The Bob Edwards Show, April 15-19, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013: Bill Veeck was born into baseball. His sportswriter father became president of the Chicago Cubs, and Bill later worked for owner Phil Wrigley, rebuilding Wrigley Field to achieve the famed ambience that exists today. In his late twenties, he bought into his first team, the American Association Milwaukee Brewers. He later bought the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns and the Chicago White Sox. In 1947, Veeck signed Larry Doby, the American League’s first black player. A year later, he signed the legendary black pitcher Satchel Paige, who helped win the 1948 World Series—Cleveland’s last championship to this day. Bob talks to Paul Dickson about his book Bill Veeck: Baseball’s Greatest Maverick. It’s now out in paperback. Then, Bob talks with Joe Boyd about a new CD tribute to the music of Nick Drake. Drake was a British folk musician who died in 1974 after recording only three albums. Boyd was the producer of Drake’s first two records and also produced this new CD of covers titled Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013: Writer Meg Wolitzer’s new novel, The Interestings, follows the lives and relationships of six teenagers who met at a summer camp for the arts in 1974. Wolitzer is the author of The New York Times bestseller The Ten-Year Nap, as well as a number of other novels. Then, National Book Award finalist and Edgar Award winner Jess Walter’s novel, Beautiful Ruins, examines our contemporary obsession with celebrity. This epic tale spans 50 years, beginning in Italy with a young American actress in the legendary Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton behemoth Cleopatra. It’s now out in paperback.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013: Since Quincy Jones discovered him fifty years ago; Grammy-winning pianist Bob James had forged a diverse and successful career in music. Fans of 1970s television will remember the theme to Taxi, Angela, a Bob James composition. One group who clearly appreciated James’ music was the seminal rap trio Run DMC who sampled James’ cover of Paul Simon’s Take Me to the Mardi Gras, introducing James to a whole new generation of fans. In 1990, James began a group named Fourplay, with whom he has recorded a dozen albums. Their latest is titled “Esprit De Four” and the band will tour throughout the spring.
Thursday, April 18, 2013: For a decade now, the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression has celebrated the ideals of its namesake by recognizing those who, in the past year, forgot or disregarded Mr. Jefferson’s admonition that freedom of speech ‘cannot be limited without being lost.’ Announced on or near April 13 — the anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson (this year it will be on the 11th)— the Jefferson Muzzles are awarded to the most egregious subverters of the First Amendment. Bob talks to the Director of the Center, Josh Wheeler. Then, kids tend to get squirmy after too long in church, but when your mother is the preacher, the phrase “Be Good” carries a lot of weight. That’s the name of Gregory Porter’s latest release, a soulful r&b record heavily influenced by gospel & blues. Porter developed his love for music in his mother’s church, but he found his first real breakthrough in the theater. Now, Porter’s recording career is on the rise, as evidenced by the two Grammy nominations earned from his first two albums.
Friday, April 19, 2013: Doyle McManus, Washington columnist for the Los Angeles Times, joins Bob to discuss the latest political news. Next, in 1952, Marie Tharp discovered and mapped the mid-oceanic ridge. Author Hali Felt argues that Tharp is one of the greatest forgotten scientists of the 20th century. She has written a book about Tharp’s life and discovery titled Soundings:The Story of the Remarkable Woman Who Mapped the Ocean Floor. Finally, the latest installment of our ongoing series This I Believe.