Scenic Route

Courtney Yasmineh is a Chicago-born songwriter  and author based in the Twin Cities, whose creative journey started as a teenager -running away to a family cabin the Northland, searching for the spirit of Bob Dylan and studying song. She joins host Will Moore along with producer/percussionist Rob Genadek for special morning live music session on Sidetracks.

Joe Hart an Nikki Grossman are the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, playing polka, country, and classic American tunes with an old-time vibe. They appeared on a slew of WTIP programs during the weekend of July 6-8th, talking about their travels, living in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, and about their latest record release "Don't THink About Tomorrow Tonight". Find their full live music session with Carl Solander below, along with their interview with Will Moore on Scenic Route, as well as their appearance during another special music session with folkie Ellen Stekart on Women in Music.

Doris Folkens is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Guelph, Ontario who's debut album focused on transforming stories from her family's past into song. Her self-titled album documents songs about emigration to Canada, World War II, and saving the family piano through any means necessary. Hear her full interview with Will Moore below:

Kyle Ollah is a Duluth-born multi-instrumentalist and player of various American music styles. He joins Will Moore ahead of a show at Voyageur Brewing to talk about discovering and selecting traditional tunes, including those on his new album "Used to Wear That Old Straw Hat, But Now You Wear the Crown". The record is his first full-length solo release.

Northland jazz guitar wizards Briand Morrison of Grand Portage and Sam Miltich of Grand Rapids come to WTIP's Studio to join host Tyler Howell for a special live music session ahead of a number of Cook County gigs.

The Big Dixie Swingers are a musical collective out of the New Orleans area focusing on revitalizing old-time and Western swing hits, as well as what banjo player and vocalist Elizabeth Gunn Bushnell calls "30's trash pop". Appearing ahead of a NSMA sponsored show at the Wunderbar, they play live in WTIP's Studio A alongside hosts Carl Solander and Joni Peterson, featuring special guest guitarist Jack Klatt. 

Chris Koza and Peter Sieve comprise one half of the band Rogue Valley, and both have been established musicians in the Minneapolis area for over 15 years. Sieve plays with a number of Twin Cities-based groups while Koza has put out a number of albums as a solo artist. They join Will Moore on the Scenic Route ahead of a show at the Wunderbar to play some songs live and talk about their history together, as well as Chris' upcoming new music.

Ruthie Foster is a blues and gospel singer/guitarist from Austin, TX who has received acclaim and accolades over her career, including receiving The Blues Foundation's Koko Taylor award for traditional blues. Coming fresh off a show at Carnegie Hall, Foster came up to Grand Marais for a show at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts before flying off for a European Tour.  She performs in Studio A and talks with Will Moore (as well as Carl Solander and NSMA's Kate Fitzgerald) about her musical upbringing, playing for hurricane relief, her latest album Joy Comes Back, and much more.

Nate Case is a founding member of The Lowland Lakers, a Minneapolis-based trio with strong ties to Duluth and many other places around the Upper Midwest. Nate joins Will Moore by phone to talk about the band and their upcoming record ahead of a performance at the Wunderbar in Grand Marais.

Kevin Kling is a treasured storyteller and author from Osseo, MN known for being a regular commentator on Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered. Performing at the Gunflint Lodge with esteemed accordionist Simone Perrin, he joins host Will Moore by phone to talk about the duo, connecting with audiences, and distinct Minnesotan traits.