#Current 10: Your Stories

Happy 10th Anniversary to The Current!Corey Sweeter for MPR

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January 21, 2015

From discovering music to finding community to getting through tough times, The Current's listeners share their stories of how the station has played a part in their lives. Read their stories and share your own in the comments section below.

Corey Sweeter, Champlin, Minn.

The Current, simply put, is the soundtrack to our life as a family. It was there five years ago as my connection to the outside world and my refuge when I became a stay-at-home father. It's what I keep playing in the background now to focus my thoughts when I'm doing my illustration work. It was there to give my wife and I a much-needed anniversary date night a few years ago when Mason Jennings played an intimate show at the Westminster Church. It's helped me raise my children to appreciate music, the arts and our great community through programs like Rock the Cradle. It's helped us bond as a family over our shared love of local acts like Sonny Knight & the Lakers.

The list goes on and on, just like The Current. It's become a constant that's made our lives so much richer for its presence. Cheers to 10 years and many, many more to come!

Editor's note: Corey Sweeter created the illustration used at the top of this feature.

Ivy Bambenek, Minneapolis

I listen to The Current every day at work. My former officemate and I would listen and pick out our favorite songs. Now we message each other every time you play one of our faves as a way to stay connected! Thank you, The Current, for keeping me connected to my friends and for being the soundtrack to my life!

Mike Dreams (aka Michael Hannah), Nashville, Tenn.

The Current has been a great part of my life — in various ways, as an artist and just as a person in general.

I began listening to The Current around 2007, when I really began getting to know the local music scene. It was my go-to station to hear awesome local talents from all genres, as well as awesome indie music. The first time I ever heard Amy Winehouse's music was on The Current. It was such an honor, years later, to hear my own music being played on air, as well as being asked in for an interview by David Campbell at The Local Show in August of 2012. I've appreciated the continued support of my songs in rotation and the support of direct extensions of me, such as featuring my protégé teen girls' group, LNJAY, on the special "Back to School" Edition of The Local Show in August 2014.

Though I've relocated outside of Minneapolis, I still tune in via the online stream to one of my favorite radio stations ever!

Heidi Makela, Minneapolis

Mary Lucia makes my rush-hour drive something I can actually look forward to, but Mary also got me through the scariest two hours of my life.

I'm a breast cancer survivor, and a couple of years ago, I was having strange neurological symptoms, which (since breast cancer can metastasize to the brain) got me called in for an MRI on my melon. The technician was very patient with me as I started to hyperventilate each time she tried to move me into the machine. After nearly sending me home so I could come back another time under the influence of sedatives, she asked me if the radio would help. "Yes, please," I said. "Can you turn on The Current?"

I heard Mary Lucia's voice (my FAVE — don't tell David Campbell), and closed my eyes and pictured myself in the studio, her talking to me directly. I was able to focus on her voice and ignore the fear that was literally an inch from my face for two hours.

About an hour into it, Mary played Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah", which always makes me weep. There I was, having to lie completely still, tears streaming down and pooling under my head. It was such a beautiful distraction and exactly what I needed in the most awful moment of my life.

And the MRI came back normal.

From the Saturday-morning dance parties with my son and Jacquie Fuller to Friday night's Rock 'n' Roll Radio and everything in between, The Current is a constant companion for me (and my pooch … she listens all day!).

Thanks for 10 years of awesome for my ears and my soul.

Amanda Bugge, Alameda, Calif.

I started listening to The Current three years ago while working in Minnesota, and my husband and I attended the 9th Birthday bash, which was amazing!!

I recently moved to California and cannot go a day without streaming The Current! Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to good radio!

Bruce Lahr, Sauk Rapids, Minn.

Stream it every night after work. Thanks!

Eric Wright, Chicago

I recall driving to Minnesota on business while midstream through a divorce. On the radio, The Current plays Gram Parsons' "In My Darkest Hour", and I am convinced, yet again, that there is no such thing as a coincidence.

Keep up the good work.

Kari Koehler, Minneapolis

I'm so lucky The Current has been a soundtrack to my 20s (and now my 30s!).

I used to stream The Current out of state, where I was tired of the lack of a music scene and ready for a change. When I moved here in 2006, I was excited to be somewhere with quality radio. Everyone I knew who stuck around back home ended up getting satellite radio as the only way to hear different music.

Kari Koehler and her fiance attend a taping of The Current's Morning Show

Like anything, life has its ups and downs, curve balls and amazing moments. Thankfully as an avid listener of The Current, my life has had the perfect soundtrack to cover the pivotal moments. I've been fortunate enough to not only listen, but to also interact with The Current: attending in-studio performances, volunteering at Rock the Garden, getting to tour the studios, attending a Morning Show live taping. Growing up I had to really work and put forth effort to expose myself to new and different sounds. Moving to Minneapolis and getting to immerse myself in The Current and the music scene made me beyond happy. Finding new music was never so easy.

The community that has grown out of The Current is also wonderful. I wouldn't want to be making my home anywhere else, because The Current — the DJs, the music and all the extras — has truly made me feel like I am a part of something. I truly feel that The Current and the music and the community that has grown out of it has helped me grow and has shaped the person I am today. I can't wait for the next 10 years!

Edward Beck, Stamford, Conn.

I enjoyed the timing of The Current's debut, being in middle school and just finding my music chops as both a listener and a musician.

From there, my love of music of all genres grew, and The Current supplied me with a steady stream of new and not-heard-elsewhere music, taking me through high school and out-of-state to college. Making it back home to Rock the Garden during summer break, seeing Trampled by Turtles with my dad as a Christmas Gift, and streaming The Current kept Minnesota close at mind and made me a little less homesick.

Now settled with a job in Connecticut, I still listen to The Current, and I hope to make it back for Current-sponsored events to keep my connection to Minnesota music and culture — without The Current, I'd be missing all of that!