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.
Bluegrass Breakdown – Doors
We’ll be getting the inside skinny on one of the most ubiquitous architectural features found in BluegrassLand. Every house, cabin, barn, henhouse and outhouse (hopefully, anyway) has one or more. On the surface, these things may appear to be nothing more than just moveable barriers that cover an opening, but they have a myriad of significant, symbolic and, yes, sinister implications as well. Flatt & Scruggs, Larry Stephenson, the Lost & Found, Hit & Run Bluegrass, Duane Bowling and Ronnie Bowman will help us get a handle on back, front, closed, open, swinging, slamming and cold iron … doors.
Bluegrass Master Class
Banks of the Ohio #78: In addition to 50 other tunes from the broader history of bluegrass, this week’s show features Kentucky topics and Kentuckians. These include Jean Ritchie and the Seldom Scene’s “Blue Diamond Mines,” Jim & Jesse’s “Paradise,” the Monroe Brothers, Red Foley, Bill Monroe, Jimmie Skinner, the Goins Brothers, J.D. Crowe, Kenny Baker, Paul Mullins, Joe Isaacs, Ricky Skaggs, and Sam Bush. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Review
New bluegrass opens our show today. Then, our Gem of Bluegrass focuses on “Don’t Let the Deal Go Down.” It’s a song that was old when it was first recorded in the 1920’s and it’s been done many different ways since. Later, we talk to Tom Sauber. Tom, a member of Tom, Brad and Alice, has a special repertoire of Dock Boggs songs, a singer and banjoist deeply affected by the blues. Boggs recorded around 1930 and again around 1965. Sauber talks about Boggs, and presents a group of songs not done by Boggs, but in Boggs’ style. It’s a lighthearted segment! Host Phil Nusbaum wants to know listeners’ choices for the Thanksgiving show, Bluegrass to Be Thankful For. Tell Phil which songs and/or artists and why at pnusbaum@bitstream.net.
Bluegrass Signal – October Birthdays
This week’s Bluegrass Signal presents music by some of those born in the month of October. For whatever reason, there are a number of banjo players in this group, including (in more or less chronological order) Uncle Dave Macon, Snuffy Jenkins, Sonny Osborne, Vic Jordan, Lynn Morris, Terry Baucom, Blake Williams, Sammy Shelor, Joe Mullins, and Eric Gibson. Other musicians with October birthdays include E.C. Ball, Chubby Wise, Gordon Terry, Buddy Merriam, Josh Crowe, Sally Van Meter, Bob Amos, and Carol Elizabeth Jones. How does all their music fit together? Tune in & find out.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
This weeks’s features include Buzz Busby, Delaware bluesman Frank Hovington, and slide guitar heroes Jenks Carman and Cliff Carlisle. In the second hour, R&B artists have fun with country tunes, including Fats Domino’s reading of a Jimmie Rodgers classic. Since turnabout is fair play, we also invite Jim & Jesse and Buck Owens to interpret Chuck Berry who, in turn, claims to have interpreted Bob Wills. Finally, Wayne Raney reminds us that we need a lot less rock ‘n roll, a conclusion that Obsolete Music tends to concur with.
*etown – Judy Collins and Shawn Colvin, plus Bill McKibben
Part one of a two-part show features an extraordinary performance from folk and pop music legend, Judy Collins. She shares a set of gorgeous songs, some stripped down and others featuring fine accompaniment by Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones, and her long-time pianist and music director, Russell Walden. And Nick’s chat with Judy delves deeply into the roots of music and her life as a performer. Also, long-time eTown favorite and reigning queen of folk Shawn Colvin is back, too.
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 Regina Spektor, Yo La Tengo, Sonny Landreth, Will Hoge, Great Lake Swimmers . Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
In Mike Kear’s Music from Foggy Hollow, from Australia this week, Mike’s feature is a brand new release from one of the legendary figures in bluegrass. Of course he’s talking about the Del McCoury Band, and a brand new CD called “Family Circle”. Also on the show this week new music from a great concept album called Haulin’ Grass by Jerry Butler and John Wade, also Dailey & Vincent’s new acapalla gospel album, Grasstowne, mandolin hotpicker Buddy Merriam, father and daughter duo Amanda and Scott Anderson and the great band, Steep Canyon Rangers. The show’s not too serious – there’s time for some fun too. It’s another show jam packed with bluegrass goodness. You’d be a long-nosed bandicoot if you missed it.
Old Time Jam
This week, Hubie samples a bunch of new CDs from the 5-String label, including The Cliffhangers, Matt Brown, Benton Flippen and the Smokey Valley Boys, Alice Gerrard and Mike Seeger, and Bob Herring & Rafe Stefanini. Some other cuts come from The Falling Branch String Band, the Stillhouse Rounders, Uncle Earl, Travis & Trevor Stuart, and Tom, Brad & Alice.
Open Mic - November Top 30 Countdown
Hosted by Lee Michael Demsey, the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown features the top 30 songs as reported to Bluegrass Unlimited for the upcoming month, in the familiar countdown format. Demsey also includes brief comments from some of the artists and/or songwriters whose music is included.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show – Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p
Rotating Shows
Foster’s Corner with Bill Foster - Sunday 3 a.m. (November 8)
The Bill Miller Show – Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (November 15)
Special Programming
This week we hear from three big names in bluegrass: Sam Bush, Del McCoury, and Ricky Skaggs – each of them chat with Katy Daley about their brand new albums. That and we start out with Gems of Bluegrass.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass hosted by Bob Webster
A few more selections this week from “America’s Bluegrass Gospel Show” featuring J. D. Crowe, Kenny & Amanda Smith, and Ronnie Bowman. We’ll also salute our Veterans, Service members, and their families with some patriotic songs in keeping with Veterans Day on November 11th. Do you have your song book handy for the old hymns sing along at the start of the third hour? Check the playlist to mark the pages in your favorite hymnal so you’ll be ready.
*Thistle and Shamrock – The Witness
Fiona talks with writer Jamie Jauncey about the role of music in his novel “The Witness.” Also a professional pianist Jauncey shares the music of his life, as well as introducing compositions inspired by the book.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff – Saturday 2-6 p.m.
Uptown Bluegrass with George McKnight – War & Peace
This week we feature songs of war, peace; the passions, emotions of veterans of many conflicts and struggles. Our show is a bit of a musical snapshot of experiences and feelings of being a soldier, sailor – or being left behind to worry.
