Well, baseball's spring training is finally over and it always makes me joyful - even if I am a Philadelphia Phillies fan. Last season was magical, but without Rhys Hoskins anything could happen. The thing about baseball is that every year, every team starts the season unbeaten with highest hopes. On this edition of the program we celebrate the occasion with music about the national pastime. We'll hear selections from John McCutcheon, John Gorka, Danielle Miraglia, Caroline Spence, Harry Caray and of course, Steve Goodman, and many more. Play Ball! … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysChris Thile / “Shadow Ridge” / Leading Off... / Sugar HillPeter Cooper / “Opening Day” / Opening Day / Red BeetHarry Caray / “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” / Chicago Cubs Greatest Hits / Marquee Alphabet CityJohn Gorka / “Branching Out” / Before Beginning / Red HouseCaroline Spence / “Softball” / Spades & Roses / Self-releasedArtie Traum & Pat Alger / “The Home Run Kid” / From the Heart / RounderChuck Brodsky / “Splinter Cheeks Johnson” / Tell Tale Heart / Self-releasedChuck Brodsky / “Funeral For the Curse” / Them and Us / Self-releasedDanielle Miraglia / “Heat of the Win” / Glory Junkies / Self- releasedChris Thile / “Old Dangerfield” / Leading Off... / Sugar HillDave Frishberg / “Van Lingle Mungo” / Baseball's Greatest Hits / RhinoJohn McCutcheon / “Doing My Job” / Sermon on the Mound / AppalseedDana Cooke / “Christmas Down in Cooperstown” / Diamond Cuts-Turning Two / Hungry for MusicSteve Goodman / “A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request / Diamond Cuts-Seventh Inning Stretch / Hungry for MusicPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

Spring can be rather fickle here in Eastern Pennsylvania, hinting at change just long enough for the crocus and daffodils to start to bloom, only to be surprised by a period of cold weather and often a bit of snow. This week we celebrate the vernal equinox with some music that suggests that change. We'll hear songs and tunes from Ken & Brad Kolodner, The Sweet & Lowdown, Tim O'Brien, Robin & Linda Williams, John Renbourn, Punch Brothers and many others. Join us as we celebrate the arrival of spring … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwayKen & Brad Kolodner / “The Orchard” / Skipping Rocks / FenchurchThe Sweet Lowdown / “The Birds & the Bees” / Chasing the Sun / Self ProducedJoel Mabus / “Speed the Plow” / Golden Willow Tree / FossilClaudia Schmidt / “You Must Believe in Spring” / Big Earful / Red HouseShane Cook & The Woodchippers / “Meander Creek” / Be Here For a While / Slow CookerTim O'Brien / “Sod Buster” / He Walked On / Howdy SkiesPunch Brothers / “The Gardner” / All Ashore / NonesuchCarrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt / “Sky Picked Blue” / For Keeps / Red HouseKen & Brad Kolodner / “Skipping Rocks” / Skipping Rocks / FenchurchJohn Renbourn / “So Early in the Spring” / So Early in the Spring / SanctuaryThe Pentangle / “Wedding Dress” / Reflection / CastleSusan Conger / “Waiting for Fish” / Along the River / Self ProducedRobin & Linda Williams / “Across the Blue Mountains” / All Broken Hearts Are the Same / Sugar HillErin Ash Sullivan / “Spring Come Running” / We Can Hear Each Other / WilloughbyAlice DiMicele / “Every Seed” / Every See We Plant / Alice OtterPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

This week we conclude our three-part feature focusing on folk and country rock music. We'll cover a lot of ground with selections from Little Feat, Cowboy, Paul Siebel, Emmylou Harris, Uncle Tupelo, The Jayhawks, Son Volt, Michael Nesmith and lots more. “Ain't living long like this” … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysThe Twangbangers / “Telewacker” / 26 Days on the Road / HightoneSeatrain / “Out Where the Hills” / Seatrain / CapitolLittle Feat / “Willin'” / Little Feat / Warner BrothersCowboy / “Livin' in the Country” / Reach for the Sky / Real GonePaul Siebel / “She Made Me Lose My Blues” / Woodsmoke and Oranges / ElektraJerry Jeff Walker / “Gettin' By” / Viva Terlingua! / MCADoug Sahm / “Beautiful Texas Sunshine” / Groovers Paradise / Warner BrothersJohn Stewart / “July You're a Woman” / California Bloodlines / Bear FamilyThe Twangbangers / “Wacky Walk” / 26 Days on the Road / HightoneEmmylou Harris / “I Ain't Living Long Like This” / Spyboy / EminentUncle Tupelo / “No Depression” / No Depression / Columbia-LegacyPhil Alvin & the Blasters / “County Fair” / County Fair 2000 / HightoneThe Jayhawks / “Settled Down Like Rain” / Music from the North Country / AmericanSon Volt / “No Turning Back” / American Central Dust / RounderMichael Nesmith & the First National Band Redux / “Joanne” / Live at the Troubadour / 7aPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

