Garage Logic "Best Of": The Final State Fair Radio Show

Podcast: Garage Logic
Host: Gamut Podcast Network
Date: January 1, 2026
Episode Theme: The Garage Logic crew’s last Minnesota State Fair radio broadcast—a sentimental, celebratory farewell to decades of live fair shows and the transition into the podcasting era.

Episode Overview

This “best of” episode captures Garage Logic’s legendary final radio broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair. True to its roots in “Gumption County,” the episode is a sprawling variety show: a testament to loyal fans ("GLers"), inside jokes, and the enduring chemistry among its hosts. It’s filled with live music, heartfelt goodbyes, playful games (“Married Forever”), special guests, awards, and some classic Midwestern ribbing—all wrapped up in nostalgia and anticipation of the show’s next chapter as a podcast.

Key Discussion Points and Segments

1. Reflections on the End of an Era (00:33-03:30)

• Chris Reavers gets things rolling with a tongue-in-cheek introduction from "the GL Podcast studios," riffing on absent co-hosts and joking about Joe’s golfing schedule.
  • “You can’t kill this show with a shovel. It’ll be podcastable.” – Joe Soucheray (03:17)
• Sentimental mood: Reavers admits to getting “a little misty” re-listening, emphasizing how families, friends, and co-workers turned the final live show into a celebration rather than a farewell.

2. State Fair Memories & Origins (03:03-04:15)

• Reminiscing about their early State Fair shows, learning that true engagement meant moving the show outdoors and mingling with residents of “Gumption County.”
• The hosts reflect on the tradition and quirks of State Fair broadcasting.

3. Superfan Interview: The State Fair Diehard (04:15-09:18)

• Guest: Matt Dahl ("State Fair Superfan")
  • Shares how he’s attended the fair almost every day since childhood and chronicles his adventures (mostly on Instagram now).
  • Favorite Fair Eats: Australian battered potatoes, wild rice cheeseburger.
  • Food on a Stick Quiz ensues—a playful segment on which foods are real fair offerings.
    • “Do you review feuds?” – Joe mishearing “foods” (05:47)

4. Special Guest Musicians: Sun Pie & the Louisiana Sunspots (14:00-23:45)

• Sun Pie, from New Orleans, and guitarist/park ranger Matt Hampsey play a zydeco-infused mini-concert; bring a vibrant, distinctly southern flavor to the Minnesota fair.
  • “Looking good is one thing, but smelling good and looking good is another thing.” – Sun Pie (15:14)
  • On the accordion: “No offense to Florian Chemlesky, but I’ve never heard the accordion played that well.” – Joe (23:45)
• Sun Pie improvises lyrics about the fair, food, and Garage Logic’s 25-year legacy (“25 years, Joe, in one place, son. You know, that’s a long, long time.” – 21:24)

5. Weather & News Intermission with Dave Dahl (24:05-27:14)

• Longtime meteorologist Dave Dahl combines banter about fair weather, crowd size records, and nostalgia for his years with Garage Logic.
  • “Thank you. It’s been an honor to work with you all these years.” – Dave Dahl (25:14)

6. State Fair Animal Segment with Doris Mould (27:24-31:16)

• Doris brings in a bull calf named Elmer, prompting jokes about manure and beef/dairy trajectories (“He gave you a side-eye when you said that.” – Joe).
• The hosts and Doris banter about Elmer’s life expectancy, fair antics, and quirky job comparisons.

7. "Married Forever" Game Show (34:21-60:04)

• The fan-favorite (and often chaotic) "Married Forever" contest pits couples’ knowledge of each other against years of marriage and Garage Logic’s mischief.
  • Contestant banter surrounds “what movie would your spouse stop to watch,” “what item of clothing he wears that you hate,” etc.
  • Playful confusion over the rules becomes part of the fun:
    • “This game has left the entire state of Minnesota thoroughly confused.” – Joe (48:57)
  • Memorable answers: “Zuba pants,” “anything not Garage Logic,” “cat,” “beaver.”
  • Notable Moment: Retro guest Morgan Qi Wolf Slattery (known for being a "Euphorian") returns, jokes about her conversion to a “GLer,” and receives the GL Medal of Freedom, prompting cheers.

8. Honoring the Garage Logic Family (62:13-67:35)

• Past producers and show members, including Kelly Lynn and Angie Ludwig, return to the stage, receive the show's rare Medals of Freedom.
• Hosts jest about their legacies, the challenges of recalling everyone’s names, and life after radio.
• Angie offers tongue-in-cheek advice on hiding boxed wine in purses to survive radio marathons.

9. Emotional Farewells and Closing Thoughts (67:35-end)

• Joe Soucheray, Kenny Olson, and the cast reflect candidly on the legacy and community built over 25 years:
  • “We did not go to work for 25 years. It was really fun.” – Joe (69:59)
  • “This is what I’m crying about right here. I want this.” – Kenny on the GL community (70:37)
• The group assures fans the Garage Logic “town” will continue—the same spirit, now in podcast form.
• The episode ends with parting musical notes and a promise: “You can’t kill this show with a shovel. It’ll be podcastable.” (Repeated refrain)

Notable Quotes

• Joe Soucheray: "You can’t kill this show with a shovel." (03:17)
• Sun Pie: "Looking good is one thing, but smelling good and looking good is another thing." (15:14)
• Dave Dahl: "Thank you. It’s been an honor to work with you all these years." (25:14)
• Kenny Olson: "This is what I’m crying about right here. I want this." (70:37)
• Matt Dahl (State Fair Superfan): "I have always done it and I do it because it’s so much fun." (05:31)
• Chris Reavers: “There’s no crying in Garage Logic.” (69:54)
• Morgan Qi Wolf Slattery, converted GLer: “I realize the error of my ways and have become a GLer. I actually have a cylinder index.” (33:40)

Important Timestamps

• 00:33 – 03:30: Reavers’ heartfelt intro
• 04:15 – 09:18: State Fair Superfan Matt Dahl interview
• 14:00 – 23:45: Sun Pie and the Louisiana Sunspots perform
• 24:05 – 27:14: Dave Dahl’s weather segment
• 27:24 – 31:16: State Fair Animal with Doris Mould
• 34:21 – 60:04: "Married Forever" contest (extensive, includes major callbacks and guest appearances)
• 62:13 – 67:35: Farewell to producers, Medals of Freedom awarded
• 67:35 – end: Emotional closing, audience gratitude, and transition talk

Memorable Moments

• The Food on a Stick quiz: GLers and fair favorites put to the test.
• Sun Pie improvising a State Fair blues about corndogs, turkey legs, and Garage Logic history.
• Guest returns and on-air “redemption” of Morgan Qi Wolf Slattery, now a full-fledged GLer.
• Pandemonium and laughter during "Married Forever"—classic GL logic confusion about who’s supposed to answer, and what.
• The emotional awarding of Medals of Freedom, recognition of the "family" behind the scenes.
• The entire crew—sometimes on the verge of tears—expressing gratitude, love, and hope for the next era.

Tone and Language

Lively, sarcastic, warm, and unmistakably Midwestern. The hosts and guests mix dry wit, self-deprecating humor, and genuine affection. Sentimentality peaks in their reminisces, even as they undercut it with playful ribbing (“No crying in Garage Logic!”).

Closing

This episode stands as a fitting tribute not just to Garage Logic’s radio run, but to the oddball family it created—with listeners, guests, and hosts all together in Gumption County. The GL spirit, humor, and “common sense” approach promise to endure—shovelproof, and now, podcastable.

If you’ve never listened: This is a pitch-perfect snapshot of Minnesota radio folklore, a masterclass in affectionate banter and loyal community. Whether you’re a fan of the fair, small-town Americana, or just smart, funny people saying a bittersweet goodbye, this is one to savor.