Joy Katzen-Guthrie ... American Music Bridges
Good idea, but it sounds similar to an already-great show.
Hi Catherine ... thanks for your comment. American Routes is a terrific program -- with a solid emphasis (though not a limitation) on "roots" music it the form of country/folk, blues, rock genres. It's an outstanding show and the list of performers/music over the years is extensive -- but almost entirely from the genres I mentioned.
The program I envision is far more eclectic -- with an indepth examination of historic works from three centuries of American music of all genres -- not just jazz/blues, but also stage, film, Tin Pan Alley, vaudeville, traditional & modern folk, early American, classical, opera, pop/rock, country, and more. It would not be a venue for performance per say -- rather, an opportunity to discover a piece of music, its era, writers, producers, performers, and audience through a variety of interviews & snippets of historical & modern performance. Over the course of time, the show would delve into a myriad of genres and notable pieces of music ... at least this is as I envision it.
I don't see that concept as competing with a program like American Routes -- they have different goals and emphases. Frankly, I envision this program as something of a considerably expanded examination of the types of featurettes that NPR creates of music in its news magazine programs like Morning Edition & All Things Considered. And my own viewpoint and skill as a composer/lyricist and performer would be central to the concept and its appropriateness for myself as a potential host.
Joy
While you await your public radio break, I'd love to hear your music picks via Last.fm. Good luck to you!
Great entry, with a thoughtful and articulate host. You belong on NPR!
C. Parsons
www.OrchestratingTheFuture.com
Thank you so much Craig. And coming from one with your background, it means a lot. You've got a fantastic website that I'm looking forward to examining much more closely as soon as I have some free time after commenting on all these blogs!!! - Joy
I have seen Joy perform and have some of her CD's. She is an incredible performer and a wonderful, inspiring person. Joy would be a tremendous asset to NPR.
Broadway musicals drive me noodles, but I would have confidence in this host, & listen to learn & expand my horizons.
-(;o)~
Radiobrat ... this is one of the neatest things anyone has written. If I'm lucky enough to be able to host this show ... or any show ... I won't limit the music to Broadway musicals ... but it is a magnificent compliment to me that listeners would be open to new possibilities via whatever I can share in a program like this ... Joy
Profile Carol King putting Maurice Sendak's written words to music, way back - she did a beautiful job w/ that - my Bean used to fall asleep to "I'm Really Rosie", etc... We know all the words to 'Alligators All Around', etc...
Between his lyric & visual artistry, & her lyric (again) & musical artistry, they were a perfect match. There's a video out there, & I would LOVE to find it on CD - or even cassette, which is what I had for my Bean.
I'd also love to know how 'Where The Wild Things Are' went onstage.
I dig Sendak like I dig Vonnegut... They make me laugh out loud.
-(;o)~
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1138
Radiobrat ... Check out the Carole King site @ http://www.caroleking.com for full page detail on this recording. Also, http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/interviews/fr/reallyrosie.htm.
Boxed set CD out of print ... but used video available on Amazon & E-Bay currently. Single CD of this soundtrack also available new & used on Amazon ... http://www.amazon.com/Really-Rosie-Carole-King/dp/B0001N1OW4
I oughta have stock in Amazon, E-Bay, CD Baby based on all the music/DVDs I buy from them. We are blessed to live in times in which it is possible to find almost anything we want to hear or see via some channel or another. [Sometimes thas is a curse too.] Turner Classic Movies is one of the greatest services & resources ever known to humankind in my view. Thank God we have them to make it possible for us to experience a world of creativity that otherwise would be lost to most of us.
I did not see this 1975 TV production [As I recall, that was the year I turned off all TV & radio in protest of disco.] so haven't heard these tunes, though I have an arsenal of Carole King material. I may take the plunge & buy it, based on your review. Some of the most amazing music was created for TV productions that only aired once ... available only in our memories. I have an affinity for children's music, though I don't have kids, but guess I still am a big one. In college, I collected the LP of every Disney soundtrack I could get my hands on -- still play & sing that music at the piano often.
