Monday, October 6, 2014: Bob speaks with popular music scholar Phil Furia talking about his book America’s Songs: The Stories Behind the Songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley. It’s about the most beloved songs of the last century, from the misery of the Depression-era “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” to the postwar optimism of “Young at Heart.” Then we’ll hear from Ken Emerson, author of Always Magic in the Air: The Bomp and Brilliance of the Brill Building Era. During the late 50’s and early 60’s the New York building was a hotbed of musicians and songwriters.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014: In 2007, Bob talked with director Kenneth Branagh and actor Michael Caine about their film Sleuth. It was a remake of the 1972 thriller which starred Caine. But really the interview was just an excuse for Caine to tell hilariously charming stories to entertain Bob and Branagh. Then, 80-year-old Leonard Cohen has a new CD out now, but back when he visited with Bob in 2006, they discussed Cohen’s book of poetry called Book of Longing and a documentary entitled Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man. Cohen has been a monk, a songwriter and a poet.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014: Bob talks with actor, writer and director Harry Shearer about his long career. Shearer provides the voices for around 20 characters on The Simpsons and he got his start in show business at age 7 on The Jack Benny Show. Shearer’s film debut was at age 10 in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars and his radio career continues with Le Show – now available as a podcast.
Thursday, October 9, 2014: Today is the birthday of John Lennon and it’s also the birthday of his son, Sean Lennon. In 2009, Bob talked with Sean Lennon about writing the moody, instrumental score for a low-budget vampire flick…about running his own record label out of his kitchen…and about going into the family business and following in the footsteps of his famous parents, John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Sean Lennon continues to make new music with his girlfriend, model Charlotte Kemp Muhl with their band The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger.
Friday, October 10, 2014: Bob spends the hour with Bill Siemering, one of the founding fathers of public radio. Siemering wrote NPR’s mission statement and launched the network’s first signature program All Things Considered. Siemering is now the President of Developing Radio Partners, an organization dedicated to supporting independent radio stations in young, developing democracies around the world.