Talking Animals Seeks Your Support

NPR's Talking Animals, hosted by Deep Roots columnist DUNCAN STRAUSS, is in the midst of a fundraising drive. A small donation keeps it going and brings you a snazzy t-shirt to boot.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Gutless Vandals Desecrate Tommy Johnson’s Grave; Eddie C. Campbell Benefit Set

Gutless vandals desecrate Delta blues giant TOMMY JOHNSON's grave; benefit set for Chicago blues guitar great EDDIE C. CAMPBELL, who suffered a heart attack and stroke while on tour.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Alicia Olatuja: Inauguration Day Heat

Unheralded in a lineup of superstars, ALICIA OLATUJA became the big news of the 2013 Presidential Inauguration ceermonies with her rousing solo on 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' while singing with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. ...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Quiet Heroism of ‘Right Living’

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on the recent fall of 'self-appointed heroes' and the virtues of 'quietly going about one's business.'
by David McGee
 

 

 

News & Notes – January 2013

In NEWS & NOTES: Gospel stalwarts unite on single to benefit MY SANDY HOOD FUND; 'CHINA BEACH' finally set for DVD release; BLAKE SHELTON consigned to Dunce's Corner, as RAY PRICE speaks out against ignorance; two SERENA MATTHE...
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Enigma Variations: Living with Lawrence

December 2012 was the 50th anniversary of David Lean's epic, Academy Award winning Lawrence of Arabia. Contributing editor Christopher Hill was nine when he first saw the movie. Herein he reflects on that life altering event.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The 2012 Album of the Year Trifecta & The 2012 Elite Half Hundred

The Method to Our Madness: Why we picked three recordings as Album of the Year, and the unveiling of our first Elite Half Hundred keeper albums of 2012, topped by the GIVING TREE BAND's powerful Vacilador.
by David McGee
 

 
 

Serena Matthews Does ‘Moon River’

Deep Roots fave SERENA MATTHEWS kicked off the new year by sending us her distinctive take on Johnny Mercer's classic 'Moon River,' a beautiful version that brooks favorable comparison to Audrey Hepburn's original. You heard i...
by David McGee
 

 

 

This New Year’s, Resolve To Give Yourself a Break

'Shooting for the moon with our New Year's resolutions and then falling short is a fast track to aggravation, self-loathing and the joyless consumption of massive quantities of week-old fruitcake,' writes contributing editor Mi...
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘It is past time we wipe this stain of violence from our land’

REALITY CHECK--RFK on gun violence; Pete Seeger, 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone,' President Barack Obama on the Newtown school shootings
by David McGee
 

 

 

Ravi Shankar: The Spirit and The Legacy Live On

Sitar master RAVI SHANKAR passed away on December 11 at the age of 92. Herewith a tribute to the life and legacy of the man George Harrison extolled as the 'Godfather of World Music.'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Hailing An American Treasure

From TheBluegrassSpecial.com's December 2010 issue, Chip Stern's insightful, impassioned missive concerning the life and music of Dave Brubeck on the occasion of the master's impending 90th birthday.
by David McGee