MN Music Note - Ep 47 - He Gave Up His Corporate Career to Teach Guitar with Phil Olson

MN Music Note - Ep 47 - He Gave Up His Corporate Career to Teach Guitar with Phil Olson

What would it take for you to walk away from a stable career and bet on your passion? In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, we sit down with guitarist, educator, author, and entrepreneur Phil Olson to talk about the unexpected path that led him from the corporate world to building a thriving career teaching guitar. Phil shares stories from touring the Midwest, studying recording engineering in Los Angeles, learning from Grammy-winning producers, meeting legendary musicians, and developing his own unique guitar teaching method that's now helping students around the world. He also opens up about the leap of faith that changed his life, why great musicians never stop learning, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in music. Whether you're a guitarist, musician, music educator, or simply someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and unforgettable stories from nearly five decades in music. 🎸 In this episode you'll hear about: • Why Phil left a stable corporate career to teach guitar • His journey through the Los Angeles music scene • Stories about Baywatch, Jimi Hendrix, Yanni, Chick Corea, and more • Building a successful guitar studio with over 70 students • The philosophy behind his guitar teaching method • Writing the Awesome Guitar Series • Why passion, persistence, and curiosity matter more than talent 👉 Watch until the end to hear Phil's advice for musicians, his vision for leaving a lasting legacy through music education, and why he believes the best players never stop learning. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: The Awesome Guitar Series:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMY91K4?binding=paperback PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 46 - The Guitarist Who Turned Grief Into Hope with Nathan Pehler

What if one guitar could change someone's life? For Nathan Pehler, music has never just been about playing shows. After losing his father and battling addiction, he found a new purpose—giving away guitars to kids who needed hope, encouragement, and someone to believe in them. In this episode, Nathan shares the stories behind his Make A Riff project, why he believes Minnesota's underground metal scene is stronger than ever, and how music continues to save lives in more ways than one. In this episode, we talked about: 🎸 The heartbreaking story that inspired Nathan to start giving away guitars ❤️ How losing his dad changed the course of his life forever 🤘 Why Minnesota's underground metal scene is thriving despite what people think 🎶 The truth about making a living as a metal musician 🔥 His journey through addiction, rehab, and finding purpose again 🎤 The bands, studios, and people keeping Minnesota metal alive 🎁 Why giving back to the next generation means more to him than any stage he's ever played This episode is funny, raw, inspiring, and a reminder that music has the power to change lives far beyond the stage. Hit play—you'll leave seeing both metal and the people behind it in a completely different way. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 45 - Why Lakefront Music Fest Is About So Much More Than Music

What does it really take to pull off a music festival for 18,000 people—and why would hundreds of volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to make it happen? Most people show up for the music. They never see the months of planning, the last-minute chaos, the sleepless nights, or the incredible community that makes it all possible. In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, I sat down with Michelle, Event Director of Lakefront Music Fest, and Laurie of the Prior Lake Rotary Club to go behind the scenes of one of Minnesota's biggest music festivals. From booking national headliners to navigating unpredictable weather, coordinating 2,000+ volunteers, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, this conversation reveals why Lakefront Music Fest is about so much more than music. In this episode, we talked about: 🎸 What it really takes to organize an 18,000-person music festival 🎤 How Lakefront Music Fest books artists like Billy Idol and Keith Urban 🌧️ The biggest challenges they've faced—including weather, COVID, and last-minute surprises 🤝 Why more than 2,000 volunteers come together to make the festival happen every year 💰 How every ticket sold helps fund local nonprofits and life-changing community projects 🎵 Behind-the-scenes stories from working with national touring artists ❤️ Why purpose, community, and giving back are the true heartbeat of Lakefront Music Fest If you've ever wondered what happens before the gates open—or why this festival has become such an important part of Minnesota's music scene—you won't want to miss this conversation. 👇 Watch the full episode now, and discover the incredible story behind Lakefront Music Fest. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: Lakefront Music Fest July 10th - 11th Tickets: lakefrontmusicfest.com  PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/

MN Music Note - Ep 44 - World Karaoke Champion, Drag Performer & Musician | Mikko Blaze

Can a karaoke competition really change your life? For Mikko Blaze, the answer is yes. What started as a love for singing led him from drag performances and karaoke competitions to becoming a World Karaoke Champion, performing on national television in Japan, sharing stages with incredible artists, and building a name for himself in Minnesota's music scene. In this episode, Mikko opens up about the moments that shaped him, the risks that paid off, and why he's finally stepping fully into the artist he's always wanted to be. In this episode, we talked about: • Becoming the 2018 World Karaoke Champion • How drag performance helped launch his music career • Performing on national television in Japan • Joining Hurricane Karaoke and building a life in music • Why Minnesota became the place he calls home • The bands, collaborations, and projects he's working on today • The advice he'd give anyone who's afraid to chase their dream Whether you're a musician, performer, creative, or someone who's been putting off a dream for too long, this conversation is packed with stories, laughs, inspiration, and proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself. 🎙️ Tune in to hear how one karaoke competition led to a world championship, international stages, and a music journey that's still just getting started. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

MN Music Note - Ep 43 - From a Tennis Racket to 25 Years on Stage with Jason Farruggia

From pretending a tennis racket was a guitar as a kid to becoming a staple of Minnesota's rock scene, Jason Farruggia has spent decades living and breathing music. As a founding member of Menace, a guitarist in KOBB, and a member of StiphBizkit, Jason has spent decades entertaining crowds and helping shape Minnesota's rock scene. In this episode, Jason shares stories from 25 years with Menace, the journey that led him to the stage, the realities of keeping a band together for decades, his love of guitars, and how original music, tribute bands, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable performances have shaped his life. Whether you're a musician, a music fan, or someone pursuing a passion that refuses to let go, this conversation is packed with stories, lessons, laughs, and hard-earned wisdom from a true Minnesota music veteran. In This Episode We Talk About: - Growing up pretending a tennis racket was a guitar - The story behind his very first guitar - Building Menace into a Minnesota rock staple for 25 years - The challenges of keeping a band together through decades of change - What separates memorable performers from everyone else on stage - The creation of his signature green beard stage persona - Performing with KOBB and bringing iconic metal songs to life - The story behind StiphBizkit and its place in the local music scene - His ever-growing guitar collection and love of gear - The friendships, memories, and opportunities music has brought into his life You’re gonna want to tune into this episode because Jason's story is proof that passion doesn't have an expiration date. From playing air guitar with a tennis racket to performing with Menace, KOBB, and StiphBizkit, he shares what it takes to stay committed to music, evolve with the times, and keep showing up for the thing you love most. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online