Top 10 Local Songs of 2016

"Maggie's Farm" – The Boomchucks, Bringin' It All Back to Duluth Does Dylan
Brad Nelson and Jamie Ness have been going undercover as The Freewheelers, and playing this Dylan classic for packed crowds at The American Legion in Two Harbors since the birth of Dylan Fest; but the slicing mandolin of Erik Berry (Trampled By Turtles) and Russ Sackett's lively bass re-energize the song on the version recorded for Duluth's fourth and latest Dylan tribute album.

"Granny Squares" – Ingeborg Von Aggassiz, Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Jason Wussow's Mix
It's one of the only readily available audio recordings out there from this enigmatic electro-folk artist; but that's all about to change, as she's currently working on an album for release sometime next year.

"Little Red Corvette" – Blake Thomas, Take It With You
By the time this episode of the popular radio theater show was recorded, the news of Prince's passing had been circulating for weeks, and what seemed like every artist under the Sun had paid some kind of tribute. My solidarity with the grieving community was quickly turning to jaded resentment for the notion that one can simply just "cover" Prince now. Then Blake Thomas and his beloved troupe of comedic theater rats took their turn. All the songs in that episode were Prince covers, but this slow, sad, nostalgic rendition of Little Red Corvette wins Best Tribute award from me.

"Sing it to the Sky" – Glitteratti, Sing It to the Sky
We have yet another project from Marc Gartman.(Two Many Banjos, Coyote, Feverdream) This group features Dave Carroll, Tim Saxhaug( both of Trampled By Turtles) and Kyle Keegan.(Ben Howard, Hiss Golden Messenger) Their debut E.P. released in July.

"Play That Bossa One More Time" – TenderNess, Blues & Oranges
An authentic Brazilian Jazz tune from charming and well-traveled Duluth native Peter Witrak.
Listen here.

The Current Hosts' and Staffers' Top 89 of 2016

Brett Baldwin • Bill DeVille • Jay Gabler • Leah Garaas • Jade • Cecilia Johnson • Lindsay Kimball • Mary Lucia • Jim McGuinn • Sean McPherson • Shelley Miller • Dan Nass • Mike Novitzki • Matt Perkins • Brian Oake • Jill Riley • Jake Rudh • Nate Ryan • David Safar • Derrick Stevens • Andrea Swensson • Luke Taylor • Anna Reed • Mark Wheat • Mac Wilson