Explore Minnesota Now Features the Sounds of Minnesota Music

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Explore Minnesota Tourism has teamed up with 89.3 The Current, from Minnesota Public Radio, to create "Explore Minnesota Radio," featuring music from popular Minnesota artists on its travel planning website, exploreminnesota.com.

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The playlist for Explore Minnesota Radio includes almost 60 selections from a wide variety of artists, including top bands and recording artists from the past 50 years as well as from the contemporary music scene, all with a Minnesota connection.

"We're excited about this opportunity to showcase some of the best music Minnesota has to offer," said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism.  "Now visitors to our site can listen to some great music as they plan a great Minnesota getaway.  It's a fun way to sample Minnesota-grown music."

Included on the playlist are well-known musicians such as Prince, Bob Dylan, Peter Himmelman, Soul Asylum, The Suburbs, and The Replacements, and emerging artists such as Solid Gold, Peter Wolf Crier and Dessa.  The varied playlist includes rock and roll, alternative rock, jazz, bluegrass, hip hop and more.  It adds up to four hours of entertainment, including commentary by The Current's evening DJ, Mark Wheat.

"This Minnesota music stream is simply a great idea," said Jim McGuinn, program director for 89.3 The Current.  "We are always trying to think of new ways to get music to people, especially local music, so the idea of helping people 'Explore Minnesota music' is a natural fit."  The radio station 89.3 The Current, from Minnesota Public Radio, plays "new music alongside the music that inspired it, from local to legendary, indie to influential, new to nostalgic."

The Minnesota music selections are available at www.exploreminnesota.com/minnesota-music.

About Explore Minnesota Tourism

As Minnesota's tourism office, Explore Minnesota Tourism pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state's tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. A council of representatives from the state's tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota Tourism with tourism businesses and organizations. Tourism is an $11 billion industry in Minnesota, a key sector of the state's economy. The leisure and hospitality, a major provider of tourism services, employs more than 245,000 Minnesotans.

SOURCE Explore Minnesota Tourism