotas and Minnesota on KNNZ-Ken's FM, 89.1

03/10/2022

Indigenous are a group of Yankton Sioux came in strong at the end of the 1990s with a roots-rock feel that landed them on TV shows and a spot opening for BB King. They are led by singer, songwriter and guitarist Mato Nanji:

Off the LP: Things We Do

02/10/2022

You don't have to get all dressed up like early Minnesota rocker Augie Garcia to listen to this recording of The Big Broadcast of the Big Hits of Mid-America Presents" Garages Across the Prairie. https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/garages/ Lots of early rock, rockabilly, and garage rock from the Northern Plains: Dig It:
Augie Garcia Quintet-Hi Yo Silver-Minneapolis' first rocker
Bed: Poor Boys-Driftin-Fargo's first rock band
Bobby Vee and the Shadows-Suzie Baby
Terry Lee and the Poorboys-My Little Sue
Myron Lee and the Caddies-Homicide-South Dakota's first rock band
Unbelievable Uglies-Spider Man-Detroit Lakes
Mystifying Monarchs-Soldier of Fortune-Fargo
Pawnbrokers-Realize-Fargo
BED: Lost Souls-Enchanted Sea-Dickinson
Tracers-Watch Me-Minot
Trenchmen-Chaons On My Heart-Minot
Trippers-Have You Ever-Sioux Falls, SD
Dynamic Dischords-This Girl Of Mine-Oakes, ND
Bleach Boys-Wine Wine Wine-Sioux Falls, SD
Chateaux-Reference Man-Vermillion, SD
Cornerstones-You Rule Me-Grand Forks, ND
BED: Treasures-Minor Chaos-Fargo
Bird Dogs-Shoppin Around-Huron. SD
Dale Gregory and The Shouters-Did Ya Need To Know-Sioux Falls
Inner Light-Temptation-Pace, ND
Torres-Play Your Games-Huron, SD
BED: Shattoes-Surf Fever-Vermillion, SD
Those of Us-Without You-Sioux Falls, SD
Gemini 6 -Two Face Girls-Southwest, MN
Continetal Coets-I Don't Love You No More
Embermen Five-Fire In My Heart-Minot
Chad Allen and the Expressions-Shakin' All Over
Deverons-She's Your Lover
Guess Who-Believe Me
Jury-Whp Dat?
BED: Steve Rowe and The Furys-Malguena-Fargo
The Quid-Lover, Lover- Winnipeg

25/09/2022

The Clams were a fabulous Minneapolis band in the 80s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULqwNZmM9Sg All women, and boy did they rock. As such stuff happens lead singer and songwriter Cindy Lawson was the only one to stay in music. In the 90s, she started Whoops Kitty https://cindylawson.bandcamp.com/album/whoops-kitty She has soldiered on into the new century with some great new music: https://cindylawson.bandcamp.com/album/whoops-kitty

11 track album

25/09/2022

This week for the Big Broadcast of The Big Hits of Mid-America, I dipped into the other Dakota and came up with a group I just liked from their name. How can you resist the folk-rock stylings of We All Have Hooks For Hands? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX08Xn0r0ac.

The Big Hits of Mid-America is on Ken's FM, 89.1 in the Valley, or KNNZ-FM on Radio Garden every Saturday from 5-7 p.m. Central. https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/big-hits-of-mid-america-6/

Here's our latest playlist:

We All Have Hooks For Hands-Brother Mosquito

BED: Gregory Dee and the Avanties-The Grind

Gear Daddies-Time Heals

Joey Molland-Be True To Yourself
Anything Goes-19th Nervous Background
Bad Bad hats-Walkman
Hobo Blooed-Ghost Of Tom Waits
Prince-Around The World In A Day
Gina Powers-Twisted

BED: Continental Coets-Medley Of Junk

Hobo Blood-Ghost Of Tom Waits
Another Carnival-Hands Across My Heart
Tuesday X-Everyone Leaves
Almost Something-Darkness
Clams-Train Song
Whoops Kitty-Anything For You )John Doe)

BED: Apollo Suns-So Long Ethan

Round About Her Thone -Scared
Cindy Lawson-I'm Loaded
Fendermen-Muleskinner Blues
York and Lancaster-Under The Weight Of An Apple Tree
Undereats-Book Of Love

BED: Poorboys-Driftin

Stovepipes-Medicine Man
Fighting At A College Level-God With A Late Field Goal
Knotties-Lay Me Down
Trashmen-Surfin Bird
Cloudcult-One way Out Of A Hole
Castaways-Liar Liar
badfinger W/ Todd Rundgren-Witout You
Deomposeurs-Weep

BED: Bobby Vee and the Shadows-Flyin High

Episode summary - "Oliver's groovy nephew (Chuck) arrives in Hooterville on his motorcycle with long hair, hip lingo and no interest in work. However, Chuck ...

