December 24, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews local singer/songwriter Stuart Davis on his unique holiday show "Break from the Relatives."
December 12, 1996 - Arts organizations across the state got some good news from Governor Carlson. In his state of the arts address--an effort to underscore how the arts have become a one-billion-dollar industry in Minnesota--Carlson proposed a 12-million dollar initiative which would nearly double state funding for the arts in the next biennium. In an era of declining federal support, arts groups say the proposed increase couldn't come at a better time.
December 11, 1996 - The city of Minneapolis is once again setting its sights on a section of Nicollet Mall for redevelopment, and as in the past, not everybody is happy with the plan. It's already been announced that Target stores Inc. plans to build a new headquarters on the mall. Now the city, along with a local contractor, want to raze a block along the south end of the mall to make way for a new Target store and office tower. But some tenants on the block don't want to leave and charge the city with bulldozing the plan through.
December 4, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Jane Anfinson, electric violinist and vocalist of Own, a Minneapolis art rock band that combines classical and jazz influences with traditional pop song structures. Anfinson discusses redefining instrumentation and abstract lyrics.
November 18, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the troubling year for the music industry, and the fallout among local labels. After years of double-digit growth, record sales have flattened out and the consumer base for music appears to be shrinking. Part of the problem is an explosion in the number of retail outlets that sell CDs and tapes, creating a situation in which supply far exceeds demand. As a result, distributors and record labels are getting huge numbers of returns, and some are even going out of business. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts has this report on the fallout among local labels. Roberts interviews Bob Feldman, Red House Records founder; Rob Simons, Rykodisc co-founder; Paul Stark, president of Twin/Tone Record Group; and John Michael, a Best Buy merchandise manager (who says music retailers need an industry-wide advertising campaign, similar to "Got Milk?").
October 31, 1996 - With wind chills for Halloween expected to hover near or below zero, Minnesota continues to prove in being the worst place in the world for trick-or-treaters. MPR’s Chris Roberts wondered whether this puts much of a damper on things for kids, so he sought an expert's opinion.
October 22, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Paul Robb, former member of Information Society. Robb discusses various sub-genres; bands Brother Sun Sister and Think Tank; and mentions Alan Freed’s Beat Radio.
October 17, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on growing political involvement in Hmong community. 20+ years after the first Hmong refugees arrived in Minnesota, Hmong voter ranks have grown steadily, and more are involved in politics than ever before.
September 30, 1996 - A Voices of America interview with Joe Selvaggio, the founder of Project for Pride in Living, and Yair Dalal, music of peace, in hour 2 of Midmorning.
September 18, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts presents a story about the birth of a poet. 10-year-old Josh Tane, of St. Paul, would probably be the last to tell you that he deserves the title of "poet." But last year, to the amazement of his teacher and parents, Josh discovered his muse and wrote some remarkable poems.