Paul Metsa Timeline

1984

Paul Metsa went solo after leading the popular Minneapolis band "Cats Under the Stars." That same year his "Paper Tigers" LP was released.

1985

59 Coal Mines was released as a single. Minnesota Music Awards – Best Folk Artist.

1986

Member of Politics and Music panel for New Music Seminar, NYC, with Nona Hendryx, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Reuben Blades and others.

1987

Ferris Wheels On the Farm was released as a single.

1988

Minnesota Music Awards – Best Blues Vocal.

1989

Minnesota Music Awards – Best Blues Folk Group.

1990

Wins Best Acoustic Guitar Player of the Twin Cities Contest at Cabooze Showdown.

1991

Radio Motel was released, CD retrospective.

1992

Appeared on National Television Broadcast at Farm Aid V at Willie Nelson’s behest.

1993

Whistling Past the Graveyard was released, produced by Bucky Baxter.

1994

Headlined sold out Guthrie Theatre show and released "Mississippi Farewell" CD which was a live performance of that show.

1995

Commissioned to do research and write original music for documentary on the history of the Saint Louis County Fair.

1996

Featured performer and panelist at Tribute to Woody Guthrie, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Woody Guthrie Archives.

1997

Featured performer at AFL-CIO Rally with National President John Sweeney.

1998

Lincoln's Bedroom EP CD was released.

1999

Performance in Iceland as Musical Ambassador for the Minnesota Dept of Tourism. Songwriter of the Year, Twin Cities CitySearch

2000

Featured performer at the Million Mom March in Washington, DC.

2001

Founded SavetheGuthrie.org, which was dedicated to saving the historic Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from demolition. Produced Million Dollar Bash (Bob Dylan’s 60th Birthday Tribute) featuring forty bands at First Avenue – Sold Out Show.

2002

Awarded contract for Music Director of Famous Dave’s Barbeque and Blues Club. Famous Dave’s named Best Blues Club of Twin Cities by City Pages.

2003

Associate Producer and Featured Performer at the Blood on the Tracks Band reunion, Pantages Theater, Minneapolis, MN

2004

Featured panelist, Future of Music Seminar, George Washington University, Washington, DC

2005

Released "Texas in the Twilight" CD. Minnesota Music Award – Americana Artist of the Year.

2006

Featured Performer at Bob Dylan Days, Hibbing, MN.

2007

Founded MaximumFolk.com, a digital record label. Featured performer w/ Sonny Earl at 20th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth, MN.

2004-08

Producer Famous Dave’s Barbeque and Blues Festival, Minneapolis, MN

 

Producer and Performer at Summertime Blues at Ironworld Amphitheater, Chisholm, MN.

2009

Released No Money Down by Paul Metsa-Sonny Earl (6 song EP-CD-MaximumFolk)

 

Created and Performed “Skyway to Hell”, celebrating 30 years in the MN Music Scene. Sold out show at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis, MN