Terry Gross

Dorothy Beam. Her son Joe Beam died of AIDS three years ago. He was a writer who was in the process of editing his second anthology of Black gay writing. Dorothy helped finish the work her son started, along with editor Essex Hemphill. The collection is "Brother to Brother: New Writings by Black Gay Men," (published by Alyson Publications). Joseph Beam's first anthology is "In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology." RERUN. (originally aired 2/25/92) (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Nigerian writer Ben Okri. His novel, "The Famished Road," won Britian's prestigious Booker Prize in 1991. It's about a young boy growing up in a poor African village. He's written four other novels and a collection of short stories. Besides "The Famished Road," the only other book of his published in the U.S. is his book of short stories. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Singer Barbara Lea ("lee") with a musical tribute to Cole Porter. She had her start singing in the 1950s in Boston and then moved to New York where she recorded her first album in 1955 to critical acclaim. She dropped out of singing for a while but made a comeback during the 70s in New York's cabaret world. Nat Hentoff, in "The Nation," wrote, "her phrasing is easily personal...

Veteran crime novelist Lawrence Block. He's written nine novels starring Manhattan private eye Matt Scudder. His latest is called "A Ticket To The Boneyard." (Rebroadcast. Originally broadcast March 17, 1992.)

Guitarist Ry Cooder. In the 60s he collaborated with Taj Mahal, Captain Beefheart, the Rolling Stones and became known for his fingerpicking and slide playing. In the 70s he went solo -- putting together ten albums that explored American roots music including blues, vintage jazz, and gospel.

Tonight show band saxophonist Tommy Newsom talks with Terry about the end of his longest running gig (30 years with The Tonight Show).

Avant-garde guitarist and producer Henry Kaiser. He's known as an innovative and versatile musician. He's recorded and/or performed with a number of artists including, Herbie Hancock, Richard Thompson, Bob Weir, The ROVA Sax Quartet, Sergei Kuriokhin, and Sonny Sharrock. He's just completed a recording of music of Madagascar, "A World Out of Time: Henry Kaiser & David Lindley in Madagascar," (on Shanachie records). (This interview was done by Fresh Air Producer Amy Salit)

Southeast Asia Correspondent for The New York Times, Philip Shenon (SHE-none). He's been following the protests between Thai troups and pro-democracy protestors in Bangkok, Thialand. The protestors: students, professionals, and workers have been demanding that the Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon step down. Suchinda, a former military leader, led a coup last year against the democratic Government and took power in April as an unelected Prime Minister. Many people have died in the protests. SHENON will update us on the situation. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

James McCloskey, founder of Centurion Ministries, Inc., which was organized to free innocent men and women from prison. Terry last talked to him in March after he helped free two prisoners from a California prison who were both serving life sentences. But yesterday, McCloskey lost a battle with the execution of Roger Keith Coleman. Coleman was convicted of raping and killing his sister-in-law in 1981, but always maintained his innocence. He was put to death in a Virginia prison. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Marty talks with science writer Seth Shulman about how the military has left toxic wastes in bases all across the country. His new book is "The Threat at Home: Confronting the Toxic Legacy of the U.S. Military." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)