The Wall of Power Radio Hour
The Wall of Power Radio Hour is hosted by musician and activist Paul Metsa. The show brings together music, entertainment, and interesting people from all walks of life for engaging conversations. Each episode aims to celebrate creativity and community through a mix of live performances and interviews. The podcast is produced by AM950 Radio in Minneapolis.
Episodes
Paul Metsa with Matt – July 30, 2026
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.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 25, 2026
Paul Metsa catches up with extraordinary guitarist and Minnesota native Jeff Dayton to swap unforgettable stories about spending years on the road as Glen Campbell’s right-hand man. They trade wild tales of scraped-together early gigs, ruining vintage guitars in junior high woodshop, and the fateful phone call that launched a massive touring career. They also…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 18, 2026
Join Paul Metsa for a deep dive into Bob Dylan’s mesmerizing recent concert at the brand-new Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee, Minnesota. He’s joined by a stellar lineup of Dylan experts and lifelong fans—musician Robbie Vee, arts curator Colleen Sheehy, and veteran journalist Martin Keller—who share their honest takeaways and favorite moments from the historic…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 11, 2026
Paul Metsa reconnects with longtime friend and newly retired reverend Guy Drake to swap incredible stories from his days touring alongside 70s legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, and Jim Croce. After four decades of writing hundreds of unreleased songs, Guy and his musical partner Tom finally have a brand new Johnson and…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – June 20, 2026
Paul Metsa sits down with the incredibly talented Emily LaPlant and Liz Ashworth of the Americana duo LaPlant Road. The two multi-instrumentalists share the fascinating story behind their musical roots up in Grand Rapids, how a chance encounter brought them together, and the magic of recording their debut album, Finding Home, at the legendary Pachyderm…
Wall of Power – June 13, 2026
Host Paul Metsa had a great chat with Dave Ahl (drummer) and Chris Osgood (guitarist) of the legendary Minneapolis punk band the Suicide Commandos in a salute to Steve Almaas (bass) who recently passed away on June 5th at the age of 69. They told stories of the band’s early days, playing at CBGB’s in…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – May 23, 2026
Join Paul Metsa and renowned scholar Professor Anne Margaret Daniel for a lively, music-filled celebration of Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday. You’ll get to hear some incredibly fascinating stories about the legendary songwriter’s life, from his beloved dogs and underrated piano skills to a wild 25th birthday bash in Paris. #BobDylan #PaulMetsa #WallOfPowerRadioHour #AnneMargaretDaniel
Wall of Power Radio Hour – April 11, 2026
Host Paul Metsa had a great chat with Kent Militzer who helped shepard Big Hopes for Mid-America, a great 30 song compilation of original modern protest songs by Minnesota artists. We also played several tracks off the record. (photo of Kent by Stephan Faerber) #MinneapolisMusic #PaulMetsa #ProtestSongs #MinnesotaMusicResistance #MidAmerica #HookAndLadder #LocalArtists #MusicCommunity #TwinCities
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 14, 2026
Host Paul Metsa had a great conversation with two founding members of the legendary Twin Cities celtic band Boiled in Lead, Todd Menton (guitar) and Drew Miller (bass). They chatted about the history of the band that was formed in 1983, their influences, great shows they have played and their new record Kings of the…
Wall of Power – March 7, 2026
Host Paul Metsa had a fascinating chat with his old buddy Keith Secola. Keith grew up on the Iron Range and over the years became a leader in the Native Americana Music movement. He is a great songwriter who has won many awards over the years. He recently performed with the great John Densmore of…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 7, 2026
Join Paul Metsa on the latest episode of the Wall of Power Radio Hour as he chats with Native American musician Keith Secola about his journey from the Iron Range to performing at the Olympics and major venues worldwide. The two discuss the inspiration behind Keith’s “Native Americana” style and the stories of resilience woven…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 28, 2026
Host Paul Metsa interviews Twin Cities broadcast legend Mary Lucia about her great new book “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder To Relate To”. It is a brilliant and harrowing tale of enduring three years of being stalked by one of her listeners on MPR’s The Current radio show. They also chatted…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 21, 2026
Paul Metsa welcomes back the sharp-witted Charlie Pierce for another “Checkpoint Charlie” session, diving deep into the messy landscape of American politics and social upheaval. From the controversial operations of ICE in Minnesota to the corporate gutting of legendary newspapers like the Washington Post, they don’t pull any punches while dissecting the current state of…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 31, 2026
