eTown

Tuesday, 9 p.m.

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Taped before a live studio audience in Boulder, CO and other places around the country, eTown delivers the perfect mix of music, information and interviews. This one-hour variety show features musicians from many genres of music along with stories of people doing good work in their communities. Host Nick Forster, formerly of the progressive bluegrass band Hot Rize, helps make for an entertaining and inspiring hour of radio. To find out what musical guests are coming up on eTown, click below.

This program is available for sponsorship! (Contact Ken Scott for more details.)

Visit: www.eTown.org

Upcoming Programming

May 28, 2013: Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band/The Hold Steady

Back by popular demand, eTown hits the road again heading to Griffin Concert Hall in Fort Collins, Colorado. Nick & Helen Forster welcome talented singer/songwriter Josh Ritter back with his Royal City band. Josh was named one of the 100 greatest living songwriters by Paste Magazine. Also joining us this week is the band The Hold Steady. Known for their heavy rock n’ roll sound and intense narrative lyrics, they shift gears and perform a special pared down, acoustic set for eTown. And we’ll share another wonderful E-Chievement Award story, this time one that highlights two hard working, dedicated individuals making a positive impact in the National Forest area in their region.

June 04, 2013: Judy Collins/Ari Hest

eTown hosts Nick and Helen Forster welcome back the legendary Judy Collins, along with eTown newcomer Ari Hest, for a very special episode featuring lots of great music and insightful conversation. Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes for more than 50 years. Now 71, Judy continues to be a relentlessly creative spirit, a modern day Renaissance woman of sorts who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. Also with us is singer/songwriter Ari Hest. Ari’s practical lyrics seamlessly complement his grainy voice and quiet confidence to create a dark yet soulful sound. It’s a broadcast/podcast that’s full to the brim with great music, stirring conversation and, as always, an inspiring E-Chievement Award story. So be sure to join us; right here, in eTown.

June 11, 2013: The Jayhawks, Justine Townes Earle

In this back-by-popular-demand broadcast/podcast, eTown hits the road and heads north to the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. Musical guests include The Jayhawks: After a lengthy hiatus, the original members of the band reunited in 2011 behind a long awaited, chart topping #1 album. They'll share songs showcasing their original alternative country rock sound. Justin Townes Earle (son of Steve Earle) also visits eTown. This Nashville-born musician has won over critics and music lovers alike; among other acknowledgments, he was chosen as the “Best New and Emerging Artist” at the 2009 Americana Music Awards. There’s also a moving E-Chievement Award story and a lot of great conversation, too. So be sure to join us this week in eTown.

June 18, 2013: Cyndi Lauper, Charlie Musselwhite, Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family

eTown brings back an eclectic show for your listening pleasure. Joining hosts Nick & Helen Forster in eTown is Grammy winning, pop music icon Cyndi Lauper. Cyndi continues to mix things up as she’s always done in her career; she’s been reinventing herself as a blues singer, and she comes with songs from her CD project, Memphis Blues. Also taking the stage, (both with Cyndi as a member of her blues band and in his own separate segment) is eTown favorite and iconic bluesman Charlie Musselwhite. Charlie shares his world-class harmonica skills and great vocals in original songs (off his CD called The Well), layered in deep-country blues. Nick and Helen and the eTones provide great back up support for him too. The show is rounded out with a brief visit by world music beat masters Mohammed Alidu & The Bizung Family and an inspiring E-Chievement Award interview. It’s another memorable week, right here in eTown.

June 25, 2013: Dave Alvin, Max Gomez

eTown welcomes back Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Dave Alvin this week. Aside from his career as a solo artist, Alvin is known for his work with bands such as X, The Blasters and The Knitters. He has worn multiple hats over his long career as a songwriter, producer, session musician and even as an actor in television shows and movies on occasion. Rolling Stone magazine has called him “an under recognized guitar hero,” and we couldn’t agree more. Joining us for this show is up-and-coming musician Max Gomez. The son of an artisanal furniture craftsman, Gomez grew up watching his father, learning the tools of the trade while simultaneously learning his way around the frets of his guitar. The workmanlike quality of his songwriting carries over from his days spent in the woodshed through an economy of words, phrase and narrative. Great live music, compelling conversation and an inspiring E-Chievement Award story await you this week in eTown.

July 02, 2013: Blues Traveler, Ruthie Foster

In this week’s encore broadcast/podcast, Nick & Helen Forster welcome back a couple of eTown veterans for this week’s show. It's been almost a decade since Blues Traveler last was with us. Originating in Princeton, New Jersey in 1987, this globetrotting band has continued to top charts over the last 25 years. Ruthie Foster, gifted Austin-based singer/songwriter, also joins us (Nick & Helen and the eTones back up her bluesy, down-home tunes). Plus, an inspiring E-Chievement Award story, told to us by our 'in person, on-stage' winner. There’s great stuff for everyone, this week in eTown.

Previous Programming
displays the previous month of programming

May 21, 2013: Solas/Terry Allen

This week, eTown welcomes back a couple of old friends; the Irish sounds of musical group Solas along with musician, conceptual artist, and poet Terry Allen. Fifteen years ago, in a manner befitting their name (Gaelic for “light”), Solas burst onto the Irish music scene. Joining Solas is legendary songwriter Terry Allen, who will be making his first appearance in eTown in over two decades. In addition to the 11 albums under his belt, Allen is also well known as a visual artist, with commissioned sculptures, installations, and public art works and gallery showings around the world. This show is full of great music and conversation, plus an inspiring E-Chievement Award story highlighting someone who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in their community.

May 14, 2013: Darrell Scott/Leftover Salmon

Back by popular demand – this week’s encore broadcast welcomes singer/songwriter extraordinaire Darrell Scott and music festival stalwarts Leftover Salmon. Master songwriter Darrell Scott, an eTown regular at this point (much to our delight), has earned the respect of peers and music critics all over the world, and you’ll hear why in this week’s episode. And, for more than 20 years, Leftover Salmon has continued to provide a high-energy 'festival experience' for their fans. They are with us this week to share some of their newer music. There’s also an E-Chievement Award winner who’s helping to green restaurants throughout Memphis. Be sure to join us this week, in eTown!

May 07, 2013: Brett Dennen/Razia

eTown revisits a popular broadcast featuring two musicians who embody the spirit of eTown's mission of combining music with conversation to make a better world. eTown favorite Brett Dennen is well known for his great lyrics as well as an unwavering dedication to environmental and social activism. Brett returns to eTown in this re-airing, this time with his full band in tow. And Nick & Helen Forster and the eTones provide musical support to eTown first-timer Razia Said, who hails from Madagascar. She has dedicated her musical career to raising awareness of the critical impact of slash and burn agriculture and climate change in her native country. There will of course be an inspiring E-Chievement Award story, too. Be sure to tune in or podcast!

April 30, 2013: Martin Sexton/The Milk Carton Kids

eTown welcomes back long-time guest and friend of the show, Martin Sexton. It’s been a couple of years since Martin was on the show, and listeners can look forward to hearing songs and stories that span his career. Also joining us this evening for their very first visit to eTown is the up-and-coming folk duo, The Milk Carton Kids. In just a short time, the duo has received a warm welcome from fans and critical acclaim usually reserved for their veteran counterparts. The band’s populist approach of giving away their music for free – combined with their talent and passion for live performances – was met with immediate success and interest from record labels, resulting in the band’s recent signing to Anti Records. Lots of great music and an exciting E-Chievement Award story – this week in eTown!