Dale Ann Bradley
talks with Katy Daley
Tuesday, May 12, at 9 a.m.
Dale Ann discusses her new album Don’t Turn Your Back.
Highlights
January 24-30
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - American Gothic: Jolie Holland & Homer Bailes
It’s old-time country and folk, as seen from the two very different viewpoints of our guests. Jolie Holland is a young singer-songwriter whose sound incorporates a distinct vision–sometimes dark and somewhat hallucinatory–of blues and country from another era. Homer Bailes is the last remaining member of 1940s country superstar family band the Bailes Brothers. His stern outlook on life, illustrated by songs like “Whiskey is the Devil in Liquid Form,” remains unchanged over half a century later.
Banks of the Ohio
with George McKnight.
Bluegrass Breakdown - Sawmill Road Live
We’ll be sitting at the feet of a band that’s totally in synch and on top of its game, a quintet that always delivers a knock-out punch with a bold originality and a bit of a western tinge. Sawmill Road—bassist Steve Spurgin, guitarist Charles Edsall, mandolinist Mark Miracle, fiddling Bruce Johnson and banjoist Dick Brown—will be pickin’ and singin’ live, commemorating the release of their debut disc, One.
Bluegrass Master Class
Each week on this historical series, one of our expert hosts brings to light the talent, personalities, and music that make up the rich tradition of bluegrass. Learn more about your favorite song or just reminisce. And, don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!
Bluegrass Review
What is hillbilly music? We ask that question in today’s Gem of Bluegrass. Later on the broadcast, we talk to post-Uncle Dave Macon stylist Leroy Troy about his work. Also, we play important new bluegrass, play a little more “extreme justice” bluegrass, and postscript Jake Schepps. Use the playlist link at BluegrassReview.com for playlists. To contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Hope you’re hungry–this week’s menu features good southern cooking and other culinary surprises for gourmets and gourmands alike. Along with you, celebrity dinner guests will include Merle Travis, Lester & Earl, Maybelle Carter, Mississippi John Hurt, Moon Mullican and the Monroe Brothers too. Come with a good appetite and save some room for dessert.
*etown
Etown and hosts Nick & Helen Forster travel to Portland, Oregon for the first time to record a show at the charming Newmark Theater. Sarah McLachlan is back with us, this time solo, selecting songs from her amazing catalog of new and classic material presented sparsely and in solid style with Nick & Helen and the Etones backing her up here and there. Phenomenal multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-nominated hit songwriter, Darrell Scott joins us, too, with a powerful set of songs supported by Nick & Helen and the Etones and old pals Darol Anger & Gary Ogan. Plus, talented newcomer, singer-songwriter Griffin House, is in Etown for his first visit as well. And you will be moved by a special ‘in-person’ Portland-centric E-Chievement Award story, too, all this week in Etown.
The Free for All Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.LIVE
Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours.
The Old Home Place - Sunday 3 a.m. (1/25)
Foster’s Corner - Tuesday 12 p.m. , Thursday 12 a.m. , Sunday 3 a.m. (2/01)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring: Jose Gonzalez, Nellie McKay, everybodyfields, 17 Hippies, Mia Doi Todd, and Julia Douglass. Playlist
Music from Foggy Hollow
In Music from Foggy Hollow from Australia this week, there’s a great start to the year, with a new CD from Donna Ulisse called “Walk This Mountain Down”. It’s the feature album on the show this week. Mike Kear’s playing some songs from the CD and talking a bit about Donna’s life and career. Also on the show new music from Pam Gadd, Jeanette Williams, Michael Martin Murphey and a fantastic new single from Audie Blaylock and Redline that is gonna knock your socks right off! Mike doesn’t take himself too seriously – there’s time for some fun and levity too. It’s another show jam packed with bluegrass goodness.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King “vegges out” this week with a program of tunes which all have vegetables in their names. The menu includes familiar produce items such as corn, peas, potatoes and beans, but also some less familiar ones like chinquapins, collards and leather britches. Yum!
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
*Thistle and Shamrock - Mando Banjo Magic
Stringed instruments of all sorts help forge this music’s identity. This week we feature two that have become central to its sound with Seamus Egan, Jane Rothfield, and Gerry O’Connor
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
January 17-23
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - Martin Luther King, Jr.
As historic events take place in Washington, DC this holiday, American Routes reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King in both words and music. We’ll talk music with Civil Rights activist and college professor Julian Bond. Jazz trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard stops by to share stories of his life in the jazz world during those tumultuous times. All this plus songs and voices to commemorate our past and look to our future.
Banks of the Ohio
with George McKnight.
Bluegrass Breakdown - Bed By The Window
We’ll be embarking on one of our most adventuresome outings to date—an in depth, no holds barred, no stone unturned look at, bluegrass … “beds.” It’s a potentially risqué subject, but we’ll handle it with our usual bull-in-the-china closet, Neanderthal, but well-meaning way. With insight and guidance from such mattress connoisseurs as James King, Avery County, Bill Clifton, David Peterson & 1946, Kate MacKenzie and David Parmley we’ll be celebrating beds on the floor, beds by the window, feather beds, dying beds, neighbor’s beds, bedsides, riverbeds, creek beds and rose beds. of her own.
Bluegrass Master Class
Each week on this historical series, one of our expert hosts brings to light the talent, personalities, and music that make up the rich tradition of bluegrass. Learn more about your favorite song or just reminisce. And, don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!
Bluegrass Review
Today we feature progressive stylists on our show. The Gem of Bluegrass focuses on one of the most influential mandolin players ever, Jethro Burns. His meal ticket was comedy, but insiders always knew of his great skill as a jazz mandolinist, and his work played a major role in the formation of progressive acoustic music. Also, we speak with Colorado progressive banjoist, Jake Schepps. Plus, we play some songs where extreme justice plays a role, and postscript April Verch. Use the playlist link at the home page of BluegrassReview.com for playlists. To contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net or visit Phil’s blog: Culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - 5-String Productions
An introduction to 5-String Productions, a record company that’s been very active recently, with new music ranging from the old time sounds of John Hoffman & Mac Benford and Alice Gerrard, Gail Gillespie & Sharon Sandomirsky to the originals of Carol Elizabeth Jones to the Mali-Appalachian fusion of Cheick Hamala Diabate & Bob Carlin to the solo offerings of Matt Brown. There’s also a new “legacy” release of Alice Gerrard & Mike Seeger. And it somehow all fits on this week’s Bluegrass Signal.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
A few tunes from Buzz Busby are followed by excerpts from In the Pines, a new Old Hat cd of judiciously selected North Carolina string band and gospel tracks from the 78 rpm days. The second hour is dominated by accordionists; if you share the opinion that in hell everybody plays an accordion, then what you’ll hear will help you rconsider.
*etown
Etown returns to Fort Collins, CO, in this encore broadcast, for a taping at the Lincoln Center. Joining hosts Nick & Helen Forster are a pair of fantastic singer-songwriters: one with an established history and award-winning hits, and the other whose star is rising quickly. First, Marc Cohn, along with his band, shares some intensely personal observations set to his strongly crafted music. Then, young and gifted singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile takes the stage with her powerful vocals and a set of sophisticated songs that belies her youth (she’s only 27!). There’s fine music, insightful conversation, and an amazing E-Chievement award story all coming up in this week’s Etown broadcast.
The Free for All Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.LIVE
Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours.
