Project 37’s Education Team presents a brand-new event: Minnesota Mic Check! This is a series where we dive into the lives and stories of local MN music legends in a live event. This is an interview-style event with one guest per event that will share their story with music and Central Minnesota. Join us to listen to those stories and learn from those who have been involved in the music scene for many years!
Our first MN Mic Check is on Tuesday, December 9th, at 6:30PM - 7:30PM. This event is FREE and is ALL AGES.
In December, our guest is Al Neff!
🗓️ Tuesday, December 9th, 6:30PM - 7:30PM
📍 B-Side Indie Music Cafe; 27 7th Ave N., St. Cloud MN
💲 FREE! All ages welcome!
Let’s meet our guest music legend!
Al was born in Fargo North Dakota on February 3rd . For those familiar with Rock & Roll history andmythology, this location and date will ring a bell. At an early age Al became attracted to music, and because he had been adopted, dreamed that the spirit of Buddy Holly must be part of who he was and why he was born. Al grew up in various locations, mostly in Wyoming and Montana, due to his father’s work in the oilfield. By the time he left home at age 18, Al had moved 17 times. He is literally not “from” anywhere. The only constant in his formative life was radio and television…but it was the late-night atmospheric skip of AM radio stations that added the magic to this equation. Al would listen in secret, into the very late night, to the radio tucked under his pillow, as his mom thought he was sleeping. From various trailer parks in the sagebrush desolation of the West he tuned in stations from Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Little Rock Arkansas and beyond. These stations, the music they played, and the DJs who presented that music set the course of his life to follow. By his teens Al came to discover that he had a special voice and the words to inform that voice. He began his radio career at age 17 and as a senior in high school created a Friday and Saturday night request show in Grand Rapids Minnesota. (his dad had attempted to get out of the oilfield by purchasing a bar in northern MN) This show attracted an enthusiastic audience of high school students, and Al was hooked. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications, and a Master’s degree in Popular Culture Studies at St. Cloud State University. He then went on to supplement his broadcast career by becoming a college professor for many years, but has now returned to his professional home of radio. Al programs the deep-track Album Rock station, WXYG “The Goat” in Sauk Rapids MN. This is the only station in the country to dive so deeply into the music of the 1960’s and ‘70’s, with over 4000 songs in active rotation. Al also researches, writes, voices and produces a syndicated series titled “Into the Music”. He is the Professor of Rock, and he’s ready to bring treats for the class.
Project 37 is a non-profit with a mission to provide spaces and opportunities for all ages to enjoy music in safe and sober environments. You can help us continue that goal by coming to shows, following us on social media, or telling people about what we do.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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