By the way, I mended my rift with disco too.
Thanks for introducing me to a side of Carole King I never knew. -Joy
Joy Katzen-Guthrie is that wonderful combination of spirited and spiritual, dynamic and down-to-earth, wonderful and full of wonder, musical and a muse to others, a leader and respectful of the honor given to those that lead.
She has single-handedly, and on a totally volunteer basis, created an internet community of like-minded women (and men) by creating a monthly e-letter for graduates of Stephens College. What began as a class newsletter for the class of 1980 has blossomed into a all classes college-wide international sharing of good news and bad, largely due to the force of personality who we know as Joy.
Her dedication to Stephens is only a sample of who she is, but is indicative of the passion she brings to anything she does.
Joy's voice -- not just her speaking voice, but her musical voice, and most importantly perhaps, her inner voice -- would build a community around her proposed theme of American Musical Bridges. For she is a bridge builder and would only be a benefit to NPR and those it currently serves and those it hopes to serve.
Finally, Joy shares her love of music in a unique and accessible way that captivates the listener -- and will keep the listener tuned to NPR.
I am continually touched by the beautiful things that people have written here ... both by those I know and those I have never met. I find myself saying essentially the same thing time and again in trying to give thanks, because I am really speechless ... there is no way I can respond in kind to such thoughtful remarks. I can only say thank you for this beautiful acknowledgement ... - Joy.
Joy Katzen-Guthrie's personality and program would be wonderful on NPR Radio.
In her concerts, Joy weaves traditional,
contemporary, and original music with history and story telling to celebrate the human spirit. She is a knowledgeable and interesting host. I had the privilege
of hearing Joy perform at Stephens College,where she gave a memorable, glorious performance. Joy's CD's continue
to inspire me.
Thank you so much, Marge. It means the world to me when my music makes a difference. And I **always** have a soft spot in my heart for my alma mater!! It was a privilege to be part of any performance on the Stephens campus. Thank you for your beautiful comment. - Joy
You are the one to deliver this program.
I work with special needs kids who perform in a fully staged musical each year. It is SO difficult to find good, fresh material to use with our kids. I'll bet you could find and promote new coposers and song-writers who are writing excellent shows geared toward kids. I'm so tired of people telling me that "Grease" is a good show for children. WHAT?
You could certainly keep it interesting.
"If all the world's a stage, I want to operate the trap door." --Paul Beatty
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/7689
http://www.OurMissBrooks.blogspot.com
I so identify, Stephi. With so much creative new material as well as brilliant traditional fare available, why do so many regurgitate the same (at times mediocre) shows annually? I envision this program as an examination of both the familiar -- from unique perspectives and performers and from centuries of material -- and the uncommon -- new as well as established music. It has always been my goal to create a re-discovery for all ages of well crafted works from the past as well as uncovering great achievements and possibilities from the present. Thanks for the thumbs up! - Joy
Joy,
I'll be following you to see what's new, what's available, and what kind of material we can look forward to in the future.
As for the present, Special Gifts Theatre is gearing up for "Annie" (of course) next March. I was hoping for R&H's "Cinderella", with its great messages, "In My Own Little Corner" and "Impossible!" I guess we're on to "Hard Knock Life" until some fantastic new composer comes along with some outstanding kid-friendly material.
Heck, maybe I should just write one. Right! Well? ...maybe...
Steph
"If all the world's a stage, I want to operate the trap door." --Paul Beatty
http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/7689
http://www.OurMissBrooks.blogspot.com
"Cinderella!" ... What a great show, fun, energetic, great music, fun and also thoughtful messages, and would revive a terrific musical that, sadly, is rarely heard today. Since it's a subject close to your heart, maybe you really are the one to create the next great kids' masterpiece. Your intentions are sincere. Go for it! - Joy
Many years ago, I was referred to Joy by another fantastic musician, to hire for a musical program. It was truly an honor and a priveledge to meet Joy. Joy didn't just perform a program for an unknown person or group, she gave her all, and became a friend for life.
