Born in Duluth, raised in Hibbing, and honing his sound in Minneapolis, Bob Dylan's Minnesota roots run deep

In this month's "A Closer Look with Laura Oakes," Laura taps into the anticipation surrounding "A Complete Unknown," the new movie on Bob Dylan's rise to fame, by honing in on his time in Minnesota. Born in Duluth, raised in Hibbing, discovering music in Minneapolis, Laura goes deep into the past on Robert Zimmerman's path to becoming Bob Dylan.

A Closer Look with Laura Oakes
Audio by Matt Gundrum
Muffin Top Cafe - Tuesday, November 26 at 11 AM 
830 WCCO Radio - Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/the-morning-news-with-vineeta-sawkar-2e837/episodes/going-in-depth-on-bob-dylan-3b3b9
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/chad-hartman-5788a/episodes/laura-oakes-gives-us-a-sneak-peak-into-her-bob-dylan-special-54874
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/830-news-on-the-go-6413a/episodes/special-edition-how-minnesota-shaped-the-freewheelin-bob-dylan-b4e96
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/830-news-on-the-go-6413a/episodes/special-edition-how-minnesota-shaped-the-freewheelin-bob-dylan-b4e96?action=AUTOPLAY_FULL&actionContentId=201-5d11ca2a-31a4-4b4d-bb46-7a6b5ebdf81d
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/wccoam-on-demand-podcast-d1ba6/episodes/a-closer-look-inside-bob-dylans-roots-in-minnesota-44124
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/wccoam-on-demand-podcast-d1ba6/episodes/a-closer-look-inside-bob-dylans-roots-in-minnesota-44124?action=AUTOPLAY_FULL&actionContentId=201-dd844b20-153f-4fe9-8a50-ce6860894141
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/drivetime-with-derusha-e6b7c/episodes/hour-3-sorry-to-joann-and-all-fabrics-29767
https://www.facebook.com/wccoradio/posts/pfbid0vzkaxUYxs2yJGhPYRJgu9AG5uhqh4NR83EdsBSCvyopRDEGuqKxTWzWLDPdK2LcUl
https://www.facebook.com/wccoradio/posts/pfbid0n3ZuyTpb53svCS4GSYtSjpBwvhCzxps79EGRp4zZYuXG4MBFM5F7tNGkXh93bWhTl
https://www.facebook.com/wccoradio/posts/pfbid0HokNQQTWi9mZZejCtRcLHJ37GeGXHeajjPVZbFvBB7uzKhop23ymnCHwkcdAcDWdl?locale=ms_MY
https://x.com/wccoradio/status/1869744501494845650
https://x.com/wccoradio/status/1869885425642352860
https://x.com/wccoradio/status/1871934156822765574

Laura Oakes:
https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/hosts/laura-oakes
https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/topic/a-closer-look
https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/news/local/a-closers-look-how-minnesota-shaped-freewheelin-bob-dylan
https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com/?&feed-link=https%3A%2F%2Frss.amperwave.net%2Fv2%2Fepisode%2F7116999_2024-12-18-140839&withPlaylist=false&theme=dark
https://www.facebook.com/laura.oakes.52/posts/pfbid0V8JhuKTMCg7ao98Pe1RKcW1Dbi6oXFG9Pc3PzRxLkuXaB1pdYzeqx9ucAY3fAowel
https://www.facebook.com/laura.oakes.52/posts/pfbid02dR4EEwh7F2QPKeuLDWFnSE4uuXBJiSNUagvBUSQBMjKazqNUiejjwN2b7hVkCTzjl
https://www.instagram.com/justlauraoakes
https://x.com/laurawcco

Matt Gundrum:
https://www.gundrummm.com/
https://www.gleamtowermedia.com/

Magic Marc Productions:
https://www.amazon.com/Bob-Dylan-Minnesota-Troubadour-Dinkytown/dp/0857162349/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bob-dylan-in-minnesota-k-g-miles/1143340861
http://www.magicmarcproductions.com/the-minnesota-profile-forever-bob-dylan 
http://www.magicmarcproductions.com/blog/2023/2/19/bob-dylan-in-minnesota-troubadour-tales-from-duluth-hibbing-and-dinkytown
http://www.magicmarcproductions.com/blog/2023/3/19/bob-dylan-in-minnesota-information-sheet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtQ1kFP1jAg&t=2s

Bob Dylan in Minnesota: Troubadour Tales from Duluth, Hibbing and Dinkytown

Buy at Barnes & Noble

Marc Percansky - A Closer Look with Laura Oakes: Inside Bob Dylan's roots in Minnesota

ELLIOTT MURPHY - INFINITY - 08 - Night Surfing

The Resurrection Game

Catholic Girls Are Easy

For You And Oblivion

Inspired by his love of punk and garage band music of the 1980s, Jon Clifford started a hair salon by Loring Park in Minneapolis in 2011. It’s a funky, one-of-a-kind place helmed by a funky, one-of-a-kind guy filled with music and Minnesota music memorabilia. Jon later added a record store with John Kass, focusing on local music, next to the salon; hence the name HiFi Hair and Records with “the best waiting room in the city.”

A welcoming place for a hair cut, the salon is filled with Jon’s craftsmanship, humor, quirkiness, creativity, and a feel good sense of community. 

This episode was written and produced by Dixie Treichel. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.


A Rock ’n Roll Hair Salon

Surprise Surprise

Celebrate a Minnesota music legend! Paul Metsa, acclaimed musician, songwriter, and author, is marking his 70th birthday with a special benefit show for AM950. It takes place Sunday, November 2 at 7 PM at the Aster House in Minneapolis. The evening also serves as a CD release party for his latest record, Songs of Resistance and Respect, a 12-track compilation of politically charged songs spanning 1984–2025. Joining Paul on stage will be the Cats Under The Stars Trio and his new Duluth-based backup singers, The Tilt Town Titanettes. With over 5,000 professional performances and eight Minnesota Music Awards under his belt, Paul continues to captivate audiences—The Huffington Post calls him “the other great folk singer from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.”

Guests can enjoy the full Aster House menu at all tables and the bar, with the best arrival time roughly 90 minutes before showtime to savor the full dining experience. Vintage stadium-style theater seats are also available for those who want to relax with cocktails while enjoying the music. Tickets range from $25–$40 per person, with premium “Front Row” options including a CD and meet-and-greet with Paul for an up-close experience. All proceeds benefit AM950.

Get your tickets now at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83991706/songs-of-resistance-and-respectpaul-metsa-70th-birthday-and-cd-release-partybenefit-for-am-950-minneapolis-aster-house

Paul Metsa is a legendary musician and songwriter from Minnesota. Born on the Iron Range, he has been based in Minneapolis since 1978.

He has received seven Minnesota Music Awards and has played more than five thousand gigs, including forays to Iceland and Siberia.

Paul Metsa with Matt - October 16, 2025

Matt is joined by Minnesota music legend Paul Metsa! They talk about his his 70th birthday that's also a special benefit show for AM950. It takes place Sunday, November 2 at 7 PM at the Aster House in Minneapolis. Find tickets and details at: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83991706/songs-of-resistance-and-respectpaul-metsa-70th-birthday-and-cd-release-partybenefit-for-am-950-minneapolis-aster-house


Matt McNeil with Paul Metsa (10/31/25)

I am an independent author, concert, music and event promoter based in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul, Minnesota area.

I am interested in creating unique, one of a kind, once in a lifetime, never to be forgotten events!

I am open to all ideas, suggestions, and comments for any kind of artistic endeavor.

Please feel free to email me with your thoughts.

Thank you.

Marc Percansky

marc@magicmarcproductions.com