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You have probably figured out by now that pledge drive months mean big concert events and special programming. I've always considered it a gala event on the air, where the diverse entertainment includes Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Andrea Bocelli, Alison Krauss, James Taylor, Elvis Presley, David Foster and more. That said, I can't recall in recent memory a stronger, or more diverse, lineup of music programming than what we're bringing you this month. There are so many good shows this month, and something for every taste, that it's hard to focus on just a few. So I'm going to point out a few of the specials that I'm looking forward to most. I never saw The Police in concert, neither in their prime, nor when they reunited in 2007, but the trio of records they released in the early 80s, Zenyatta Mondatta, Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity, all got considerable spin time on my bedroom record player. A few years later, I even went back to 1978's Outlandos d'Amour to dig up "Can't Stand Losing You" for a desperate, last minute mix-tape attempt to win a girl's heart. That's serious stuff. That's why I'm looking forward to the Great Performances presentation of The Police Certifiable on March 4 at 8:30 p.m. The concert, recorded in Buenes Aires in 2007 during the band's farewell tour, looks to be outstanding.
Speaking of trying to win a girl's heart, you can do no wrong digging into the Stax and Volt Records' catalog. Or, if you are living in Oslo, Norway and it's 1967, taking that girl to the concert captured in Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue - Live in Norway 1967, airing on Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. Can you imagine Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and Booker T. and the MG's, in their prime, on the same bill? It's shows like this that put the video camera up there with the wheel and fire as one of man's greatest inventions. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live from Barcelona; the Rising Tour; "Incident on 57th Street;" "Night," an emotional and moving version of "My City of Ruins." I caught this tour live twice, in Miami and in New Jersey, and the band, and the Boss, were magnificent. Tune in, on Sunday, March 8 at 8:30 to witness the transcendent power of a Springsteen concert. Throw Down Your Heart (Thursday, March 5 at 8:30 p.m.), which chronicles Nashville banjo master Bela Fleck's journey to Africa to trace the history of his instrument and play along with some of the finest musicians in several African countries, was a big hit at last year's South By Southwest and Nashville Film Festivals. Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli pay tribute to the late legendary Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti in Pavarotti: Salute Petra (Monday, March 2 at 7:00 p.m.).
There's plenty more, of course, but I should really get to the listings. It's another great month of music programming on NPT.
Sunday, March 1, 2009 7:00-9:00 - Celtic Woman: The Greatest Journey.
Celtic Woman performs a collection of beloved and memorable songs intertwined with stunning scenic and landscape images of Ireland.
Monday, March 2, 2009 7:00-8:00 - Pavarotti: Salute Petra.
This official tribute concert in honor of legendary Italian tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, features Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Cynthia Lawrence, Angela Gheorghiu, and Andrea Bocelli.
8:00-10:00 - Yanni Voices: Live from the Forum in Acapulco.
Yanni and vocalists Nathan Pacheco, Chloe, Ender Thomas and Leslie Mills perform at the new Forum at Mundo Imperial in Acapulco, Mexico. Tuesday, March 3, 2009 7:00-8:30 - Country Bluegrass Homecoming.
Country, bluegrass and classic gospel legends gather together in this musical celebration featuring George Jones, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Ralph Stanley and more.
8:30-10:00 - 3 Mo' Divas.
Three classically trained, genre-defying divas — Laurice Lanier, Nova Payton and Jamet Pittman — perform a varied program of jazz, blues, opera, gospel, and even disco.
 Wednesday, March 4, 2009 7:00-8:30 - Paul Simon: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
The first to receive the LIbrary of Congress Gershwin Prize (Steve Winder is this year's recipient) Simon was honored at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC, with quests Yolanda Adams, Jerry Douglas, Art Garfunkel, Alison Krauss, Lyle Lovett, James Taylor and others.
8:30-10:00 - Great Performances: The Police Certifiable.
More than two decades after the break-up and over thirty years since the initial release of “Roxanne,” Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland, and Sting teamed up one last time in 2007 to launch the band’s farewell tour. GREAT PERFORMANCES captures the Police in this once-in-a-lifetime event, in concert from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Thursday, March 5, 2009 8:30-10:00 - Throw Down Your Heart.
In this hit from last year's Nashville Film Festival, a film crew follows celebrated banjo player Bela Fleck on his travels to Africa, where he learns about the instrument's origins.
10:30-12:00 midnight - Paul Simon: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
See Wednesday, March 4. Friday, March 6, 2009 10:30-12:00 - midnight 3 Mo' Divas. Saturday, March 7, 2009 6:00-7:00 - Conspirare: A Company of Voices.
7:00-9:00 - Daniel O'Donnell: Hope and Praise.
