Todd Snider walked out alone on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in late September looking radiant. The guy has great teeth for one thing, along with the ease and confidence earned from more than 30 years on stage. He was bolstered and beloved by the loyalist lifer fans that hang on his every word, spoken or sung. He told the one about his first open mic and the one about East Nashville character Skip Litz who loved Train Songs. Todd’s mother was on hand and it was her birthday, so we all sang for her. Two days later we sat down for a delightful, rambling conversation.

Nashville is a storied city in the most literal sense - a place built on imagination, interpretation, and narration. Alongside the songs and songwriters, journalists have played an under-rated role in building the idea and brand and renown of Music City. I got up to speed in this town reading Robert K. Oermann, Chet Flippo, Bill Friskics-Warren and other greats. But in the 21st century so far, nobody’s written the Music City story with more depth, discernment and humor than author, reporter, songwriter, producer and baseball fanatic Peter Cooper, who died on Tuesday at the age of 52.

We know Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson as flinty, deeply intelligent, somewhat reclusive songwriters from rural Kentucky. But in that sense, they are heirs to Chris Knight who had that role nailed down back in the early days of the Americana format. We’re honored and excited to have this humble master of country music on our Finally Friday bill this week. Also up, California garage rock by Leroy From The North and trippy surf rock by Galvezton.

Steve Poltz takes the lead this year, for the annual recording of a Bob Dylan song by a group of stellar Nashville musicians. Spearheaded by Tim Easton for the ninth consecutive year, the project raises money and awareness for SAFPAW, The Southern Alliance for People and Animal Welfare.

From his genre-bending sophomore album, The Comet, to a deep dive into his old-time music roots, Charlie Treat talks about making a traditional style bluegrass record in just a few days for his new release, Into The Wild Mystic Mountain, out today.

Guitarist, songwriter and analog enthusiast Jack Schneider talks about his fascination with fretted instruments and working alongside Nashville legends as well as up and coming artists on his debut full length, Best Be on My Way, out now.

Croatia does it again - winning a penalty kick shootout to advance to the semifinals for the second World Cup, eliminating Brazil. Croatia's defense stymied the 5-time champions the entire match.

Sinema's move is unlikely to change the power balance in the Senate, as it comes days after Sen. Raphael Warnock won the Georgia runoff election to give Democrats a 51-49 majority.

American basketball star Brittney Griner returned to the United States early Friday after being freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange following nearly 10 months in detention in Russia.