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Statue of Gene Autry in the courtyard of the Autry Museum. (dnhoshor/flickr)Back in the Saddle
Gene Autry is the granddaddy of all cowboys and inspired the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Ringo Star. We talk to the author of a new biography of the Hollywood legend. Also: Donovan, the British bard who wrote such psychedelic era classics as "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman" is back on the scene, groovy as ever. He joins us. And finally: Glen Hansard of the Irish rock band The Frames.
A Western Life
Gene Autry was more than just America's favorite singing cowboy. He invested early in real estate and broadcast media, owned the California Angels baseball team, and was listed in the Fortune 400 in the 1990s. We talk about Autry with Holly George-Warren, author of “Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry.”
Donovan
Folk-pop icon Donovan gave us a batch of unforgettable, undeniably "Sixties" hit singles. But he deserves credit for more than just "Mellow Yellow." We talk with the Scottish-born songwriter about his famous rock friendships, pop history, and his new musical ideas. He performs tomorrow night at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Glen Hansard
The frontman of the popular Irish band The Frames is no stranger to the camera. Glen Hansard played a guitarist in a hard-scrabble working band in 1991's The Commitments. Now, he stars with Marketa Irglova in Once, a film about two musicians who write music that becomes the soundtrack to their love story. Hansard talks about the film before his performance tonight at the Tribeca Film Festival.
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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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Soundcheck Blog
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.
The Journey of Quincy Jones
Soundcheck
During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"
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Pop's Love Affair With Death
Soundcheck
Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."
Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?
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Behind the public face of John Lennon
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Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.
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The Soul of British Soul
Soundcheck
British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.
