1. JAN
  2. FEB
  3. MAR
  4. APR
  5. MAY
  6. JUN
  7. JUL
  8. AUG
  9. SEP
  10. OCT
  11. NOV
  12. DEC

ALL SAINTS

Tune into music dealing with death and rebirth, loss and resolution, for All Saints and All Souls Days, November 1 and 2. Music transcends the world of the living, as we listen to a jazz funeral for sax player Harold Dejan in the streets of New Orleans. Plus preacher, mortician, and amazing soul singer Solomon Burke tells his tale, and a visit to a local cemetery to see how the dead are honored this time of year. Includes music in the spirit from Pops Staples, King Oliver, Bob Dylan and Ralph Stanley.

OFF THE RECORD

We’re digging through our files to bring you great stories and live performances that never made the air! Lost tapes of Bo Diddley, Bonnie Raitt, Ralph Stanley, Dr. John and more. Plus live music cuts from Willie Nelson, the legendary Flatlanders and Cajun teen band Feufollet.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: SPORTS & MUSIC

Feel the thrill of victory as we hear the connections between sports and music in American life. With the World Series upon us, we’ll hear songs about baseball and its heroes in jazz and blues, country and folk. Plus comments from Yankee centerfielder and guitarist Bernie Williams, and 1969 Miracle Met (and music lover) Ron Swoboda. And get tips on hitting… and the harmonica from Stan ‘The Man’ Musial. In hour two, it’s the music of basketball, boxing, horseracing and football. Meet the bugler at Churchill Downs, and hear about the pull of music in the of pianist and New Orleans Saints’ cornerback Ashley Ambrose. See you at the game.

BLUES ROUTES II

This American Routes celebrates the blues during this, the official Year of the Blues—veering off Highway 61 to examine the east coast songster tradition and west coast/Kansas City jump blues. Maryland-based guitarist Warner Williams lets his guitar do most of the talking as he moves through a live set of Piedmont blues. Jump blues king and Creole chameleon Deacon John talks about his career as both a New Orleans sideman and fronting his own band, the Ivories. Plus great music from T-Bone Walker, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt and more.

TRANSCENDING NEW ENGLAND

We travel the New England soundsacpe from rural dances to urban folk clubs, from Maine truckdriving songs to regional rock. Also music from Boston Irish and Italians, French Quebecois and Cape Verdean Portuguese. Plus stories from eel fishermen and cranberry farmers, urban gardeners and country fiddlers. Massachusetts-raised troubadour Jonathan Richman stops in from the road to converse, and author Peter Guralnick reminisces about how the blues found him in New England.