This Week’s eTown Broadcast with Cyndi Lauper and Charlie Musselwhite

Hi everyone,

Hope your week goes well where you are. We certainly have an eclectic show for you this week. Joining us in eTown for the first time ever is Grammy winning, pop music icon Cyndi Lauper. Cyndi continues to explore new territory and to push the limits, as she’s done all along in her colorful music career. It may surprise you to hear that most recently she’s been singing – wait for it – the blues; not necessarily a genre you’d automatically associate with Cyndi but wait till you hear: she rocks it. She shares songs from her latest CD project, ”Memphis Blues” and she brings her large, no make that huge, blues band to play them with her. She’s still got the pipes after all these years, and she sings her heart out.

Also with us, (both with Cyndi – as a member of her blues band – and in his own separate segment as our other musical guest) is eTown favorite iconic bluesman Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie brings beautifully written, raw original tunes from his latest work called “The Well,” a CD with a real deep-country blues feel. He brings his signature world-class harmonica skills and instantly recognizable vocals and teams up with me and Nick and the eTones (you’ll love the traditional tune that Charlie and Nick do together, too; it was worked up spontaneously on the spot and it is one of those one-of-a-kind stellar eTown collaborations that only happens once). BTW I should mention that Charlie and Cyndi were both nominated for a Grammy for “Best Traditional Blues Album” for their respective new CDs, so you can be sure that we’ll have tons of great blues music for you to enjoy. If that isn’t enough, we’re also treated to a brief visit by world music beat masters Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family. And (Whew! I’m getting tired just writing about all of this) there’s also another inspiring E-Chievement Award story for you to round out the show. This one is a classic eTown program you won’t want to miss.

Nice talking with you.

Catch you soon,

Helen

eTown webisode 37 – Charlie Musselwhite performs “Sad and Beautiful World” from etown on Vimeo.

eTown webisode 38 – Charlie Musselwhite and Nick Forster perform “Sittin’ on Top of the World” from etown on Vimeo.

eTown webisode 39 – Cyndi Lauper, Charlie Musselwhite and Mohammed Alidu show finale from etown on Vimeo.

etown webisode 36 – Cyndi Lauper performs “Shattered Dreams” from etown on Vimeo.

This Week’s eTown Broadcast with Jorma Kaukonen and The Guggenheim Grotto

Hello friends,

I hope you are doing well. I am sure that you, like all of us here at eTown, are stunned and saddened by the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others in Arizona. She and her family are in our hearts and thoughts today, as are those who were killed or wounded and also the families of all of the victims.

It’s just incredible that this would happen in this country, at an event where ordinary citizens are gathered to engage in open dialogue and debate of issues with government officials, a right that is the very foundation of our democratic society. I know it gives us all deep pause for thought. It also reinforces, among other things, the importance of what eTown is all about as independent media: to provide a safe and open venue for discussion of a wide range of opinions on environmental and social issues, points of view that you may not hear anywhere else. Whether it’s a visiting musician expressing a personal passion for a particular cause they are involved in or an author or policy maker or activist or an eco-conscious entrepreneur sharing innovative ideas and information, this sort of conversation remains more important than ever to embrace and support. I’m proud and humbled to be a part of that process.

On a happier note, here’s what’s happening on the air this week: Returning to eTown is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, legendary guitarist (and our dear friend) Jorma Kaukonen. Jorma has been a frequent visitor to the show, who has expressed his opinion openly and eloquently on a variety of subjects over the years. He brings along his long-time musical partner Barry Mitterhoff on mandolin; and Nick and I and the Etones back Jorma up musically and vocally for an awesome set of bluesy ‘Americana’ music.

We’re also joined on the show this week by an amazing musical pair from Ireland, Kevin May and Mick Lynch, who are known professionally as Guggenheim Grotto. Nick, Chris, Christian and Ron lend excellent musical support to Mick and Kevin’s great original songs, and I get to provide harmonies for them as well (these guys are amazing singers – what a joy to sing with them). There’s an inspiring and informative ‘in-person’ E-Chievement Award as well, plus a finale tune you won’t want to miss (in my opinion, it’s one of the best finales we’ve ever done). I hope you’ll join us for this encore airing.

Until next week, have a good week; and for now, my very best to you.

Helen

This Week’s eTown Broadcast with Bob Schneider & The Flatlanders

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fun and a safe celebration. We’re back in full swing here at eTown’s World (or is it galactic?) Headquarters, getting back into work mode after a lovely and much needed holiday break for the entire staff and crew.

I bet you’re wondering what’s happening on the air in eTown this week? It’s a ‘back by popular demand’ rebroadcast of one of THE most fun shows we’ve done in eTown’s history. A dynamic pair of Texas-based acts are with us: one who hails from Austin (one of my favorite towns) is singer-songwriter Bob Schneider (who at the time this show originally aired was making his first visit to eTown). What a talented and multi-faceted performer – Nick and the eTones and I have a great time providing backup for him – and he’s also a very nice guy (hilarious too; his conversation with Nick had me laughing out loud). Bob has built a solid career with fans all over the world; he’s done so by creating a steady stream of original music influenced by everything from funk to pop, bluegrass to blues, and just good old-fashioned bar rock. His friend (and all around great guy) Ollie Steck accompanies him on accordion, horn and vocals.

