JD McPherson, who performs on 'A Prairie Home Companion' on July 4, frequently wears a 'Smith Fabrication' shirt while onstage. It turns out the namesake of the shirt is TK Smith, a California-based guitar builder and craftsman. 'All the stuff I build is all technology that was available in the late 1940s to the mid-50s," Smith says. 'They used to make things so much better back then.'

Independence Day is this Saturday, so let’s talk fireworks. No matter how you feel about them the rest of the year, you’ll probably want to be near some this weekend. Minneapolis is holding its annual Red, White and Boom celebration once again this year, featuring a half-marathon, live music, food, and (of course) fireworks. Music runs…

Let's celebrate 4th of July with musical fireworks! For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear that include musical explosions? Send us your requests.

MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Jade (in for Jill Riley) and Sean McPherson to talk about arts events to enhance a 4th of July weekend of barbecues and fireworks.

The Minnesota band Mint Condition return to First Avenue, where they were discovered in 1989, for a show on Thursday, Aug. 6 to benefit the National Association of Black Journalists. The show will also feature local artists #MPLS, 1000, Felix of Heiruspecs, and DJ Ray Richardson. Formed at St. Paul’s Central High, Mint Condition were discovered in 1989…

In honor of the 4th of July, Billboard created a feature highlighting the “Top 50 Stars of the 50 States,” and Prince got the nod for Minnesota. The article also mentioned Bob Dylan, but ultimately Prince took Minnesota’s title because he’s shown his home state a lot more love – most famously filming Purple Rain in Minneapolis, helping to turn First Avenue into an internationally…

Jimi Hendrix was honorably discharged from the army; Frank Sinatra had a No. 1 hit with 'Strangers in the Night'; David Bowie received his fourth Gold Record; Sony introduced the Walkman; and Queen played its first gig with its best-known lineup, Today in Music History.

There’s something about anniversaries that can make a person feel especially reflective. Leading up to the 10th anniversary reissue of his debut album, Lights Out Paris—which is out on vinyl for the first time this week—I wondered if Sims might be in the mood to think back to his beginnings of working with Doomtree and unpack some of the…

Rock the Garden acts Courtney Barnett and JD McPherson jump up the Chart; Elle King is the highest mover; Florence and the Machine are back on; Heartless Bastards make their debut; Father John Misty is the highest new entry at No.1.

With songs that often stretched past the 10-minute mark and over a dozen musicians eager to step up and take a solo, Seun Kuti had no problem keeping the energy hot. Stream Seun Kuti and Egypt 80's Rock the Garden 2015 performing in its entirety.