All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes
Come meet us at the club as we jump into two distinct American musics: go-go and zydeco. From the Nation’s Capital, we’ll visit with the “Godfather of Go-Go,” funk and jazz guitarist Chuck Brown who’ll explain the finer points of jamming and showing the audience some love. Then, we’re back in Louisiana getting down to the Creole sounds of zydeco with the Creole cowboy Jeffrey Broussard, who’s fiddle and accordion playing brings the music back its source. The son of the late accordion legend Delton Broussard, Jeffery knows the deep roots of d’vrais zarico (real zydeco), but also the appeal of tradition in a modern sound.
Banks of the Ohio with George McKnight
Bluegrass Breakdown – Oh Death
For music that will make neck hairs stand on end; for tough-edged, raw, powerful intensity; nothing beats a bluegrass singer musing on that final crossing, the last enemy to be destroyed, death. Bill Monroe, Claire Lynch, Ralph Stanley, Paul Adkins, Northwest Territory, Gary Brewer and the Farewell Drifters will all be along to lend a uniquely high-lonesome perspective to the proceedings.
Bluegrass Review
Bad men, Rounders – there is a fascination with these guys, and today’s Gems of Bluegrass investigates why. Also on the show, we talk to Lubos Malina, banjo player for Druha Trava. Lubos is one of the world’s sophisticated players, and he shares with us some tunes he is working on in a parking lot session. Plus, we showcase new bluegrass. If you want to talk bluegrass, host Phil Nusbaum is glad to hear from you at pnusbaum@bitstream.net. Also, try BluegrassReview.com for playlists, or culture11, where bluegrass people discuss bluegrass.
Bluegrass Signal - Giving Thanks
‘Tis the season for giving thanks and counting your blessings, and that’s the subject of this week’s Bluegrass Signal. Music and inspiration from a few patriarchs (Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Osborne Brothers), a few of their direct descendents (Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, The Marshall Family), and a variety of others, including the McCoury Brothers, Kathy Kallick & Laurie Lewis, Chatham County Line, Stoney Lonesome, and others.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Meet Moon Mullican, “King of the Hillbilly Piano Players,” hear live Reno & Smiley from 1959, a few Delmore Brothers classics, marital comedy from Butterbeans and Susie, some a capella gospel and a clutch of great Christmas songs from Fiddlin’ John, the Louvin Brothers, Leroy Carr, Hank Snow, Eddy Arnold, Rose Maddox and Ernest Tubb. As the holidays approach, we grow even more Obsolete!
*etown
Slide guitar master Sonny Landreth joins us in Etown this week. In fact, Eric Clapton concurs that Sonny is “probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced.” “Also, Juliana Hatfield makes her first Etown appearance. The Etones, with Nick & Helen Forster, provide instrumental and vocal backup for her. Also, Nick interviews author and naturalist Terry Tempest Williams in her return visit to the Etown stage. And this week’s E-Chievement Award goes to an Illinois man who is working to alleviate hunger in his community. Be sure to tune into Etown!
Friday Night Free for All Friday 8 p.m. ET
The Bill Miller Show – Sunday 3 a.m. (12/14)
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show - Tuesday 12 p.m. LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (12/21)
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 Quetzal, Thea Gilmore, Mates of State, Al and the Transamericans, and Son de Madera.
Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new gospel CD from Nothing’ Fancy called “Lord Bless This House” (Pinecastle). Mike plays several songs from the CD and talks a bit about the band. Also there’s a request from a listener for other listeners to suggest bluegrass love songs she could learn in time for Valentine’s Day. Also on the show, Patuxent Partners, a great old song from Seldom Scene, new music from Jason Barie, Danny Roberts new instrumental CD, and lots lots more. It’s another packed show, so dont miss it!
Musician Tip – Banjo player Marc Pruett
Open Mic
This week on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country we open the mic for Carol Beaugard of Lonesome Pine RFD. She’s joined by musical guests Red Molly, an Americana Trio from New York, as well as West coast songwriter and guitar player, Chris Stuart.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King features a set of orphan songs by The Stairwell Sisters; Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin; Waking Up Tillie and the Mill Run Dulcimer Band. To brighten the mood, we also hear some cheerful tunes from A. Robic and the Exertions (Bruce Molsky and Paul Brown); Alan Jabbour & Ken Perlman; the Run of the Mill String Band; Dirk Powell; Arnie Naiman & Chris Coole, David Holt with Doc Watson; and others.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1pm
Special Programming
This week on special programming we’ll hear a live performance from David Grier recorded just before Thanksgiving here in our WAMU studios. Also Marty Stuart tells the stories behind some of his favorite photographs, and as always, Phil Nusbaum brings us Gems of Bluegrass.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
As we prepare for Christmas we’ll hear a couple of special recitations: “The Christmas Story” by Johnny Briant and Hee Haw’s Charlie Farquharson’s recounting of “His Birthday” plus a few carols along the way. We’ll have a few different recordings of some of our favorite old hymns as well to kick-start the third hour. We’ll have the all Christmas show on December 21st.
*Thistle and Shamrock – Ferintosh
We explore a distinctive blend of Celtic and Baroque music this week, largely sourced from 18th century collections of Scottish airs and dance tunes. It comes to us from studio guests Ferintosh (fiddler David Greenberg, cellist Abby Newton, and harper Kim Robertson) who chat about their musical inspirations and journeys.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
This week Mary dabbles into pre-Christmas tunes and seasonal songs, including “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by the inimitable Bahamian guitarist Joseph Spence. It is a gem NOT to be missed! There’s also a new Nowell Sing We Clear recording, released this week, including very traditional and newly composed seasonal songs. It may be too early for the “Bah Humbug” collection, but we’re getting close.
