The Minnesota Music Note

William McLeod

5.0 (1)
Arts

The Minnesota Music Note podcasts explores the people, places, and things that make up the Minnesota Music scene. It includes interviews with musicians, venue owners, event creators, and other facets of the fantastic music community across Minnesota.

22h ago

MN Music Note - Ep 51 - The Art of Playing for the Love of It with Wayne Zerr

What happens when you stop chasing fame and start chasing the joy of making music? In this episode, Wayne Zerr shares how a life built around passion—not popularity—led him to play in multiple bands, forge lifelong friendships, and find purpose both on and off the stage. From skateboarding the streets of San Diego to becoming one of Minnesota's most recognizable bass players, Wayne's journey is anything but ordinary. We dive into the rise of tribute bands, the changing music industry, the importance of staying true to yourself, and why the best musicians aren't always the ones chasing the spotlight. Along the way, Wayne shares hilarious stories, unexpected life lessons, and a perspective on music that's guaranteed to make you think differently. In This Episode, We Talked About: 🎸 How skateboarding unexpectedly led Wayne into a lifelong career in music. 🤘 What it's really like playing in eight different bands and balancing it all. 🎤 Why tribute bands are booming—and why audiences can't get enough of them. 🧠 Finding "flow" through music and why passion matters more than fame. 🎶 How the music industry has changed, and what today's musicians need to know. ❤️ Why creating music for the love of it leads to a more fulfilling life. 😂 Funny stories from decades in Minnesota's music scene, plus the musicians Wayne thinks everyone should know. Whether you're a lifelong musician, weekend warrior, or simply someone who loves hearing incredible stories from Minnesota's music community, this conversation is packed with wisdom, laughs, and fresh perspectives. You might come for the stories about playing in eight bands—but you'll stay for Wayne's outlook on life, creativity, and why the best music is made when you're doing it for all the right reasons. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
3d ago

MN Music Note - Ep 50 - The Highs, Lows & Comeback of Scott Zimmerman

What happens when a musician loses everything... walks away from music for 10 years... and decides to come back? Scott Zimmerman has lived through nearly every chapter of a musician's journey—from teaching himself guitar and building his own instruments, to playing major festivals, opening for legendary bands, surviving devastating setbacks, and stepping away from music entirely. Now, after a decade away from the scene, he's back with a fresh perspective and a brand-new mission. This episode is packed with unforgettable stories, hard-earned lessons, and an honest look at what it really takes to keep chasing music after all these years. 🎙️ In This Episode We Talked About... 🎸 Teaching himself guitar and building his own custom guitars from scratch. 🔥 The homemade guitar that survived a house fire when everything else was lost. 🎤 Playing Moondance Jam, opening for Boston, and life in Minnesota's music scene. 🎵 Why he stepped away from music for nearly 10 years—and what brought him back. 🤘 His journey through original bands, tribute bands, and unforgettable performances. 🎛️ How the music industry has completely changed over the past decade. 🚀 His exciting new Bryan Adams tribute project and what's next in his musical journey. Whether you're a lifelong musician, a weekend warrior, or someone chasing a dream after years away, Scott's story is proof that it's never too late to come back to what you love. Watch the full episode to hear the stories behind the music, the setbacks that shaped him, and why his next chapter might be his best one yet. 🎸🔥 If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Jul 13