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show Sunday 3 a.m. (1/18)
The Old Home Place Tuesday 12 p.m. , Thursday 12 a.m. , Sunday 3 a.m. (1/25)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring:
Ani DiFranco
moe.
Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Paul Kelly
George Stanford.
Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new CD from Pam Gadd called “Benefit of Doubt”. It’s her fourth CD and it’s a beauty. Mike plays some songs from the album and talks a bit about Pam and her career. There’s lots of new music and some you’ll know and love too, and plenty of chuckles along the way. Also the regular features - the segment from Sao Paulo, Brazil and the nostalgic look back at what was going on in Foggy Hollow 5 years ago. It’s a packed show as always. Bluegrass from Australia - who’d a thunk it?!!
Open Mic
(a rebroadcast) Over 400 people joined us on Sunday, June 22 for the very first Bluegrass Country Open House. This week, we open the mic for the bands that entertained everyone from the lawn of our building in Northwest D.C.; All4Hym, Andrew Acosta’s New Old Time String Band, Hubie King and the Old Timers, The Lisa Kay Band, and Scythian.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King plays two sets of Civil War songs, remembering both Confederate and Union soldiers. The rest is a variety of old-time music, including two original songs, “Walk Along John to Kansas,” and “Little Caty Sage,” from the latest Wolfe Brothers CD, Old Virginia Hills.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
Special Programming
2009 promises to be a great year in Bluegrass, two up and coming bands this year, also happen to be family bands: The Doerfels, based in Florida, and Ohio’s Jett’s Creek. We’ll hear live performances with these two family bands, plus Phil Nusbaum’s Gems of Bluegrass on this week’s Special Programming.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
*Thistle and Shamrock - New Voices
This is your chance to get onto some new singing talent before everyone else does! We’ll enjoy music of a number of rising artists from Ireland and beyond, and meet Scottish singer-songwriter Fraser Anderson who recorded a studio session for us.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
January 10-16
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - George Gershwin
This two hour tribute maps the Route to Genius for this great American composer. We’ll speak with those who know his work and perform his work about Gershwin’s relationship with klemzer and the blues, his work for the stage, and his place in the American soundscape. Plus hear great versions of Gershwin’s enduring tunes in jazz, country, the blues and more.
Banks of the Ohio
Enjoy a trip down the bluegrass memory lane, as George McKnight presents a show with songs all about Time and Memories.
Bluegrass Breakdown - Dailey & Vincent/Dale Ann Bradley Live
We’ll be paying tribute to a duo that, between them, brought home an unprecedented truckload of 2008 IBMA awards including “Album of the Year,” “Vocal Group of the Year,” “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year,” Emerging Artist of the Year” and “Entertainer of the Year.” Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent will be our special live guests, talking about their self-titled Rounder debut. And, as though that wasn’t enough to bring you to your knees in solemn reverence, the 2008 IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley, will also be on board with some live pickin’ and singin’ of her own.
Bluegrass Master Class
Each week on this historical series, one of our expert hosts brings to light the talent, personalities, and music that make up the rich tradition of bluegrass. Learn more about your favorite song or just reminisce. And, don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!
Bluegrass Review
More great bluegrass on today’s show. The Gem of Bluegrass considers how the community basis of traditional fiddling has changed. Later, we talk to April Verch about how she approaches bluegrass audiences from a base in Ottawa Valley Canadian fiddle playing. We play examples of Metis and old time Canadian fiddling, and squeeze in some new bluegrass, too. Use the playlist link at the home page of BluegrassReview.com for playlists. To contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net or visit Phil’s blog: Culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - IBMA Awards Show
Highlights from the 2008 IBMA Awards Show, live (on Oct. 2/08) from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Host Del McCoury comments on the historic location, Ricky Skaggs and Doyle Lawson offer tributes to some of those who played there in the past, and Bill Clifton’s induction to the IBMA Hall Of Fame is followed by a sample of his recordings. Other live performances by the Infamous Stringdusters, SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dale Ann Bradley, and, of course, the Del Band.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Bill Monroe sports triple fiddles on a couple of 1954 treasures, the Stanley Brothers feature finger-picked guitar in a musical response to Elvis Presley, and we hear what Merle Travis and a couple of African guitarists have in common. Bessie Smith rebaptizes Casey Jones as J.C. Holmes, Johnnie and Jack sing some glorious gospel, as do a couple of Texas bluesmen. Oh, and there’s a cheerful (let’s hope) medley of Depression songs, to remind us that this is only a Recession.Right? Right!
*etown
Rickie Lee Jones, makes her way back to the Etown stage for her fourth visit. In this repeat broadcast, she shares some newer music along with select tunes from her amazing catalog amassed over a career of nearly 30 years. Also joining us is singer-songwriter Chris Smither, who wows us with masterful guitar picking on his selection of tunes rooted in blues and folk. Incorporating lyrics drawn from modern poets and humanist philosophers, Chris shares some solo tunes and also gangs up with Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones for a full band performance.
The Free for All Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.LIVE
Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours.
The Bill Miller Show Sunday 3 a.m. (1/11)
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m. , Sunday 3 a.m. (1/18)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Peter Case, Le Trio Joubran, Band of Heathens, Storyhill, and Comparsa. Playlist
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new CD from Jeanette Williams, called Thank You for Caring, out on Blue Circle Records. He’s playing some songs from the album and talking about Jeanette and her career. There’s lots of new music, and some you’ll know and love too. Also on the show, the regular segment from Sao Paulo Brazil, a nostalgic look back at what was playing on the show 5 years ago, and lots more. It’s a packed show as always, and you’d be a wombat to miss it! Bluegrass from Australia. Who’d a thunk it!
Open Mic
Top 40 Bluegrass Countdown - Lee Michael Demsey reviews the top 40 Bluegrass songs of 2008. No hints on what’s the most popular song of the year, but if you follow Bluegrass Unlimited charts, which Lee has been compiling since April 1990, you might have an idea of how the list will shake out.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King introduces some new CDs he found in his stocking over the holidays: “Burnin’ It Down”, by brothers Tim & Dave (Bing); “Midnight on the Run”, by Killer Grits; “Homestead on the Farm”, by the Hushpuppies; and “Waiting on the Gravy Train”, by the Freight Hoppers. Artists whose CDs are revisited include Paul Brown, Mac & Jenny Traynham, the Mill Run Dulcimer Band, “Chirps” Smith, Mac Benford, Bruce Molsky and more.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
Special Programming
2009 promises to be a great year in Bluegrass, two up and coming bands this year, also happen to be family bands: The Doerfels, based in Florida, and Ohio’s Jett’s Creek. We’ll hear live performances with these two family bands, plus Phil Nusbaum’s Gems of Bluegrass on this week’s Special Programming.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Let’s brighten the dreary days of winter with some thoughts of flowers. Flowers have long been admired and used to beautify our surroundings and are sometimes a source of food. The bluegrass music community is rich with songs involving flowers, roses, bouquets and the symbolic representation of new beginnings. We’ll enjoy many gospels numbers this week that use flowers in the lyrical messages, many of them bluegrass gospel classics. And for sure we’ll have some old hymns so don’t forget your song books for the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Horizons
Tune into sounds that are turning a new generation onto Celtic music including flute and whistle player Michael McGoldrick, singer Emily Smith, and piper Stuart Cassells who fronts the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
January 3-9
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes
Ring in the new year with some of our favorite live music. We’ll have a set from New Orleans’ trumpet player, Kermit Ruffins with an all-star Crescent City band featuring vocalist Thais Clark. Lafayette, Louisiana’s Pine Leaf Boys bring rock and roll energy to their own version of traditional Cajun music. Step into a holiday soiree of reels, jigs and waltzes by French fiddlers in Westbrook, Maine. And pull up a set for a club set from singer and banjo player Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders. It’s a festive set of live music that will keep you swinging well into 2009.
