NPT Music Monthly June 2009

Updated June 24 to remove mention of Levon Helm: Ramble at the Ryman on June 25.

How’s this for synergy? Legendary guitarist and producer Chet Atkins bestowed the title of Certified Guitar Player (C.G.P.) on only four individuals: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, Jerry Reed and Steve Wariner. An Australian “Entertainer of the Year” and two-time Grammy nominee, Emmanuel is something to behold. He’s an amazing guitar player, dazzling performer and a true showman, and we’re proud to bring him to you this month with Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage on Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. Now for the synergy part, public television style.

Even if you’re not a guitar nut, or familiar with Emmanuel or the other C.G.P.s, you might recognize one of them from our air. Often during our membership drives, the great John Knowles volunteers his time to come in the studio and talk to you about the value and importance of supporting public television. What are the odds? How often do you get one C.G.P. on air, and one in the studio? That’s why we’re proud to say that Knowles, along with Les Kerr — no slouch in the musicianship department either — is scheduled to join us in the studio during the June membership drive broadcast of the Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage. Tune in for a great performance by Emmanuel peppered by talk of public television and diminished chords!

Music and the Civil Rights movement have been inextricably linked for so long, it’s amazing a show like Freedom Songs: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement is only now coming to public television. Hosted by Chuck D., whose own band Public Enemy gave a voice to the disenfranchised and provided a soundtrack to the concerns of African-Americans in the late 80s and early 90s, the program was worth the wait. It illustrates how important music was to the success of the civil rights movement and how well it captured the vitality and idealism necessary to fuel dangerous marches, sit-ins, picket lines and freedom rides. Tune in on Monday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m.

Did you catch Pete Seeger performing in D.C. during Inaugural weekend? His performance was inspiring enough, but then — at almost 90 years-old — he jogged off the stage like a teenager. Amazing. Tune in on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. for Pete Seeger: Live in Australia 1963, a classic concert performance from when Seeger was just a young kid of age 45. He performs a set of folk music standards, fun children’s songs, international freedom songs, and what-were-then “new” songs from Peter Paul & Mary, Tom Paxton, and Bob Dylan.

KT Tunstall and Josh Ritter are Live From the Artists Den, Susan Tedeschi and Ron Sexsmith are on Legends & Lyrics and David Garrett is Live in Berlin … it’s another great month of music programming on NPT.