It’s time to give the drummer some, with late New Orleans native Earl Palmer talking about his creative percussion for Fats Domino and Little Richard sessions; and conversation with Memphis rockabilly JM Van Eaton about backing Jerry Lee Lewis; plus rhythm and time-keeping in music from Elvis and Johnny Cash to Smokey Johnson and Slim Gaillard. Then a live set dedicated to the soul, funk and jazz of New Orleans drummer James Black with Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.

Ladies, Gentlemen, children of all ages, it’s a musical circus from the Big Top. Time to bring in the clowns and marvel at the dancing bears and parading elephants. Say yes to the organ grinder. Also to Bruce Springsteen, Victoria Spivey, Los Lobos and Ella Fitzgerald, plus visit with trapeze artist Dolly Jacobs and one time circus worker and glass eater, singer Meschiya Lake. Then a trip to Coney Island, where we’ll ride the Wonder Wheel and meet up with a carnival barker and Little Miss FireFly.

For Easter: a live bluegrass set from Del McCoury from the National Folk Festival and a conversation with Chicago gospel giants The Highway Q.C.‘s. We’ll give the chocolate rabbits, colored eggs, Jesus and believers their due in songs by Woody Guthrie, the Staple Singers, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Bob Dylan. Plus Passover themes from the Caribbean to New York. Join us for that and our Easter Parade of holiday and holy day hits.

Songs and stories of the healing power of music and its role in improving personal health with gospel singer Cora Harvey Armstrong, Apsaalooke rapper and fancy dancer Supaman, singer-songwriter Jesse Colin Young and Santana‘s reflections on reincarnation. Plus, songs about the temptations of elixirs as fixers of pain and maladies of all kinds from the flu and plain old love sickness.