On Demand
Soundcheck
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The Little Willies. (Bill Swersey/WNYC)
From Adult Pop to Kiddie Rock
Singer Norah Jones has teamed up with some fellow New York musicians to form The Little Willies, performing country-flavored songs by Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt and Willie Nelson. The group joins us today to share music from their self-titled debut album. Also: music for little kids increasingly means big bucks in an otherwise sluggish period for the music industry. Last week, all three top positions on the Billboard sales chart were occupied by albums made for children: the soundtrack to the Disney movie "High School Musical," Jack Johnson's soundtrack to the film "Curious George" and "Kidz Bop 9," the latest in an ongoing series. Joining us is Robert Levine, a journalist who wrote about the phenomenon for the New York Times and Brady Rymer, a children's music perfomer. Finally, Jay Trachtenberg from KUT-radio previews the 20th annual South by Southwest Festival.
Children's music rocks
A look at the growing popularity of kid's music with musician Brady Rymer, and Robert Levine, a freelance reporter for the New York Times.
» The Top-Selling Tunes on Billboard, Sung by Children for Children (External links remain active only temporarily)
» Brady Rymer's Web site
The Little Willies
A visit with the country swing-flavored band whose members include Nora Jones; they perform "It's Not You, It's Me" and "I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive" from their self-titled debut album.
» The Little Willies Web site
South by Southwest
A look at this year's South by Southwest Festival, with Jay Trachtenberg of KUT radio in Austin.
» KUT's Web site
» South by Southwest Web site
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
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Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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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.
Your "Democracy Song"
Soundcheck
As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.
Buying Music: A Smackdown Series
Soundcheck
Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune
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Atmosphere
Soundcheck
With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.
- Comments [2]
Tin Pan Alley
Soundcheck
A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.
I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!
Soundcheck
Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.
- Comments [1]
Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile
Soundcheck
Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.
- Comments [7]
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