Music & Culture

Music & Culture

Dust-To-Digital Producers On Curating And Showcasing 'Harry Smith B-Sides'

1:36pm December 16, 2020

by Sam Briger

Music producers Lance and April Ledbetter talk about curating their new anthology, which collects the flip sides of the 78s Smith chose for his 1952 Anthology of American Folk Music.

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Charley Pride left behind a complex legacy and rich body of work that deserves closer listening.

Music & Culture

There's Only One Charley Pride

11:57am December 16, 2020

by Jewly Hight

Charley Pride was a symbol, ancestor and influence. But the country singer was also a master interpreter of song, his warm baritone attuned to deep emotion.

Dua Lipa performs onstage for the 2020 American Music Awards. Her album, Future Nostalgia, ranks second on Ken Tucker's list of his favorite albums of 2020.

Music & Culture

A Year Like No Other: Ken Tucker Picks 10 Albums That Made An Art Of Escapism

11:53am December 16, 2020

by Ken Tucker

The pandemic, along with unprecedented political and social upheaval, created a year in which listeners sought to be transported. Enter these 10 albums. At the top of the list: X's Alphabetland.

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A toy reindeer is shown on a white background. Radio stations, looking to boost ratings and provide comfort in a pandemic-marred year, started playing songs as early as July. And listeners loved it.

In Pandemic, The Most Wonderful Time For Christmas Songs Turned Out To Be ... In July

7:26am December 16, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

Stations have been playing Christmas music earlier than ever this year, as a way of luring in listeners during the pandemic. One Indiana station was doing it in July.

Jan Vogler and Alessio Bax plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Jan Vogler And Alessio Bax: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

5:00am December 16, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

Join cellist Jan Vogler and pianist Alessio Bax at the "doctor's office," where they make the case for Beethoven as the liberator of the cello by playing music from his cello sonatas.

Latest Deepfake Controversy Raises Legal And Ethical Questions In Music Industry

5:45pm December 15, 2020

by Nimah Gobir

Deepfake technology gained notoriety after some celebrities were made to appear to say things they never said. The latest deepfake controversy hit the music business, with far-reaching implications.

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Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Amanda Shires of The Highwomen.

Music & Culture

The Highwomen Win Big At 2020 Americana Awards

11:40am December 15, 2020

by Ann Powers

The late John Prine was awarded artist of the year, and Black Pumas and fiddler Brittany Haas took home hardware during the abbreviated show.

Borromeo String Quartet plays a Tiny Desk (home) concert.

Music & Culture

Borromeo String Quartet: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

9:25am December 15, 2020

by Tom Huizenga

Members of the celebrated Borromeo String Quartet – playing it safe with masks – unlock the sillier side of Beethoven in music he wrote late in life.

Music & Culture

Jingle Johns Do Double Duty As Singing Choir

6:14am December 15, 2020

A sanitation company in Indiana took 32 porta-johns, and arranged then in rows, like a choir. And animated face on each one lip-syncs as Christmas classics play.

"The Steps" by HAIM lands at No. 9 on public radio's most-played songs of 2020.

Music & Culture

Heavy Rotation: Public Radio's Most Popular Songs Of 2020

9:08am December 14, 2020

Phoebe Bridgers, Tame Impala, Black Pumas and many more of your favorites landed on this list of the most-played songs on public radio stations across the country.