Banks of the Ohio - Looking Ahead to 09
George McKnight features artists performing in the upcoming River City Bluegrass Festival as well as Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mtn Boys.
Bluegrass Breakdown - More Reissue Mania
We’ll be starting off the New Year right, by hotly pursuing tunes that have recently resurfaced for the first time in the pristine, snap/crackle/and pop free CD format and/or have been thoughtfully repackaged as part of a larger collection. Dave Evans & River Bend, James King, Jim & Jesse, David Bromberg, Claire Lynch and Bluegrass, Etc. will lead the charge.
NEW PROGRAM: Bluegrass Master Class
Each week on this historical series, one of our expert hosts brings to light the talent, personalities, and music that make up the rich tradition of bluegrass. Learn more about your favorite song or just reminisce. And, don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz!
Bluegrass Review
There’s a lot of great fiddling on today’s show. The Gem of Bluegrass finds a reason why the fiddle is the instrument with the greatest connection to old time music and bluegrass. Later, we talk to Canadian fiddle master, April Verch, and she addresses differences between United States and Canadian traditions. We play some of the fiddlers she suggested from two of Canada’s fiddling sub styles. Plus, we find time for a few more songs from the Tom Paxton bluegrass songbook. Visit the home page of BluegrassReview.com for playlists. To contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net or visit Phil’s blog: Culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - Across the Tracks (New Releases)
A survey of new releases, including ones featuring banjo players (Earl Scruggs, Kristin Scott Benson, Alan Munde), songwriters (Carol Elizabeth Jones, Chris Stuart, Robin & Linda Williams, Town Mountain), interpreters (Carol Elizabeth Jones [again], David Parmley, Valerie Smith & Becky Buller, Wes Miller), and songs suitable for New Year’s resolutions (Tenbrooks, Ernie Thacker, Ernest V/ Stoneman).
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Jimmy Martin and Cousin Wilbur sing tenor to Bill Monroe,and there’s more great vocal harmony from the Stanleys, Osbornes (with Red Allen), Jimmie (no relation) Osborne, and the great Silver Leaf Quartette. Country meets Cajun with Hank Williams, Buck Owens, Papa Cairo and Dennis McGee. Too many banjos? No such thing! The Osbornes return in the second hour with double banjos, as do a couple of minstrel men from 1897. The Dixieland Jug Blowers and a ragtime banjo band from the Philippines sport even more. It’s mid-winter, and Obsolete Music knows how to turn up the heat.
*etown
This encore airing features two young songwriters and singers. Matt Nathanson, a talented musician and conversational ‘free-spirit’ with a marvelously gregarious stage presence, pays a visit to Etown. He plays some stripped down versions of recent hit songs, accompanied in exceptional style by Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones. We also welcome Ian Ball of the successful British rock trio, Gomez, who offers his own blend of Brit-pop tunes. Plus, we’ll share a moving E-Chievement Award story with you, too, right here in Etown.
The Free for All is moving to Wednesday, 6-9 p.m.
Beginning January 7, Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours.
Foster’s Corner Sunday 3 a.m. (1/4)
The Bill Miller Show Tuesday 12 p.m. , Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (1/11)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Cherryholmes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Claire Lynch Band, Kane Welch Kaplin and, Bare Bones. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear responds to a challenge from a listener in Maryland that there aren’t many bluegrass love songs. So he’s devoted the whole week’s show to bluegrass love songs. There are some soggy moments, some soppy moments, some fun moments. Plus the regular segment from Sao Paulo, Brazil and a lot of fun and entertainment. It’s another packed show and you’d be a wombat if you missed it.
Open Mic
Top 40 Bluegrass Countdown - Lee Michael Demsey reviews the top 40 Bluegrass songs of 2008. No hints on what’s the most popular song of the year, but if you follow Bluegrass Unlimited charts, which Lee has been compiling since April 1990, you might have an idea of how the list will shake out.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King introduces two CDs: “Burnin’ it Down” – brand new banjo and fiddle duets by Tim and Dave Bing, and an album by “The Mysterious Redbirds” featuring Tom Paley, a founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers, on banjo, with guitar by James Reams and fiddle by Bill Christopherson. This solves the “mystery” of “whatever happened to Tom Paley?” A wide variety of other artists flesh out the program, including Riley Baugus, Laura Boosinger, Paul Brown, Reed Martin and many more.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
Special Programming
The Free For All is moving to Wednesdays! Beginning in January, Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours. To give you a taste of the programming Echo has to offer we’ll hear an hour of The Free For All during this week’s Special Programming.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
We’ll kick off the new year with some humor by Wendy Bagwell and his 1969 story of “Here Come the Rattlesnakes” that hasn’t been aired on Stained Glass Bluegrass in over two years. Lots of old traditional favorites are featured as well as a special arrangement of “Near the Cross” to close the old hymns portion of the program that begins our third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Cara Dillon
Her voice has mesmerized audiences in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America and Cara Dillon has won many accolades for her recordings, including two prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Meet this great singer from County Derry and share her infectious passion for the songs of her homeland.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
December 26 - January 2
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
Special Program: Top 40 Bluegrass Countdown - Wednesday, 12/31, 10 p.m.- 12 a.m. ET
Lee Michael Demsey reviews the top 40 Bluegrass songs of 2008 as compiled by Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine.
*American Routes - Hank Williams
American Routes travels the Lost Highway in memory of Hank Williams, who died in the back seat of his Cadillac en route to a New Years Day concert. We’ll remember Hank’s lasting contribution to American music with two hours of stories and songs from his musical ancestors, collaborators and descendants, including band member Don Helms, biographer Colin Escott, and grandson Hank III.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Review
On this week’s show, we play the best of 2008 in Bluegrass. If you want to contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net. The playlist is located at BluegrassReview.com.
Bluegrass Signal - Happy Birthday, Jack Cooke
Originally broadcast on Dec. 6th, this is a birthday celebration of the music of Jack Cooke, the rock-solid bassist, lead & harmony singer extraordinaire, and Dr. Ralph’s foil in the Clinch Mt. Boys since 1970(!). The show includes Jack singing lead, tenor, and baritone with the CMB, as well as some of Jack’s music with Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, the Cooke Duet, and his 1963 band, the Virginia Mt. Boys. “Jack Cooke is the real deal. Like his longtime boss, Ralph Stanley, Cooke loves the old-time, traditional sound, filled with lots of rough edges that create something one might refer to as mountain soul.” - Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
*The Dick Spottswood Show
This week, music from 1949 broadcasts by Maybelle Carter and daughters, featuring June in a duet with Chet Atkins. Blues diva Ida Cox launched a good song about Chattanooga in 1923 that found a country music home in Johnson City. The hour closes with great gospel harmonies from Carl Butler The second hour features music to enhance New Year’s Eve celebrations, with stellar contributions from Bessie Smith, her biggest fan (Bob Wills), the Stanley Brothers, Howlin’ Wolf and many more. 2008 is about to become Obsolete–Happy New Year!
