*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Don’t Scandalize My Name
From Pretty Polly and Poor Ellen Smith to Lil’ Liza Jane and Old Joe Clark, this American Routes deals with the nomenclature of music. We’ll chat with a man many of you might know and learn what it’s like to grow up as John Smith. Plus, the San Antonio native and leader of the barnstorming 1950’s band Mando & the Chili Peppers tells us how he took a turn from Tejano music to rock n’ roll and ended up in Las Vegas with a stage name that stuck. And learn more about Jody, that shadowy figure that’s got your girl and gone.
Banks of the Ohio
You’ll hear some lesser-known songs about trains (“CNR Special,” “Ridin’ the L&N”) and both the downsides (“Philadephia Lawyer,” “Knoxville Girl,” “Stay Away From Me,” “Ghost of Eli Renfro”) and upsides (“Going Down the Country,” “Bluebirds are Singing,” “Gonna Have Love”) of country love. In the second half hour, nine songs from 1940, including three of Bill Monroe’s very first recordings with the Blue Grass Boys. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, with host Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown – That High Lonesome Sound
We’ll be making another trek through the Motherland where freedom and the banjos ring, where we’ll be scrutinizing the many indigenous sounds thereof. Peter Rowan, Jack Tottle, Special Consensus, Rambler’s Choice, Mark Newton and Becky Schlegel will be bringing us the sound of the mountains, winter, rain, heartache, the lonesome whistle, goodbye, silence, and, of course, that high lonesome sound itself.
Bluegrass Review
Merle Travis was an electric guitarist who has left a great footprint in bluegrass music. Our gem of bluegrass focuses on him today. Later on the show, we talk to Jim Hurst, an all around force on the guitar.
Bluegrass Signal – Happy Birthday, David Davis
Feb. 16th was David Davis’ birthday, and Peter Thompson celebrated it on Bluegrass Signal with a survey of David’s music with The Warrior River Boys over the past 20 years. David is a noteworthy keeper of the traditional bluegrass flame, and the show includes selections from the recent Rebel releases, the Rounder sides of the ’90s, the Old Homestead sessions of the ’80s, and some of Ray Davis’ classic basement recordings. Happy Birthday, David Davis!
*etown with Nick Forster
Critically-acclaimed and magnetic Joan Osborne returns to etown with some exciting new songs in this encore broadcast. She also shares some old favorites, delivered powerfully and passionately as only she can do. She rocks out with Nick & Helen Forster and the etones as her back up band, along with her pal, Andrew Carillo. And Henry Butler brings his superb New Orleans tinged piano mastery back to etown. etown engages you this week with an hour of eclectic sounds and an energetic e-chievement award winner!
LIVE Friday Night Free for All – 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
The Tom Cat Reeder Show, Sunday 3 a.m. (3/16)
The Old Home Place, Tuesday 12 p.m. – LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (3/22)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. – LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
LIVE The Katy Daley Show Mon-Fri, 7-10 a.m.
LIVE The Lee Michael Demsey Show Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
A rebroadcast from May, 2007 featuring Joan Osborne, Nellie McKay, David Bromberg & The Angel Band, Toby Lightman, The Roches. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow with Mike Kear
Musician Tip – stay tuned for Musician Tips that Jen Hitt recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Open Mic
This week we open the mic for A Prairie Home Companion, broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, with special guests, the self-described “mother” of Bluegrass, Mr. Sam Bush, and the valedictorian of an Angel Choir, singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss. Also, The Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Tom Keith, The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band with Rich Dworksy, John Niemann and Joe Savage. All this, plus the News From Lake Wobegon.
*Old Time Jam
Hubie King pays tribute to the influential Carter Family this hour with a selection of their songs, performed by a variety of Old Time artists,including Norman and Nancy Blake, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, the Stairwell Sisters and the Mill Run Dulcimer Band.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show Sunday 10a.m.- 1 p.m., Mon-Fri, 3-6 p.m.
Special Programming
Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring folk singer and political activist, Pete Seeger. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Sunday, March 16th is Palm Sunday and thus featured songs will help us set the mood for next Sunday’s annual Easter Program. Be prepared to sing along to some of the old hymns that open the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock – Tucked Away in Ireland
While contemporary Celtic musicians are often interested in forging a global fusion, some traditionalists are striving to preserve distinct regional voices. Hear excerpts from flute player Cathal McConnel’s collection of old County Fermanagh field recordings and more Irish gems from forty years of fiddle recordings captured in County Leitrim. We also find time to unearth hidden treasures from as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland..
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
