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#Current10 Memories: Jim McGuinn

Jim McGuinn participating in The Current's public music meeting.
Jim McGuinn participating in The Current's public music meeting.MPR / Nate Ryan

by Jim McGuinn

January 17, 2015

Program Director Jim McGuinn began working at The Current in January 2009. He shares some of his favorite recollections from the past several years at The Current.

  1. Watching my son, with wide-eyed wonder, listening to Barb Abney read Green Eggs and Ham at Rock the Cradle.

  1. Standing on the top of the hill at Rock the Garden during the headliner set each year and looking out at the people, the music and the city.

  1. Being at the Cedar Cultural Center for a sold-out celebration of the release of Twin Cities Funk and Soul compilation, and seeing the total joy in the eyes of the performers, many of whom had not sung on a stage like that for many years.

  1. The visit we had from the late Ian McLagan — not only his performance in our studios, but the dinner the night before when he regaled our staff with stories and lore, arriving a famous stranger, but leaving a friend who will not be forgotten.

  1. Oh, and the time Prince showed up at the Birthday Party at First Avenue and I was summoned to hang out with him, and I got to talk to him music fan to music fan — because if nothing else, Prince is a music fan. He loves it, and we love him.