Welcome to the March edition of the NPT Music Monthly. This month, a good portion of our music programming pays homage to the music and artists that changed the way we listened to pop music, and ultimately, the sound of pop music itself. A trio of shows honor the legends of American music and reminds us just how important that city southwest of us on I-40 is when it comes to the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Memphis figures prominently in the lives of many of the artists profiled in Rockabilly Legends: They Called it Rockabilly Long Before They Called it Rock ‘n’ Roll (March 8). It’s also where Jerry Lee Lewis got his big break as a session musician at Sun Records. In the premiere of Great Performances: Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing on March 13, Lewis is joined on his hits by a stellar group of classic and contemporary artists. Of course, we can’t discuss Memphis or Sun Studios without mentioning “The King,” and on March 15, NPT presents the broadcast premiere of Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert, recorded live at the Pyramid in Memphis.
American music was also heavily influenced by the bands from across the pond, and on Saturday March 3, NPT presents My Music: The British Beat, featuring rare and new performances of classic hits by the Zombies, the Animals and more, some of which were recorded right here in Nashville at the Curb Events Center.
There are too many great shows to point out here without doing an injustice to others (Kenny Rogers: The Journey and Soundstage with Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris to name two) so let’s just get to the list…and another great month of music programming on NPT.
Friday, March 2, 2007
7:00-9:00
American Soundtrack: This Land Is Your Land
This concert special, hosted by the Smothers Brothers and Judy Collins, celebrates the folk rock of the 1960s and features Roger McGuinn, The Kingston Trio and many others.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
7:00-9:00
Daniel O’Donnell: Can You Feel the Love
In a new concert taped at the Glen Eagle Events Center in Killarney, Ireland, O’Donnell performs some of the world’s greatest love songs and unveils his songwriting talents with several original pieces.
9:00-11:00
My Music: The British Beat
Petula Clark hosts this special that features classic hits from the Zombies, the Animals and other UK hitmakers, as My Music travels to London and around the UK to the place where the British Beat was born. The show features a mix of rare archival full-length performance films mixed with new live performances, some of which were filmed at the Curb Event Center in Nashville.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
7:00-9:00
Celtic Woman – A New Journey
Recorded at historic Slane Castle, this special features the talented original Celtic Woman members — Chloe, Lisa, Méav, Orla and Máiréad — joined by New Zealand-born singer Hayley Westenra.
9:00-10:00
Full performance footage of their hits, including “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” “Summer in the City” and more, are featured, along with insight from vocalist John Sebastian.
Monday, March 5, 2007
8:00-10:00
My Music: The British Beat See March 3
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
7:00-8:30
Kenny Rogers: The Journey
This special combines a live concert experience with an intimate unveiling of Kenny Rogers’ life story for a spellbinding examination of the life and work of the three-time Grammy Award winner and recent Country Radio Seminar Lifetime Achievement Honoree. Featuring hits such as “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Lucille” and “The Gambler,” Rogers’ story is brought to life with rare concert footage spanning several decades and interviews with Rogers and his friends and colleagues.
8:30-10:30
Yanni: Live! The Concert Event
Yanni’s first television special taped in America, from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, features many of the singer’s classic compositions and fan favorites.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
7:00-9:00
Soundies: A Musical History Hosted by Michael Feinstein
Before television and MTV, there were “soundies.” First appearing in 1941, these three-minute black-and-white films featured big band, jazz and swing-era artists. Viewed for a dime through a special machine called a panoram — a movie jukebox — these forerunners to the music video could be seen in nightclubs, roadhouses, restaurants and other public venues. The program, hosted by four-time Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein, features such noted musicians as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Liberace.
9:00-11:00
Celtic Woman – A New Journey See March 4
Thursday, March 8, 2007
7:00-8:30
Rockabilly Legends: They Called it Rockabilly Long Before They Called it Rock ‘n’ Roll
This chronicle of the birth of rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll journeys from the Depression era cotton fields of Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas into the southern juke joints, honky-tonks, recording studios and rural churches, and onto the world’s stage. The compelling story is told by the musical pioneers themselves: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Buddy Knox, Gene Vincent, the Johnny Burnette Trio and others. Red Robinson and Jerry Naylor host; Wink Martindale narrates.
