On Second Thought

A conductor in Clarkston, Georgia is looking to add some much-needed diversity into the world of classical music. Jason Rodgers has founded Atlanta’s first all-black ensemble, which will be known as Orchestra Noir. The group hopes to encourage other classical music programs to further the cause of diversity. Orchestra Noir will debut on Friday, September 16 at the Georgia Freight Depot. We revisit our conversation with Rodgers and Caen Thomason-Redus of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra about the

Frequent listeners of NPR’s "Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me" may know of Maz Jobrani. He’s an Iranian-American comedian and actor, and a frequent panelist on the show. Jobrani says comedians can play an important role in challenging stereotypes. We talk about how he’s doing that ahead of a series of performances this week at the Punchline Comedy Club in Atlanta. Then, Atlanta activist Cecily McMillan is only 27 years old, but she's experienced things that most of us will never face. In 2014, McMillan

Atlanta activist Cecily McMillan is only 27 years old, but she's experienced things that most of us won’t ever face. In 2014, McMillan was convicted for assaulting a police officer during an Occupy Wall Street protest, and she served three months behind bars at Rikers Island in New York. She made numerous accusations while incarcerated about abuse and prisoner neglect. We speak with her about her new memoir, "The Emancipation of Cecily McMillan," which chronicles her time at Rikers Island.

For generations, U.S. presidents had slaves. Ten of the first fifteen presidents were slave owners or raised in a slaveholding household, a fact that’s often left out of history books. Author Ken Davis chronicles the lesser known history of the presidency and slavery in his book, “In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives.” We talk with him about why it is critical to keep this history alive for younger generations.

Frequent listeners of NPR’s "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" may know of Maz Jobrani. He's an Iranian-American comedian and actor, and a frequent panelist on the show. Jobrani says comedians can play an important role in challenging stereotypes. He’s been doing it for years. We caught up with him ahead of a series of performances this week at the Punchline Comedy Club in Atlanta.

World-renowned violinist Robert McDuffie has opened a music conservatory at Mercer University in Macon. It not only focuses on musical talent, but also offers a broad-based education and teaches students how to survive financially as working musicians. He talks about the McDuffie Center for Strings and why some consider it to be the “Juilliard of the South.”

Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers and Little Richard are just a few of the top-notch musicians to get their professional start in Macon, Georgia. But there are many other talented Macon artists who haven't gotten the same recognition. As part of our Year of Georgia Music series, we speak with Jessica Walden and Jamie Weatherford of Rock Candy Tours in Macon, which takes guests to visit some of the historical music sites in that city.

If Aretha Franklin is the “Queen of Soul,” Otis Redding was the king. He died in 1967 at the young age of 26, but not before recording some of the most powerful soul records that still resonate with contemporary listeners. Last weekend, Macon hosted a festival in honor of the fallen soul-singer, including musical performances from his two sons. Author Mark Ribowsky examines Redding’s legacy from his upbringing in Georgia to his untimely death. We speak with Mark Ribowsky, author of "Dreams to

If Aretha Franklin is the “Queen of Soul,” Otis Redding was the king. He died in 1967 at the young age of 26, but not before recording some of the most powerful soul records that still resonate with contemporary listeners. Last weekend, Macon hosted a festival in honor of the fallen soul-singer, including musical performances from his two sons. Author Mark Ribowsky examines Redding’s legacy from his upbringing in Georgia to his untimely death. He talks about his book, “Dreams to Remember: Otis

We revisit our conversation with singer/songwriter Gregg Allman about how he got his start singing with The Allman Brothers Band and what Macon means to him today. He also reveals the origins of the song “Melissa,” and he takes a stand for artists who struggle to make a living in the modern-day music industry.