On this week's episode we continue with part 2 of our survey of folk and country rock music. We'll explore some roots and branches from The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Dillards, Linda Ronstadt, Jack Tempchin, The Eagles and others. The connections among folk, rock and country … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysThe Byrds / “Nashville West” / Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde / ColumbiaBuffalo Springfield / “Go and Say Goodbye” / Buffalo Springfield / AtcoThe Dillards / “I've Just Seen a Face” / Wheatstraw Suite / ElektraInternational Submarine Band / “Luxury Liner” / Sweetheart of the Rodeo / ColumbiaThe Byrds / “One Hundred Years from Now” / Sweetheart of the Rodeo / ColumbiaBob Dylan / “John Wesley Harding” / Travelin' Thru / Columbia Poco / “Medley-Hard Luck-Child's Claim to Fame-Pickin Up the Pieces” / Deliverin' / EpicLinda Ronstadt / “The Only Mama That'll Walk the Line” / Hand Sown...Home Grown / BGOThe Flying Burrito Brothers / “Wheels” / The Gilded Palace of Sin / A+MLongbranch Pennywhistle / “Run Boy Run” / Longbranch Pennywhistle / GeffenThe Byrds / “Nashville West” / Untitled / ColumbiaShiloh / “Simple Little Down Home Love Song for Rosie” / The Eagles Before They Were Famous / Gray ScaleJack Tempchin / “Peaceful Easy Feeling” / Peaceful Easy Feeling The Songs of Jack Tempchin / BluelanEagles / “Midnight Flyer” / On the Border / AsylumJackson Browne / “Take it Easy” / For Everyman / AsylumEverly Brothers / “I'm On My Way Home Again” / Silver Meteor / SierraThe Byrds / “Oil In My Lamp” / Ballad of Easy Rider / ColumbiaPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

For the next shows we'll turn our attention to folk and country rock music. This week in Part 1 we'll hear classics from The Delmore Brothers, Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Buddy Holly. Buck Owens, The Everly Brothers, The Beatles and the Byrds, classics that inspired the genre. Coming next time, more from the Byrds and some other more recent performers. Now's the right time to listen to some country and folk-rock classics … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysThe Texas Troubadours / “E. T. Blues” / The Instrumentals / Bear FamilyThe Delmore Brothers / “Blues You Never Lose” / Freight Train Boogie / AceHank Williams / “Move it On Over” / 40 Greatest Hits / PolydorHank Snow / “The Golden Rocket” / I'm Movin' On (And other Great Country Hits) / RCAElvis Presley / “When My Blue Moon turns to Gold Again” / Elvis Presley (Legacy Edition) / RCABuddy Holly / “Maybe Baby” / The Definitive Collection / DeccaThe Everly Brothers / “Bye Bye Love” / The Outtakes / Bear FamilyJohnny Horton / “Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor” / Rockabilly Stars Vol.1 / CBSJohnny Cash / “Ring of Fire” / 16 Biggest Hits / Columbia LegacyBuck Owens / “Act Naturally” / 21 #1 Hits / RhinoThe Beatles / “I'm Looking Through You” / Rubber Soul / Apple-ParlophoneThe Texas Troubadours / “Leon's Guitar Boogie” / The Instrumentals / Bear FamilyRicky Nelson / “Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)” / The Legendary Ricky Nelson / CemaThe Searchers / “Needles And Pins” / Needles & Pins / CastleBob Dylan / “Mr. Tambourine Man” / The Witmark Demos / ColumbiaMimi & Richard Farina / “Reno Nevada” / The Vanguard Folk Rock Album / VanguardDonovan / “Catch the Wind” / Gathered from Coincidence / GrapefruitThe Silkie / “You've Got to Hide Your Love Away” / Gathered from Coincidence / GrapefruitThe Byrds / “Turn! Turn! Turn!” / Original Singles 1965-1967 / ColumbiaPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