*etown
Michelle Shocked returns to Etown in this encore broadcast sharing tunes from her CD, the gospel-tinged ToHeavenURide, which was recorded live at Telluride. Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones (along with visiting guest vocalist Mollie O’Brien) solidly back up Michelle’s rousing and moving set of music. We also welcome Americana Music Award nominees, the Avett Brothers, as they make their inaugural visit to Etown. They deliver their singular folk-punk stew of energetic tunes to the delight of the crowd. Then, everyone takes the stage for a rousing finale, bringing the audience to its feet. Check it all out — including an inspiring E-Chievement Award winner’s story — this week in Etown
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Free for All is moving to Wednesday!
Wednesday 12/31, 6-7 p.m. ET - Special 1 hour airing.
Beginning January 7, Echo hosts the program solo, drops the Friday Night prefix and is LIVE right after The Ray Davis Show. She’ll be playing lots of traditional bluegrass in the first hour, and a mix of Americana and bluegrass in the next two hours. On Wednesday this week, we’ll present an hour of her show to get you ready for next week’s switch.
The Old Home Place Sunday 3 a.m. (12/28)
Foster’s Corner - Tuesday 12 p.m. , Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (1/4)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 7 p.m. (special time this week only)
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Marc Cohn, Bill Evans Soulgrass w/ Sam Bush & Richard Bona, Jeremy Fisher, Kelly Sweet, and Amy Correia. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new CD from The Bankester Family called “Somewhere In Between”. It’s a fine CD by a band that’s not signed to a label, but ought to be. Also on the show, we play the hottest songs in the world of bluegrass, as we count down the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Singles Chart for December 2008. Plus our regular segment from Sao Paulo, Brazil, and we look back to see what we were doing on the show 5 years ago. As always, it’s a show packed with good music and fun and you’d be a ring-tailed bandicoot if you missed it!!
Musician Tip - we’re taking a break from Musician Tips during the holidays - Go practice!
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for a sampler of our rotating programs. From noon - 3 p.m., ET Tuesdays, we feature a different show each week. The programs debut on a Tuesday and then are rebroadcast at midnight (EST) the following Thursday, and at 3 a.m. (EST), Sunday. We’ll hear half hour segments of The Bill Miller Show, Foster’s Corner, The Old Home Place, and The Tom Cat Reeder Show.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King presents another “Creature Feature” of more tunes and songs which all have animals in their titles. Included critters are birds (pretty, singing and mocking), an eagle, quail, turkey, woodcock and heron, geese, wolves, horses (both wild and domestic), and dogs, a mule, monkey, cat, cow, squirrel, sheep, rattlesnake and rabbit. Can you guess the tunes? Listen and see if you’re right.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
Beginning in January, Old Time Jam with Hubie King will be heard 3 times per week: Monday at 6 p.m. ET, Thursday at 6 a.m. ET and Friday at 8 p.m. ET. To give you a taste of the programming Hubie has to offer we’ll hear the recent Jam he had with Appalachian-style banjo player and ballad singer, Diane Jones.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
On this edition we’ll enjoy some rare tracks from an overlooked recording by the Forbes Family plus some of the newer songs we’ve encountered in 2008. Don’t forget your song books for the old hymns sing along at the beginning of the third hour of course. Happy New Year to the Stained Glass Bluegrass Family and thanks for your support during this year.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Midwinter Sun
Hear music that ushers the sun through the shortest days of the year and upholds the ancient spirit of Yule.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
December 20-25
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - Xmas with Diana Krall and the Heath Brothers
There’s no place like home for the holidays. Our guests for this holiday version of American Routes wax nostalgically in words and music. Jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall recalls her childhood on Vancouver Island and how those traditions are being carried on in her own home today. Jimmy and Tootie Heath of the Heath Brothers reminisce about a life in jazz and late brother Percy. Baby, it’s cold outside. Stay in, snuggle up and enjoy.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Breakdown - A Midwinter’s Eve
You’ll swear you can hear the crackling of the hay in the manger and angels singing praise when Nathan Clark George, Mark Stoffel and Ross Sermons gang around the microphones to bring us ancient tones, old world traditions and the joy of the season.
Bluegrass Review - Holiday bluegrass
Bluegrass Signal - Yule Tunes
An all-instrumental celebration of the season, the better to aid and abet your wrapping and last-minute shopping. The (mostly) standards are played by Tony Williamson, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Tom Rozum, Ricky Skaggs, Dix Bruce, and even a few non-mandolinists like Craig Smith, Tony Trsichka, Dan Crary, and the “Christmas Grass” crew. Ho-ho-ho & merry, merry to you and yours from producer/host Peter Thompson.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Special music for the season, from Hank Snow, the Louvin Brothers, the Roaring Lion, Johnnie & Jack, the Isaacs, Bill Monroe, and other enduring Obsolete Music stalwarts. You won’t hear them on loudspeakers in the mall–aren’t you glad we have BlueGrassCountry? Merry Christmas!
*etown
Etown and hosts Nick & Helen Forster travel to the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a special road show taping. Martin Sexton returns to celebrate a new album, dishing out his own brand of funky soul singing and energetic performing. The wonderfully multi-cultural Ozomatli is back in Etown, too, with fantastic music and intriguing conversation about their recent travels and tours. We also have an inspiring ‘in person’ E-Chievement Award that will get you in the mood for the holidays. Tune into to Etown this week for a holiday-tinged show of exciting music and enlightening conversation.!
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show - Sunday 3 a.m. (12/21)
The Old Home Place - Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (12/28)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Little Big Town, Catherine Russell, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Rose Cousins, and Davisson Brothers Band.
Music from Foggy Hollow
It’s Christmas time in Foggy Hollow too, as Mike Kear runs a special Christmas show. He talks about what a Christmas is like in the heat of summer, some of the traditions of Christmas in his part of the world, and plays a lot of Christmas songs. There are traditional bluegrass Christmas songs and Carols, and some new ones. Also Mike plays some Australian bluegrass songs, that reflect how different Christmas is in times of drought and stinking hot summer days. As always, it’s a packed show - packed as a kangaroo’s pouch. Don’t miss it.
Musician Tip - we’re taking a break from Musician Tips during the holidays - Go practice!
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for a sampler of our rotating programs. From noon - 3 p.m., ET Tuesdays, we feature a different show each week. The programs debut on a Tuesday and then are rebroadcast at midnight (EST) the following Thursday, and at 3 a.m. (EST), Sunday. We’ll hear half hour segments of The Bill Miller Show, Foster’s Corner, The Old Home Place, and The Tom Cat Reeder Show.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King salutes the spirit of Old Time Christmas with two versions of the dance tune “Breakin’ Up Christmas.” This was a term for the two weeks of dance parties hosted at homes in communities in the nineteenth century in celebration of the Holiday, the only one of the agricultural year in many areas. The show begins with an older performance of it by the Camp Creek Boys, featuring Fred Cockerham and Kyle Creed on fiddle and banjo, and a newer version by Dirk Powell’s band is the closing theme. In between these is a potpourri of tunes evoking the party mood of this time of year.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
Beginning in January, Old Time Jam with Hubie King will be heard 3 times per week: Monday at 6 p.m. ET, Thursday at 6 a.m. ET and Friday at 8 p.m. ET. To give you a taste of the programming Hubie has to offer we’ll hear the recent Jam he had with Appalachian-style banjo player and ballad singer, Diane Jones.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
This edition features the annual all-Christmas program of Stained Glass Bluegrass classics and favorites. We’ll enjoy Grandpa Jones’ recitation of “The Christmas Guest” as well as the rare “Holiday Religion” classic by Reno & Smiley and the “Last Christmas Tree” by Delia Bell & Bill Grant. A couple of carols during the old hymns portion of the show date to the 12th and 13th centuries. Here’s wishing every listener a joyous and happy Christmas season.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Midwinter Sun
Hear music that ushers the sun through the shortest days of the year and upholds the ancient spirit of Yule.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
This week we’ll hear Christmas music, Chanukkah music and Winter solstice music. Also a selection of tunes by British guitarist Davy Graham, who died this week. You may remember the tune “Anji” from its recording on Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” LP.
