eTown

Jack Johnson / The Weather Station / Interview: Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Coral)

This week brings a special encore broadcast featuring renowned singer/songwriter and avid environmental activist Jack Johnson. Jack shares some of his recent music as well as a few old favorites.

Canadian The Weather Station (folk artist Tamara Lindeman) joins us as well.

And we’ll hear from enviro-filmmaker Jeff Orlowski who discusses his latest film, Chasing Coral, which documents the pressing danger to the world’s crucial ecosystems housed in declining coral reefs. Its a climate-themed eTown classic, direct from eTown’s solar-powered performance space – eTown Hall.

Damien Jurado / Laura Gibson / Award: Charles Robbins of Project Angel Heart

Two ethereal singer/songwriters from the great Northwest join us this week: Damien Jurado, native to Seattle, Washington, but more recently relocated to Los Angeles, returns to eTown for his second visit;

and Laura Gibson, who grew up in Coquille, Oregon, a small logging town and now lives in Portland (a bit of trivia: Laura was the first performer on NPR’s Tiny Desk Series).

And our eChievement Award winner, Charles Robbins of Project Angel Heart, is a man who founded a nonprofit to provide medically tailored meals to critically ill people, providing ease, care, much needed nutrition and, in many cases, saving lives.

Tyler Childers / The Suitcase Junket / Chad Bernstein (Guitars Over Guns)

This week on the eTown airwaves we’re joined by Americana/country singer/songwriter Tyler Childers. Tyler fuses gritty original song lyrics with the folk, bluegrass and rock influences of his Appalachian upbringing.

Also with us is “one-man-band” The Suitcase Junket, with his one of a kind sound created from an array of instruments all played at once.

Rounding things out, we have a conversation with eChievement Award winner Chad Bernstein, founder of Guitars Over Guns, an organization that provides mentoring to at-risk youth through music and arts education as an alternative to the negative and harmful influences that typically dominate their environments.

The Waifs / Jim Lauderdale / Award: Andreas Karelas of RE-volv

Our musical guests this week have one thing in common: They’re all returning to the eTown stage after many years. First up are The Waifs, the dynamic Australian band headed up by sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson.

Also joining us is gifted singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale, whose songs have been recorded by a Who’s Who of country stars over the years.

And we’ll hear from the Andreas Karelas young founder of RE-volv, a nonprofit that enables other nonprofits around the country to go solar, despite their modest budgets.

Michael Franti / Victoria Canal / Award: Dr. William Brown of One Medical Relief

Back by popular demand! This rebroadcast features prolific musician, humanitarian, filmmaker, and activist Michael Franti, well known for his amazing stage presence as well as using his music as a vehicle for positive change.

Also joining us, up-and-coming singer/songwriter Victoria Canal.

Rounding things out, Nick sits down with Dr. William Brown of One World Medical Relief who is using cosmetic surgery who works in 3rd world countries to give children with birth defects a chance at a normal life.

The Infamous Stringdusters / Molly Tuttle / Award: Maria Rose Belding of MEANS

The high energy, Grammy winning bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters return to the eTown stage this week for their third visit, bringing a fresh crop of original songs.

Also with us is Molly Tuttle, a California native who moved to Nashville a few years ago. Molly’s been performing since a young age (as a member of her family’s band, The Tuttles) and in more recent years she’s gone on to start her own solo career. Despite only being in her mid-twenties, she’s already won several awards, including as the first female recipient of the IBMA’s coveted Guitar Player of the Year Award.

Rounding out the hour is an award story about a young woman who founded an international online database that connects food donors with organizations that feed the hungry, saving edible food from the landfill in the process.

Hiss Golden Messenger / Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen / Interview: Dr. Kenneth Lacovara

This week on the eTown airwaves we’re joined by Americana/folk band Hiss Golden Messenger, whose sound is deeply influenced by country, soul, blues, and rock. We’re very excited to have them on the show for the first time.

Also with us are accomplished songwriters Chris Hillman (The Byrds) and Herb Pedersen. 

Rounding things out, we have a conversation with renowned paleontologist, explorer, and author Dr. Kenneth Lacovara.

Watch videos at www.etown.org

Bettye LaVette / Vilray / Award Winner: Rose Tourje of ANEW

We’ve got a soulful hour of music and conversation this week featuring the legendary soul singer Bettye LaVette. Bettye’s gift is being able to take a song, whether well known or obscure, from any genre and make it completely her own. She began performing and recording during the birth of soul music in the 60s and is still touring today.

Also with us is NYC-based composer and musician Vilray, who offers jazz and country-style swing music as it was performed in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s.

All of this, plus a conversation with Rose Tourje, founder of a nonprofit organization that rescues usable office furniture, supplies, and equipment from the landfill, then sends it to schools and organizations in poorer areas.

Willie Nelson / Kacey Musgraves

This special encore broadcast is from our “eTown on the Road” series. Visiting with us is legendary outlaw country artist Willie Nelson, who features great songs from the stage at Denver’s Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater. Willie has a candid conversation with Nick (direct from Willie’s tour bus!).

Also on the show is first-time eTown visitor Kacey Musgraves, who’s been on an astronomical trajectory as one of country music’s rapidly rising stars since winning Album of the Year at the Grammy’s in 2018 for her breakout ‘Golden Hour’.

Watch videos at:  www.etown.org

Over the Rhine / David Huckfelt / Award: Michelle Angela

This week’s program showcases the exceptionally talented musical husband and wife duo Over the Rhine, as they celebrate their 30th year of touring together.

We’re also joined by gifted singer/songwriter David Huckfelt (member of the band The Pines), who shares songs from his new solo album project.

And Nick sits down for a conversation with the co-founder of a nonprofit organization that’s helping veterans heal from PTSD and more through gardening and community involvement.

Watch videos at www.etown.org