Terry Gross

Performance poet Sekou Sundiata. A Village Voice critic once wrote of Sundiata, ". . . like Billie Holiday, Sundiata surprises with images and tumbling phrases that blend with subtle rhythmic variations." We feature an excerpt from an archive interview. (4/16/97)

Writer Tobias Wolff. Terry talked with him in 1989 after the release of his acclaimed memoir, "This Boy's Life" about his unhappy upbringing in a working-class town in Washington State in the late 1950s. The book was adapted for screen starring, Robert DeNiro, and Ellen Barkin. Wolff, who served in Vietnam, later worked as a reporter for The Washington Post, and has also written two highly regarded collections of short stories. (REBROADCAST. Originally aired 1/31/89).

Canadian author Jane Rule, one of the best known and most widely read lesbian writers. Rule is best known for her 1985 novel Desert of the Heart, which was later adapted into the movie "Desert Hearts." Her new book is titled Memory Board. (REBROADCAST from 1/29/88)

Our special week of writers begins with Norman Mailer. Mailer's books, like "The Naked and the Dead," "Armies of the Night," and "The Executioner's Song," have established him as one of America's most important authors. We'll talk about his career, and his work. (REBROADCAST FROM 10/08/91)

Composer and musician Don Byron in a concert featuring music from his cd, "Bug Music." It includes music by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, The John Kirby band, and even some cartoon music by Raymond Scott, who composed for Warner Brothers. Byron plays the clarinet, and is joined by his band. Byron's new CD is called Romance with the Unseen.

We feature an interview with screenwriter/director David O. Russell. His movie Three Kings is being re-released for the holiday season. His other movies include Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster.

Director and Screenwriter Anthony Minghella. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for the 1996 film The English Patient. The movie also won the Oscar for Best Picture. His new film, The Talented Mr. Ripley opens December 25th, and stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cate Blanchett. Its based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith

We feature an interview with singer/Hollywood legend Rosemary Clooney. She will talk about her life as a singer and performer. We will also listen to songs from throughout her career. Her new autobiography, called Girl Singer, reads like a who's who from the golden age of Hollywood. She has also released a CD companion to the book. Its called Songs from the Girl Singer.

From the band the Continental Drifters: singer/songwriters Vicki Peterson (formerly of the Bangles), Peter Holsapple (of the dBs) and his wife Susan Cowsill (formerly of the Cowsills). They've just released their second album, "Vermillion" (Razor and Tie label). They performed earlier this month in New York at a concert called "The Songs of the Century." They play and talk about some of their picks for the greatest songs.