*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
Sunday, March 9, 2008 is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time. Bluegrass Breakdown will not be heard on Sunday. We apologize for any inconvenience.
*American Routes
Tune in and rock the blues with two guitar men who do it with great authority. First up is Arkansas wild man and original Sun Records rockabilly Sonny Burgess who still tears it up, playing his hits “We Wanna Boogie,” “Red-Headed Woman” and others well into his seventies. And hear a live set from the great New Orleans bluesman and human jukebox Snooks Eaglin, recorded onstage at his home base, the famous Rock and Bowl nightclub, where one can do either of those, or both, at the same time. Feel the beat in blues, jazz, Western swing and more with a music mix designed to rock your blues away.
Banks of the Ohio
Featured in the second half hour is the first known recording of Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys (“Mule Skinner Blues,” live at the Grand Ole Opry) and eight other songs from 1939. More program highlights include Bill Keith and Jim Rooney at Club 47 in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1963); rare early recordings by the Stoneman Family, Joe Isaacs, Rubye Davis, and Del McCoury; and the Dillards’ unforgettable “What’s Time To a Hog?” (1973). A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, with host Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown – Honi Deaton & Dream Live
She’s one of the fieriest singers, engaging stage personalities, prolific songwriters and brightest stars in all of high, blue and lonesome-dom. From Suwannee, GA, Honi Deaton & Dream will be rocking around the microphones live in celebration of the group’s “Chasin’ Dreams” outing. We’ll also be sauntering down to the new bluegrass CD bins where we’ll be having a close encounter of the high lonesome kind with the latest from the Dixie Beeliners, Alan Munde, Andy Hall, The Gibson Brothers and Donna Hughes.
Bluegrass Review
Uncle Dave Macon was one of the great early stars of country music. It wasn’t till he was over 50 that he became a professional musician. A singular stylist, Macon was one of the early Grand Old Opry entertainers who entertained with he wit and showmanship. Later on the show, we present a hefty dose of songs about crime and prison.
Bluegrass Signal – Rounder Newbies & IBMM Films
This week Peter Thompson surveys some of the recent releases from Rounder, with music by The SteelDrivers, Rhonda Vincent, Daily & Vincent, and Blue Highway (thanks again for your support of the Winter Membership Campaign). There’s also music by some of those featured in recent films done for the International Bluegrass Music Museum: Vern Williams, the Goins Brothers, Ola Belle Reed, and Jake Quesenberry.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Little Sadie, Poor Kelly, and Poor Ellen contribute to a Deadly Medley in hour one. A second medley highlights contributions from a forgotten 19th century African American songwriter who bequeathed several classics to country music in the 1920s.
*etown with Nick Forster
Returning to etown for this week is New England singer-songwriter Dar Williams. She’s a favorite of etown audiences, and her set in this week’s episode demonstrates why. Sharing the bill are indie rockers, Spoon. The Austin, Texas band has been compared to Sonic Youth and the Pixies, but their music is more than an equation. Also this week is author and journalist Harvey Wasserman, who discusses current events and his work. Plus, there’s a singular story of community action and impact from this week’s e-chievement award winner, 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. (3/9)
The Tom Cat Reeder Show, Tuesday 12 p.m. – LIVE, Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (3/16)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. – LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
LIVE The Katy Daley Show Mon-Fri, 7-10 a.m.
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
A rebroadcast from May, 2007 featuring Judy Collins, Mavis Staples, Lucy Kaplansky, Todd Snider, and Lori McKenna.
Music from Foggy Hollow
Music from Foggy Hollow was a surprise for Mike Kear this week, as it will be for you. At the top of the show, Mike threw a pair of dice and got 4, so for the whole show played track 4 of all the albums he played. It’s scientific programming at its best, and Mike had no idea what was going to be played at the outset of the show. Listen to hear how it turned out – it came out better than you might think! It’s another big show, so don’t miss it!
Musician Tip – Cedar Hill’s fiddle player, Lisa Ray
Open Mic
This week we open the mic for A Prairie Home Companion, broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, with special guests, the self-described “mother” of Bluegrass, Mr. Sam Bush, and the valedictorian of an Angel Choir, singer-songwriter Suzy Bogguss. Also, The Royal Academy of Radio Actors: Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Tom Keith, The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band with Rich Dworksy, John Niemann and Joe Savage. All this, plus the News From Lake Wobegon.
*Old Time Jam
Hubie King tours the States whose names appear in Old-Time tune titles. Starting in the southeast, we move toward the prairies and jump to California. Does this reflect gradual settlement and then the Gold Rush of 1849? We’ll hear from artists like Mike Seeger, the Bing Brothers, Cathy Fink, John Hartford, and more.
LIVE The Ray Davis Show Sunday 10a.m.- 1 p.m., Mon-Fri, 3-6 p.m.
Special Programming
Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring folk singer and political activist, Pete Seeger. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Joe Isaacs, the patriarch of The Isaacs group that we enjoy each Sunday, wrote some 125 songs, of which 80 or so have been recorded by The Isaacs, including the popular “I Pressed Through the Crowd.” The Isaacs will be in the spotlight on this week’s program and keep those old hymn books close by for a few favorites to start the third hour.
*Thistle and Shamrock – New From Ireland
We hear the full tracks of some of the Irish music recently excerpted on our new releases podcast, Thistlepod.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