December 13-19
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes
Come meet us at the club as we jump into two distinct American musics: go-go and zydeco. From the Nation’s Capital, we’ll visit with the “Godfather of Go-Go,” funk and jazz guitarist Chuck Brown who’ll explain the finer points of jamming and showing the audience some love. Then, we’re back in Louisiana getting down to the Creole sounds of zydeco with the Creole cowboy Jeffrey Broussard, who’s fiddle and accordion playing brings the music back its source. The son of the late accordion legend Delton Broussard, Jeffery knows the deep roots of d’vrais zarico (real zydeco), but also the appeal of tradition in a modern sound.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Breakdown - Oh Death
For music that will make neck hairs stand on end; for tough-edged, raw, powerful intensity; nothing beats a bluegrass singer musing on that final crossing, the last enemy to be destroyed, death. Bill Monroe, Claire Lynch, Ralph Stanley, Paul Adkins, Northwest Territory, Gary Brewer and the Farewell Drifters will all be along to lend a uniquely high-lonesome perspective to the proceedings.
Bluegrass Review
Bad men, Rounders - there is a fascination with these guys, and today’s Gems of Bluegrass investigates why. Also on the show, we talk to Lubos Malina, banjo player for Druha Trava. Lubos is one of the world’s sophisticated players, and he shares with us some tunes he is working on in a parking lot session. Plus, we showcase new bluegrass. If you want to talk bluegrass, host Phil Nusbaum is glad to hear from you at pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Also, try BluegrassReview.com for playlists, or culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - Giving Thanks
‘Tis the season for giving thanks and counting your blessings, and that’s the subject of this week’s Bluegrass Signal. Music and inspiration from a few patriarchs (Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Osborne Brothers), a few of their direct descendents (Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, The Marshall Family), and a variety of others, including the McCoury Brothers, Kathy Kallick & Laurie Lewis, Chatham County Line, Stoney Lonesome, and others.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Meet Moon Mullican, “King of the Hillbilly Piano Players,” hear live Reno & Smiley from 1959, a few Delmore Brothers classics, marital comedy from Butterbeans and Susie, some a capella gospel and a clutch of great Christmas songs from Fiddlin’ John, the Louvin Brothers, Leroy Carr, Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, Rose Maddox and Ernest Tubb. As the holidays approach, we grow even more Obsolete!
*etown
Slide guitar master Sonny Landreth joins us in Etown this week. In fact, Eric Clapton concurs that Sonny is “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.” “Also, Juliana Hatfield makes her first Etown appearance. The Etones, with Nick & Helen Forster, provide instrumental and vocal backup for her. Also, Nick interviews author and naturalist Terry Tempest Williams in her return visit to the Etown stage. And this week’s E-Chievement Award goes to an Illinois man who is working to alleviate hunger in his community. Be sure to tune into Etown!
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Bill Miller Show - Sunday 3 a.m. (12/14)
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show - Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (12/21)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Quetzal, Thea Gilmore, Mates of State, Al and the Transamericans, and Son de Madera.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new gospel CD from Nothing’ Fancy called “Lord Bless This House” (Pinecastle). Mike plays several songs from the CD and talks a bit about the band. Also there’s a request from a listener for other listeners to suggest bluegrass love songs she could learn in time for Valentine’s Day. Also on the show, Patuxent Partners, a great old song from Seldom Scene, new music from Jason Barie, Danny Roberts new instrumental CD, and lots lots more. It’s another packed show, so dont miss it!
Musician Tip - Banjo player Marc Pruett
Open Mic
This week on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country we open the mic for Carol Beaugard of Lonesome Pine RFD. She’s joined by musical guests Red Molly, an Americana Trio from New York, as well as West coast songwriter and guitar player, Chris Stuart.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King features a set of orphan songs by The Stairwell Sisters; Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin; Waking Up Tillie and the Mill Run Dulcimer Band. To brighten the mood, we also hear some cheerful tunes from A. Robic and the Exertions (Bruce Molsky and Paul Brown); Alan Jabbour & Ken Perlman; the Run of the Mill String Band; Dirk Powell; Arnie Naiman & Chris Coole, David Holt with Doc Watson; and others.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
This week on special programming we’ll hear a live performance from David Grier recorded just before Thanksgiving here in our WAMU studios. Also Marty Stuart tells the stories behind some of his favorite photographs, and as always, Phil Nusbaum brings us Gems of Bluegrass.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
As we prepare for Christmas we’ll hear a couple of special recitations: “The Christmas Story” by Johnny Briant and Hee Haw’s Charlie Farquharson’s recounting of “His Birthday” plus a few carols along the way. We’ll have a few different recordings of some of our favorite old hymns as well to kick-start the third hour. We’ll have the all Christmas show on December 21st.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Ferintosh
We explore a distinctive blend of Celtic and Baroque music this week, largely sourced from 18th century collections of Scottish airs and dance tunes. It comes to us from studio guests Ferintosh (fiddler David Greenberg, cellist Abby Newton, and harper Kim Robertson) who chat about their musical inspirations and journeys.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
This week Mary dabbles into pre-Christmas tunes and seasonal songs, including “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by the inimitable Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence. It is a gem NOT to be missed! There’s also a new Nowell Sing We Clear recording, released this week, including very traditional and newly composed seasonal songs. It may be too early for the “Bah Humbug” collection, but we’re getting close.
December 6-12
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - Mr. Soul: A Tribute to Sam Cooke
Tune in for a tribute to the man who melded gospel, soul and pop in music and life, Sam Cooke. We’ll follow the singer from Clarksdale to Chicago and from the church to the Copa as he revolutionized gospel music with the Soul Stirrers and then secular music with self-penned hits “You Send Me,” “Change is Gonna Come,” and more. Plus an hour of the musical roots and branches of Sam Cooke.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Breakdown - John Starling & Carolina Star Live”
Jimmy Gaudreau will be choppin’ the mandolin; Mike Auldridge slidin’ on the dobro; Rickie Simpkins sawing on the fiddle; Tom Gray thumpin’ on the bass; and The Voice, John Starling himself, playing the guitar. John Starling & Carolina Star will be ganging around the microphones, picking live in celebration of the band’s Rebel release, Slidin’ Home. We’ll also be slidin’ into the new Bluegrass CD bins with the expectation of finding the latest from Kristin Scott Benson, Melonie Cannon, Drew Emmitt and the Hagars Mountain Boys.
