*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Jews & Blues
Explore the connection between the wail of the cantor and the slide of a blues note–where jazz and swing meet the klezmorium. Legendary R&B producer and mensch Jerry Wexler recalls how a self-described “Jew boy from Washington Heights” came to work with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan. Banjo player, and author Henry Sapoznik talks about going from old time country back to the music of his roots, klezmer. Plus jazz-inflected Yiddish swing, Old Testament musical object lessons in reggae, and more.
Banks of the Ohio
1944 is the featured year in the “Dawn of the Bluegrass Era” segment. You’ll hear a complete radio show from Charlie Monroe & his Kentucky Pardners, with young Lester and Gladys Flatt. Four numbers span Peter Rowan’s career, including 1965 and 1999 versions of “Walls of Time.” And you won’t want to miss Mac Wiseman’s indescribable “Rocky Top Slide” with the GroovGrass Boyz. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, with host Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown – The Dappled Grays Live
We’ll be spending some quality live time with the bluegrassical pride of Atlanta, Georgia. A band that snaps, crackles and pops with stunning vocals and instrumental pyrotechnics and probably the only band in the history of bluegrass to ever take its name from an Alexander Dumas novel. From Chapter 47 of The Count of Monte Cristo, The Dappled Grays will be ganging around the microphones.
Bluegrass Review
This week’s Gem of Bluegrass discusses bluegrass bands playing country songs, and why. And, we play a few great bluegrass treatments of country songs. We sample the music of a few new groups pushing the bluegrass envelop and listen to a few great “hook” tunes. (The lyric “hook” is the most catchy part of the lyric, and is supposed to grab the listner’s ear.) Plus, we talk to Alan Munde, a great banjo composer, about his composing.
Bluegrass Signal – What’s Goin’ On: Musical Previews
This week Peter Thompson samples some recent acquisitions: one great reissue (Larry Richardson & The Blue Ridge Boys), new releases by a few bands you might (or might not) have heard (Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Sawmill Road, Balsam Range, Widow Maker), and solo outings from Heather Berry, Paul Craft, Ray Bierl, Si Kahn, and Otis Taylor.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
In the first hour, Bill Monroe “finds her name” written in several places. Then multiple aspects of love are followed by cautionary tales starring the monkey and baboon. In hour 2, a few train songs and some pop tunes that turned country. Stellar appearances by Mr. Monroe (five times!), Mac Wiseman, Hogman Maxey, Johnnie & Jack (three times!), Hobart Smith, the Stanley Brothers, Jesse James (the other Jesse James), Wade Mainer, and a cast of dozens. Obsolescence has never been more potent!
*etown with Nick Forster
It’s etown ‘on-the-road’ in Fort Collins, Colorado, with The Subdudes and The Roches. The Subdudes share a set of Americana roots-rock songs that feature their signature three-part harmonies. Then, sisters Maggie, Terre & Suzzy–The Roches–hit the stage with their warm wit, unique lyrical style, and tight sibling harmonies. Hosts Nick & Helen Forster partner with both artists for a one-of-a-kind etown finale you won’t want to miss! Also, hear the story of a dedicated e-chievement award winner, who joins us ‘in person’ all right here in etown.
LIVE Friday Night Free for All – 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
The Bill Miller Show Sunday 3 a.m. (4/6)
The Tom Cat Reeder Show, Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (4/13)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m.LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
LIVE The Katy Daley Show
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
Larry Groce hosts Suzanne Vega, Justin Currie, Mary Gauthier, Ingrid Michaelson, Moya Brennan, Matt Nathanson. Playlist
Music from Foggy Hollow
The first hour and a half of this week’s show is programmed by regular listener, Tina Buchanan from Virginia. She’s learning to play mandolin and in a short time has learned a LOT about bluegrass music. Mike plays her selections and talks to Tina about the songs and why she chose them. You can see Tina’s selections on the show’s web site. Also, Mike Kear features the long-awaited CD from the Seldom Scene, “Scenechronized” (Sugar Hill). Mike plays some of the songs on the album and talks about the background to one of the most innovative and respected bands in the bluegrass world. All this plus the other regular features of the show. It’s a HUGE program this week, so don’t miss it!
Musician Tip – Casey Driessen
Open Mic
On March 28th the Larry Stephenson Band appeared at Cherrydale United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia. Larry was joined by Kyle Perkins on bass, Kristen Scott Benson on banjo, Josh Williams on guitar, and Jason Barie on fiddle. We’ll hear the two hour performance in its entirety.
*Old Time Jam
Old time banjo player and NPR newscaster, Paul Brown, visited our studios recently along with guitar player John Schwab.
They sat down with Hubie King to chat and play some tunes.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show Sunday 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., Mon-Fri, 3-6 p.m.
Special Programming
Starting things off, Phil Nusbaum discusses bluegrass interpretations of country songs on Gems of Bluegrass. Following that, Katy Daley takes a look at the bluegrass curriculum at Denison University. To round out the hour we’ll hear how The Wilders are redefining the murder ballad with their new 5 part piece, “Sittin’ on a Jury.”
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Bob will be away this Sunday but he’s prepared a new program that includes some long standing favorites, some of the newer releases and of course a few of your favorite old hymns – so keep those hymn books handy.
*Thistle and Shamrock – Songs of Robert Burns
Hear a variety of artists in the intoxicating embrace of the Scottish bard’s songs, including Rod Paterson, Dougie MacLean and Eddi Reader.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
