A Musician's Life

Series produced by WXPN

Caption: PRX default Series image
PRX default Series image 

A grab bag of musicians muse about the creative and mundane aspecs of their lives. WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum hosts this ongoing five minute weekly series

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including:

? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art
? How they work with the music industry
? How they feel about critics and fans
? The realities of touring
? The stories behind specific songs
? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives
? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives
? Dealing with writer?s block
? Growing up wanting to be an artist
? Taking care of the voice
? Taking care of one?s health

This is a five-minute weekly series hosted by WXPN's Tracey Tanenbaum. She created the feature in 2006 and won the 2007 ACE award (Award for Creative Excellence in the Triple A category) for her efforts. Even though Tracey hosts and interviews the artists, she makes sure they take center stage, adding her voice or question only when appropriate. So AML has a first person feel. The program features a hefty-dose of each artist's music. The 5 minute length provides an option for stations looking for other content to replace NPR newscasts.

Performers include Sheryl Crow, Nick Lowe, Bob Mould, Mary Gauthier, Tegan and Sara, John Doe, Jim White, Vusi Mahlasela, Michael Penn, Kristin Hersh, Jill Sobule, Colin Hay, Tift Merritt, Jason Isbell, Francis Dunnery and more, more, more... Hide full description

In the series A Musician?s Life listeners learn about musicians? lives first-hand. We?ll hear from performers at various stages of their career?those on the rise; those who have ?made it? and those who may be struggling for some recognition. They?ll describe both the creative and mundane sides of what they do, including:

? The biggest sacrifice they ever made for their art
? How they work with the music industry
? How they feel about critics and fans
? The realities of touring
? The stories behind specific songs
? Fall-out from writing about people in their personal lives
? Any toll their work takes on their personal lives
? Dealing with writer?s block
? Growing up wanting to be an artist
? Taking care of the voice
? Taking care of one?s health

This is a five-minute weekly series... Show full description


67 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Piece image
On this edition of "A Musician's Life" Tracey Tanenbaum speaks with Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova of The Swell Season. Most people will remembe...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: May 17, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The son of a minister, Gordon Gano hardly seemed like an obvious candidate to front the 1980's post-punk band, The Violent Femmes. But his smart ly...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio


  • Added: May 18, 2010
  • Length: 05:01
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
On this edition of "A Musician's Life" Tracey Tanenbaum speaks with Shelby Lynne. In 2001 she won a Grammy for best new artist. At the time, Lynne...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: May 19, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2
Piece image
The Holmes Brothers have been entertaining audiences with their uplifting blend of gospel, blues and R&B for three decades. Their latest album "Fe...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: May 27, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
As one of the leaders of the seminal LA band X, Exene Cervenka is punk rock royalty. On this edition of "A Musician's Life" Exene takes us through ...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: May 28, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Veteran songwriter Graham Parker joins Tracey Tanenbaum on this edition of "A Musician's Life". Early in his career, critics in his native Britain...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 30, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Austin based musician Marcia Ball is best known for her infectious brand of Louisiana Swamp rock and two-fisted piano playing. And even though she...

Bought by KUFM - Montana Public Radio and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Jul 02, 2010
  • Length: 05:00
  • Purchases: 2