Kris Kristofferson, a man who seemingly could have been successful at just about anything he tried, turned his cathedral-like mind and working man’s heart to the arts. He was a scholar, a soldier, a pilot, an athlete, an actor, and, as most people know, one of America’s greatest songwriters. He was a member of several exclusive societies, including Oxford University’s Rhodes Scholars and country music’s epochal Outlaws, as well as a free thinker and activist across decades. On Saturday, that exceptional life came to an end when Kristofferson died at home in Maui, HI at age 88.
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One might think that Artificial Intelligence has no place in musical genres grounded in authenticity, but so-called progress has a way of influencing areas of creativity, even where many don’t welcome it. In a special report from Americanafest 2024, MTSU student and Sidelines Editor Kailee Shores investigates the threats and opportunities of AI in the human act of music creation in the roots world. -
It is always a good year to be a McCoury in bluegrass, but 2024 may be especially memorable for the Nashville family, as the Del McCoury Band became Entertainers of the Year for the first time since 2004, while the Travelin' McCourys were named Instrumental Group of the Year at the 35th annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. As a bonus, Del's son Rob was named Banjo Player of the Year for the second time at a ceremony at Raleigh, NC’s Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, hosted by Missy Raines and John Cowan. -
Craig Havighurst has covered or attended every Nashville Americanafest since it was founded, and it remains a sacred week on the calendar. Spirits were high. The weather was excellent. There were countless good options for where to be at any given time, so choosing was hard, but our correspondent found his way to hearing top-shelf old-school country, funky soul, bluegrass and newgrass, emotional solo songwriters, and high caliber bands. Here's a look at his notebook across five days.
LINER NOTES
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Check out these performances of songs from all eleven of our Mansion Sessions artists. These sessions were released on 9/3 and 9/10. -
The Lone Bellow stopped by the WMOT East Nashville Studio for a Words & Music performance with Jessie Scott. -
WMOT VIDEO: LIVE SESSIONS ON NPR MUSIC
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Sarah & Shannon perform "Born A Tornado" and "Emotional Hangover" for WMOT's Mansion Sessions, recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival. -
Watch Strung Like A Horse, BettySoo, and a surprise guest perform LIVE for WMOT's monthly Wired In concert series at Riverside Revival in Nashville, TN at 6:30 p.m. CST on October 8th, 2024. -
Jaime Wyatt performs "Fugitive" and "Love is a Place" for WMOT's secret Mansion Sessions, recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival. -
Chatham County Line performed "Right On Time" and "Lone Ranger" for WMOT's Mansion Sessions, which were recorded live from inside Two Rivers Mansion during this year's Roots on the Rivers festival.
NPR Top Stories
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NPR investigated a crypto scam company known as SpireBit, which stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from Russian-speaking seniors. Now, some of the victims are getting their money back after a lawsuit by Massachusetts authorities. -
President Biden told reporters he was confident the election “will be free and fair,” before saying, “I don’t know whether it will be peaceful.” -
The U.N. has adopted a lengthy "pact" of items for the world to address for a better tomorrow. We asked global thinkers if they'd like to add anything or give more emphasis to certain agenda items.
Win a pair of tickets to Maggie Rogers at Bridgestone Arena on October 12, 2024
January 5th-12th Ft. Lauderdale FL, Key West, Belize City & Cozumel.
All good things don’t have to come to an end! Give your used vehicle new life when you donate it to WMOT. Donating is easy, the pick-up is free, and your gift is tax-deductible.
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