Daniel O’Donnell, accompanied by vocalist Mary Duff and young adult and children’s choirs, performs multi-denominational hymns, up-tempo gospel songs and pop tunes.
9:00-11:00 - My Music: My Generation - The 60s.
This concert special focuses on the years 1965-1969 and includes essential 60s folk rock, R&B and pop hits.
11:00-1:00 a.m. - My Music: My Generation - The 60s. Sunday, March 8, 2009 3:00-4:00 - Gospel Music of Johnny Cash.
7:00-8:30 - Chris Botti: Live in Boston.
Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti is joined onstage by Sting, Lucia Micarelli, John Mayer, Josh Groban, Katharine McPhee, Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Tyler, and Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops.
8:30-10:00 - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live from Barcelona.
On October 16, 2002, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band took the stage of the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain, to deliver a soul-stirring concert experience.
10:00-11:30 - Great Performances The Police Certifiable.
See Wednesday, March 4. Monday, March 9, 2009 7:00-10:00 - Rock, Rhythm & Doo Wop.
Hosted by Frankie Valli, Jerry Butler and Lloyd Price, this concert lineup features more than 200 performers from rock and roll, R&B and doo wop music.
10:30-12:00 midnight - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live from Barcelona.
See Sunday, March 8. Tuesday, March 10, 2009 8:30-10:00 - Highland Heartbeat.
Singer and actress Fiona Kennedy, known in North America as the host of Tartan TV, leads a group of Scottish singers brought together after a country-wide audition. Wednesday, March 11, 2009 7:00-9:00 - Great Performances: Hitman: David Foster and Friends.
Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Peter Cetera, Celine Dion, and many others, salute writer, producer and maestro to the stars, David Foster.
9:00-10:00 - Dave Koz at the Movies.
World-renowned adult contemporary artist Dave Koz performs a collection of timeless movie themes with the help of an all-star cast of vocalists. Thursday, March 12, 2009 7:00-8:30 - Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue -- Live in Norway 1967.
Filmed April 7, 1967 in Oslo, Norway, this special concert captures venerated soul icons, including Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. and the MG's, in their prime.
8:30-10:00 - John Denver: A Song's Best Friend.
In selections from his popular television specials and rare concert footage, John Denver performs classics including "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "Country Roads," and "Rocky Mountain High."
10:30-12:30 a.m. - Great Performances Hitman: David Foster and Friends.
See Wednesday, March 11. Friday, March 13, 2009 10:30-12:00 midnight - Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue -- Live in Norway 1967.
See Thursday, March 12.
Saturday, March 14, 2009 6:00-7:00 - Gospel Music of Johnny Cash.
8:30-10:30 - My Music: 50's Pop Parade.
The 1950s come alive through music and memories with Jerry Vale, Kay Starr, the Mills Brothers, the Four Lads, Patti Page, the Ink Spots and more.
Sunday, March 15, 2009 9:00-10:30 a.m. - Highland Heartbeat.
10:30-12:00 noon - John Denver: A Song’s Best Friend.
12:00 noon -1:30 p.m. - Great Performances Hit Man: David Foster and Friends.
7:00-8:00 - He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley’s love of gospel music is explored in this touching documentary.
9:30-11:00 - Sweet Soul: Stax/Volt Revue -- Live in Norway 1967.
See Thursday, March 12. Monday, March 16, 2009 7:00-9:00 - The Osmonds 50th Anniversary Reunion.
All seven Osmonds reunite to perform many of their best-selling hits. Classic clips and photos are presented around many of the performances.
9:00-10:00 - Pavarotti: Salute Petra
See Monday, March 2.
10:30-12:00 midnight Chris Botti: Live in Boston.
See Sunday, March 8. Wednesday, March 18, 2009 7:00-8:30 - Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, Part 1.
Legendary Philly soul artists, including the O’Jays, Harold Melvin’s Bluenotes, Russell Thompkins and the New Stylistics, Jerry Butler, the Delphonics, and many others, perform. Thursday, March 19, 2009 7:00-8:30 - John Denver Wildlife Concert. Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:00-10:00 - Gershwin at One Symphony Place.
In this national PBS broadcast premiere, the Nashville Symphony, led by its new music director, Giancarlo Guerrero, performs an all-Gershwin program featuring guest pianist Kevin Cole. Friday, March 27, 2009 11:00-12:00 midnight - Live from the Artists Den: Alanis Morrisette.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 10:00-11:00 - Austin City Limits: Corinne Bailey Rae/KT Tunstall.
As always, you can check the NPT schedule at wnpt.net. Until next month, Joe Pagetta
Media Relations Manager
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