McDonald says that earlier in his career, he tended to avoid writing about himself directly in songs. He opens up about his life and career in the memoir, What a Fool Believes.

Friday night at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul, Pokey LaFarge and his band ignited the crowd during a generous and lively Microshow.

The band returned to Palace Theatre with musicianship and a comforting presence. Chicago-based Ratboys opened up.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, which songs mentioning wolves would you like to hear?

Bill Haley and the Comets released a seminal song; Paul McCartney achieved his sixth solo U.S. No. 1 single; Frank Sinatra was commemorated in a couple of ways, 10 years apart; Finland won its first Eurovision Song Contest; and Dan Wilson was born, today in music history.

The Album of the Week is Lives Outgrown by Beth Gibbons.

Checking in with The Current’s Mac Wilson, multiple Grammy-winner Norah Jones talks about experiencing the solar eclipse in New York and about her new album, ‘Visions.’

Just before embarking on tour in support of their new record, Right On, Minneapolis band Humbird visited The Current studio for a session hosted by Radio Heartland’s Mike Pengra.

The Beatles had a Gold record in one week; Stevie Wonder had a No. 1 with “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”; Paul Simon's song about film hit No. 1; Supertramp hit No. 1 with “Breakfast in America”; and Sam Smith was born, today in music history.

An early influence for Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt, Koerner was a fixture on the West Bank of Minneapolis, especially at Palmer’s Bar. He died of cancer surrounded by family in the early hours of Saturday, May 18, at his Minneapolis home. He was 85.