Bluegrass Review - Twin Fiddles
It has a long history in bluegrass and in associated genres. Twin fiddles is the subject of today’s Gems of Bluegrass. Also, we have a conversation with Michael Cleveland. We talk about what he is working on, and one of the tunes was inspired by the sound made by an electronic device. Plus, we follow up on bluegrass and lyricism, and play some important new bluegrass. If you want to talk bluegrass, host Phil Nusbaum is glad to hear from you at pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Also, try BluegrassReview.com for playlists or culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - Grateful Grass
The highlight of this week’s Bluegrass Signal is the radio debut of Jesse McReynolds’ recording of “Black Muddy River,” from his Jerry Garcia-Robert Hunter tribute, scheduled for a 2009 release. There’s also a bit of an interview with Jesse, a few Jim & Jesse songs done by Old & In the Way and the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band, and bluegrass versions of songs or arrangements by the Grateful Dead from the recordings of the Seldom Scene, Steep Canyon Rangers, Rice/Rice/Hillman/Pedersen, The Grass Is Dead, and the David Thom Band.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Ralph Stanley plays some inspired clawhammer banjo, with Cousin Emmy, Hobart Smith, John Hammond and Grandpa Jones contributing some tunes of their own. We’re going to the races with the Country Gentlemen, the Coasters, Tommy Duncan and Bill Monroe, who shares the exciting tail of “Molly and Tenbrooks” with Leadbelly and Cousin Emmy’s cousins. In the second hour, a new Buck Owens collection from Bear Family, and we remember Pearl Harbor and the opening days of World War II.
*etown
In this week’s exciting Etown encore, Nick & Helen Forster welcome back one of today’s best political songwriters, Steve Earle. He stirs the Etown audience with a sharp and energetic set of songs. As a bonus, Steve’s talented wife, singer songwriter Allison Moorer, takes the stage for a tune with Nick & Helen and the Etones joining in. Also, making her first visit to Etown is Meshell Ndegeocello. This “fearsome bassist, prolific songwriter and authentic musical force” lays down her unique rhythmic and groovy music for the house. Plus, there’s another fantastic E-Chievement Award winner, too, all in this week’s Etown.
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
Foster’s Corner Sunday 3 a.m. (12/7)
The Bill Miller Show - Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (12/13)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Matthew Sweet, Todd Snider, The Bridges, Chris Velan, and Jim Boggia
Music from Foggy Hollow
In this week’s Music from Foggy Hollow, Aussie Mike Kear features Patuxent Partners album “Seven or Eleven”. They were in Australia just recently for the Harrietville Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Convention - the principal event on the Australian bluegrass calendar. Mike plays several songs from the album and talks about the band. They are well known in the Washington D.C. area, so listeners to HD Radio should watch out for them and go see them if they get the chance. Also on the show, Melbourne band the Stringbeans, a new song from Blue Moon Rising, the number one song on the Australian Country Charts, and heaps more. It’s another packed show, so don’t miss it!
Musician Tip - Valerie Smith
Open Mic
This week on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country we open the mic for Carol Beaugard of Lonesome Pine RFD. She’s joined by musical guests Red Molly, an Americana Trio from New York, as well as West coast songwriter and guitar player, Chris Stuart.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King recreates the sound and feel of an actual birthday jam session he recently attended. All of the tunes, mostly instrumentals, were either played at the party or were recorded by people who were there. Some of the musicians heard, besides himself, are Diane Jones, the Orpheus Supertones, Tony and Marge Sume, Paul Sidlick, Carl Baron, Sandy Hofferth, Howard Jones, Bob Carlin, Cathy Fink, and others.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
This week on special programming we’ll hear a live performance from David Grier recorded just before Thanksgiving here in our WAMU studios. Also Marty Stuart tells the stories behind some of his favorite photographs, and as always, Phil Nusbaum brings us Gems of Bluegrass.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
This week’s program falls on Pearl Harbor day and Bobby Osborne’s birthday, both significant in very special ways. Happy Birthday to Bobby and a salute to our veterans of Pearl Harbor. The new recording by the Chigger Hill Boys & Terri adds the 1855 hymn “Oh, How I Love Jesus” to our list of old hymns. We’ll also enjoy new songs from David Parmley & Continental Divide and perhaps one of two songs of the season as well to get us thinking about our Christmas show on December 21
*Thistle and Shamrock - Roots Run Deep
Musical Communities coast-to-coast in the U.S. and Canada show their roots with great traditional fiddling, expressive singing, and ear-catching blends of American and Celtic music.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
November 29 - December 5
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - Family Harmony
Join us around the piano for a good helping of family harmonies, led by the Haden Triplets and their father, jazz bassist Charlie Haden. Then get down to the sounds of Tupelo, Mississippi’s Homemade Jamz Blues Band, featuring the Perry brothers and their little sister Taya on drums. Plus music from famous family bands and songs about grandmas, cousins and long lost relatives.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
This week’s show is entitled Winter’s Coming with a large selection of tunes both bold and new. Some of the songs will be played from the wonderful old medium of the “long play record”. Some cherished ‘vinyl moments”; a warm sound, complete with the occasional pop or click of the LP records. We will also share some of the accolades of fans of “Banks of the Ohio” for Fred Bartenstein, very heartwarming and much deserved. George adds: “I too add my congratulations to Fred for six plus years of broadcasting and hard work – he is deserving of all awards in his tireless efforts for bluegrass music. I am honored and humbled to be asked to take on this role and I know I’ll never be able to replace Fred, rather will do my best to present good bluegrass music and features”. (Note: Fred will continue his involvement with BGC and with the International Bluegrass Music Museum in other activities.)
Bluegrass Review
Bluegrass Banjo and Lyricism? Well, why not? Those are questions posed by this week’s Bluegrass Review. After the “Gem” we play some more lyrical bluegrass. Later on, bucks and bluegrass, on a segment called “Money is King.” That is actually the title of an old calypso, and people today know that hits the nail on the head. Want to talk bluegrass? Bluegrass Review host Phil Nusbaum enjoys invites your correspondence at pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Also, try BluegrassReview.com for playlists, and for a link to culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - Day Of the Dead (Grass)
This week’s Bluegrass Signal was originally broadcast on Nov. 1st (El Dia de los Muertos), and explores the bluegrass and old time music roots of the Grateful Dead. There are original/source songs by both Charlie and Bill Monroe, Red Allen, Del McCoury, Kentucky Colonels, New Lost City Ramblers, Shelton Brothers, Clarence “Tom” Ashley, and Obray Ramsey, plus live recordings (1970-80) of the Grateful Dead performing the same songs. Note: electric instruments and drums were used during the making of this show.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Bill Monroe and Hank Williams from vintage broadcasts, a Czech-language cowboy band and some deep blues from East Texas, a superior 1920s fiddle band from Roane County, Tennessee, plus appearances from the Carter Family, Blind Willie Johnson, Johnnie and Jack and Jimmy Martin. Go for Obsolete—it never fails!
*etown
Etown convenes at the historic Chautauqua Auditorium in Boulder to tape a special show in celebration of this remarkable landmark’s 110th anniversary. Joan Baez returns to Etown to celebrate both a brand new album and her 50th anniversary year of performing. Also with us this week, for his second visit to Etown, is rising star, Brett Dennen. He invites Nick & Helen and the Etones to sing and play along on his well-crafted set of original songs. And noted columnist and author James Howard Kunstler (The Long Emergency and World Made By Hand) stops by as this week’s interview guest to talk with Nick about global oil issues, climate change, and some of the ‘converging catastrophes of the 21st Century.’ Plus, Etown is proud to present a rare Lifetime E-Chievement Award to Joan Baez, who, through her music and activism, has for so many years engaged and educated all of us about issues that challenge our society, inspiring us to get more involved.
