Minnesota is arguably as melodious as any state in the union. Over the years, it has produced almost as many great musicians and bands as it has lakes – and the variety is as diverse as the weather.

Band names are like the oft-quoted line from Shakespeare: Some are as sweet as a rose, but some just plain stink. Whether a group’s name aptly represents its image and sound or simply serves as a way to alphabetize their discs in a record store, all bands must come up with one – for better or worse.

What are some of your favorite band names? Which ones should have been left on drawing board?

To get the ball rolling, here are just a few for each column from this blogger’s perspective:

Everyone has an album or a song (a guilty pleasure, so to speak) that you wouldn't want your friends to find out you enjoy listening to. One example for me is Stripped by Christina Aguilera. A perfectly good album, but to some of my acquaintances a purchase I should be very ashamed of. I'll also admit to groovin' to Bon Jovi, The Outfield, Night Ranger and Britney Spears in my van when I come across them on the radio. I've admitted my shameful music moments - now it's your turn. What music do you secretly love?

Do you ever get goose bumps when listening to music?

"Sunday Morning Coming Down" written by Kris Kristofferson and popularized by Johnny Cash has some of the best lyrics out there. Check out Kristofferson's mad lyric writing skills: "Well, I woke up Sunday Morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt. And the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad, so I had one more for dessert. Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes and found my cleanest dirty shirt. Then I washed my face and combed my hair and stumbled down the stairs to meet the day."

What are some of your favorite song lyrics?

If I were a jingle writer for TV ads, I’d be a little worried about my job security. You may have noticed more and more bands and artists gracing TV ads with their songs over the last few years, and they’re not just shilling for iPods. There are lots of car ads and other products that seem to be stacking up rocks’ heavy hitters like records in a jukebox.

I got an iPod for Christmas! I’m excited about all of my new listening options, but does having an iPod mean no longer buying albums? I’m not sure what sort of downloader I’ll become. Will I download entire albums, or will I just grab singles?

I've always wanted to go to Egypt. See the pyramids, ride a camel, maybe get into a tomb via a tour guide who knows something the others don't.

This month, the Minnesota History Theatre puts on a play called "Kirby!" that examines the pros and cons of hero worship in our society.