Paul dives into a powerful conversation with legendary folk musician Charlie Maguire and author Steven E. Mayer about the resilience of the human spirit. We’re drawing parallels between the historic 1934 Minneapolis truckers’ strike, the Iron Range labor battles, and the current struggles for justice on our city streets. It’s an episode steeped in local…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 10, 2026
Paul Metsa sits down with Vietnam veteran and legendary Twin Cities musician Ronn Easton to discuss his experiences during and after the war. Easton shares powerful insights into the challenges of returning home, his involvement with the organization Home of the Brave, and his perspective on the current political landscape in America. A few hours…
Paul Metsa – Matt McNeil Holiday Interviews 2025
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. He lives in Northeast Minneapolis with his faithful dog, Blackie; a…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – December 20, 2025
In this episode of the Wall of Power Radio Hour, Paul Metsa reunites with longtime bandmates Tim O’Keefe, Jack Pasternacki, and Joe Luoma to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their band, Cats Under the Stars. The group swaps stories about everything from jamming in high school and surviving freezing canoe trip gigs to what fans…
Paul Metsa with Matt – December 18, 2025
Legendary Iron Range band Cats Under the Stars are re-releasing their 45 RPM single “Louie, Louie” / “Blue Ghosts” from 1982 (recorded at the Children’s Theater studio) along with a previously unreleased rap song written by Cats guitarist Jack Pasternacki that Paul and Jack recorded in 1984 called “Under Grey Skies in the Buffalo Zone.” This release coinci
Wall of Power Radio Hour – November 22, 2025
Paul Metsa interviewed two stalwarts of the Minneapolis music scene. First up is Edie Baumgart who just finished a great book called A Musicians Menu- a book of recipes from Minnesota musicians, industry folks, and scenesters. Then Paul has a great chat with bandleader Nate Dungan, whose band Trailer Trash is about to take their…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – November 15, 2025
Host Paul Metsa had a very interesting show that commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. He spoke with his hometown friend Ray Fraboni who served on the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1969. He then told of the amazing night when he opened for Gordon Lightfoot in 1997 in Superior, WI where…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – Paul Metsa Debuts Songs of Resistance and Resolve
Join host Paul Metsa on the Wall of Power Radio Hour for a special episode debuting his new album, “Songs of Resistance and Resolve”. Paul delves into his 40-year catalog, sharing the personal stories and political inspirations behind his socially-aware songs written from 1984 to the present day. The show features tracks recorded with a…
Paul Metsa with Matt – October 16, 2025
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…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – August 23, 2025
Paul Metsa and Mr. Charlie Pierce, had another great chat in our semi-regular episodes we call “Checkpoint Charlie.” Charles Pierce writes a political column for Esquire.com, and Paul refers to him as his “psychological morphine drip for all things political.” Besides discussing the state of our once-great nation, Charlie reminds us of the origin of the…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – August 8, 2025
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 26, 2025
Host Paul Metsa had a great chat with Ms. Ellen Stekert. Ms. Stekert has a long career as a folksinger, a folklorist, college professor and more. She’s had a fascinating life and recently discovered a field recording of the late great Reverend Gary Davis that she and friends recorded in NYC in 1951. Paul and…
Wall of Power – July 19, 2025
Paul Metsa had a great chat with musician, songwriter and journalist Jeff Slate ahead of his appearance at the Music in the Park series in Silver Bay. They covered several topics including Slate’s interview with Bob Dylan in the Wall Street Journal. We featured a couple of Jeff’s songs as well.  
Wall of Power Radio Hour – May 31, 2025
Wall of Power Radio Hour – April 19, 2025
Wall of Power – March 29, 2025
Paul Metsa and Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist from Green Bay, WI had a great discussion about the upcoming election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Dr. Lyerly lives in Green Bay, WI and also practices in Hibbing, MN where they both met while sitting next to each other at the MN Premiere…
Wall of Power – March 22, 2025
Paul Metsa and Mary Bue had a wonderful chat about Mary’s dynamite new record The Wildness of Living and Dying and played several tracks off it. They also chatted about Mary’s time in Duluth, her travels internationally leading yoga retreats, and more.      
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 8, 2025
Paul Metsa and Mike Kappus had a great conversation about Mike’s long history in the music business starting with his beginning in Eau Claire, WI booking music shows around town, getting his music bookers license at age 19, a short stint in Milwaukee, WI before moving to San Francisco to create and run the legendary Rosebud…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 1, 2025
Paul is joined today by fan favorite Checkpoint Charlie Pierce for the first time in 2025 to discuss politics, news, and music.