This week we conclude our two-part feature, It's a Slippery Slope, with more great slide guitar selections. We'll hear fine music from Leo Kottke, Ally Venable, Jon Shain, Sonny Treadway, Rory Block, Bruce Cockburn and quite a few others. Slip and slide along with them … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysLeo Kottke / “Available Space” / Guitar Music / ChrysallisJon Shain & FJ Ventre / “Lord Have Mercy” / Never Found A Way To Tame The Blues / Flyin' Bruce Cockburn / “You Don't Have to Play the Horses” / Night Vision / True NorthCrying Sam Collins and his Git-Fiddle / “Devil In the Lion's Den” / Jail House Blues / YazooAlly Venable / “Played the Game” / Heart of Fire / RufSam Bush & Jerry Douglas / “Girl of the North Country” / Ice Caps:Peaks of Telluride / Sugar HillMichael Cooney / “John Henry” / The Cheese Stands Alone / Folk LegacyMary Flower / “Nine Pound Hammer” / Honey From the Comb / Time & StrikeLeo Kottke / “All I Have to Do is Dream” / Guitar Music / ChrysalisTony Furtado & the American Gypsies / “The Ghost of Blind Willie Johnson” / Live Gypsy / DualtoneReverend Robert Wilkins / “I Wish I was in Heaven Sitting Down” / Blues at Newport / VanguardSonny Treadwell / “Amazing Grace” / Sacred Steel / ArhoolieRory Block / “Prove it On Me” / Prove it On Me / Stoney PlainNorman Blake-Nancy Blake-Tut Taylor / “Guitar Rag” / Shacktown Road / PlectrafoneAyla Brook and the Sound Men / “Cheap Microphone and an Old Guitar” / Desolation Sounds / Fallen TreePete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

On the program this time around, we present “It's a Slippery Slope, Pt.1” featuring a collection of great slide guitar players. Included are Bonnie Raitt, Del Rey, Geoff Bartley, Jerry Douglas and of course, Ellen McIlwayne. Slide along with us for the next couple of shows, starting this week … on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysEllen McIlwaine / “Losing You” / Up from the Skies / PolydorDonna Herula / “Bang at the Door” / Bang at the Door / Self-producedRy Cooder / “At the Dark End of the Street” / Boomers Story / RepriseThe Jerry Douglas Band / “2:19” / What If / RounderWill Kimbrough / “Cape Henry” / Spring Break / DaphneRoger Williams / “Slipped Disc” / Masters of Slide: The Spider Sessions / Mountain HomeSally Van Meter & Orville Johnson / “Tex Mex Shindig” / Masters of Slide: The Spider Sessions / Mountain HomeSanto & Johnny / “Sleepwalk” / Sleepwalk / JasminBonnie Raitt / “Write Me a Few of Your Lines-Kokomo Blues” / Takin' My Time / Warner BrothersEllen McIlwaine / “Sliding” / Up from the Skies / PolydorLeRoy Parnell / “On the Road” / On the Road / AristaDel Rey / “Tennessee Local” / At the Uke Shack #2 / HobemianLeo Kottke / “Pamela Brown” / Ice Water / CapitolGeoff Bartley / “Grinnin' in Your Face” / Hear That Wind Howl / WaterbugThe David Bromberg Band / “Walkin' Blues” / The Blues the Whole Blues and Nothing but the Blues / Red HousePete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

