Dear Supporter,

A couple of years ago, I caught Tom Waits perform at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis during a rare trek for the artist through several Southern states. In the encore, he played a stirring version of his beautiful and lyrical anti-war lament "Day After Tomorrow." In the song, a soldier writes home, exhausted from a war he's conflicted about fighting, but filled with hope about his return to Illinois, the day after tomorrow. Among the things he misses, is "shoveling snow and raking leaves." For the listener, the song is a love letter to the things we take for granted, yet fraught with anxiety and uncertainty. We're reading the letter, but we know there are still two days before the soldier returns.

Joan Baez was so taken with the song, written by Waits and his wife and collaborator Kathleen Brennan, that she not only recorded it, but made it the title of her 2008 Steve Earle-produced album. An anti-war song in the hands of Baez is something to behold, and in September of last year, I got to hear her perform it live at the Ryman Auditorium, on the occasion of her receiving the Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Waits' voice embodies the withered soul of the soldier, and it's easy to imagine him speaking directly to us. Baez has always been one of folk music's greatest interpreters, and accompanied by only her acoustic guitar, she delivered a powerful, deliberate rendition of the song that left the auditorium stunned. It was 2008, seven years into the war in Afghanistan and five years into the war in Iraq, and here's the legendary folk singer and activist Joan Baez, some 50 years into her career, standing in front of several thousand people with only an acoustic guitar, delivering a powerful and contemporary anti-war song. Had I walked outside and caught famed high-wire artist Philippe Petit walking between the spires of the AT&T Building downtown, it would not have surprised me.

How Baez has remained as vital as she has for 50 years is the subject of the excellent American Masters portrait, Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound, airing Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. It's the first comprehensive documentary to examine her recording career and journey as the conscience of a generation.

NPT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin Music, USA, a documentary series celebrating the Latin rhythms at the heart of jazz, rock, country and R&B, on Mondays, October 12 and 19, 8:00-10:00 p.m. Narrated by acclaimed Golden Globe and Emmy-award winning actor Jimmy Smits, the doc featuring stories and performances by Latino artists Celia Cruz, Carlos Santana, the Fania All-Stars, Shakira, Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin, along with exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage.

Dave Matthews Band kicks of the 35th Season of Austin City Limits on Saturday October 3. Joining DMB this month are Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, Kenny Chesney, Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, M. Ward and Okkervil River. It's another great month of music programming on NPT.

Friday, October 2, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Soundstage: Counting Crows: Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings.
In this SOUNDSTAGE set, Counting Crows performs the majority of their fifth studio release, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings, a tightly crafted concept album that’s the perfect combination of high and low.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

10:00-11:00 - Legends & Lyrics: Shawn Colvin, John Hiatt, Jessi Colter.
This episode highlights blended folk/pop musical genre. Shawn Colvin performs “These Four Walls,” “Let It Slide” and “Don’t Worry About Me Now.” John Hiatt performs “Drive South,” “Thunderbird” and “What Love Can Do.” Alex Harvey is this week’s Legend; Will Hoge is the Rising Star.

11:00-12:00 midnight - Austin City Limits: Dave Matthews Band.
Rock superstars the Dave Matthews Band kick off ACL’s 35th season with hits and songs from their latest album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King .

Friday, October 9, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Soundstage: Idina Menzel with Josh Groban and Ravi Coltrane.
Tony Award-winner Menzel was featured in Rent and Wicked, two of the best-selling musical cast recordings of all time. Throughout this special episode, Menzel shares stories of her upbringing, early career and lyrics before launching into songs from her third album, I Stand. Critically acclaimed saxophonist Ravi Coltrane contributes to her signature sound on “Perfume and Promises,” and in a show-stopping finale, Josh Groban drops by and joins Menzel in a duet of his hit single “Awake.”

Saturday, October 10, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Austin City Limits: Ben Harper and the Relentless7.
Ben Harper debuts his new band, Relentless7, with a rocking set drawn from his album White Lies for Dark Times.

Monday, October 12, 2009

8:00-10:00 - Latin Music USA: Bridges/The Salsa Revolution.
The first hour traces the rise of Latin jazz and the explosion of the mambo and the cha-cha as they swept the U.S. The second hour explores how salsa became a defining rhythm for Latinos the world over.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

7:00-8:30 - American Masters: Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound.
This first comprehensive documentary on Joan Baez examines her recording career as well as her unwavering journey as the conscience of a generation.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

9:00-10:00 - In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina.
President and First Lady Obama celebrate Hispanic music and heritage with performances by Gloria Estefan, Jose Feliciano and Sheila E, among others.

