The host of Transmission, Jake Rudh, provides a playlist of some of his favorite holiday jams as nice alternatives to the seasonal norm. Just don't ask him for any help explaining what a Cocteau Twin is to Grandma.

What songs that feature the sound of sleigh bells, but aren't holiday songs, should we play for today's 9:30 Coffee Break?

It's the time of year when it's getting colder, it's winter, it's the holidays . . . time to gather round the fire for some storytelling and shared experiences. MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Steve Seel and Jill Riley on The Current's Morning Show to talk about some heartwarming productions.

Sam Cooke passed away, Aretha Franklin performed on stage in New York for the first time, and The Jam played their last show Today in Music History.

This morning, Target Center announced that Billy Joel will perform at the Minneapolis arena on May 16. The news came at a press conference preceded by two days of speculation—fueled by a teasing Instagram photo of Times Square in 1999—as to what the venue’s “major concert” announcement would be today. Tickets will go on sale…

On Dec. 11, 2008, Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show with Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole (aka Tom Keith) made its final broadcast. That same day, a new service, Radio Heartland, began streaming. Program Director Mike Pengra recently sat down to reflect on Radio Heartland past, present and future.

“Please bear in mind that I’m just one old girl with arthritis and I have to rest my hands between dolls,” writes British knitter Kate Park, whose handmade Morrissey dolls have become the year’s hottest Christmas gift among music aficionados. Park is so overwhelmed with inquiries that she’s had to stop taking orders, but you can watch…

Sleater-Kinney make their Chart Show debut, the War on Drugs hold steady as they top year-end list after year-end list and the Decemberists see a big bump as they nearly sell out their upcoming March 24 Minneapolis gig at Northrop.

It's time to vote your Top 89 of 2014, but with so much amazing music coming out this year, perhaps you want a little help narrowing the field. Have a look at what The Current's staffers chose as their favorites as you put together your list.

Celebrating the release of their new concept album Picture (Portrait), Minneapolis' We Are the Willows stopped by The Current to perform tracks off the record live in-studio and to chat with the Local Show's host David Campbell.