Terry Gross

Musician William "Bootsy" Collins — Bootsy Collins got his start with James Brown, defining what Rolling Stone called "the finger-popping funk bass style." Collins went on to work with George Clinton as part of the Parliment-Funkadelic tribe, then formed Bootsy's Rubber Band. He's put out more than 30 albums; his latest is Christmas Is 4 Ever. This interview originally aired on Oct. 10, 1994.

Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland wrote many early Motown hits, and helped turn the company into a powerhouse. Their songs include "You Can't Hurry Love," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Baby, I Need Your Loving," "Heat Wave," and "Stop! In the Name of Love." Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas recorded their songs. In 1990 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have a new 3-CD box set called Heaven Must Have Sent You...

An in-studio concert with singer Rebecca Kilgore, trombonist Dan Barrett and pianist Rossano Sportiello recorded at the NOLA studios in Manhattan. Kilgore is one of the leading interpreters of American songs. She became best-known for her work with pianist and composer Dave Frishberg. In 2002 she formed her own band BED. Their latest CD is BEDlam. Barrett is a member of her band. Sportiello is a stride pianist from Italy. This interview originally aired on Dec. 19, 2005.

Along with Ralph Blaine, Hugh Martin wrote "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The song was made famous in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, but since then, many different versions have been recorded with changes in lyrics. Martin also wrote music for Broadway productions including Best Foot Forward, Look Ma, I'm Dancin' and the stage version of Meet Me in St. Louis. Martin is 94.

Director and screenwriter Bill Condon's new movie, Dreamgirls, is an adaptation of the Broadway hit musical. Condon also wrote and directed Kinsey and Gods and Monsters, for which he won an Oscar.

Film producer Christine Vachon's new book is A Killer Life: How an Independent Film Producer Survives Deals and Disasters in Hollywood and Beyond. She has produced more than 30 feature films, including Infamous, Far From Heaven, One Hour Photo and Boys Don't Cry. This book is a follow-up to Vachon's best-selling first book, Shooting to Kill.

Richard Cizik is the vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, a lobbying organization that represents 45,000 churches. He is a conservative Christian who preaches the message of environmentalism from a pro-life perspective. He talks about creation care in relation to the threat of global warming.

Ricky Gervais appears in the new film Night at the Museum, in which insects come to life after a spell is cast at The Museum of Natural History. Gervais is the creator and star of the British TV comedy series The Office, which has been adapted into a hit show starring Steve Carrell. He's won an Emmy, a Golden Globe and three BAFTA Awards. Gervais also writes the Flanimals series of children's books.

Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx are the songwriting team behind the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, Avenue Q. Featuring both people and puppets, the subversive show is about a group of aimless, 30-somethings with low expectations and active libidos. Avenue Q includes such songs as "It Sucks to be Me," "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist," "If You Were Gay," and "I Wish I could Go Back to College." The new companion book, Avenue Q: The Book, is covered in bright orange fur. This interview originally aired on Aug. 2, 2004.