Country

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute." (on Bob Dylan's Egyptian record label)

Folk singer and collector of folk recordings Mike Seeger. In the early 1950s he sought to preserve the music traditions of the mountains of the Southeast U.S. thru recordings and through his own playing. In 1958 he cofounded the New Lost City Ramblers. Seeger is the half-brother of folk singer Pete Singer. He has a new collection of music he recorded: "Close to Home: Old time Music From Mike Seeger's Collection: 1952-1967" (Smithsonian). There's also a new collection: "There Ain't No Way Out: New Lost City Ramblers" (Smithsonian)

Guitarist Link Wray. He's credited with inventing the "power chord" in the 1950s. His first big recording hit was "Rumble" an instrumental piece that he wrote. When he went to record it in the studio he wasn't happy with the sound on the amp, so he pierced holes in the speaker cone to create additional distortion. Later guitarists like Pete Townshend and John Lennon were influenced by his work. Wray's other hits include "Rawhide" and the Batman Theme. Rhino records released "Rumble: the Best of Link Wray" in 1993.

Rock historian Ed Ward remembers the Byrds.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says he believes that the most popular country music is the blandest, while an underground movement of "alterna-country" performers is more passionate and raw. He'll review two such albums: Robbie Fulks's "Country Love Songs" and Joy Lynn White's "The Lucky Few."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "So Long So Wrong," the new album by Allison Krauss and her band Union Station.

Tucker became a star at 13 years old with the chart-topping song "Delta Dawn." Since then she has had countless other hit songs, grammy nominations, and in 1991 was voted the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year. But her success has not been without it's low points, such as problems with drug and alcohol abuse and controversy over the "mature" lyrics she sang as a teenager.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Unchained Melody" (Curb) the new collection of early songs by the 14-year-old country singer LeAnn Rimes.

Commentator Milo Miles reviews two new re-releases of singer Tracy Nelson's earlier recordings with the band Mother Earth. Nelson is still making albums today, but Miles says they don't have the same looseness and charm as these reissues.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the honky-tonk artist Johnny Paycheck's "The Real Mr. Heartache," a reissue of his recordings from the 1960s.

A review of the year's best pop music with critic Ken Tucker. He'll talk with Terry about his favorite albums and artists.

In the 1950's, Louvin and his brother Ira were were regulars at the Grand Olde Opry. Ira was later killed in a car accident. Charlie has recently re-recorded many of their hits, which are featured on his new CD "The Longest Train."

Jennings had sixteen #1 records, won two Grammy's and four Country Music Awards. He's recognized for helping to unify the country music audience. He intermingled the strict country-only traditions with rock and roll. Jennings was Buddy Holly's bass player; he gave his seat up to the Big Bopper on the plane which would crash, killing Holly and others. Jennings' new autobiography is called "Waylon."

Earle's new CD is "I Feel Alright" from E-squared/Warner Brothers. He also recently had a song in the movie "Dead Man Walking" called "Ellis Unit One." His new album is called "I Feel Alright." Earle had a past as a drug user and prisoner, but has since turned his life around.

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor Willie Nelson recently released two new albums. With "Spirit," Nelson is the first country musician to record with Island Records. He recorded "How Great Thou Art" with his sister, Bobbie Nelson. That CD is a collection of gospel standards, like "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews two new collections: guitarist Rick Holmstrom's "Look Out," (Black Top) and Ronnie Dawson's "Just Rockin' & Rollin'" (Upstart).

Jazz bassist Charlie Haden. He's released his fifth album with his Quartet West, "Now is the Hour," (Verve). Haden formed the quartet to play the music of the 1940s and early 50s. He's worked with jazz musicians Art Pepper, Paul Bley, Ornette Coleman. And he's recorded with many artists including Abbey Lincoln, Bill Frisell, Joshua Redman, Rick Lee Jones, and others. Last year Haden released a much regarded album of spirituals with pianist Hank Jones, "Steal Away--Spirituals, Hymns and Folk Songs."

Country music star, George Jones. He's widely acclaimed as one of the greatest country singers, but his 40-year career has also been marked by alcohol and drug abuse. He recently published his autobiography, "I Lived to Tell it All" (Villard, New York).

Part (3) of Rock Historian Ed Ward's series on the instruments of rock 'n roll. Today he tells us about the guitar.