All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches Block
*American Routes – How to Improvise: Bela Fleck & Jason Marsalis
This week we meet with two practitioners of the art of improvisation. Bela Fleck joins us for a conversation about banjo traditions and experimentation in bluegrass, jazz and classical music. Then we’ll head to the studio for a jazz breakdown by New Orleans master percussionist Jason Marsalis.
Bluegrass Breakdown – Enough’s Enough (rebroadcast)
We’ll be getting downright philosophical and darn near insightful. While it’s true you can never get enough pre-war Martins, red meat, baseball or Ralph Stanley recordings, sometimes, enough really IS enough. Special Consensus, New Tradition, Dale Ann Bradley, Exit 13 and the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band will be helping us determine when you best leave well enough alone. (originally aired June 2007)
Bluegrass Gospel USA! – Tues. 8 p.m. ET
Bluegrass Master Class – Banks of the Ohio #121
Banks of the Ohio visits 1957 in the “Starving Out” segment, including tracks from the first bluegrass LP and the first sessions of Jimmy Martin & the Sunny Mountain Boys and the Osborne Brothers & Red Allen. Other highlights include an unreleased Don Stover cut from 1970 and selections from anniversary albums of the Bluegrass 45 (25th, 1996) and Mark O’ Connor (30th, 2004). We say goodbye to BluegrassCountry.org’s Francis Ying with “Mr. Engineer.” A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
Bluegrass Review – #1150
Our program opens with bluegrass takes on poverty. Three of the four are actually positive spins. Then, the fourth is an angry one … it’s a song composed by Bob Dylan! Most bluegrass people know that Bill Monroe is the Father of Bluegrass. It’s because of his great musical innovations, and today’s Gem of Bluegrass summarizes them. Later, we talk to songwriter Louisa Branscomb, songwriter that bluegrass singers have been interpreting for decades. If you want to contact host Phil Nusbaum, the email address is pnusbaum@bitstream.net or join the conversation at Facebook. The playlist is located at www.bluegrassreview.com.
Bluegrass Signal – #405 (Laurie Lewis Live)
Laurie Lewis has accomplished a great deal since co-founding the Good Ol’ Persons in 1975 — released 18 albums, won IBMA’s Female Vocalist Of the Year Award (twice) and a Grammy, led a series of exceptional bands, and collaborated with some of the best in acoustic music — but she rarely performs solo. She does so here, live in the studio, and also introduces a few tracks from her new release, “Skippin’ & Flyin’”.
*Capital Americana – Wed. 8 p.m. ET, Sat. 2 p.m. ET
*The Dick Spottswood Show – #366
Bill Monroe and Cliff Carlisle borrow from Jimmie Rodgers, and we hear a few songs for the season in Obsolete Hour 1. Then Hank Snow briefly bows before yielding the spotlight to Tampa Red and his Gold Guitar, followed by classic hymns written by Tampa’s partner Georgia Tom, and sung by both Monroes and the Golden Gate Quartet.
Editor’s Picks – Tom Gray & Eddie Adcock
This week we’re featuring an interview with Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray. These two legendary bluegrass musicians recently sat down with host Bob Webster to chat about their new project, Many A Mile.
*etown – Tori Amos / Loudon Wainwright III
In this encore airing, Nick & Helen Forster and the whole eTown crew head out ‘on the road’ to New York City and the Grand Ballroom, for a show featuring virtuoso pianist and singer Tori Amos. Tori brings lovely, stripped down eclectic tunes from her recent seasonal CD. Also joining us is eTown veteran and legendary singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, who’s joined by Nick & Helen and the eTones on a tune or two.
The Free for All – Monday-Thursday, 6-8 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.
The Katy Daley Show – Monday- Friday LIVE, 7-10 a.m. ET
The Lee Michael Demsey Show – Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday- Friday LIVE, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard – Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m., Thurs. 12 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Dawes, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, James McMurtry, Blitzen Trapper, Matthew Sweet. View Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow – #201149
Old Time Jam – #185
On this week’s jam, host Rosemarie Nielsen’s got a mix of old favorites and some new recordings that she thinks might just become old favorites.
Open Mic – Carolina Chocolate Drops, Josh Williams Band
This week we open the mic for LIVE performances and interviews from ROMP 2011 compiled by our friends at NPR affiliate WNIN in Evansville, Indiana. The Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Josh Williams Band are featured.
The Ray Davis Show – Monday- Friday LIVE, 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p
Rotating Shows:
- The Bill Miller with host Bill Miller – Tues. 12 p.m. ET, Thurs. 12 a.m. ET, Sun. 3 a.m. ET (Dec 11)
- The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show with host Tom “Cat” Reeder – Tues. 12 p.m. ET, Thurs. 12 a.m. ET, Sun. 3 a.m. ET (Dec 18)
Stained Glass Bluegrass hosted by Bob Webster – Sunday LIVE 6-10 a.m., Tues. 9 p.m.
Enjoy a few more songs of the season as well as some new and old favorites this week. We’ll also hear a few previously unreleased songs from the newly expanded 10th anniversary sound track to the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Be ready to sing the old hymns at the top of the third hour as usual.
*Thistle and Shamrock – Winter Heat
Hot instrumentals and passionate vocals from Kirsty MacColl, Salsa Celtica and Kila offer the perfect insulation against winter’s chill.
*Traditions with Mary Cliff – Saturday 3-6 p.m. LIVE
Uptown Bluegrass with George McKnight – #1556 (Season of Yule)
This week’s show features songs about the joy of celebrating Christmas and the Yule season, a time of friends, family and reflection of the good things in life.
