Nov 26th, 2008 · Making his third appearance on Mountain Stage, Billy Bragg is best known in America for teaming up with Wilco to set some newly unearthed Woody Guthrie lyrics to music on 2000's Mermaid Avenue. But in his native England, Billy Bragg is highly regarded as an egalitarian songsmith who sings for the working class.
Sep 3rd, 2008 · It's hard to listen to The Silver City, the new CD from Minnesota chamber-pop artist Jeremy Messersmith, without thinking of Sufjan Stevens. Both artists have similar voices and a love of richly orchestrated story songs. They also find inspiration in geography.
Jul 31st, 2008 · When a New York City doorman won $5 million in the lottery in May, he said the money wouldn't change his life. Richie Randazzo bought a boat, then a Lexus, but he kept working at the same Park Avenue building — until the management company showed him the door for playing hooky one too many times.
Jul 28th, 2008 · The second season of AMC's Mad Men kicked off on Sunday. The award-winning drama dives into the hard-drinking, chain-smoking, cut-throat advertising world of Madison Avenue during the 1960s. TV critic Mary McNamara discusses the show, which recently received 16 Emmy nominations.
Mar 17th, 2008 · When New York lost one of its top contenders for Best Pastrami Sandwich, foodies around the country went into a funk. But big eaters can rejoice: The Second Avenue Deli is back and as delicious as ever.
Jan 4th, 2008 · The Iraqi refugee community in Damascus, Syria, is a haven for young artists: filmmakers, painters, dancers. For dancer Muhanad Rasheed, talent is one way out: An invitation to Europe is an opportunity to perform and, hopefully, find a new life.
Jul 2nd, 2007 · Rock historian Ed Ward profiles songwriter Doc Pomus, the Brooklyn-born blues singer and songwriter who died in 1991. Born Jerome Solon Felder, he survived a childhood case of polio and went on to write hits for Ray Charles and Elvis Presley, among others. His songs include "Lonely Avenue," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Save the Last Dance for Me."
May 8th, 2007 · The agency BBDO is one of the advertising industry's gray eminences. It's handled the General Electric account for 80 years; Jack Benny used to mock it. Now, with new-media evangelist David Lubars leading the charge, BBDO is learning to adapt to technologies that threaten to make traditional advertising obsolete.