The Five Count

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count was our 17th annual Princemas Celebration, featuring an exclusive interview with musician Matt “Atlanta Bliss” Blistan. Atlanta is best known as a former member of Prince & the Revolution. He played on prince albums like Parade, Sign O’ The Times, Lovesexy and the Batman soundtrack. During the show he discussed how started playing with Prince, his experience with Prince in the studio, and his new book Mind, Body, Trumpet. Get your copy today! During the rest of the show we celebrated Dustin’s birthday, Ton bragged about seeing Elvis at the IMAX, and we discussed which Prince songs would make good “Weird Al” Yankovic parodies. Merry Princemas! https://youtu.be/_WmPeLOLDnA?si=d4MtTTlrOtTHXTi-

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with actor and musician Shaun Cassidy. Known for hits like That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hey Deanie and Da Doo Ron Ron, Shaun signed his first record contract while he was still in high school. He also appeared on TV shows like The Hardy Boys, Breaking Away and General Hospital. During the show he discussed recording new music, his “My First Crush” brand of wines, and what it’s like performing again after 40+ years. See him on “The Road to Us” tour in a town near you! During the rest of the show we discussed creating our own brand of wine, John from New Ulm called to ruin the ending of 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple, and we tried to figure out why so many women wanted to sleep with Spuds MacKenzie. He was one party animal! https://youtu.be/bmk3ozf3RJg?si=Hv1sNnA1mRSIi0yQ

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with wresting legend Al Snow. Al is former WWF European Champion, WWF Hardcore Champion and WWF Tag Team Champion. He also worked on the TV show WWF Tough Enough and the Netflix series Wrestlers. During the show he discussed how he made the transition to the acting world, his memories of working in Minnesota’s AWA, and his latest movie Learning You. It’s in theaters now! During the rest of the show we complained about bluegrass music and rising insurance premiums, Ton explained why he wants to make his own Muppets, and we discussed the filmography of Dick Butkus. He was a giant on the field and on the screen! https://youtu.be/tqmbW9uaV0c?si=KngoagxwLrpo1D8X

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we argued over whether or not Laura Ingalls Wilder was a real person, Ton explained why he cried during the finale of Stranger Things, and we hitched a ride on a train with Johnny Cash. All aboard!

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with musician Brian Vollmer. Brian is best known as the founder and frontman for the band Helix. Known for songs like Wild in the Streets, Deep Cuts the Knife and Rock You, Helix has been making music for more than 50 years. During the show he discussed the longevity of Helix, his relationship with The Trailer Park Boys, and the new Helix album Scrap Metal. Get your copy now! During the rest of the show we discussed our favorite films of 2025, Ton explained why the fake radio station from Stranger Things is better than our show, and we announced our resolutions for 2026. Happy New Year, gentle listeners! https://youtu.be/mbFNkH8sKtE?si=mlHo0MemuewyZYJV

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with actor and musician Michael Damian. Michael is best known for his role as “Danny Romalotti” on the TV show The Young and the Restless. He’s also known for songs like Cover of Love, Was It Nothing at All and Rock On. During the show he discussed his years as a daytime soap opera star, performing the theme song for the TV show Saved by the Bell, and his latest Christmas single Reach Out to Me This Christmas. It’s available now! During the rest of the show we played leftover Christmas tunes, read a poem by Sue in Lakeville, and argued about potpourri and gluten-free cookies. We’ll be back next year! https://youtu.be/x1e_XyvFcZo?si=F16aJXZo0uiBZtaG

The Five Count recently had a chance to speak with filmmaker Paul Feig. Paul is best known as the director of TV shows like Freaks and Geeks, The Office, Nurse Jackie and Arrested Development. He also directed films like Bridesmaids, Spy and Ghostbusters. His latest film The Housemaid is in theaters now!  https://youtu.be/48CtX6OgU3s?si=JNkg7-Aj5hK50di5

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count was our special “A Five Count Christmas” show for 2025! During the show we exchanged Christmas gifts, heard the story of Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and received numerous updates from NORAD about the whereabouts of Santa Claus. Merry Christmas, gentle listeners!

