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Soundcheck

Wednesday, August 24, 2005
  • Sonya Kitchell
    Sonya Kitchell (www.sonyakitchell.com)

    From Wunderkinds to Wal-Mart

    Country-tinged singer-songwriter Amy Rigby's fifth album "Little Fugitive" is in stores today. For the making of this album, Rigby returned to New York City, where she started her career as a solo artist in 1996 with "Diary Of A Mod Housewife." She joins guest host Anthony DeCurtis today. Also: At the tender age of sixteen, Sonya Kitchell has found her voice. The youthful jazz singer visits the show to share with us her passion. Finally, country superstar Garth Brooks has made an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart, making the world's biggest retailer the only place where his music will be sold. We're joined by Rolling Stone writer Steve Knopper, who explains why this deal is unprecedented, and what it means for music fans.

Garth Brooks Now a Wal-Mart only artist

Garth Brooks has now signed on with Wal-Mart as an exclusive artist. What kind of ramifications will this have for the music industry? Rolling Stone writer Steve Knopper joins us.
» More about the Garth Brooks-Wal-Mart Deal on Blogcritics.com.

Amy Rigby

Amy Rigby, a New Yorker who relocated to Nashville several years ago, is back in town, where she wrote her latest album. She joins us with a live performance.
» Amy Rigby's Web site

Sonya Kitchell

Sixteen-year-old jazz singer Sonya Kitchell gives a live performance in the WNYC studio.
» Sonya Kitchell's Web site

Best Live Performances of 2008

Soundcheck

We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

Soundcheck

Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

Soundcheck

Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.