18/09/2022

So, what happens when a mixed race band that does hard/progressive rock and you name yourself after a major continent and then, more famous people do the same thing? Oh, well, we at least have the albums they left behind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9i7DhVJFuk

18/09/2022

Joey Molland is a long time Twin Citian and the sole remaining member of the 70s band, Badfinger. The first part of the Big Broadcast of the Big Hits of Mid-America, https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/big-hits-5/served piping hot every Saturday from 5-7 pm Central on 89.1 Ken's FM also on Radio Garden at KNNZ-FM, paid tribute to Molland's long career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Ke5YiVs1k Much audio goodness followed:

Joey Molland-Be True To Yourself

BED: Bob Dylan-Wigwam

Masterminds-Taken My Love
Gary Walker and the Rain-Spooky
Iveys-I've Been There Once Before
Natural Gas-The Right Time
Badfinger-Day After Day
Badfinger W/ Todd Rundgren-Without You

BED: Contiental Coets-Medley of Junk

Bad bad Hats-Walkman
Prince Hot Summer
Cold Casuals-Maverick Ways
Bob Mould- Sunshine Rock
Venus In Furs-Radio
Sugar-If I Can't Change Your Mind
Anything Goes-The Wife and Kids

BED: Lost Souls-Enchanted Sea

Gina Powers Band-Twisted
Anomic-Moth Dust
Vanity Plate-Wilder
Waking-Blue Sky Betty's Got Wings
Tuesday X-Everyone Leaves
Daleks-Equinoz

BED: Driftin'

DecomposeursWeep
Cloud Cult-One Way Out Of A Hole
Fighting At A College Level-Gow With A Late Field Goal
Cindy Lawson-You've Got Quality
Clams-Crazy Boys
Whoops Kitty Walk-Anasatasia

BED: Bobby Vee and the Shadows-Flyin High

York and Lancaster-Under The Weight Of An Apple Tree

11/09/2022

While the Big Broadcast of the Big Hits of Mid-America was shelved because of technical difficulties this week, I wanted to post about a great book I've read. "Everybody's Heard About The Bird" released by Paul Shefchik in 2015, is a great story about rock in the Twin Cities long before Prince, Husker Du, or The Replacements. It goes from the late 50s and Minneapolis' first rock star, Augie Garcia (who is Jimmy Jam's grandfather), to an extended case study of the Cities' biggest hitmakers of the 60s, The Trashmen and "Surfin' Bird." It really captures well "That Thing You Do" era when bands struggled to get a record played on the local radio station and play dances at the local YMCA. The musicians, record producers, and managers of that era are all profiled here in wonderful detail. It talks of that magical when anyone with a guitar thought they were the next Beatles. Fun and informative!

06/09/2022

Largely considered to be the first rock and roll record from the Fargo, ND area. Terry Lee and The Poorboys were pressed into service to fill a couple of vacancies on The Ill-fated Winter Dance Party stop at the Moorhead, MN Armory. They did the one record at Soma in Minneapolis and Terry Lee entertained people throughout the decades: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adlyHdcXeFw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVWAPuIg3l4

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06/09/2022

The Big Broadcast of The Big Hits of Mid-America was back on at its usual time and place, Saturdays from 5-7 Central on Ken's FM at 89.1 in the valley and on Radio Garden at KNNZ.

I've been meaning to play the Cities' Bad Bad Hats for a while. Delightful little pop nuggets that you won't find filling: https://badbadhats.bandcamp.com/album/walkman

Herewith, the show and what we played:

https://www.mixcloud.com/profpike/big-hits-of-mid-america-4/

Bad Bad Hats-Walkman

BED: Minor Chaos-Treasures

Shannon Curfmann-Fast Lane Addiction

Cold Casuals-Maverick Ways

Clams-Crazy Boys

Cindy Lawson-Dream Baby

Another Carnival-Hands Across My Heart

Whoops Kitty- Stormchaser

BED: Continetal Co-ets-Medley of Junk

Anything Goes-19th Nervous Breakdown

Gina Powers-Twisted

Jayhawks-Dogtown Days

Sons of Mars-Float Me

Trashmen-Surfin Bird

Vanity Plate

BED: Lost Souls Encahnged Sea

Castaways-Liar Liar

Tuesday X-Everyone Leaves

Fendermen-Muleskinnr Blues

Cloud Cult-One way Out Of A Hole

Underbeats-Annie Do The Dog

Badfinger W/ Todd Rundgren-Without You

BED: Poorboys-Driftin

Accents-Wherever There's A WIll

Iveys-Maybe Tomorrow

Gregory Dee and the Avanties-Aiin't Got No Home

Badfinger-No Matter What

Hobo Blood-Ghost Of Tom Waits

Almost Something-Darkness

Gradience-Tyranny

BED: Bobby Vee and the Shadows-Flying High

Round About He Throne-Scared

Old and new music from the Dakotas and Minnesota