The Five Count recently had a chance to speak with actor Nathan Kress. Nathan is best known for his role as “Freddie Benson” on the TV show iCarly. He’s also appeared on TV shows like Drake & Josh, Star Wars Rebels and Pinky Malinky. His new film A Chuck E. Cheese Christmas is available now! https://youtu.be/cY1yQbIbbrY?si=SgN9r48x2tA9XRFO

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with musician Jason McMaster. Jason is best known as the founder and frontman for the band Dangerous Toys. He’s also played with bands like Watchtower, Broken Teeth and Igniter. During the show he discussed the early days of Dangerous Toys, putting together Dangerous Toys’ latest album Demolition, and his new band Night Terror. Night Terror’s new album Return of the Witches is out now! During the rest of the show we discussed the 10-foot statue of Robocop in Detroit, mourned the retirement of pro wrestler John Cena, and paid tribute to Five Count alumnus Steve Cropper. Play it, Steve! https://youtu.be/tMWvrE5udIk?si=m82WSbzRMTOBIPJk

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we spoiled the new season of Stranger Things, Ton bought a piano from an old lady on Facebook, and we interviewed Greg Prato about his new book Alternative for the Masses: The ’90s Alt-Rock Revolution – An Oral History, Tony Russell about his new book Vintage Country: The Essential Artists and Songs, from Old-Time to Honky-Tonk, 1920–1970 and Daniel Bukszpan about his new book Iron Maiden at 50. The Five Count is well read!

The Five Count recently had a chance to speak with longtime Minnesota deejay Mary Lucia. Mary is best known for her tenure with Minnesota’s 89.3 FM “The Current” from 2005-2022. She currently works for Minnesota’s “Radio K” 770 AM. Her new memoir “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To” is out now!

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we talked a lot about oatmeal, paid tribute to Five Count alumni Jellybean Johnson and Jimmy Cliff, and celebrated episode #1,111 of the show. We’re number one!

Check Playlist This was a special Thanksgiving episode of The Five Count! During the show we discussed our favorite memories of the Mankato music store Ernie November, chose which sitcom characters we would pick for a five-on-five cage match, and learned turkey hunting techniques and wild turkey calls. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Five Count recently had a chance to peak with actress Lizzy Caplan. Lizzy is best known for her role as “Janis Ian” in the film Mean Girls. She also appeared in films like Hot Tub Time Machine, 127 Hours, Cloverfield, and TV shows like True Blood and Freaks & Geeks. Her latest film Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is in theaters now! https://youtu.be/uogrgIasYcA?si=TNHqQBMDsPMYmikO

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with actress Elise Freshwater-Blizzard. Elise is best known for her YouTube series Middle of Nowhere. She also created the series Only in Sheffield and Unfit for YouTube. During the show she discussed her comedic influences, her process and attention to detail when creating content for YouTube, and her recent foray into stand-up comedy. Subscribe to her channel today! During the rest of the show we argued about how handsome Dustin is, heard from a caller who loves Echoes on KMSU more than us, and explained why we only need to do our best during the first 10 minutes of the show. People usually turn it off by then, so they never hear how bad it gets in the back-half! https://youtu.be/eAtPAHO_wkA?si=c-Tpi_ftWO4zHS5l

Check Playlist This episode of The Five Count featured an exclusive interview with WWE Superstar Ricky Saints. Ricky is WWE’s NXT Champion. He’s also a former NXT North American Champion, NWA World Television Champion and AEW World Tag Team Champion. During the show he discussed his transition to the WWE, working under the tutelage of wrestler Shawn Michaels and where he would like to go next in his career. See Ricky Saints on Nov. 13 when WWE NXT comes to Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul! During the rest of the show we discussed the proper way to get rid of wood ticks, received a lucrative partnership offer with Reebok, and announced The Five Count House Band’s new musical team-up with Mankato’s favorite musical combo MOLS. The new cassette release, featuring both bands, is available now! https://youtu.be/TaHGo82y5KE?si=6JQJJcqnrehZEykq

Check Playlist This was The Five Count’s Halloween Special for 2025! During the show we played all our favorite Halloween suns, discussed what a Five Count museum would be like, and debuted a new song from The Five Count House Band called Grandma’s Answering Machine. Happy Halloween! Photo by John in New Ulm https://youtu.be/tpR9POUhSLQ

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we paid tribute to Ace Frehley of KISS, discussed a side-business where Ton will officiate weddings on the show, and begged for money for the KMSU Pledge Drive. Thanks for your support! https://youtu.be/KsvtJ2npPiA?si=-pEPGSWHdhg909G0

Check Playlist During this episode of The Five Count we discussed doing the dishes, got caught in a chamber of horrors, and Ton broke the news that he cut his hair off. Now he looks like Keanu Reeves! https://youtu.be/Q5z3qV5_ups?si=wzmKGy4_0-_3TFMk