All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Home Grown Soul: Booker T. Jones & Jimmy Hughes
This week we visit with two masters of Southern soul. Multi-instrumentalist Booker T. Jones, along with his group the MGs, helped to create the legendary Stax sound. We talk with Booker T. about growing up in Memphis and his current work with the up and coming Southern rock band the Drive-By Truckers. Soul singer Jimmy Hughes got his start at another landmark of Southern music, Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Hughes shares stories about his classic hits “Steal Away” and “Why Not Tonight,” as well as his move from gospel to soul and back again.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Breakdown - Kruger Brothers Live
Just when you thought it was safe to listen to the radio again, THEY’RE BACK—three guys who have raised, picking, singing and entertaining to a whole new level. A trio that can pick faster than a speeding bullet and leap over new musical territory in a single bound. Oovay, Jens and Joel—the always captivating Kruger Brothers—will be ganging around the microphones live in honor of their recent musical exploits
Bluegrass Master Class
There’s lots to discover this week, including the original recordings of “New Freedom Bell” (Louise and Sonny Osborne, 1951) and “Love Please Come Home” (Leon Jackson, Johnny Bryant & the White Oak Mountain Boys, 1957). You’ll also hear three tunes from the short-lived genre “rockabluegrass,” in which mid-50s artists experimented with the new rhythms of rock ‘n roll. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
Bluegrass Review
The show begins with a grat new piece by the Dry Branch Fire Squad, a bluegrass version of the cowboy classic “When the Work’s All Done This Fall. Then it’s cowboy-image Bill Monore-style, singing to his horse in “Goodbye Old Pal.” On our Gem of Bluegrass comments on the evolution of “the old home.” When it is mentioned today in songs, it isn’t only the one where you grew up in or your grandparents lived in. In the second half of the show, there is a study of the song “Kentucky.” It was based on another old time song, and served as a vehicle for the varying style of country and bluegrass artists. University of Minnesota Assistant Professor Sumanth Gopinath gives us the benefit of his detailed research. The show website is BluegrassReview.com. Contact host Phil Nusbaum at pnusbaum@bitstream.net
Bluegrass Signal– Giving Thanks … for the still-active bluegrass pioneers (part 1)
This week, Peter Thompson and Bluegrass Signal give thanks for the bluegrass pioneers who are still active. All of the featured musicians were born in 1930 or earlier — and have relatively recent releases. Music this week from Buck White (born in 1930), Jesse McReynolds (1929), Ralph Stanley (1927), Mac Martin (1925), and George Shuffler (1925). Featured next week: Mac Wiseman (born in 1925), Earl Scruggs (1924), Everett Lilly (1924), Tut Taylor (1923), and Curly Seckler (born in 1919).
*The Dick Spottswood Show
A Stephen Foster country and bluegrass medley, and cowboy songs from eastern cowboys. Buck Owens heads a polka suite, with cameo appearances from the Carters, Merle Travis, Kitty Wells, the Staple Singers, Monroe Brothers, Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. Obsolescence is just like a parachute–there is no substitute.
*etown
Michelle Shocked is a ten-time Etown veteran! We’re thrilled to welcome back this troubadour from Texas who throughout her career has blazed all sorts of new musical trails, routinely making a stop in Etown to share her latest. The Bad Plus are a boundary breaking jazz combo who perform most-unexpected material along with their solid originals. Challenging conventions, “The Bad Plus are the Coen brothers of jazz: both ironic and dead earnest; technically brilliant, beyond versatile…” (The New Yorker). Also, there’s interview guest Pat Mahaffry, along with Prof. Doug Bamford. Pat talks about an amazing prehistoric find from right in his own backyard! Join Nick & Helen Forster as they host another fantastic Etown featuring music, conversation, and the presentation of the E-Chievement Award to a grassroots hero. Be there!
The Free for All – Wednesday, 6-9 p.m. LIVE, Friday 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
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 Buckwheat Zydeco, JD Souther, Duncan Sheik, Amy LaVere, Guggenheim Grotto, and Beth Neilsen Chapman. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
In Music from Foggy Hollow from Australia this week, Mike Kear is featuring a the debut CD from new band Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa. Mike will be talking a bit about Wayne and his background, playing six songs off the new CD. Also on the show – a HOT new single from Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top Xpress, Tommy Webb and Johnny Williams. There’s plenty more too – some fun, some chatter, lots of great music It’s another show jam packed with bluegrass goodness. As usual Mike doesn’t take himself too seriously – there’s time for some fun and levity too. It’s another show overflowing with bluegrass goodness. Don’t miss it!
Musician Tip – Dede Wyland
Open Mic
Lee Michael Demsey will host the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown show on the last Saturday of each month. In addition to the music, the program includes comments from selected artists and songwriters about their song that charted that month. The first program will air Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. ET, during the first two hours of Lee’s regular Saturday morning show on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King introduces CDs from Ginny Hawker and Kay Justice, Martin Fox and Jeff Winegar, Light and Hitch and Erynn Marshall and Chris Coole, with two selections from each. The rest is a variety mix of tunes and songs from people like Chance McCoy, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, Troublesome Creek Stringband, Adam Hurt, and lots more.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
Rotating Shows
Foster’s Corner – Sunday 3 a.m. (04/26)
The Bill Miller Show – Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (May 3)
Special Programming
We focus on technology on this week’s Special Programming with a story from Ria Misra on file sharing networks. Also, Phil Nusbaum discusses the paradox of perfection in recorded music, and Orrin Star and John Seebach illustrate many of the benefits of recording “live” for a radio program.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
This week we’ll hear several of the gospel songs from the solo recording of Gena Britt Tew who previously played with New Vintage, Mark Newton, Petticoat Junction, Lou Reid & Carolina and the Daughters of Bluegrass. Don’t forget your song books for the old hymns portion of the program beginning at the top of the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock - Notes in the Wilderness
From traditional odes to the wilderness and contemporary songs of concern, our music this week sings of wild and unspoiled landscapes and challenges us to preserve the
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
