*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes
Singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III walks us through his long career that began in the ’60s folk scene. Also, a live set from the South Carolina Blues Doctor Drink Small.
Banks of the Ohio
North Carolina has always been a hotbed for bluegrass and pre-bluegrass musicians. You’ll hear plenty of Tarheels in this week’s edition, from Red Rector to Alan O’Bryant, from Doc Watson to Del McCoury, and from the Singing Inspirations to the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The fifth half hour features bluegrass from 1997. That year, Ricky Skaggs came back to bluegrass, Valerie Smith recorded her first album, and solo projects and supergroups poured forth in a creative torrent. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, with host Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown – John Reischman & The Jaybirds Live
New old-time returns with a vengeance — led by some riveting live time with John Reischman & the Jaybirds. Mark Simos, The Foggy Hogtown Boys, Killer Grits. The Gordons, Shannon Whitworth and Mighty Squirrel will also be joining in the fun.
Bluegrass Review
This week, the origins of bluegrass boogie, and a discussion with Adam Larrabee on the membership edition of Bluegrass Review.
Bluegrass Signal
This week on Bluegrass Signal, Peter Thompson presents an hour of songs to inspire your support of the Bluegrass Country Winter Membership Campaign. The music ranges from Bill Monroe and The Stanley Brothers to the Nashville Bluegrass Band and Hot Rize to the bands of Lynn Morris, Del McCoury, Hazel Dickens, David Grisman, and Kathy Kallick & Laurie Lewis to Blue Highway, whose new release is, of course, one of the thank-you gifts offered for your support.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
We go to the races in Obsolete Hour one, with Stewball, Molly, Tenbrooks and the Cuckoo Bird. (Here’s a hint: bet on Stewball — he might win.) Hour two connects bluesman Big Bill with Bob Wills, Bob Wills with Bill Monroe, and includes a contrasting versions of a couple of Cajun classics.
*etown with Nick Forster
Veteran singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s etown appearances have always provided some of the show’s most cherished and memorable performances, and this week’s encore program is no exception. Bruce brings some of his latest tunes and insightful social commentary with him for this visit recorded at the Flynn Theater in Burlington, Vermont. Hosts Nick & Helen Forster layer in some of their gorgeous vocal harmonies and instrumental accompaniment. Our second musical guest is an etown newcomer — an engaging singer-songwriter and modern day troubadour, Brett Dennen. Nick adds some slide guitar and mandola to his mix, too. There’s a lovely finale, a lot of great music, and a special “in-person” e-chievement award winner, this week in etown.
LIVE Friday Night Free for All – 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
The Bill Miller Show Sunday 3 a.m. (2/10)
Bluegrass with Bob Webster, LIVE Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (2/17)
LIVE The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show Mon-Fri, 7-10 a.m.
The Lee Michael Demsey Show Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard
*Mountain Stage
Rebroadcast from February, 2007 featuring Arlo Guthrie, The Guthrie Family Legacy Tour, John Hammond Band, Uncle Earl, and Jorma Kaukonen.
Music from Foggy Hollow A rebroadcast this week.
Musician Tip - Alan Jabbour
Open Mic – The Tom Cat Reeder Show
*Old Time Jam
This week Hubie King introduces two new CDs: Long Steel Rail by Riley Baugus and Rural Roots of Bluegrass by Wayne Erbsen and Laura Boosinger. Other artists featured include: vocal duets from Arnie and Kathy Reid Naiman as well as Beverly Smith and Carl Jones, the instrumental trio of Rhys Jones, Jeff Miller and Jim Nelson and performances from Buddy Thoms, Dirk Powell, Stephen Wade, Bob Flesher, Mac Benford and the Stillhouse Rounders.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show Sunday 10a.m.- 1 p.m., Mon-Fri, 3-6 p.m.
Special Programming
Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways: Bill Monroe. With Host Sam Litzinger and Archivist Jeff Place. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
The Good Shepherd Quartet has reorganized and emerged from retirement with a new recording. This week we’ll enjoy a few tracks from their new project and compare their shaped note singing style with some bluegrass gospel quartet singing. And don’t forget your old song books so you can sing along with the old hymns to kick off the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock
Join Fiona Ritchie and take a trip back to the days of itinerant work ways as you also share the miles with their contemporary counterparts: today’s traveling musicians.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