MN Music Note - Ep 49 - The Dedication Behind Eric Trombley's Musical Journey

What does real dedication to music actually look like? For Eric Trombley, it meant teaching himself keyboards to better serve the band, driving four hours each way for gigs after moving out of state, and treating every performance—no matter the venue—as if it were an arena show. Eric shares the story behind his journey with Anthem, the lessons he learned from opening for Hairball, why professionalism mattered more than ego, and how passion—not timing—can lead to an unforgettable music career. In this episode, we talk about: 🎸 How Eric went from guitarist to keyboardist—and taught himself along the way 🚗 Driving hours for every show to honor his commitment to the band 🎤 The hilarious microphone mishap during Anthem's very first performance 🤘 Opening for Hairball and some of the biggest milestones in Anthem's journey 🎹 Recreating iconic keyboard sounds and the obsession with getting every song right ❤️ Why Anthem's fans convinced the band to reunite years later 🎶 Eric's advice for musicians chasing their dreams—no matter when they start Whether you're a musician, a live music fan, or someone chasing a dream later in life, Eric's story is a reminder that success isn't always about talent—it's about showing up, putting in the work, and never cutting corners. 🎧 Watch the full episode and discover the dedication behind Eric Trombley's musical journey. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Jul 10

MN Music Note - Ep 48 - 30 Guitars, 40+ Years of Music with Tim Butler

What keeps someone playing guitar for over 40 years? For Tim Butler, it wasn't fame or fortune—it was a lifelong passion that carried him through life's toughest moments, led him to leave a 20-year desk job behind, and eventually become one of Minnesota's most respected guitar players. From learning every note of Sultans of Swing and Rush albums by ear to playing Rock Fest, collecting 30+ guitars, and performing in everything from classic rock bands to a Rob Zombie tribute, Tim's journey is packed with stories every music fan will appreciate. In this episode, we talk about: 🎸 How losing his father at 12 made music his escape 🎵 The bands and guitarists that shaped his playing, from The Beatles to Van Halen and Rush 🎼 Teaching himself guitar by learning entire albums note for note 💼 Why he walked away from a 20-year career to pursue music full time 🤘 Playing Rock Fest alongside major national acts 🎤 Life in multiple bands, solo acoustic shows, and Minnesota's thriving jam scene 🎸 Why, even after 40+ years, he still gets nervous before stepping on stage Whether you're a guitarist, a musician, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories behind the people keeping Minnesota's music scene alive, this episode is one you won't want to miss. 🎧 Watch the full conversation and discover why, after four decades, Tim Butler is still just as passionate about music as the day he first picked up a guitar. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Jul 6

MN Music Note - Ep 47 - He Gave Up His Corporate Career to Teach Guitar with Phil Olson

What would it take for you to walk away from a stable career and bet on your passion? In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, we sit down with guitarist, educator, author, and entrepreneur Phil Olson to talk about the unexpected path that led him from the corporate world to building a thriving career teaching guitar. Phil shares stories from touring the Midwest, studying recording engineering in Los Angeles, learning from Grammy-winning producers, meeting legendary musicians, and developing his own unique guitar teaching method that's now helping students around the world. He also opens up about the leap of faith that changed his life, why great musicians never stop learning, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in music. Whether you're a guitarist, musician, music educator, or simply someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with inspiration, practical wisdom, and unforgettable stories from nearly five decades in music. 🎸 In this episode you'll hear about: • Why Phil left a stable corporate career to teach guitar • His journey through the Los Angeles music scene • Stories about Baywatch, Jimi Hendrix, Yanni, Chick Corea, and more • Building a successful guitar studio with over 70 students • The philosophy behind his guitar teaching method • Writing the Awesome Guitar Series • Why passion, persistence, and curiosity matter more than talent 👉 Watch until the end to hear Phil's advice for musicians, his vision for leaving a lasting legacy through music education, and why he believes the best players never stop learning. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: The Awesome Guitar Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMY91K4?binding=paperback PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Jul 3

MN Music Note - Ep 46 - The Guitarist Who Turned Grief Into Hope with Nathan Pehler

