Series: A Musician's Life

Produced by WXPN

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A grab bag of musicians muse about the creative and mundane aspecs of their lives. WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum hosts this ongoing five minute weekly series

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including:

? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art
? How they work with the music industry
? How they feel about critics and fans
? The realities of touring
? The stories behind specific songs
? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives
? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives
? Dealing with writer?s block
? Growing up wanting to be an artist
? Taking care of the voice
? Taking care of one?s health

This is a five-minute weekly series hosted by WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum. She created the feature in 2006 and won the 2007 ACE award (Award for Creative Excellence in the Triple A category) for her efforts. Even though Tracey hosts and interviews the artists, she makes sure they take center stage, adding her voice or question only when appropriate. So AML has a first person feel. The program features a hefty-dose of each artist's music. The 5 minute length provides an option for stations looking for other content to replace NPR newscasts.

Performers include Sheryl Crow, Nick Lowe, Bob Mould, Mary Gauthier, Tegan and Sara, John Doe, Jim White, Vusi Mahlasela, Michael Penn, Kristin Hersh, Jill Sobule, Colin Hay, Tift Merritt, Jason Isbell, Francis Dunnery and more, more, more... Hide full description

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including: ? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art ? How they work with the music industry ? How they feel about critics and fans ? The realities of touring ? The stories behind specific songs ? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives ? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives ? Dealing with writer?s block ? Growing up wanting to be an artist ? Taking care of the voice ? Taking care of one?s health This is a five-minute weekly series...
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50 pieces

Order by: Default | Newest First | Oldest First
Ralphcovert_square
Ralph Covert doesn't see much difference between the music he made with his Chicago indie-rock band The Bad Examples and the songs he churns out fo...

  • Added: Nov 21, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
C
As a young sax player, C.J. Chenier planned to pursue a career in jazz. Then his father Zydeco great Clifton Chenier, recruited his son to play in...

  • Added: Nov 20, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
Duncansheik_square
Singer songwriter Duncan Sheik feels much more at ease watching other people perform his work. He likes writing and recording his own albums but h...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and Mississippi Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Nov 10, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Bentaylor_square
Ben Taylor resisted becoming a musician for a lot of reasons, beginning with the pressure of his lineage. Taylor is the son of James Taylor and Ca...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, KUFM - Montana Public Radio, and KMXT


  • Added: Nov 03, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 3
G
Meet Garrett Dutton III, AKA G. Love. He was 19 and busking on the streets of Philadelphia when he hit on his signature style--what he's termed "T...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio


  • Added: Oct 13, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Justintownesearle_square
Justin Townes Earle talks about his childhood as the son of songwriter Steve Earle, his teenage infatuation with drugs and alcohol and why he prefe...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 29, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Chriswalla_square
Chris Walla doesn't take anything for granted. As producer and guitarist for one of today's most popular bands, Chris is happy his old audience re...

Bought by KMXT


  • Added: Sep 23, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Liamfinn_square
In New Zealand Liam Finn's dad Neil Finn (of Split Enz and Crowded House) is royalty. Both in the U.S. and at home Liam is trying to establish him...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 22, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Martinsexton_square
Musician Martin Sexton is a pretty happy guy. After years of struggling, he seems to have it all.

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 16, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Carrierodriguez_square
Carrie Rodriguez thought she'd spend her career backing other musicians. Now the fiddler and singer songwriter has folks who back her plus a new a...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Sep 12, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Chiptaylor_square
Chip Taylor has been a professional golfer, gambler and hit-making songwriter. He says some of his obsessions have served him well.

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio


  • Added: Sep 11, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Joanphoto_square
The performer known for her 1995 hit "One of Us" is back with a new album. Joan recorded "Little Wild One" as a love letter to her adoped home of ...

Bought by KMXT


  • Added: Aug 22, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Lesliegore01_square
In the early 1960's Leslie Gore's songs spoke to adolescents. With the British invasion, Gore lost her appeal to the teen set but she continued m...

Bought by KMXT


  • Added: Aug 19, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 1
Johndoe_square
John Doe is best known for his contributions to X, one of America's seminal punk rock bands. Nearly three decades after X's inception, John Doe is...

  • Added: Aug 11, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
Chuckprophet_square
San Francisco-based roots artist Chuck Prophet loves the musician's life but never glorifies it. His songs have earned him critical praise and a h...

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, KMXT, and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Aug 01, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 3
Jeffdaniels_square
Jeff Daniels is best known as a versatile actor but he says playing music gives him greater creative freedom.

Bought by KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 18, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Michaelpenn_square
Michael Penn is married to Aimee Mann-a member of indie-music royalty. He's also older brother to oscar-winning actor Sean Penn. Still Michael ha...

Bought by KXOT Public Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Jul 18, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Samphillips_square
Most people confuse Sam Phillips with the man who discovered Elvis Presley and Jonny Cash. But the Sam Phillps on this edition of the feature was ...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio, KMXT, KXOT Public Radio, and New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 16, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 4
Anidifranco2_square
Music icon Ani Difranco says she unconsciously wrote the same song over and over until she realized she was carrying old family wounds.

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio and KXOT Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 07, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2
Jebloynichols_square
As the cliche goes Jeb Loy Nichols marches to his own drummer. It makes his life difficult. But his singularity helps yield great music

Bought by KXOT Public Radio and KMXT


  • Added: Jun 20, 2008
  • Length: 00:05:00
  • Licenses: 2