Terry Gross

Organizing expert Julie Morgenstern. She is the founder of Task Masters, a New York based consulting company that tries to improve people's efficiency through better organizing skills. Her new book is "Organizing from the Inside Out" (Owl books). (REBROADCAST from 12/7/98).

New York Times reporter Douglas Frantz and his wife, journalist Catherine Collins. They've collaborated on a new book about their two years living in Celebration, the city Disney built from scratch in Florida. Their book is "Celebration U.S.A.: Living in Disney's Brave New Town" (Henry Holt & Co.)

Bob Zmuda ("ZMOO-da")is the co-executive producer of the new film "Man on the Moon" about the late comic Andy Kaufman. Zmuda was also Kaufman's writer, co-conspirator, and close friend. In the 1970s Kaufman was best known for his portrayal of the sweet-natured foreign-born Latka on the TV sitcom "Taxi." On stage he took on mind-bending personas like an obnoxious master of ceremonies, or a wrestler who fought women and challenged them on stage, or an Elvis impersonator. Often he left his audience perplexed as to whether or not he was for real.

Singer and actor Kris Kristofferson. He can be seen in the recent John Sayles movie, "Limbo." And he has his first album out in about five years, "The Austin Sessions" (Atlantic). It features a new version of his song (known best for Janis Joplin's version) "Me And Bobby McGee" and teams him up with Jackson Browne and Vince Gill.

Boxing trainer Harry Keitt. He can be seen in the new documentary "On the Ropes" about the world of boxing at a Brooklyn neighborhood gym. Filmmakers Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen follow four boxers and Harry Keitt, their trainer, as they prepare for the 1997 Golden Gloves Tournament.

We return to the interview with Ray Manzerek. Rebroadcast 7/6/98

The Doors's keyboard player Ray Manzerek. Last year, his autobiography "Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors" was published. Manzerek talks about his experience playing in one of the 1960's most influential bands. The Doors disbanded after its lead singer Jim Morrison died in 1971. Since The Doors, Manzerek has produced four albums for the punk rock band X and recorded several solo albums. He also performs with Beat poet Michael McClure at nightclubs and on college campuses.(THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW) (Rebroadcast of 7/6/98)

The founder of Elektra Records, Jac Holzman. talks about working with The Doors. Holzman wrote about his years in the record business in "Follow the Music: The Life and High Times of Elektra Records in the Great Years of American Pop Culture." Rebroadcast of 7/7/98

INT. 2: An on stage performance with Rufus Thomas, the self-proclaimed “world’s oldest teenager.” He was recorded at the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival. He played an integral role in the success of major record labels in the nineteen-fifties, Sun Records and Stax Records. Rebroadcast from 7/3/97. Musicians Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, and Marvell Thomas also play.

Singer Syl Johnson had hits in the 1960's and 70's such as “Come on Sock it to Me” and “Take Me to the River.” Rappers including TLC and Hammer have sampled his early tunes. Johnson was recorded "live" at the 1997 Chicago Blues Festival. Rebroadcast from 7/3/97.
SEPTEMBER 6-20, 1999