This week we feature the recordings Old-Time Sweethearts Volume 1 & 2 on Dittyville. This project, produced by Erynn Marshall and Rachel Eddy, offers old-time duets from Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones, Judy Hyman & Jeff Claus, Jesse Milnes & Emily Miller, and Audrey & Bruce Molsky. We'll also scatter in duets recorded by The Blue Sky Boys, Robin & Linda Williams, Ken & Brad Kolodner and a few more. Join us for some great old-time duets … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / SmithsonianFolkwaysJess McIntosh & Aaron Smith / “Shakin' Down the Acorns” / Jess McIntosh & Aaron Smith / Self-producedCarl Jones & Erynn Marshall / “I Need You” / Old-Time Sweethearts Vol. 1 / DittyvilleKen & Brad Kolodner / “Wild Bill Jones” / Stony Run / FenchurchThe Blue Sky Boys / “Katy Dear” / Are You From Dixie / RCA-BMGTyler Grant & Robin Kessinger / “Flop Eared Mule” / Kanawha County Flatpicking / Grant CentralRobin & Linda Williams / “High Atmosphere” / Sugar for Sugar / Sugar HillJesse Milnes & Emily Miller / “West Virginia Polka” / Old-Time Sweethearts Vol.2 / DittyvilleFrank & Allie Lee / “You Are My Flower” / Treat a Stranger Right / Bake ToneJohn Hartford & Howdy Forrester / “You Ever Heard Secesh” / Home Made Sugar and a Puncheon Floor / Spring FedJohn Hartford & Howdy Forrester / “Secesh” / Home Made Sugar and a Puncheon Floor / Spring FedJess McIntosh & Aaron Smith / “Fire on the Mountain” / Jess McIntosh & Aaron Smith / Self-producedAshlee Watkins & Andrew Small / “Sunny Side of Life” / Old-Time Sweethearts Vol.2 / DittyvilleThe Everly Brothers / “Down in the Willow Garden” / Classic Everly Brothers / Bear FamilyBlake & O'Brien / “Tennessee Wagoner” / Be Ready Boys / ShanachieBrother Boys / “Band Box” / Presley's Grocery / Sugar HillErynn Marshall, Carl Jones, Rachel Eddy & Em Hammonds / “She Was Bold and Daring” / Old-Time Sweethearts Vol.1 / DittyvilleSara & Maybelle Carter / “Lonesome Pine Special” / Sara & Maybelle Carter / Bear FamilyThe Horsenecks / “Melvin Wine's Uncle Pen” / Started Out in Town / Old-Time Tiki Parlour Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

This week on the program we complete our two-part feature presenting some great next-generation singer songwriters. We'll hear Bob Malone, Crys Matthews, Brennan Leigh, Esther Rose, John Smith and more. Singing the praises of the Unsung … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysMatt Flinner Trio / “The Terry Cloth Warriors” / Traveling Roots / CompassBob Malone / “Good People” / Good People / Delta MoonCrys Matthews / “Exactly Where You Are” / Changemakers / Self-producedDonal Hinely / “From the Day” / Dark Horse Days / AtomBrennan Leigh / “Little Blue Eyed Dog” / Prairie Love Letter / Self-producedHugh Phillips / “Dancin' Blues” / It's Been A Long Time / String KitchenAnnabelle Chvostek / “Belleville Rendez-Vous” / String of Pearls / MQGVMichael Kelly / “Cracker Jack Ring” / Kingfisher / PatuxentMatt Flinner Trio / “Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump” / Traveling Roots / CompassEsther Rose / “Keeps Me Running” / How Many Times / Father/DaughterBob Bradshaw / “Songs on the Radio” / The Ghost Light / FlukeMorgan Wade / “Other Side” / Reckless / Thirty TigersJohn Smith / “Friends” / The Fray / Thirty Tigers-CommonerLizette Knott / “This Old World” / Single / Self-producedRod Abernathy / “Another Year” / Normal isn't Normal Anymore / Songs from DownstairsPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

This time around on the program we begin a two-part feature we're calling Unsung Songwriters. We'll feature recent recordings from The Brother Brothers, Liz Simmons, Mac Leaphart, Tiffany Williams, and Dave Richardson. You'll hear these songwriters and many more besides … this week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine.Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian FolkwaysTodd Mosby / “Gliding” / Ariel Views / MMGThe Brother Brothers / “On the Road Again” / Calla Lily / CompassLiz Simmons / “When the Waters Rise” / Poets / MorganaVivian Leva & Riley Calcagno / “Leaving on Our Minds” / Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno / Free DirtPhil Henry / “Bottle Rocket” / Chasing Echoes / Board by BoardMac Leaphart / “Music City Joke” / Music City Joke / Self-producedTiffany Williams / “California” / I'll Be Back Soon / Blue RedbirdDave Richardson /”Keep Trying” / Palm to Pines / Branch and Thorn10 String Symphony / “Even a Dog Has Dreams” / Weight of the World / PoppychopTodd Mosby / “Earth & Sky” / Ariel Views / MMGTim O'Brien & Jan Fabricius / “Come When Mother Calls” / April in Your Eyes / Diamond RanchMandy Rowden / “Get Out of the City” / Parachute / Howling DogMare Wakefield & Nomad / “Outfield” / No Remedy / Self-producedMaya De Vitry / “Bread for the Circus” / How to Break a Fall / Mad MakerLogan Ledger / “Starlight” / Logan Ledger / RounderPete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways