Schoolhouse Rock taught millions of children about grammar, civics and math -- without many of them even realizing it. Hear from the man who wrote many of those catchy tunes -- Bob Dorough, who recently celebrated his 89^th birthday. He tells us the backstory to many of the program's most popular songs -- and, he performs "Three Is A Magic Number" and "Conjunction Junction" live in the studio.

In 1996, a group of popular bands were asked to participate in a tribute album called Schoolhouse Rock Rocks. We get the backstory on covers from Better Than Ezra, Man Or Astro-Man? and Skee-Lo.

Join us at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 for a live warm-up conversation about the State of American Music.

Legendary music executive Tommy Mottola talks about how a college dropout from the Bronx became one of the music industry's most creative and controversial CEOs. He launched the careers of many superstars, including Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan. In his memoir The Hitmaker: The Man and His Music, he discusses Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and working with giants such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Barbara Streisand, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, and Ozzy Osbourne.

Music executive Tommy Mottola was here on February 7 to talk about his memoir, Hit Maker. He shares some of his music favorites.  Find out what he's listening to!

"I honestly don’t remember watching Saturday morning cartoons when I was kid," Faith Salie says, "but I do remember Schoolhouse Rock. Conduct a poll of 35-45 year-olds, and I guarantee you that a vast majority of them will tell you they learned the meaning of "suffrage" and the Preamble to the Constitution from Schoolhouse Rock."

Shout Out Louds' buoyant track, "Illusions" is not only is it one of the most infectiously joyous  the band has put out in some time, it also showcases what the Swedish indie band does best: Making songs equally spirited and self-reflective.

Back in 1996, a group of young artists, who grew up watching Schoolhouse Rock, created some pretty inventive cover versions for an album called Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks. The rapper Skee-Lo tells us about his re-imagining of "The Tale of Mr. Morton."

Brooklyn rock band Psychic Ills plays Bowery ballroom Thursday night. Download the track "Might Take A While."

When filmmaker Jay Bulger named his latest documentary Beware of Mr. Baker, he wasn’t exaggerating. The film begins and ends with its main character, legendary rock drummer Ginger Baker, attacking Bulger and breaking his nose with a metal cane. Known for his work in bands like Cream and Blind Faith – and, notoriously, for his drug use and temper – Ginger Baker largely disappeared from the music scene in the mid-1970s. But, surprisingly enough, his dramatic life carries on to this day. In the documentary, Bulger puts Baker’s otherworldly talent and tragic flaws on full display.

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Watch the violinist, composer and singer bring his melodic chamber pop to life in the studio.

Grammy-nominated musician Richard Thompson talks about his new album, “Electric,” a guitar-driven set of 11 new songs, released by New West Records. Thompson has been named one of the “20 Greatest Guitarists” by Rolling Stone and called “one of this world’s most gifted songwriters” by American Songwriter.

Amanda Palmer knows how to use the internet. She was the first musician to raise over a million dollars on Kickstarter last year to record and release Theatre Is Evil, which debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard chart with no music industry backing.

Many people know Muzak as a catch-all for plain background music, but it's actually the name of a brand and a company. And this week, the company that owns Muzak - Mood Media - had decided to retire the Muzak brand name for good.

British pop icon Lulu talks about her career. She sung such classics as “To Sir With Love” and “Shout,” and she’s performed on American Idol, written the Grammy nominated hit “I Don't Wanna Fight” for Tina Turner, and been one of the center pieces of the Mike Figgis/Martin Scorses documentary on the influence of R & B on American music “Red, White and Blues.” Lulu makes her U.S. debut in New York on February 16 at B.B. King Blues Club.