Country

Rick critic Ken Tucker reviews “Big Mon,” a new tribute album to Bill Monroe. It was produced by Ricky Scaggs for his own label and includes many big names, such as Dolly Parton, Bruce Hornsby and Joan Osborne. (Skaggs Family Records)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews “Transcendental Blues” the new recording by Steve Earle.

Singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne. We will listen to her songs and talk to Lynne in studio. Her new CD, “I Am Shelby Lynne” (Universal/Island) is part country and part soul. This is the 6th album for this Alabama-born singer, but it is the first album in which Lynne writes most of the songs. Her other albums were products of the Nashville country music scene. With this new album, Lynne has won over critics and fans alike. Lynne is currently touring the US.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the pioneering Bluegrass group of the 1950s Reno & Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups.

Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews the new cross over album by country music performer Shelby Lynne. The CD is called "I am Shelby Lynne" (Mercury Records).

Fresh Air rock critic Ken Tucker gives us HIS ten best list for the year 1999, and then picks the recordings from the century he'd take with him If he were stranded on a desert Island.

Singer/songwriters Buddy & Julie Miller. Their songs have been recorded by everyone from the Dixie Chicks to Little Jimmy Scott. Each have new albums: "Broken Things" (Hightone Records) by Julie Miller, and "Cruel Moon" (Hightone) by Buddy Miller. (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

Critic Milo Miles reviews two reissues -- cult favorites -- by the Holy Modal Rounders: Holy Modal Rounders 1 and 2 (on the Fantasy label) and their new album "Too Much Fun" (Rounder Records)

Pop critic Ken Tucker reviews "Fly" the new CD by the Dixie Chicks.

Linguist Geoff Nunberg considers the puns in country music.

Pop music critic Ken Tucker reviews two new CDs by artists on the outskirts of country music: "Onward Thru it All" by Jim Lauderdale and "Broken Things" by Julie Miller. Both releases feature work by guitarist, singer and songwriter Buddy Miller.

Critic Milo Miles tells us about the work of blues guitarist John Jackson whose latest album is "Front Porch Blues" (Alligator Records). He's also got two vintage collections: "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and "Country Blues and Ditties" (Arhoolie Records).

Music critic Ken Tucker reviews the latest CD by country music legend George Jones. Titled "Cold Hard Truth." Jones was involved in a serious car accident in March but is recovering.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the new CD "The Mountain" (E-Squared) by Steve Earle which pays tribute to bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe.

Country music singer Ray Price He was a close friend and protege of Hank Williams. Price's hits include "Talk to Your Heart," "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," "I'll be There," "Crazy Arms," "For the Good Times," and more. In 1996 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His latest album is "Ray Price: The Other Woman" (Koch).

The Fresh Air rock critic gives his picks for the best albums of the year. Tucker is critic-at-large for Entertainment Weekly.

Fulks has one foot in the singer/songwriter scene and one in country music. He spent three years writing songs in Nashville, but no one opted to record his songs. So he's recently come out with a new CD of his own music, "Let's Kill Saturday Night" (Geffen Records). Fulks began his career as a regular at the same fabled Greenwich Village hole in the wall where Bob Dylan made a name for himself. He joins Fresh Air to talk about his career and sing some of his songs.

Rock historian Ed Ward continues his series on how country music was influenced by black and white music traditions.

Rock historian Ed Ward begins his two part series on Black and White country music.