Grammy winning blues artist Keb` Mo` hosts a 13-part series chronicling the rich history and bright future of the genre
SEATTLE--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Oct 15, 2003--In honor of the Year of the Blues and in conjunction with ''The Blues'' television series on PBS, Public Radio International affiliate stations nationwide began broadcasting ''The Blues,'' a 13-hour radio series hosted by Grammy Award-winning bluesman Keb` Mo` on September 28th. Produced by Robert Santelli of Experience Music Project Radio and Ben Manilla of Ben Manilla Productions, ''The Blues'' is currently broadcasting on more than 300 stations nationwide, including stations in all of the top 10 markets. ''The Blues'' radio series is presented by WGBH Radio Boston and exclusively sponsored by Volkswagen.
''With its deep historical roots and complex evolution, the blues is truly the soundtrack of the American experience,'' said Robert Santelli, Experience Music Project Director and CEO, and noted blues historian. ''The Blues'' radio series affords an in-depth look at the rich history and development of the genre. Today`s artists lend their talents as we pay tribute to the founding fathers of the blues and look expectantly towards the future.''
''The Blues'' radio series chronicles blues music from its roots in West Africa; its spread through the rural south to the high-energy blues scenes of Chicago, London, and Memphis; its survival through the lean `70s; resurgence in the `80s; and growth into today`s thriving blues communities. Each episode of the 13-part series features new and archival interviews with blues legends, prominent contemporary artists, record producers, and historians combined with historic and modern-day blues recordings to create the most extensive blues-based radio series ever produced.
In addition, the series includes performances of seminal blues songs by contemporary artists and visits to blues venues such as the Delta Blues Museum, Chess Studios in Chicago, and Beale Street in Memphis, emphasizing the music`s contemporary connections and demonstrating that blues music is alive and well in the 21st century.
Episode One: Birth of the Blues
Locale: Ghana
Episode Two: Goin` Up the Country
Locale: Mississippi Delta
Episode Three: T`aint Nobody`s Business If I Do
Locale: Harlem, New York
Episode Four: Standin` at the Crossroads
Locale: Mississippi Delta
Episode Five: Mystery Train
Locale: Memphis
Episode Six: Sweet Home Chicago
Locale: Chicago
Episode Seven: Key to the Highway
Locale: Newport, R.I.
Episode Eight: Blues Power
Locale: London, England
Episode Nine: Bring it on Home
Locale: San Francisco
Episode Ten: Gimme Back My Wig
Locale: Chicago
Episode Eleven: Texas Flood
Locale: Austin, Texas
Episode Twelve: When Love Comes to Town
Locale: New Orleans
Episode Thirteen: Future Blues
Locale: Seattle, WA
Learn more about individual episodes of ''The Blues'' radio series, locate your local public radio station, or listen online at https://www.yearoftheblues.org/radio
ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
EMP RADIO
Launched in 2002, EMP Radio strives to further the mission and brand of Experience Music Project (EMP). EMP Radio seeks to establish a regular radio presence for Experience Music Project, primarily with the creation of radio specials and series such as The Bluesa, on both commercial and non-commercial airwaves. Blues historian and Experience Music Project Director and CEO Robert Santelli spearheaded EMP Radio and serves as co-producer of ''The Blues'' radio series with Ben Manilla. Santelli`s previous radio projects include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum`s ''I Want to Take You Higher - The Psychedelic Era;'' ''Hard Travelin`: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie;'' and ''The House of Blues Radio Hour.'' Santelli has both written and edited more than a dozen music-related books, including ''The Big Book of Blues'' (Penguin, 1994), ''The Best of the Blues'' (Penguin, 1997), ''American Roots Music'' (Harry Abrams, 2000), and ''The Blues'' (Harper-Collins, 2003). Santelli received the Blues Foundation`s Keeping the Blues Alive award in 2002.
BEN MANILLA PRODUCTIONS
Ben Manilla is one of America`s premier radio producers. Since 1975 he has produced or directed hundreds of programs in virtually every format, from talk and classical music to Spanish language and rock `n` roll for commercial, non-commercial, and international broadcast. Ben Manilla Productions, Inc. (www.bmpaudio.com) launched ''The House of Blues Radio Hour'' hosted by Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd) in September 1993. Since then the programs have become the most successful blues radio series in history. They have won Billboard Magazine`s Syndicated Radio Show of the Year Award, the Grand Award from the International Radio Festival, the Music Journalism Award, the Blues Foundation`s Keeping the Blues Alive Award, and the AGES Award from the Blues Music Foundation.
ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTOR
PUBLIC RADIO INTERNATIONAL (PRI)
PRI is the Minneapolis-based public radio network and audio publisher that supports and distributes programs, many of which are created by leading national producers and are broadcast by its 742 public radio station affiliates. PRI programming also is available on locally-branded public radio station websites, internationally through the World Radio Network, and nationwide via Sirius Satellite Radio. (www.pri.org)
ABOUT WGBH
WGBH Radio Boston engages listeners worldwide through a rich array of regional, national, and international audio services, including such programs as The World, Sound & Spirit with Ellen Kushner, New Year`s Day from Vienna, and Art of the States. An active participant in New England`s vibrant arts community, WGBH Radio brings many of Boston`s world-class musical performances to national audiences through collaborations with National Public Radio and Public Radio International. Visit WGBH Radio online at www.wgbh.org.
|