11:00-12:00 midnight - Keeping Score: Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique.
Michael Tilson Thomas searches for the inspirations of Berlioz and his music, from his roots in the French Alps to the theater in Paris where the Symphonie fantastique premiered.
 
Friday, October 16, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Soundstage: Foreigner.
One of the most popular rock acts of the 70s and 80s, and now led by singer Kelly Hansen and lead guitarist Mick Jones, Foreigner delivers a show packed with hits “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Cold as Ice,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Urgent,” as well as its newest single, “Too Late.”  
 
Saturday, October 17, 2009

7:00-8:00 - Lawrence Welk Show

11:00-12:00 midnight - Austin City Limits: Kenny Chesney.
Country music superstar Kenny Chesney hits the ACL stage for a tour through his greatest hits.
 
Sunday, October 18, 2009

9:30-10:00 Tuba U: Basso Profundo
This film highlights tuba maestro and Tennessee Tech music professor Winston Morris and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gunther Schuller.  

Monday, October 19, 2009

8:00-10:00 - Latin Music USA: The Chicano Wave/Divas and Superstars.
In the first hour, Mexican Americans in California, Texas and throughout the Southwest created their own distinct musical voices during the second half of the 20th century. The final hour focuses on the Latin pop explosion of the turn of the 21st century and the success of artists like Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan and Shakira in the English-language market.
 
Tuesday, October 20, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Voces: Tito Puente: The King of Latin Music.
Bill Cosby, Marc Anthony, Geraldo Rivera, Jimmy Smits, Paquito D’Rivera and other family, friends and colleagues pay homage to the late mambo and Latin jazz legend Tito Puente. Archival footage, interviews and excerpts from one of Puente’s last concerts piece together the life of the popular bandleader, percussionist and composer. 

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

7:00-9:00 - Great Performances: The Los Angeles Philharmonic Opening Gala with Gustavo Dudamel.
Great Performances joins the opening night festivities for new music director Gustavo Dudamel‘s inaugural concert.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Keeping Score: Ives: Holiday Symphony.
American composer Charles Ives created his Holidays Symphony as a haunting sonic portrait of New England at the turn of the 20th century, at turns sentimental and chaotic. Michael Tilson Thomas explores the riddle of Ives the loyal son and businessman versus Ives the musical maverick who made listeners confront their understanding of what music could be.

Friday, October 23, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Soundstage: B.B. King.
Truly the reigning king of blues, B.B. King over the last 60 years has developed one of the world’s most identifiable guitar styles and has influenced thousands of musicians. With his trademark Gibson “Lucille” settled on his lap, King presents a set filled with staggering guitar jams on hits like “The Thrill Is Gone” and “One Kind Favor.” Special guests Terrence Howard, Solange and guitarist Richie Sambora stop by to jam and pay tribute to this renowned blues master.
 
Saturday, October 24, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Austin City Limits: Andrew Bird/St. Vincent.
Eclectic singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird dazzles with songs from his Noble Beast album, followed by the imaginative indie pop of St. Vincent.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

11:00-12:00 - Keeping Score: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5.
The Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich is the story of a fall from grace and redemption. Shostakovich was the golden boy until, virtually overnight, his patriotism was questioned and publicly condemned. Written in 1937 in Stalinist Russia, the Fifth Symphony marked his triumphant return. But the question remains: What did the composer mean to say with this enigmatic music? In scenes filmed in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony offer clues to unlocking Shostakovich’s musical secrets and make the case for how this symphony may have saved his life.

Friday, October 30, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Soundstage: Umphrey’s McGee.
Well-known on the jam-band circuit, Chicago-based Umphrey’s McGee has perfected the art of progressive improvisation. Swirling guitars and innovative multi-faceted arrangements keep fans on their toes. With power and finesse, the sextet brings jamming to a new level during this episode of SOUNDSTAGE. A flair for spontaneity, dazzling musicianship and an impressive live presence make Umphrey’s McGee a must-see as they perform “Higgins,” “Ocean Billy,” “Morning Song” and many others.
 
Saturday, October 31, 2009

11:00-12:00 midnight - Austin City Limits: M. Ward/Okkervil River.
M. Ward graduates from guest spots to his own headline ACL performance, highlighting his latest LP, Hold Time. Austin indie rock favorite Okkervil River follows. 

As always, you can check the NPT schedule at wnpt.net.

Until next month,

Joe Pagetta
Media Relations Manager