Jim McGuinn joined 89.3 The Current in January 2009 as Program Director and on-air host, moving to the Twin Cities from Philadelphia and WXPN. Ever since seeing the Clash during his first concert, McGuinn has been hooked on rock 'n' roll-whether he was working on radio programming, playing guitar, bass, and lapsteel in a long list of bands, or teaching university level courses such as "Rock and Roll Cinema at Drexel University. McGuinn has received numerous accolades for his innovative programming, including the 2008 Best AAA Air Personality, and being named the 2009-2013 Program Director of Year for Non-Commercial AAA at the FMQB Triple A Conference while leading The Current to win Station of the Year 2009-2014. He loves the smell of vinyl in the morning, and lives in Saint Paul with his wife Christine, son Jameson, and Woody and Webster, two gray cats.
The Current's program director, Jim McGuinn, reflects on the passing of Peter Tork, and on the impact Tork made on McGuinn's own life. 'I'm remembering, giving thanks to an artist who maybe never got his full shot, but also managed to have the opportunity to capture the imagination of the world for a few years,' McGuinn writes.
Joe Jackson has been turning out music for more than 40 years, and has just released a new album, 'Fool.' The Current's Jim McGuinn recently connected with Jackson to talk about his career then and now. 'The best work that I've done is always the latest,' Jackson says. 'It's always what I'm most excited about.' Check out the complete interview.
Last fall, Peter Hook came into the studio for a wide-ranging conversation about Joy Division, his book, New Order and his relentless tour schedule with Peter Hook and the Light.
The Current is honoring the music and contributions of Black musicians in February, and we're starting off by dedicating Friday, Feb. 1, exclusively to music made by Black musicians.
Hosts Sean McPherson and Jim McGuinn share their favorite Purple Current songs of 2018.
Program director Jim McGuinn shares his favorite songs of 2018.
On October 27, 1982, Prince released '1999,' the first album to playfully credit The Revolution, so we asked Bobby Z all about it.
With 'Dirty Mind,' released on October 8, 1980, Prince jumped to the head of the class, laying the sonic blueprint that would help define the music of the '80s and beyond.
Mumford & Sons return today with the song "Guiding Light," their first new music since 2016.
In 1983 he was on the precipice of his greatest success, but he's still our Prince, singing and playing in his home studio in Chanhassen, into a cassette, for himself. And now, for all of us.
Paul Weller's new album, 'True Meanings,' releases Friday, Sept. 14. Not too long ago, The Current's Jim McGuinn sat down for a conversation with Weller, who shared thoughts about his career now and about how his earlier career -- as part of such seminal bands as the Jam and the Style Council -- has shaped where he is today.
Brandi Carlile's new album 'By the Way, I Forgive You' is an emotionally powerful dive into her worldview, impacted by events of 2016, but also about becoming a parent, watching your parents get older, and dealing with love and loss and self-reflection.
The Current's program director, Jim McGuinn, has lived in both Philadelphia and Minnesota. As we approach a big NFL showdown featuring the teams from those places, Jim weighs in with a perspective on both. 'People have been asking me who I'm rooting for this weekend, and if I still love the Eagles (the team, not the band),' Jim writes. 'And the truth is, it's complicated.'
Jim McGuinn has his ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2018 inductees. Which five artists would you vote for? Share your thoughts!
After a 24-year hiatus, the Dream Syndicate reunited in 2012 and realized they sounded like a new band. 'We were enjoying it and we figured, well, rather than keep playing the oldies circuit, let's make a new record,' says front man Steve Wynn. The resulting record is 'How Did I Find Myself Here?', and the Dream Syndicate recently found themselves in The Current studio for a session hosted by Jim McGuinn.
Given how difficult it is to maintain freshness as an artist 37 continuous years into a career, 'Songs of Experience' teaches us this is a thing to be celebrated.
Program Director Jim McGuinn shares his favorite songs, local songs, and albums of 2017.
Robyne Robinson is a former TV news anchor and is currently the director of arts and culture at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. During her time as a news anchor, Robinson enjoyed a professional friendship with Prince. On a recent visit to The Current, Robinson spoke with Jim McGuinn, sharing some memorable stories from her time working with Prince, revealing a bit about the artist's playful side.
Having spent several days exploring Iceland and its music scene during the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival, The Current's Program Director Jim McGuinn sums up his time there. 'At times in Iceland, when looking at fantastic mountains, lava fields, or northern lights, it feels like you are on another planet or on the moon, isolated from the rest of the world and able to foster your own reality,' McGuinn writes. 'That reality manifests itself in the creative music and culture.' See McGuinn's summary along with many photos by Nate Ryan.
The ninth studio album from Foo Fighters, 'Concrete and Gold,' is mostly more of the kind of catchy riffage we've come to expect from the Foo Fighters for more than 20 years now. And it works.