Poet, musician Dave Alvin, is best known for his songwriting and guitar playing for the Blasters and the influential punk band X, as well as his solo career. He has a new collection of his poems and writings called, "Any Rough Times Are Now Behind You,"(Incommunicado)
Veteran music businessman Bill Alder, and poet Bob Holman are partners of Mouth Almighty Records which is distributing the condensed soundtrack of the PBS series, "The United States of Poetry", a MTV version of the spoken words featuring everything from rappers to beat poets. (the label Mouth Almighty, is distributed by Mercury Records, in New York, 212-333-8000)
Journalist Gregory Vistica, has received numerous local and national awards including the George Polk Award for exposing the sex-abuses and irresponsible authority of the Tailhook scandal. He has written a book entitled, "Fall from Glory: The Men Who Sank the U.S. Navy" (Simon & Schuster) detailing his investigation into the failed Navy leadership which has fostered the growth of wide spread dissipation in Navy conduct.
Michael Kinsley, former editor of "The New Republic," and co-host of CNN's "Crossfire," has been hired by Microsoft to start an on-line magazine of political dialog and cultural commentary. Terry Gross will also be speaking with him about the Republican primary. He has a new collection of his essays, "Big Babies," (William Morrow).
Novelist Stephen McCauley was a yoga instructor and travel agent before writing his first novel, "The Object of My Affection". His newest and third novel is "The Man of the House". (Simon & Schuster)
Judge Harold J. Rothwax, author of "Guilty, The Collapse of Criminal Justice," (Random House). For twenty-five years he's been a judge on the New York State Supreme Court and has developed a reputation for tough rulings. He'll talk with Terry about his ideas for reform of the criminal justice system.
British musician Sting was the bassist and lead singer for the Police, which from 1978 to 84 produced a creative and popular blend of jazz and rock. Since beginning his solo career in 1982, Sting has released six albums. His latest "Mercury Falling," is scheduled for release in the United Sates on March 12.
Cultural critic Greil Marcus. He is the author of "The Dustbin of History" (Harvard University Press) about the history embedded in cultural moments. He'll talk with Terry about one of the essays in the book about the song, "Too Soon to Tell," written by Deborah Chessler and recorded by the Orioles in 1948.
James Carville, chief strategist of Bill Clinton's 1992 War Room, and an adviser to President Clinton. He has a new book in which he responds to the Republican's contract with America. It's called "We're Right, They're Wrong: A Handbook for Spirited Progressives." (in paperback, RANDOM HOUSE) Carville is also the co-author with his wife, Mary Matalin, of "All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
On November 11, 1994, Eddie Polec was clubbed to death in a Philadelphia suburb by a group of rival high school kids. He was clubbed with a baseball bat on the steps of the St Cecilia's Church where he had been an altar boy. Investigators say he was beaten until limp and then held aloft "to give the bat-wielding youths a better shot." He had been waiting for his young brother, to walk home together when the group of kids arrived, looking for a fight. Eddie hadn't been part of the rivalry. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On November 11, 1994, Eddie Polec was clubbed to death in a Philadelphia suburb by a group of rival high school kids. He was clubbed with a baseball bat on the steps of the St Cecilia's Church where he had been an altar boy. Investigators say he was beaten until limp and then held aloft "to give the bat-wielding youths a better shot." He had been waiting for his young brother, to walk home together when the group of kids arrived, looking for a fight. Eddie hadn't been part of the rivalry. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Film director Philip Haas. His newest movie is "Angels & Insects" based on the novella "Morpho Eugenia" by writer A.S. Byatt. Previously, Haas made his feature film debut with "The Music of Chance," adapted from a Paul Auster novel. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews Volume 1 of a series called "Keyboard Wizards of the Gershwin Era" featuring pianist Pauline Alpert (Pearl label).