Music

Arthel "Doc" Watson, one of America's premier acoustic folk guitarists. His flat-pick style of playing traditional folk and bluegrass has made his sound one of the most distinctive of any folk artist. His 24 albums have earned him four Grammys. In the folk music community, Watson is best known for his part in preserving the traditional ballads and melodies of southern Appalachia.

Pianist and bandleader Paul Weston and singer Jo Stafford. They're better known as Jonathan and Darlene Edwards, satirists of inept musicianship.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording featuring British conductor Simon Rattle and his City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's "Resurrection Symphony," with contralto Janet Baker and soprano Arlene Auger.

Singer and actor Kris Kristofferson. His hit songs "Me and Bobby McGee," and "Help Me Make it Through the Night," earned him acclaim as a country singer. His musical success led him to films, and he went on to act in westerns ("Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid"), comedies ("Semi-Tough"), and musicals ("A Star is Born"). In the past few years, he's appeared in the TV mini-series "Amerika" and "Blood and Orchids."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the band Brinsley Schwarz. During the 70s, this band started the pub rock scene, where people put off by the glamour posturing of popular rock stars could hear rock-n-roll in informal and inexpensive surroundings.

The first in a seven-part series of performance pieces with Mac Rebennack, better known as Dr. John. Today, a tribute to legendary New Orleans pianist Professor Longhair.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Naked," the long-awaited album from The Talking Heads. The album experiments with a variety of genres, including Funk, African Pop and Salsa.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the career of British conductor Jeffrey Tate. Tate has been crippled since birth. His first career was medicine. Lloyd reviews a new recording featuring Tate and the English Chamber Orchestra playing Haydn's Military Symphony No. 100 and the Drum Roll Symphony.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Louis Jordan. Between 1930 and 1950, Jordan spearheaded the rhythm and blues sound. He was one of the very first crossover artists, appealing to both blacks and whites. Ed focuses on the Louis Jordan who pioneered rap music.

Independent jazz producer Orrin Keepnews. For the past 30 years he's produced the music of jazz artists like Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner and Wes Montgomery. He was the founder of two important jazz labels, Riverside Records and Milestone Records. This year, he won a Grammy for the liner notes of a new box set of the complete Riverside recordings of Thelonious Monk.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Cracked Sidewalks" the new album from tenor saxophonist Rich Halley and his sextet. Halley lives in Oregon, a reminder, Kevin says, that not all jazz is spawned in New York.

Ian Whitcomb, an Englishman in love with American music. Since first coming to the United States in the early 60s, he has devoted his career to promoting and keeping alive the tradition of American popular song, particularly those from the Tin Pan Alley era.. His new book, Irving Berlin and Ragtime America, salutes the music of Irving Berlin, who will celebrate his 100th birthday this year.

Rap star Kool Moe Dee. When he first started rapping on park benches in the lat 70s, rap was a fad few believed would stick. Now rap has gone mainstream. Kool Moe Dee is considered the dean of the old school.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Now and Zen," the new album by Robert Plant, former leader singer of the super group Led Zeppelin.

Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. When she moved to New York City in the early 80s, she decided to put her singing career behind her and concentrate on her family. She is now the best-known of several emerging female jazz singers. Her new album is titled "Days Aweigh."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording featuring famed Italian tenor Placido Domingo singing pop songs like "Yesterday" and "Maria."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the glitter rock band The New York Dolls. Their front man was David Johansen, who has since recast himself as the martini-swilling crooner Buster Poindexter.

Part two of an interview with singer and songwriter David Frishberg, who composed pop hits like "Peel Me a Grape" and "I'm Hip." He'll also perform on the piano.

Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "Your Eyes," the second big band album by the Norwegian pianist and composer Per Husby.

A song about apartheid from Tony Bird, a white African singer who grew up in the country of Malawi.