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Soundcheck / May 24, 2006

Soundcheck

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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  • May 17th American Idol results
    May 17th American Idol results (americanidol.com)

    American Idol Worship

    Over 30 million viewers are expected to tune into the American Idol finale, which airs tonight. Soundcheck looks into the reasons behind phenomenon. Beyond the passionate singing and pop tunes, the show has become a barometer of popular culture. We'll look at why it's so influential on the music industry, how it embraces the notion of failure, and how it stems from a long tradition of amateur talent contests. Later in the show an Americana idol, bluegrass musician Del McCoury performs live in studio. He'll talk about what it was like singing lead with Bill Monroe in 1963 and winning a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album last year.

American Idol Worship

The next American Idol will be announced tonight, and over 30 million viewers are expected to tune in for the occasion. We look into the reasons behind the frenzy with Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University's Center for the Study of Popular Television and Katherine Meizel, a PhD candidate in ethnomusicology at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
» Katherine Meizel on American Idol

Del McCoury at the Soundcheck Studios on May 24, 2006 (WNYC/Irene Trudel)

Del McCoury: Americana Idol

Bluegrass musician Del McCoury performs live in-studio. He's performed with Bill Monroe and won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album last year.

Arcade Fire

When I Missed the Boat

Soundcheck

How prejudice and second-guessing can cause you to miss some great music. Also, Juilliard-trained pianist Andy Russo joins us to share "Mix Tape," a collection of 14 classical arrangements of nuggets by Billy Joel, James Blunt, the B-52's, and others.

johnny flynn

Johnny Flynn

Soundcheck

Johnny Flynn, a London-based singer-songwriter, performs songs from his new album, "A Larum."

Ahmad Jamal

Ahmad Jamal

Soundcheck

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal was a major influence on Miles Davis in the 50s. Today rappers sample his music. He joins us to discuss his latest album.

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