Interview with the Host–November 21st, 2008 Show

November 25, 2008

I had the honor of turning the tables on Sound Authors host Dr. Kent Gustavson and interviewed him about the guests on last week’s show.

You interviewed award winning poet icon and author Amiri Baraka, who has written over 40 books. Have you been an avid reader of his work?

I had never read his work before, but did a good bit of research before he came on the show. I was especially interested in his recent highly political work. What an honor to chat with him for half an hour! His readings on his website are extraordinary. I was especially intrigued by his associations with Coltrane, Monk and other giant jazz greats! Very cool.

You spoke to new author Carson Gilmore who is the author of “Boy on Fire” which is a novel that challenges the ‘ No Child Left Behind act’. Do you feel this is an issue that needs to be reevaluated and the media needs to bring awareness too?

I think the new Obama administration will certainly make some needed changes to the No Child Left Behind act — maybe children will stop being left behind… It was enjoyable speaking to Gilmore — he seems to be a precocious and gifted young man.

Award winning fiddler Michael Cleveland was on the show, have you been a follower of his music?

I have listened to Michael Cleveland for years now, ever since seeing him as a little boy on a video called “Gather at the River” with some of the greats of bluegrass. There is a scene where Cleveland sits with Doc Watson and other greats of bluegrass music, and holds his own, though he was just 13 years old, a small blind boy… And now he has shared the stage with any great bluegrass musician worth mentioning! And he has so many awards he could fill up a house just with those… Truly one of the great fiddlers of our time, and he’s still only in his mid-twenties. A great honor speaking with him about his music.

Posted by amber | Filed Under x_ AFTERTHOUGHTS