8:30-9:30
Roy Orbison & Friends – A Black and White Night
Truly a classic, this concert captured in stunning black and white at LA’s Cocoanut Grove in 1986, features Orbison at his best, performing alongside a myriad of equally notable rock legends.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
6:00-7:00
Patsy Cline – Sweet Dreams Still
This show chronicles the singer’s rare televised appearances beginning in 1956 to her final appearance filmed just days before her untimely death in 1963.
7:00-9:00
Lawrence Welk’s TV Treasures
This documentary about the legendary television series features rarely seen footage never-before-seen archival performances by members of the Welk Musical Family, starting with the earliest days of the show. Costume designer Rose Weiss and Larry Welk, the son of Lawrence Welk, discuss the early days of the show and how it evolved from a “band” showcase into a full-fledged weekly series, while members of the Musical Family vividly describe how the show was produced and share “behind the scenes” stories.
9:00-11:00
My Music: Movie Songs
This performance tribute to memorable movie songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s features new performances and classic full-length archival clips. The silver-screen legends of yesteryear are side-by-side with scenes from the films that made these songs famous.
11:00 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Rockabilly Legends: They Called it Rockabilly Long Before They Called it Rock ‘n’ Roll See March 8
Sunday, March 11, 2007
5:30-7:00
Kenny Rogers: The Journey See March 6
9:00-10:30
Heavenly Voices
Italian soprano Giorgia Fumanti, countertenor Ryland Angel and soprano duo Sasha & Shawna are accompanied by the Tim Janis Ensemble in a celebration of song and image.
11:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m.
Dead Ahead — The Grateful Dead in Concert
In October of 1980, the Grateful Dead played a legendary string of concerts at Radio City Music Hall. This film presents highlights of the week-long concert event.
Monday, March 12, 2007
7:00-9:00
Marty Robbins: Seems Like Yesterday
This program features classic clips of Robbins performing his most famous hits such “El Paso,” “A White Sport Coat,” “Story of My Life” and more.
8:00-10:00
My Music: Movie Songs See March 10
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
7:00-9:00
Great Performances Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing.
Some 50 years after amassing a long list of hits, including “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Great Balls of Fire,” Jerry Lee Lewis returned to the charts with “Last Man Standing,” a new album featuring all-star duet versions of his signature songs. GREAT PERFORMANCES brings down the house with an exhilarating new concert performance featuring the “Killer” performing his hits and special duet performances with Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Wood, Tom Jones, Chris Isaak, Don Henley, Buddy Guy, Solomon Burke, Merle Haggard and Kid Rock.
9:00-10:00
The Legacy of Jim Croce
Three decades after his tragic death, Croce’s songs continue to populate radio station playlists. His enduring music is revisited in this retrospective.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
7:00-8:30
Broadway’s Best at Pops
Featuring the renowned conductors of the Boston Pops — Arthur Fiedler, John Williams and Keith Lockhart — this program celebrates the Pops collaborations with all-star performers including Ethel Merman, Sammy Davis Jr., Bernadette Peters, Ben Vereen and others.
8:30-10:00
Super Troupers: 30 Years of ABBA
Group members tell the story of ABBA’s early beginnings, their rise to international acclaim and the reasons for their disbandment.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
8:30-10:00
Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert
Through the magic of modern technology, Elvis is reunited with his original TCB band, his back-up singers and musical director for a unique concert special.
Friday, March 16, 2007
7:00-9:00
Great Performances A Tribute to James Taylor
An all-star lineup including Jackson Brown, David Crosby, Sheryl Crow, Alison Krauss, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Keith Urban and others salutes the legendary singer-songwriter.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
6:00-7:00
Marty Robbins: Seems Like Yesterday
See March 12
7:00-8:30
Ralna English: From My Heart
Ralna English, a longtime star of The Lawrence Welk Show, belts out her renditions of big band, popular, gospel and patriotic songs, accompanied by the 75-piece Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra.