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
Old Home Place Sunday 3 a.m. (11/30)
Foster’s Corner Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (12/7)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Suzanne Vega, Justine Currie, Mary Gauthier, Ingrid Michaelson, Moya Brennan, and Matt Nathanson. Playlist
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a brand new CD from David Parmley & Continental Divide called “Three Silver Dollars”. Mike discusses the band and their background, and plays several songs from the CD throughout the show. Also in the show this week, Mike plays new music from Ralph Stanley II, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, Patuxent Partners, Danny Roberts and plenty more. Plus there’s the segment in Portguese from Erio Meili in Brazil and Mike spends a little time looking back at what was on the show five years ago. It’s another packed program from Australia, so you’d be a wombat to miss it!
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for an encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, live performance radio from the mountain state of West Virginia. We’ll highlight the ‘grassy groups that have performed live on Mountain Stage in the past few months - The Steeldrivers, Kathy Mattea, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Crooked Still and the Dan Tyminski Band.
Old Time Jam
Disasters and tragic events have proven very popular topics for songs, both in bluegrass and in old-time music. Hubie King plays enough of these (two sets) to satisfy the most macabre appetite for such things as the sinking of the Titanic, city-wide fires, schoolhouse tornados, train wrecks, plagues of insects, murder and accidental death. But all this sadness is relieved by some happy dance tunes by such folks as Cathy Fink; Matt Brown; Jim Childress; Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman; Tom, Brad & Alice; Bob Carlin and more.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
Hubie King interviews Adam Hurt, a bright young star of the old time banjo, along with Beth Hartness on backup guitar. We discuss Adam’s achievements, the kind of banjo he plays, some of his tunings and his feelings about how his style relates to older traditional banjo styles. Beth contributes anecdotes about how they met, their bands and how they named them. Adam plays “Belles of Lexington,” Kyle Creed’s “Lost Indian,” “John Brown’s Dream,” Ed Haley’s “Lost Indian,” “Fair Morning Hornpipe,” and “Cabin Creek” on the banjo. Marking his radio fiddling debut, Adam plays “Hangman’s Reel,” with Hubie on banjo in jam session style, and “Rebel Raid.” Adam and Hubie also combine in a banjo duet on “Spanish Fandango,” with Hubie leading off in finger-style picking to which Adam adds his clawhammer.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
The December issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine sheds new light on the gospel favorite “Take Me In A Lifeboat.” We now have the clarification that the author of this gospel number was a minister named J. Courtney and he based the lyrics on Biblical passages found in the Gospel of St. Mark. The song appeared in the 1882 hymnbook “A Collection of Revival Hymns and Plantation Melodies.” We’ll enjoy this recording and several other old hymns to kick-off the third hour and many other old favorites throughout the program.
*Thistle and Shamrock - A Visit with Jean Ritchie
Travel with us to the North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Warren Wilson College, home to the Swannanoa Gathering series of folk arts workshops. A legendary figure in American music joined the Gathering during its “Traditional Song Week” launch: Jean Ritchie, born and raised in Viper, Kentucky in the heart of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Jean was an important figure on the New York folk scene in the 1950s and is credited with reviving interest in the mountain dulcimer, once a regional folk instrument only. In her long career, she has recorded more than 30 albums, published 10 books and won numerous awards, including the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts: the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship. Join our intimate audience at the Swannanoa Gathering and meet songwriter and collector, dulcimer player and singer, Jean Ritchie.
*Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
November 22-28
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes -Making New Orleans Music
It’s a two hour walk through streets of the city as we dive into two great eras of New Orleans music. First, it’s the 1940s and 50s R&B hit factory with studio man Cosimo Matassa, producer, arranger, trumpet player Dave Bartholomew, drummer Earl Palmer and more. There’s also a chat with The Meters–Art Neville, George Porter, Leo Nocentelli and Zigaboo Modeliste in which we get to the bottom of the bottom, find out what’s in the pocket and get a definition of funk from the four men who continue to dish it out.
Banks of the Ohio
As Juliet told Romeo in Shakespeare’s play, “parting is such sweet sorrow.” This week our theme is goodbyes, farewells, and endings… familiar subjects in bluegrass repertoire. Tracks you’re unlikely to hear anywhere else include the Morris Brothers’ “Farewell Kentucky” (1939), Grandpa Jones and the Delmore Brothers’ “Take It On Out the Door” (1947), Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper’s “Train, You Took My Baby” (1960), Buzz Busby’s “Rambler” (1970), John Starling and the Virginia Squires’ “Don’t Expect To Walk Back In” (1988), Open Road’s “Leaving Detroit” (1999), and the Blue Mountain Boys’ Swedish version of “In the Pines” (2006). A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown - Alecia Nugent Band Live
She’s one of Bluegrass-dom’s most talked about, emulated and praised singers who has knack for finding killer songs and then singing them with unabashed heart and soul. The Alecia Nugent Band—Jennifer Strickland on the bass; Thomas Wyrot playing guitar; Alex Hibbitts chunking the mandolin; Chris Wade getting after the five; and Alecia herself doing her hillbilly goddess thing–will be ganging around the microphones live in honor of Alecia’s latest Rounder foray.
Bluegrass Review - Bluegrass to Be Thankful For
It’s a show of listener requests of especially meaningful bluegrass, and listeners tell us why the songs are meaningful. Our show welcomes you comments through the blog, Culture11, or via email to the show host Phil Nusbaum, pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Extra airing of this show on Thursday 11/27 at 6 p.m. ET.
Bluegrass Signal - Happy Birthday, Roy Lee Centers
An overview of the music of Roy Lee Centers, the lead singer/guitarist with Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys during the band’s 1971-73 peak when other members included Curly Ray Cline (fiddle) and Jack Cooke (bass, vocals). Some of the best post-1970 music in all of bluegrass, and a master class in soulful singing. Includes selections from their 1971 concert in Tokyo as well as James King’s tribute, “Roy Lee.” Program begins with a celebratory song from The Bloggrass Boys.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
The 1949 edition of the Carter Family, the Texas Carter family (who called themselves the Chuck Wagon Gang), Flatt and Scruggs on television, train songs from Carl Butler, Cajun music and Memphis blues from the 1930s–Obsolete Music, lovingly aged in aromatic casks!
*etown
This week’s broadcast features multi-cultural singer-songwriter Lila Downs along with her amazing band. Lila was raised in the Mixtec region of Oaxaca, Mexico and in Minnesota, and her music reflects her diverse roots. Then we welcome emerging artist Gregory Alan Isakov, a singer and songwriter who shares his remarkable tunes with backing help from Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones. Also, we welcome back to Etown national radio commentator, public speaker, author, and “America’s #1 Populist”, Jim Hightower. There’s also yet another moving E-Chievement Award story of a Texas schoolteacher who’s making a difference in the lives of children and abused/abandoned animals. It’s all right here, this week, in Etown!