Joy has a beautiful voice and a wonderful personality. I own many of her records and never tire at listening to them even after all these years.
Joy is a amazingly talented woman who gives a "gift of music" to everyone she comes in contact with. Joy gives 200+ percent to everything she does. Her many projects are a "labor of love", not just a job or a paycheck. Joy's work is truly a passion.
She has a never-ending musical knowledge base, which would greatly benefit listeners of the American Music program.
Joy would be a tremenous asset to NPR.
Good luck and best wishes always! Allen
Do you recite poetry? Your voice has a certain melodic vibe that one would find in a smokey jazz speakeasy...what I mean to say is, I love it.
I would buy a vacuum from you if you were knocking on my door.
Great voice...great idea...wanna hear more!
Good luck,
~mary
http://www.publicradioquest.com/node/1067
Thanks a million, Mary. I had quite a bit of experience playing piano/singing in smoky clubs for years. Whenever I would get hoarse, I was told I sounded like Suzanne Pleschette! But I never knew I had such powerful possibilities in sales :). Seriously, thank you so much for your kind comment ... it means a great deal. -Joy
I have seen this woman perform in person. her name is true, she is a Joy, and woud be an asset to the Public Radio world. It would only benefit everyone to include Joy in the pantheon.
Joy, your Pitch Pitch Pitch post somewhere on this Web site (haven't figured out how this all works) led me to your entry. First, I appreciated your PPP message, because it summarizes many of my feelings about this contest. I'm responding to your post here, because I prefer a less public forum. (Can shy people aspire to hosting a radio program?) I'm guessing the approaches used by the 10 finalists in their two-minutes pieces will be all over the map, and the group will include people who did not follow the guidelines, but I may be wrong. I keep thinking back to my college days and the award given for the best senior thesis. For the record, the person who won didn't entirely follow the guidelines for how to write the paper. It was a big lesson for me and helped me to understand the importance of presenting what you believe to be your best self, regardless of guidelines and restrictions. And, with all due respect to the judges, I'm guessing they are learning a lot as they listen to submissions, and if given the chance to revise the guidelines, might do so. Again, next week's announcement of finalists might prove me entirely off base.
Second and more important, I enjoyed listening to your piece. You have the warmest voice I have heard so far in this contest. It conveys intelligence, curiosity and compassion. I'm not sure how you manage to do all that, but it's great. Also, I like the approach you would use in your show. We non-experts need an entertaining and skillful guide.
Best of luck to you.
Mary
Mary, Thank you so much for your thoughtful note. I appreciate it especially because I wondered, after I made the Pitch post, whether I had gotten too carried away. But it seems to me that "rules" just can't be used to judge this kind of competition. I started out thinking that the entries weren't right for one reason or another, based on what was described by the judges ... but I dropped that notion almost immediately because it was clear that everyone in this contest has a unique approach. It would be inappropriate, I believe, to judge based on rules only. And what do the rules really mean? They obviously aren't providing a complete view of what the judges want, because everyone is interpreting them in a different way. As you point out, the best thing is to be true to oneself, one's own strengths, and the subjects about which one is most passionate. This contest has been a fascinating experience & I have come to appreciate the breadth and depth of the creativity that has been offered here.
Thank you for your comments about my voice and your reaction to the entry and the concept. I am grateful to you for sharing your thoughts ... they mean a great deal. - Joy
As someone who has listened to Joy and performed with her, I cannot tell you how much it would mean to be able to listen to her doing this wonderful idea in a radio broadcast. Her voice, sweetness, personable and wonderful personality should have been used by radio and other modalities long ago. I relish the idea of hearing this great show! Good luck and God Bless Joy!
I want to hear this show already, just from the promo. The concept is compelling, the voice invigorating, and in my opinion, NPR listeners would benefit greatly from the information and would greatly enjoy the music.
And what with Paris Hilton in jail, we could use the distraction!
HQZ -
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