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22:07

Country Music Impresario and Publisher Buddy Killen

For many years Killen was the head of Tree International, Nashville's leading music publisher, writer and producer. Killen once played bass in Hank Williams' band for ten dollars a night; in 1989 he sold Tree to Sony for 50 million. He's worked with just about every star in the Country firmament: Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson; and many classics in the Country cannon: "King of the Road", "Okie from Muskogee" and the immortal "D-I-V-O-R-C-E". Killen's new autobiography is "By the Seat of My Pants."

Interview
42:48

The McGarrigle Sisters in Concert

A concert with the McGarrigle sisters, Kate and Anna. There are new CDs of their first two albums, released in the late 70s: "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" and "Dancer with Bruised Knees." The McGarrigles are known for their close and "subtle harmony." Their music is considered hard to categorize, although it sounds folky. The sisters absorbed an eclectic blend of music when they were growing up in Canada: Victorian ballads, blues, jazz, French-Canadian folk songs, Broadway tunes, and country music.

22:25

Jazz Singer Abby Lincoln Says, "A Song Is a Prayer"

Lincoln's new record is "Devil's Got Your Tongue." Once married to legendary jazz drummer Max Roach, she's made her mark on jazz for almost 40 years, singing with giants like Benny Carter, Sonny Rollins and Coleman Hawkins. Lincoln has been hailed by one critic as the "Last Great Diva", and says herself that she sings in the tradition of Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday.

Interview
16:01

Jazz Musician Jack Sheldon on Trumpet and Vocals

For many years, Sheldon was bandleader and sidekick for Merv Griffin's talk show. He sang with Benny Goodman, was a childhood friend of Chet Baker's, and played burlesque with Lenny Bruce. He's just released a new record of standards, called "On My Own."

Interview
04:38

Remembering Arthur Alexander

Singer and Songwriter Arthur Alexander died today. He had only recently begun performing again after a twenty year break. We remember him.

Commentary
03:59

Sun Ra, Known for Novelty, Was No Novelty Act

Legendary musician and band-leader Sun Ra died Sunday at the age 79; we pay tribute to his otherworldly brand of jazz with an excerpt from a concert he performed six years ago in Philadelphia

Commentary
21:17

"Bad Girl" Texas Songwriter Jo Carol Pierce

Pierce won the "Songwriter of the Year" award at the 1993 Austin Music Awards. A tribute album of her songs performed by other singers, "Across the Great Divide," won the Album of the Year Award. She's originally from Lubbock, Texas, and little known outside the state. Her songs are quirky, and spiritual. Pierce also wrote and performed the one-woman show, ""Bad Girls Upset About the Truth," told in story and song about her problems with men and Jesus.

Interview
06:00

A Review of Recent Lee Konitz Recordings

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews three releases featuring alto saxophonist Lee Konitz,a versatile musician known to be flexible depending on the context or ensemble he's in.

Review
15:40

Lubbock, Texas Rock Musician Joe Ely

Producer Amy Salit interviews singer/songwriter and guitarist Joe Ely. He's been called the "underappreciated American rock 'n' roll legend." This country rocker hails from Lubbock, Texas and has been recording and playing music for 20 years, releasing nine albums. He began his career playing traditional country but now leans more toward the country-rockin' blues that has become a distinctive Texas sound. His latest album is "Love and Danger."

Interview
22:16

Songwriter Arthur Alexander Revisits His Early Work

A conversation with singer/songwriter Arthur Alexander, whose songs were recorded on early records by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He was slated to tour with Otis Redding the week Redding died in a plane crash. Alexander's new album, "Lonely Just Like Me," is his first release in twenty years.

Interview
15:57

"A Prairie Home" Pianist Butch Thompson

The Butch Thompson Trio was a regular on Garrison Keillor's syndicated radio show. Thompson's specialty is classic jazz from 1890s to about 1940, including the music of Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Eubie Blake, and others. He has a new series of solo CDs entitled "Minnesota Wonder."

Interview
21:36

Record Producer Jerry Wexler

A live interview with the former Atlantic Records executive. Wexler was the producer behind some of the greatest soul music of the 60s, including classic sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. His memoir of his career is called "Rhythm and the Blues."

Interview

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