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Tom Cat Reeder Show Sunday 3 a.m. (11/23)
Old Home Place Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (11/30)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Rosanne Cash , Bruce Cockburn, Billy Bragg, Rodney Crowell Trio feat. Jenny Scheinman and Will Kimbrough, and Ferron. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Aussie Mike Kear features the CD “Strong Enough” - a new release from Beth Stevens & Edge. Mike talks about the band and plays some cuts from the CD. Also on the show, Robin & Linda Williams, Alan Munde Gazette, Flatt & Scruggs, Rickey Wasson, Janet McGarry, the Daughters of Bluegrass and lots more. Mike talks with Peter Sommerville, banjo player for the Pheasant Pluckers, and who has played for more people in one performance than anyone else in history - 3.6 BILLION people!! Also there’s the regular segment from Sao Paulo and a look back at what was being played on the show five years ago. It’s another packed show, so don’t miss it!
Musician Tip - Old-time banjo player Diane Jones
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for an encore broadcast of Mountain Stage, live performance radio from the mountain state of West Virginia. We’ll highlight the ‘grassy groups that have performed live on Mountain Stage in the past few months - The Steeldrivers, Kathy Mattea, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Crooked Still and the Dan Tyminski Band.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King interviews Adam Hurt, a bright young star of the old time banjo, along with Beth Hartness on backup guitar. We discuss Adam’s achievements, the kind of banjo he plays, some of his tunings and his feelings about how his style relates to older traditional banjo styles. Beth contributes anecdotes about how they met, their bands and how they named them. Adam plays “Belles of Lexington,” Kyle Creed’s “Lost Indian,” “John Brown’s Dream,” Ed Haley’s “Lost Indian,” “Fair Morning Hornpipe,” and “Cabin Creek” on the banjo. Marking his radio fiddling debut, Adam plays “Hangman’s Reel,” with Hubie on banjo in jam session style, and “Rebel Raid.” Adam and Hubie also combine in a banjo duet on “Spanish Fandango,” with Hubie leading off in finger-style picking to which Adam adds his clawhammer.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
- Gems of Bluegrass with Phil Nusbaum
- Bob Webster interviews Beth Stevens
- Katy Daley talks to Del McCoury about his years with Bill Monroe
- Jon Stickley recorded live at IBMA 2008
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
We’re all thankful for the wonderful bluegrass gospel music we enjoy each week from the writers, artists, and bands. This week we’ll hear some selections involving “thanks” and being “thankful” in recognition of the upcoming holiday and of course a helping of old hymns to start the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock - St Andrew’s Ceilidh
Celebrated throughout the world by anyone with Scottish connections, St. Andrew’s Day is a time for ceilidhs and music-fuelled fun. We hear dance music from traditional bands and innovators, songs that make you want to dance, and Connie Irvine walks you through the steps of a Scottish Country Dance anyone can do!
*Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
November 15-21
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes - David Amram & Marcus Roberts
We profile two men that begin in classical and jazz and move in differing directions. Buttressed by a conservatory background, French horn player and composer David Amram moves freely and eclectically across genres of Latin, jazz, folk and classical music. Blind pianist Marcus Roberts speaks about his time spent as protégé of Wynton Marsalis and looking back over the history of jazz to his touchstones, James P. Johnson, Monk, Jelly Roll Morton and others.
Banks of the Ohio
Like Woody Allen’s Zelig, Tony Rice and his guitar show up all over this week’s show. Listen for him with J.D. Crowe & the New South (1974), David Grisman (1978 & 1994), Richard Bennett (1997), Alison Krauss (2007), and Jerry Douglas (2008). Other highlights include a record with three-finger banjo by Snuffy Jenkins that might have hit the market before Bill Monroe’s first 1947 release with Earl Scruggs; several bluegrass arrangements of music from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries; and Paul McCartney’s acoustic version of “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown - Sierra Hull
Alison Krauss adores her; she’s Adam Steffey’s favorite mandolin player; and Sam Bush thinks she’s “hullacious.” She’s a high school senior who is setting the bluegrass world on its ear with her passionate singing and ferocious mandolin playing. Sierra Hull and friends Ron Block, Cory Walker and Beth Lawrence will be ganging around the microphones live in celebration of Sierra’s new Rounder CD, Secrets.
Bluegrass Review
This week, the Gem of Bluegrass asks why there is so little finger picking in bluegrass today. Among the first generation of bluegrass players, virtually all guitarists were fingerpickers. We play another mandolin original by Frank Wakefield. Charlie Sizemore tells us about his songwriting, particularly about his collaborations with Tom T and Dixie Hall and Jimmy Martin. Also, we play two songs featuring women named “Jolene:” Same name, but completely different people! By the way, Bluegrass Review host Phil Nusbaum enjoys invites your correspondence at pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Check BluegrassReview.com for playlists, a link to culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass, links to Bluegrass Review supporters and occasional special offers.
Bluegrass Signal - Sugar Hill Ramble
Sugar Hill Record’s “Americana Master Series” includes several bluegrass musicians who have recorded extensively for the label, and this week’s Bluegrass Signal presents highlights from these collections. The music is by Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Peter Rowan, Jerry Douglas, Doyle Lawson, Lonesome River Band, and others. Spot the track from Sugar Hill’s very first release.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Uncle Dave Macon recorded a pair of tunes, calling them both “Tom and Jerry.” We summon Tommy Jackson to show us which was the real one. We do a little jail time with Grandpa Jones, Pinetop Smith, Johnny Cash and the Carter Family–with such distinguished fellow inmates, who needs parole? Charlie Monroe, Bill Monroe, the Dalllas String Band, Wilma Lee and Stoney, Washington Phillips, Merle Travis and Ragtime Texas (Henry Thomas) himself round out this week’s star-studded cast. Don’t let the phone ring until the show’s over.
*etown
In this encore broadcast, Scotland-born rising star and “folk-rock goddess” KT Tunstall pays her first visit to Etown. KT rocks the house with her provocative sonic mesh of heartfelt pop, rootsy electric blues, and left-field alt-folk. And talented young Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Adrienne Young hits the stage with her band, receiving some great musical support from Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones. They deliver an amazing set of warm and inviting Americana music. Plus, there’s the E-Chievement Award story of a community-conscious college professor from New York State, all right here in Etown.
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Bill Miller Show Sunday 3 a.m. (11/16)
The Tom Cat Reeder Show Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (11/23)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE,
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Patty Loveless, The Dan Tyminski Band, Solas, Chris Knight, and Jacob & Lily. Playlist .
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Aussie Mike Kear features an album they never thought would be made. Two years ago Ernie Thacker was involved in a terrible car crash, and doctors at one stage were doubtful he’d make it. But Ernie did make it, and on the second annversary of the crash, he made a return to the stage. Now he’s launching his new album “The Hangman” on Pinecastle Records, and it’s Mike’s feature CD this week. Also on the show, new music from Melonie Cannon, The Lawsons Band, Gena Britt Tew, Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, Beth Stevens & Edge and plenty more. From Europe, Mike plays music from Italian band Red Wine, and from Sweden, the Freja Bluegrass Band. It’s a varied and interesting show and you’d be a wombat to miss it!
Musician Tip - Dick Smith
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards recorded at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Del McCoury hosts the awards with performances from The Steeldrivers, Dailey & Vincet, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. Plus, an interview with Banjo Player of the Year, Kristin Scott Benson.
Old Time Jam
Everything is coming up roses this week on Old Time Jam, as Hubie King plays tunes which all have those flowers in their titles. A bouquet of slow tunes, waltzes, vocals and breakdowns will all contribute to the rosey glow you’ll get when you hear them.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm