Part 4: A Portrait of Bobby Rush, the 90-year old Grammy-Award Winning Blues artist who is still going strong
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Release Date: 06/21/2024
Josephine Bolling McCall: The Lynching of Elmore McCall
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Josephine Bolling McCall reflects upon her father’s lynching in Lowndes County, Alabama- The Lynching of Elmore McCall. For decades, Elmore Bolling’s family believed myths perpetuated by white people, and even by Rosa Parks, about why he was killed: that he was involved in a love triangle or that he had insulted his assailant’s wife. Though Josephine Bolling McCall’s father was killed when she was 5 years old, it was not until she was 60 that she discovered an article in the Chicago Defender describing the real reason for her father’s killing: “Enraged whites jealous over the...
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Leon Von Brown: The Legacy of Clifford Brown
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Leon Von Brown is the uncle of the late and acclaimed jazz trumpeter, Clifford Brown. Leon shares memories of his uncle and efforts create a lasting legacy about him. Von Brown also talks about his amazing career. Brown has theater and dance credits to include singing, acting, dancing, and choreography. He has worked on set with Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne and Malcolm Jamaal-Warner and co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson. He developed performances for the Atlanta Ballet, Agnes Scott College and Clark-Atlanta University. He recorded and toured with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with shows...
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Part 1: Sonny Buxton: The Man Behind the mic at KCSM, “The Bay Area’s Jazz Station to the World”
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
KCSM radio’s own Sonny Buxton has been selected by the Jazz Journalists Association to receive the 2013 Jazz Hero Award for his contributions and dedication to broadcasting. Buxton, along with 25 other musicians and educators from the United States and Canada will be honored May 5 at the Jazz Heritage Center in San Francisco. Initially, Buxton never considered a future in radio or television as a career. In the early 1950s, he landed an internship in Los Angeles at a small radio station. Soon after, as a member of the U.S. Air Force, he became a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Radio while...
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Part 2: Sonny Buxton: The Man Behind the mic at KCSM, “The Bay Area’s Jazz Station to the World”
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Sonny Buxton has met and worked with some of the greatest entertainers in history over the years, from Duke Ellington to Sarah Vaughn, Eartha Kitt, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge and Smokey Robinson. Buxton credits Leonard Russell in Seattle and Charles Sullivan for exposing him to the business side of radio and music by booking shows, clubs and concerts at the Fillmore and the Richmond Auditorium. Buxton proved his business worth again by co-owning several clubs in Seattle years later like The District, Checkmate and Anxious Asp. In San Francisco, Buxton also opened Milestones in 1984, and...
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Part 1: U.S. Criminal Justice or Criminal Injustice? An Interview with Bryan Stevenson
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots." He highlights the critical need for public defenders and the role lawyers play in creating hope and challenging injustice. He questions why, despite a surplus of lawyers, many people of color and the poor still lack...
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Part 2: U.S. Criminal Justice or Criminal Injustice? An Interview with Bryan Stevenson
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots." He highlights the critical need for public defenders and the role lawyers play in creating hope and challenging injustice. He questions why, despite a surplus of lawyers, many people of color and the poor still lack...
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Facing the Reality of Racism: A Conversation with Tim Wise
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
In this eye-opening episode, we explore the deep-seated and often unconscious biases that persist in the U.S. with Tim Wise, renowned author and anti-racism educator. Drawing from his book "White Like Me" and his recent speech, Wise sheds light on the pervasive racism that affects people of color and the collective denial that allows it to persist. Wise begins by addressing the crucial premise that combating racism is everyone's responsibility. He highlights the fundamental problem: White America, both corporately and collectively, has never truly been prepared to address the reality of the...
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Breaking the Barrier to Civil Rights: Ernest Green and the Little Rock Nine
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
On this episode, we honor Ernest Green, a member of the historic Little Rock Nine, as he reflects on his experience as one of the first African-American students to attend Little Rock Central High School. Green shares his profound insights on the importance of Black History Month and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Green delves into the critical moments of his journey, including the prejudice and bias that led to the erasure of African Americans from American history, depriving all Americans of a sound education. He discusses the significance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the...
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Part 1: Here Comes the Sun: Reflections on Richie Havens’ Music that Shaped Our Nation
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world. Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barbados and his father's Blackfoot Native American heritage instilled in him a profound belief that "no one is any different than anyone else." Join us as we explore Havens' folk music circles of...
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Part 2: Here Comes the Sun: Reflections on Richie Havens’ Music that Shaped Our Nation
Like It Is: 30 Minutes of Good Conversation
Richie Havens was known for having the most iconic voices in American music. Join this memorable conversation with the late and great Havens, opening the door to his remarkable life and musical legacy which left an indelible mark on the world. Born Richard Pierce Havens on January 21, 1941, in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood surrounded by cultural diversity. His mother's roots in Barbados and his father's Blackfoot Native American heritage instilled in him a profound belief that "no one is any different than anyone else." Join us as we explore Havens' folk music circles of...
info_outlineJoin us on a captivating journey through the life and career of Bobby Rush, the legendary 90-year-old Grammy Award-winning blues artist who continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of blues, rap, and funk.
In this five-part series, we delve deep into the remarkable story of a man whose music has transcended generations, earning him twelve Blues Music Awards and a Grammy at the age of 83. From his humble beginnings to his enduring legacy, discover the essence of Bobby Rush's music and the vibrant spirit that keeps him going strong.
The Early Years: A Musical Genesis: Explore Bobby Rush's roots in rural Louisiana, where his father's guitar and harmonica playing ignited his passion for music. Hear about his early experiments with a sugarcane syrup bucket and a broom-wire diddley bow, and his formative years in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he forged friendships with blues legends like Elmore James and Johnny "Big Moose" Walker.
Chicago Bound: A Bluesman in the Big City: Follow Bobby Rush's journey to Chicago in 1953, where he immersed himself in the thriving local blues scene. Discover how he befriended iconic musicians like Little Walter and Muddy Waters, and how his performances at Skins and collaborations with artists like Etta James and Howlin' Wolf shaped his burgeoning career.
Chicken Heads and Breakthroughs: Uncover the story behind Bobby Rush's breakout hit "Chicken Heads," a track that brought him national recognition in 1971. Learn about his experiences recording with Philadelphia International and the challenges and triumphs that defined his career in the 1970s and beyond.
A Legacy in Gold: Milestones and Achievements: Dive into the milestones that marked Bobby Rush's illustrious career, from his gold-certified albums to his Grammy-winning triumphs. Hear about the impact of his music on popular culture, including the resurgence of "Chicken Heads" through its feature in the film "Black Snake Moan."
Still Going Strong: The Unstoppable Bobby Rush: Celebrate Bobby Rush's enduring legacy as he continues to perform and record music into his 90s. Reflect on his autobiography, "I Ain't Studdin' Ya: My American Blues Story," and the wisdom he shares about life, music, and staying true to one's roots.
At 90-years of age, Rush reflects upon his 2024 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album and his recognition by the Mississippi State Legislature Concurrent Resolution saluting and extending "congratulations to the 90-year-old Mississippi Blues Legend for winning the prestigious Grammy Award."
Tune in to discover why Bobby Rush remains an indomitable force in the world of blues. Listeners will appreciate the extraordinary life of a blues legend whose story is as vibrant and dynamic as his music.