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

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

MN Music Note - Ep 42 - The Behind-the-Scenes Story of Mid Summer Music Fest

What does it actually take to build a music festival from the ground up? In this episode, I sat down with Jena Burkman, General Manager of Mid Summer Music Fest, to pull back the curtain on one of Minnesota's fastest-growing rock festivals. Jena shares how a simple idea between friends evolved into a multi-day event featuring national acts, thousands of attendees, and over 1,300 campsites. They dive into the year-round planning that goes into booking bands, managing logistics, coordinating vendors, and creating an unforgettable fan experience. Jena also shares stories from past festivals, what it's like working with major touring acts, and why Mid Summer Music Fest has become a favorite destination for rock fans across the region. You'll hear what happens behind the scenes long before the first guitar riff hits the stage, how bands are booked, what fans can expect this year, and the surprising amount of work that goes into pulling off a festival of this size with a small team. In this episode: - How Mid Summer Music Fest got started - The challenges of running a music festival with a small team - Booking national acts like Collective Soul, Nonpoint, Dorothy, Warrant, and White Lion - What attendees can expect from the camping and festival experience - The role local bands and tribute acts play in the lineup - Behind-the-scenes insights into festival production and logistics - Jena's journey from restaurant owner to festival manager - The future vision for Mid Summer Music Fest  If you're a fan of live music, rock festivals, camping, or simply curious about what it takes to build an event of this scale, you won't want to miss this episode. 👉 Watch the full episode now and get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Mid Summer Music Fest before the gates open this summer. P.S. Be sure to watch til the end, we have a surprise! Resources: 🎸 Mid Summer Music Fest 📍 Menahga, Minnesota 📅 July 23–25 🎟️ Tickets and festival information available at midsummermusicfest.com PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online