ELY – The Great Northern Radio Show (GNRS) on Northern Community Radio (KAXE.org) brings its unique blend of music, storytelling and comedy for the first time to Ely on Saturday, June 14 at the Vermilion Community College Theater.

The GNRS is written, produced and hosted by Iron Range author Aaron Brown, of Balsam Township in Itasca County. Brown grew up near Zim and Forbes and teaches at Hibbing Community College. He founded the show in 2011 to showcase the talent, creativity and unique stories of northern Minnesota for a broader radio audience.

“You'll recognize the format from popular variety shows like the Grand Ol Opry, Lawrence Welk, Wits and Prairie Home Companion,” said Brown. “But, we bring something different. We are a big show that brings high quality, contemporary entertainment to the mid-sized cities and small towns of northern Minnesota. These places become part of the show; every episode is a love letter – an album for the place where we broadcast.”

Featured in the show are musicians Germaine Gemberling and Rich Mattson, The Surf Monkeys, and Whirled Muse with Nickolai Koivunen on keyboards. The GNRS players include Jason Scorich of Duluth, Sara Breeze of Bemidji, Erika Kooda of Grand Rapids, Britt Aamodt of Ely and Matt Nelson, whose origins are in Hibbing.

The show airs live from 5 to 7 p.m., June 14, on 91.7 FM KAXE on the Iron Range,103.9 FM in Ely, 90.5 FM KBXE in Bemidji and Bagley, and 89.9 FM in Brainerd. It’ll also be rebroadcast on independent public radio stations throughout Minnesota and found as a podcast at www.kaxe.org.

To see the show live, be seated by 4:30 p.m. at the Vermilion Community College Theater. Immediately following the show, the After Show Dance Party will be at the Ely Community Center including a CD release party for Whirled Muse.

For tickets call Music Outfitters in Ely at 218-365-2889 or online at www.musicoutfitters.com. Free tickets are available to live broadcast attendees. Reservations are recommended, so call KAXE at 800-662-5799.