8:30-10:00
Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert
Through the magic of modern technology, Elvis is reunited with his original TCB band, his back-up singers and musical director for a unique concert special.
10:00 p.m. –12:00 a.m.
Great Performances: A Tribute to James Taylor. See March 16
Sunday, March 18, 2007
6:00-7:00
Sinatra: Vegas Live from Caesar’s Palace
In this previously unreleased concert performance from 1978, Frank Sinatra performs signature songs including “All of Me,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Didn’t We,” “My Way” and more.
7:00-9:00
Great Performances Loreena McKennitt: Nights from the Alhambra
Celtic recording artist Loreena McKennitt, who plays the Ryman Auditorium on April 27, presents highlights from a musical repertoire that has captivated audiences and sold more than 13 million records worldwide.
11:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
Great Performances Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing. See March 13
Monday, March 19, 2007
8:00-10:00
Ralph Emery’s Country Legends
Artists such as Willie Nelson, B.J. Thomas, Crystal Gale, Me Tillis, Lorrie Morgan and Kris Kristofferson salute legendary broadcaster Ralph Emery in a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Sinatra: Vegas Live from Caesar’s Palace. See March 18
Thursday, March 22, 2007
8:00-10:00 p.m.
Great Performances: “Barenboim on Beethoven”
Presented in High Definition on NPT-HD (Available on over-the-air digital receivers, Comcast 240 and Charter 788).
Legendary pianist, conductor and recording artist Daniel Barenboim performs five Beethoven sonatas at Berlin’s Staatsoper.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
10:00-11:00
Austin City Limits Coldplay
England’s favorite rock’n’roll band is quickly becoming America’s favorite as well. Hailed as the next U2 or Radiohead, Coldplay has nevertheless created their own sound, which combines sweet melodies and passionate lyrics. The band performs songs from their release, X&Y.
Monday, March 26, 2007
8:00-10:00
American Experience The Carter Family: Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
Presented as part of PBS’ American Experience series, this Emmy Award-winning NPT original documentary explores the lives of roots music pioneers A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter. Artists Marty Stuart, Gillian Welch, Rodney Crowell, Ralph Stanley and Joan Baez appear in the film, together with A.P. and Sara Carter’s children Janette and Joe (who died in March 2005) and granddaughter Rita Forrester. Presented in HD.
Friday, March 30, 2007
11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Soundstage: Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
A great venue, a great tour, two great artists and a great performance. So it was for icons Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles before a sold-out crowd. Their concert together, one of only a handful in the U.S., followed the release of All the Roadrunning, their long-awaited rootsy collaboration. That special night has been captured in this unique SOUNDSTAGE episode. Highlights include the title track “All the Roadrunning,” Emmylou’s “Red Dirt Girl” and Knopfler’s “Speedway at Nazareth.”
Saturday, March 31, 2007
9:00-10:00
Evening at Pops Vanessa Williams
Currently playing Wilhelmina Slater on the hit comedy, Ugly Betty, the incomparable Grammy Award-winning Vanessa Williams joins conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra for a tribute to landmark black Broadway musicals and their performers” Songs include “Beat Out Da Rhythm On A Drum” from Carmen Jones; “Taking A Chance On Love” from Cabin in the Sky; “Come Rain Or Come Shine” from St. Louis Woman; and more.
10:00-11:00
Austin City Limits: Michael McDonald/ Joss Stone
It’s a night of powerful voices as AUSTIN CITY LIMITS presents legendary singer Michael McDonald and soul diva Joss Stone. McDonald cultivated his signature sound with the Doobie Brothers in the 1970s and he continues to wow audiences today. British-born Stone, with a soulful voice that is beyond her years, is impressing both fans and critics with her powerful songs.
As always, you can find our full schedule online at http://www.wnpt.net/schedule.html.
Until next month,
Joe Pagetta
Media Relations