All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Big River of Sound: Music on the Mississippi
The musical and cultural meanderings of the Mississippi River, from exploration and trade to romance. Jazz, ragtime, and levee work-songs along with blues, rockabilly, gospel, and country. Guests include the late Memphis soul man Rufus Thomas and ethnomusicologist David Evans, speaking about influential Delta guitarist Charley Patton. Also, we visit a river barge pilot as he rolls on the river.
Bluegrass Breakdown – Freight Hoppers Live
At one time they were the most popular modern old time string band in the world, before they called it quits in 2002. They had two killer CD’s, were touring extensively—appearing on such high-brow programs as A Prairie Home Companion—and generating thunderous standing ovations wherever and whenever they played. They’ve now returned—eating salty crackers, ten cents a pound! The Freight Hoppers, led by original members Frank Lee and David Bass, will be riding high again as they circle around a single mike and let the fur fly.
Bluegrass Master Class – Banks of the Ohio: Music From the Homeplace of Bluegrass
In the course of this week’s program you’ll hear a remarkable assemblage of soulful female singers from bluegrass history (and prehistory), including Molly O’Day, Wilma Lee Cooper, the Lewis Family, Ola Belle Reed, Hazel Dickens, Delia Bell, Dolly Parton, the Whites, Martha Adcock, and Lynn Morris. You can also compare examples of Vassar Clements’ fiddle style from 1950 and 1983. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Review
The show opens with a couple of “going to Nashville to live my dream” songs. Later, on the Gem of Bluegrass, we feature one of the key ingredients in bluegrass: It seems “real.” Sure there is the same kind of fantasy in bluegrass that you find in pop, but also a healthy dose of songs about work, personal finance and other real world situations that set it apart from pop. This show features an interview with Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie. The couple is known as Bayou Seco and they specialize in the old time fiddle music of New Mexico. The show concludes with some recent “pop old-time” songs. Show host Phil Nusbaum enjoys talking to listeners. Contact him at pnusbaum@bitstream.net.
Bluegrass Signal – The Stanley Brothers Live, part 1
The first of two programs devoted to recordings of the Stanley Brothers in concert, presented with guest co-host Todd Gracyk. Most of the performances are taken from Copper Creek’s “Stanley Series,” and this week’s focus is on 1955-56 shows at the New River Ranch in Rising Sun, Maryland, plus three Virginia venues: Shenandoah Valley Bowl, Ship’s Park, and Silver Creek Ranch. Carter and Ralph are joined by Clinch Mountain Boys Curley Lambert, Chubby Anthony, Lindy Clear, Jimmy Williams, and Doug Morris. There are plenty of Carter classics, several Monroe covers, and a few lesser-known gems, all sung with an unforced intensity and mountain soulfulness that pretty well define the best of bluegrass.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Great bluegrass by Jim & Jesse, Buzz Busby and Bill Harrell, among others. Next, Lane Hardin, Bob Wills and North Carolina’s Cedar Creek Sheik perform a Hard Times medley. A second suite highlights 1860s-70s songs by the Louisville journalist William Shakespeare Hays, and you’ll be surprised at how many you know.
*etown – Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Darrell Scott
This week we feature Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who have become the musical cultural icon of South Africa. Also appearing on the ETown stage is Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Darrell Scott. A master of both infectious Appalachian-inflected riffs and the instruments that bring them to life, Darrell’s songs are propelled by his knack for blending tradition-soaked hooks with personal, contemporary lyrics.
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.
LIVE The Katy Daley Show - Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET
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., Thurs. 12 p.m.
*Mountain Stage – Featuring Steve Earle, Sara Watkins, King Wilkie , Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Lovell Sisters. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
In Music from Foggy Hollow from Australia this week, Mike Kear’s feature is from Californian traditional band Blue and Lonesome. He’s playing songs from their new CD and talking about the band. Also on the show new music from, Bryan Sutton, former Seldom Scene’er Phil Rosanthal, Dede Wyland, Marty Rabon & Full Circle, Jett’s Creek, and great new band of youngsters called Green on the Vyne. It’s not too serious – there’s time for a laugh too. It’s another show packed full of pickin’ goodness, so don’t miss it!
Music That Matters To Steve Dilling
Open Mic
The folks at FestivaLink.net gave us their favorite bluegrass picks from MerleFest 2009, including The Dixie Bee-Liners, Anne & Pete Sibley, The Waybacks, and of course Doc Watson.
Old Time Jam
Host Hubie King goes “green” this week, with a program of tunes and songs with “green” in the title. Many of the regular performers are back, with the addition of the Fuzzy Mountain String Band, the Dutch Cove Old Time String Band, the New Roanoke String Band, the Government Issue Orchestra and Vernon Dalhart.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show - Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p,
Rotating Shows
Foster’s Corner- Sunday 3 a.m. (July 19)
The Bill Miller Show – Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (July 26)
Special Programming
We hear from two different talented vocalists in this week’s program. Alecia Nugent talks with Lee Michael Demsey about her latest album, Hillbilly Goddess and Shannon Whitworth and the Refugees perform in our Washington D.C. studio and chat with Jen Hitt about life on the road and new projects that are in the works.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass hosted by Bob Webster
At this summer half-way point (where does the time go?) we’ll continue to enjoy some Stained Glass Bluegrass favorites including Lizzy Long, Little Roy Lewis, IIIrd Tyme Out, Bill Monroe and maybe surprise or two. Keep those hymn books handy for singing along as well at the start of the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock – Celtic Show Bands
With a diverse array of instruments, including big band-style brass sections, we hear ensembles that blend traditional and contemporary melodies to create big cutting-edge grooves.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff – Saturday 2-6 p.m.
Uptown Bluegrass with George McKnight – Goin’ to Blueberry
This show features most of the artist who will be entertaining at the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival, which is one Canada’s largest festivals and is in the beautiful town of Stony Plain, Alberta, 15 miles west of Edmonton. It’s the best of fun with bluegrass music, live on stage. This year featured entertainers include, Marty Stuart, Alecia Nugent, Danny Paisley, Sierra Hull, and many regional acts as well.