Paul Metsa with Matt – Holiday Shows 2024
Paul Metsa is a renowned musician who hosts the Wall of Power on Saturday nights at 6 PM on AM950. Also, find his books wherever books are sold.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – December 20, 2024
Paul Metsa had a great chat with Terri Thal, author of My Greenwich Village- Dave, Bob, and Me about her time growing up in Brooklyn, and then moving to Greenwich Village. She met, then married, folksinger Dave Van Ronk and also managed a young Bob Dylan when he first moved to NYC. She also taped…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – December 14, 2024
Paul Metsa and singer-songwriter Ike Reilly had a great chat about Ike’s new documentary Don’t Turn Your Back on Friday Night, which was produced by fellow Libertyville, Illinois native Tom Morello. Ike talked about his love of Minneapolis, First Avenue, Grumpy’s Bar and more. We also featured several of Ike’s songs. A great chat, just…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – November 2, 2024
This week host Paul Metsa was joined by AM950’s weekday afternoon host, the one and only Matt McNeil! They talk about their experiences spending time on the Iron Range and election thoughts.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – October 19, 2024
Paul Metsa was joined by Charlie Pierce for another episode in our “Checkpoint Charlie” series!
Wall of Power Radio Hour – September 28, 2024
Paul makes his first visit to the AM950 studio in a few years on today’s show!
Wall of Power Radio Hour – September 21, 2024
We had a great chat with legendary folk singer Tom Paxton this week. Tom had a treasure trove of stories, and his story about hearing Bob Dylan’s Hard Rain is Gonna Fall the day after he wrote it, is priceless!  
Wall of Power Radio Hour – August 31, 2024
We had a lovely chat with Kurt Nelson, a long time beloved member of the Twin Cities music community. We played several tracks from his music career and enjoyed Kurt’s stories, his history, his sense of humor, as his personality shone brightly throughout!
Paul Metsa with Matt – August 30, 2024
Paul Metsa is an acclaimed musician and host of the Wall of Power Radio Hour on AM950 every Saturday night at 6 PM or podcast on am950radio.com.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – August 17, 2024
Host Paul Metsa is joined by Charlie Pierce for another episode in our checkpoint Charlie series.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 27, 2024
Paul Metsa was joined by well-known Minnesota guitar maker Kurt Nelson for the entire hour
Wall of Power Radio Hour – July 6, 2024
Wall of Power Radio Hour – June 15, 2024
We continue our Tribute to Spider John Koerner with three great guests: Tom Nelson (Tom’s Burn’t Down Cafe- Madeline Island, WI), Jack Pasternacki (Cats Under the Stars) and ace guitarist Dakota Dave Hull.  
Wall of Power Radio Hour – June 8, 2024
We had three soulful chats as we celebrated the life, times, and music of the late great Spider John Koerner. The guests included folk and blues musician Charlie Parr, longtime Twin Cities folk singer Charlie Maguire, and record store owner, producer and longtime Koerner friend Mark Trehus. The photo includes Spider John, Paul Metsa, and…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – May 4, 2024
We continued our series with regular guest Checkpoint Charlie Pierce with a great conversation.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – April 27, 2024
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 23, 2024
We had a lovely conversation with Mary T. , the owner of Crooner’s Supper Club in Fridley. We talked about the past, present, and future of what Downbeat magazine called “one of the finest jazz clubs in the world.”  
Wall of Power Radio Hour – March 2, 2024
We had a great conversation with Minneapolis guitarist and songwriter Tab Laven. We talked about his early years in the Twin Cities, his work with Mary MacGregor and Michael Johnson, and his time in Nashville where he met Art Garfunkel who has toured the world with.  
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 17, 2024
We had a great time, with three special guests, saluting the late great Mojo Nixon. First up is Steve McClellan, the man who put First Avenue and 7th Entry on the map as he booked both venues for over 30 years. He talks about working with Mojo and Skid Roper in the early days. Next…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 10, 2024
We had a great chat about the upcoming 44th Annual Bluegrass Winter Gathering with the executive director of the event, and a great chat with Kim and Quillan Roe from the Roe Family Singers, and of course, played a few songs as well.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 3, 2024
Paul is joined once again by Checkpoint Charlie Pierce as we ramp up the 2024 election season.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 29, 2024
Paul Metsa had a blast interviewing his old buddy, and Midwest Classic Country Legend, about his 70 years of playing music. Sherwin has a great new 42 song double CD out called Sunday Drives with Mom and Dad, a collection of songs they would sing together while driving around in their hometown of Watertown, South…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 20, 2024
Paul had a great chat with food critic, author and columnist Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl about her new book The Essential Dear Dara- Writings on Local Characters and Memorable Places, including shared memories of both coming of age on Ridgewood Avenue in Minneapolis, and the wonders of that gateway to South Minneapolis, and Minneapolis at large.…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 6, 2024
Paul is joined by musician Larry Long as Larry discusses the re-release of his album Sweet Thunder and previews his upcoming Dakota set January 13.