What if one guitar could change someone's life? For Nathan Pehler, music has never just been about playing shows. After losing his father and battling addiction, he found a new purpose—giving away guitars to kids who needed hope, encouragement, and someone to believe in them. In this episode, Nathan shares the stories behind his Make A Riff project, why he believes Minnesota's underground metal scene is stronger than ever, and how music continues to save lives in more ways than one. In this episode, we talked about: 🎸 The heartbreaking story that inspired Nathan to start giving away guitars ❤️ How losing his dad changed the course of his life forever 🤘 Why Minnesota's underground metal scene is thriving despite what people think 🎶 The truth about making a living as a metal musician 🔥 His journey through addiction, rehab, and finding purpose again 🎤 The bands, studios, and people keeping Minnesota metal alive 🎁 Why giving back to the next generation means more to him than any stage he's ever played This episode is funny, raw, inspiring, and a reminder that music has the power to change lives far beyond the stage. Hit play—you'll leave seeing both metal and the people behind it in a completely different way. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online
Jun 29

MN Music Note - Ep 45 - Why Lakefront Music Fest Is About So Much More Than Music

What does it really take to pull off a music festival for 18,000 people—and why would hundreds of volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to make it happen? Most people show up for the music. They never see the months of planning, the last-minute chaos, the sleepless nights, or the incredible community that makes it all possible. In this episode of The Minnesota Music Note, I sat down with Michelle, Event Director of Lakefront Music Fest, and Laurie of the Prior Lake Rotary Club to go behind the scenes of one of Minnesota's biggest music festivals. From booking national headliners to navigating unpredictable weather, coordinating 2,000+ volunteers, and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities, this conversation reveals why Lakefront Music Fest is about so much more than music. In this episode, we talked about: 🎸 What it really takes to organize an 18,000-person music festival 🎤 How Lakefront Music Fest books artists like Billy Idol and Keith Urban 🌧️ The biggest challenges they've faced—including weather, COVID, and last-minute surprises 🤝 Why more than 2,000 volunteers come together to make the festival happen every year 💰 How every ticket sold helps fund local nonprofits and life-changing community projects 🎵 Behind-the-scenes stories from working with national touring artists ❤️ Why purpose, community, and giving back are the true heartbeat of Lakefront Music Fest If you've ever wondered what happens before the gates open—or why this festival has become such an important part of Minnesota's music scene—you won't want to miss this conversation. 👇 Watch the full episode now, and discover the incredible story behind Lakefront Music Fest. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: Lakefront Music Fest July 10th - 11th Tickets: lakefrontmusicfest.com PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/
Jun 26

MN Music Note - Ep 44 - World Karaoke Champion, Drag Performer & Musician | Mikko Blaze

Can a karaoke competition really change your life? For Mikko Blaze, the answer is yes. What started as a love for singing led him from drag performances and karaoke competitions to becoming a World Karaoke Champion, performing on national television in Japan, sharing stages with incredible artists, and building a name for himself in Minnesota's music scene. In this episode, Mikko opens up about the moments that shaped him, the risks that paid off, and why he's finally stepping fully into the artist he's always wanted to be. In this episode, we talked about: • Becoming the 2018 World Karaoke Champion • How drag performance helped launch his music career • Performing on national television in Japan • Joining Hurricane Karaoke and building a life in music • Why Minnesota became the place he calls home • The bands, collaborations, and projects he's working on today • The advice he'd give anyone who's afraid to chase their dream Whether you're a musician, performer, creative, or someone who's been putting off a dream for too long, this conversation is packed with stories, laughs, inspiration, and proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself. 🎙️ Tune in to hear how one karaoke competition led to a world championship, international stages, and a music journey that's still just getting started. If you're part of the Minnesota music scene—or know someone with a story worth sharing—we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us and let's shine a spotlight on the artists, bands, venues, and creators that make Minnesota music special. The Minnesota Music Note is always looking for the next great guest! Resources: PodcastCrew website: podcastcrew.online The MN Music Note FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotamusicnote/ Email: william@podcastcrew.online

The Minnesota Music Note podcasts explores the people, places, and things that make up the Minnesota Music scene. It includes interviews with musicians, venue owners, event creators, and other facets of the fantastic music community across Minnesota.

Creator

William McLeod
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

51
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 The Minnesota Music Note
Show Website

The Minnesota Music Note