Speaking of friends, we also welcome back our old and dear friends, Texas legends The Flatlanders (Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore & Butch Hancock). All three of these gifted writers and musicians have established prolific, successful solo careers; but I must say they truly shine in this particular collaborative unit. It’s always great to see them, too, and to get to spend some time with them.

In honor of the fact that we have all recently been celebrating the various ‘end of year’ holidays (Hanukkah, Christmas, etc.) we take a look back at a touching, holiday-themed E-Chievement Award story: it’s a tale of dedication, generosity and perseverance that will be likely to move you.

I know you’ll enjoy this week’s classic eTown show. Be sure to tune in or podcast won’t you?

Thanks so much – talk to you next week!

Helen

This Week’s eTown Broadcast with Tori Amos and Loudon Wainwright III

Hi all,

Happy holidays still! Last week we brought you our special holiday show with the Indigo Girls and Tim O’Brien and award winner Jennifer Cullenbine. We weren’t quite ready, though, to bid goodbye to the eTown holiday mood, so this week we offer you a re-airing of a recent past holiday themed show:

Nick and I and the whole eTown crew hit the road to do a show at the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center in New York City. Joining us is brilliant pianist and singer Tori Amos, making her debut eTown appearance (and sharing lovely, stripped down songs from her seasonal CD, Midwinter Graces). It’s just Tori and her piano, in a rare solo performance. (Tell all your friends who are Tori fans, they won’t want to miss this!)

Also joining us is our old friend and veteran eTowner, singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. Loudon is a remarkable musician, writer, actor and show man, whose long career has resulted in numerous albums and CDs, appearances in major movies, and regular stints on television as well. This time he brings us songs from his CD project called High, Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, as well as an original tongue-in-check Christmas song that only Loudon could’ve written!

There’s an inspiring E-Chievement Award interview for you, too, highlighting a NYC man who helps low income folks to keep warm and cozy affordably, by making their homes energy efficient (his long term goal is to ‘green’ the entire Big Apple). Tune in to hear his story, plus a traditional holiday finale song featuring, as usual, all the performers to wrap up the show. The holiday spirit continues, here in eTown!

Best to you always, talk next week,

Helen

This Week’s eTown Broadcast with the Indigo Girls and Tim O’Brien

The holiday season is upon us! Nick is back from seeing the tree lighting ceremony in Washington, DC (this is the one that takes place outside, near the White House – the lights are placed on the same 60 foot living tree every year). It’s put on by our friends at the National Park Foundation (and was attended by President Obama, Michelle Obama and their daughters as well as thousands of eager onlookers; BB King, Maroon Five and others performed and PBS aired the event live; Nick had a front row seat! So sorry I had to miss it).

Photo, Tim Reese

Well, we’re all in the holiday spirit here in eTown too! This week we bring you our special Holiday show from the historic Boulder Theater. Nick and I and the eTones provide musical backup for our friends the Indigo Girls. Amy and Emily bring songs (some original, some classic, some secular, some traditional) from their brand new seasonal CD called “Holly Happy Days;” these are tunes that are guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood (and the conversation between Amy, Emily and Nick is full of funny moments as well as insightful exchanges about this time of year). Nick and I and the house band do the same sort of musical support for our old pal Tim O’Brien, Grammy winning singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (a bit of eTown trivia: Tim is also a Hot Rize band mate of Nick’s), who also joins us to celebrate the season. There’s a powerfully inspirational, holiday themed E-Chievement Award presentation too (if this story doesn’t move you I may have to nominate you for a Scrooge Award!). It’s a show full of all sorts of magical, one-of-a-kind eTown moments. I hope you’ll be with us this week for this very special Holiday program.

Don’t forget, you can help keep etown on the air with a tax deductible, end of year donation. We are a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that only asks for operational support once a year, so please consider giving whatever you can to help keep eTown broadcasts/podcasts coming to you each week. We have great news: a donor has offered a generous $50,000 matching grant! That means every dollar you give will be doubled. Your gift makes a huge difference. Donating is secure and easy to do and there are two ways you can do so: go to our website and donate on-line; OR send a check to: eTown, P.O. Box 954, Boulder, Colorado, 80306.  Help us meet this challenge grant! Thank you in advance.

Happiest of holidays to you all. Best wishes to you always,

Helen

eTown webisode 34 – Indigo Girls perform “Your Holiday Song” from etown on Vimeo.

eTown webisode 29 – Indigo Girls interview from etown on Vimeo.

eTown webisode 32 – Tim O’Brien performs “Makin’ Plans” from etown on Vimeo.

eTown webisode 35 – Tim O’Brien performs “My Girl’s Waiting for Me” from etown on Vimeo.