Paul Metsa with Matt – Holiday Shows 2023-24
Paul Metsa is an acclaimed Minnesota musician and Iron Ranger who hosts the Wall of Power Radio Hour every Saturday at 6 PM on AM950. He is an expert on Bob Dylan and recently co-wrote a book called Blood In The Tracks about the Minneapolis-based musicians who backed Dylan on his iconic Blood on the…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – December 9, 2023
Host Paul Metsa was joined by author Ray Padgett who talks about his new book, “Pledging My Time: Conversations with Bob Dylan Band Members.” Order at: https://www.nextchapterbooksellers.com/book/9798988178118
Wall of Power Radio Hour – November 4, 2023
Paul is joined for another edition of his “Checkpoint Charlie” series with nationally-known pundit Charlie Pierce.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – September 30, 2023
This week host Paul Metsa is joined by musician Jalan Crossland.
Paul Metsa and Rick Shefchik with Matt – September 22, 2023
When Bob Dylan recorded Blood on the Tracks in New York in September 1974, it was a great album. But it was not the album now ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the ten best of all time. “When something’s not right, it’s wrong,” as Dylan puts it in “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome…
Wall of Power Radio Hour – August 19, 2023
We had a great chat with Chris Cunningham from the dynamic duo Storyhill who are hosting Storyhill Fest at Clearwater Camp from August 25-27. Chris told us how they came together in high school, and the highlights of their 30 year career together. they are taking a break after the festival, so this is the…
Remembering The Late Monte Bute Part 1 (June 6, 2020)
Monte Bute made his first appearance on the show on June 6, 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murde, discussing his political awakening and stories from the years.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – June 24, 2023
We had a great conversation with Dirk Schwenk, a great progressive voice on Twitter, founding treasurer of the MadDog Pac, and singer-songwriter. We talked politics, strategy, and featured there of Dirk’s original songs.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – May 20, 2023
We had a great conversation with journalist, musician, author, and songwriter Jeff Slate. Jeff write for Esquire.com, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal (a great interview with Bob Dylan.) We talked about Jeff’s background, his own music, and his associations with some other great musicians.
Wall of Power Radio Hour – May 6 2023
We had a great show featuring two musicians playing at Twangfest at Palmers Bar Patio on May 13, 2023. First up was John Magnuson (formerly of the Carpetbaggers) and Doug Collins (pictured here with his band The Receptionists.) Paul then ends the show with a tribute and personal remembrance of opening up for his hero Gordon…
Checkpoint Charlie Pierce – April 15, 2023
Wall of Power Radio Hour – April 8, 2023
Paul Metsa’s New Book, Alphabet Jazz
Paul Metsa plays back an interview he did on WTIP in Grand Marais, MN last month about his new book, “Alphabet Jazz: Poetry, Prose, Stories and Songs.” Order now on Amazon or wherever you get your books!
Willie Wisely – February 13 2023
Wall of Power Radio Hour – February 4, 2023 with Bruce Henry
Checkpoint Charlie Pierce – January 28, 2023
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 12, 2023
Wall of Power Radio Hour – January 12, 2023
Excerpts from Alphabet Jazz
Paul read several pieces from his latest book Alphabet Jazz- Poetry, Prose, Stories, and Songs and played a couple of his recordings as well. The book can be purchased at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Alphabet-Jazz-Poetry-Prose-Stories/dp/B0BF2LST6B) or in the Twin Cities at the Electric Fetus, Grumpy’s Bar NE, and HiFi Hair and Records in Loring Park.  
Matt’s Holiday Interviews: Paul Metsa
Paul hosts the Wall of Power Radio Hour every Saturday night at 6 PM on AM950, and in this interview joins Matt to discuss stories and hs new book Alphabet Jazz.
Mother Banjo Ellen Stanley – November 19, 2022
Wall of Power Radio Hour – September 24, 2022
Wall of Power Radio Hour – September 3, 2022
Paul is joined by folk/pop veteran Jonatha Brooke.
Previewing the Water Is Life Festival – August 27, 2022
Host Paul Metsa chatted with Winona LaDuke, founder of HonortheEarth.org about the genesis of the organization, their work, and the upcoming Water Is Life concert on Sept. 4, 2022 at Bayfront Park in Duluth, MN. Paul also chatted with Alan Sparhawk, founder and guitarist /songwriter for the Duluth band Low who is performing at the…
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