Terry Gross

We feature a tribute to Hoagy Carmichael, originally part of our American Popular Song series. Carmichael wrote "Star Dust," "Heart and Soul," "The Nearness of You," "Skylark" and many more. We feature performances by singer Rebecca Kilgore and pianist Dave Frishberg. We'll also talk with Richard Sudhalter, who has written a forthcoming biography of Carmichael. And we talk with Carmichael's son, Hoagy Bix Carmichael who now manages his father's music catalogue. (ORIGINALLLY AIRED 11/22/99)

Singer Jerry Butler, aka The Iceman. His 1969 hit, “Only the Strong Survive,” is a rhythm and blues classic, and also the title of his new autobiography: “Only the Strong Survive: Memoirs of a Soul Survivor” (Indiana University Press) Butler founded the vocal group The Impressions as well as having a successful solo career. His awareness of civil rights led him to politics, and he is serving his fourth term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Chicago. The book was written with Earl Smith, Butler’s brother-in-law and a journalist.

Film editor Dede Allen. She edited such films as The Hustler, Bonnie And Clyde, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, and The Wonder Boys, which has just been re-released. Her Hollywood career began in the 1940’s as an apprentice editor. Today she’s arguably the highest paid and one of the top five film editors in the business. Allen’s been nominated twice for Academy awards.

Jazz clarinetist Andy Biskin. His latest CD is “Dogmental,” (GM Recordings) by the Andy Biskin Quintet. Biskin is also a composer. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and is now based in Manhattan.

Political scientist Robert Pastor, Ph.D. joins us to talk about possible election reforms in the American system after this presidential vote. Pastor is a professor of Political Science at Emory University, and in his former role as a Carter Center Fellow, he helped create international election monitoring teams. He has monitored 20 foreign elections. Pastor is the author of 10 books on subjects such as U-S foreign policy, international trade and democratization.

Writer Ray Bradbury. He's just been awarded the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. He is the author of over twenty-three books, including “I Sing the Body Electric,” “The Martian Chronicles” and “Fahrenheit 451,” all classics of science fiction. Bradbury created the scenario for the U.S. Pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair, and the concept for Spaceship Earth at EPCOT at Disney World.

Actress Glenn Close. In her new movie, “102 Dalmatians,” the sequel to 1996’s “101 Dalmatians,” she resumes her role as Cruella DeVille. She has appeared both on Broadway and in film. Some of her movie credits include "Fatal Attraction," "The Big Chill," "The Natural," and "Dangerous Liaisons." (REBROADCAST: 11/27/96).

Abstract painter Frank Stella. The 64 year old artist was first well known in the late 1950s for his Black Paintings series - striped monochrome works that helped touch off the minimalism movement. Over the years his work evolved from the canvas to colorful geometrical configurations of sculpture and architectural dimension. Some of his recent work is being shown at the Lock Gallery in Philadelphia, through November 25th.

Senior analyst at the National Security Archive, Peter Kornbluh. Recently the CIA released thousands of secret U.S. documents about their role in the overthrow of the Allende government in Chile in 1973. Kornbluh led the effort to get the documents declassified.

Attorney Cass Sunstein (SUN-steen). He’s considered by many to be one of the nation’s authorities when it comes to interpreting the U.S. Constitution. He’s the author of “One Case at a Time: Judicial Minimalism on the Supreme Court,” (Harvard University Press) which came out last year. Today, he explains the legal aspects of the election controversy in Florida. He teaches at the University of Chicago.